buying a bike.

[taz-uk]

Hello BCF members

I’m looking to buy my 2nd motorcycle. My first was an old cb Honda 70 abroad. Im hoping to pass my DAS by mid july. Ive booked everything with Valley bike school Rawtenstall( all lessons and mod 1 even mod 2( if I fail mod 1 the day mod 2 will become mod 1)), done my theory test, and my CBT in the past week.

I would like to buy something brand new, and then keep it for about 10 years. Something that’s reliable, and can take me on my daily commute of 50 miles ( mostly motorway) plus the odd tour.

The bike that I had my eye on was the V-Strom 650, as it ticks the boxes I want it to except the part that I would want to keep it for 10 years. As many say that they’ll eventually outgrow it. V-strom 1000 would be too much bike for me right now. I have gone and sat on the V-strom 650 in Blackburn. Felt a bit tall, but it was a hot day and I was wearing sandals like an idiot!


Another bike is the BMW f800r, right now I can get it on an interest Free deal, which is something I’m very keen on. Researching PCP, I’ve come to realise its not the right way to go about getting a motorcycle.


So, should I go with a V-strom 650 ( insurance quote £500), or the BMW f800r ( insurance quote £900), I don’t mind the first few years insurance being a little high, it comes down. Both insurance quotes have commuting added to them.


Besides the above 2, i am open to suggestions. Although keep in mind I want to own the bike for long term.


I’m in mid-30`s and weigh around 130kg, 5 ft 9”, on the short side for inside leg.

sorry for the cliched title, couldn't think of anything witty!

[Evil Hans]

[taz-uk]

[Evil Hans]

[taz-uk]

[SDFarsight]

[taz-uk]

[c_dug]

Realistically 10 years of a 50 mile commute is going to put a bike a long way over 100,000 miles. If it lasts that long. I do similar milage and tend to change bikes every 2 years or so, admittedly often because they've been crashed or stolen, which over a ten year period is just as likely to kill a bike as outright milage.

As per others I'd buy a bike privately, buy smart and look after it and you won't lose too much each year in depreciation. I've had somewhere between 10-15 bikes since 2006, never bought from a dealer, only one has been a bit of a lemon, and actually even then not all much.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Bhud]

What you need to work out is the maths. You buy a new bike, and the depreciation hit is fastest the moment you wheel it out of the showroom. There is a run-in period. You will bring it back in for the first 2 scheduled services at least, you will iron out any faults or defects or recall issues, and if you sell it at that point, whoever buys it from you has got the best deal out of all the owners that that bike will ever have. Meanwhile you will have taken the biggest hit to the wallet out of all the owners that bike will ever have.

Are you really going to stick with a bike, from new, for 10 years and run it to the ground by commuting with it? Personally, I doubt it. You will want a change. Ten years and experience of just one big bike in that time? I can't see it happening. But then, I don't know you. The way different people do things is different.

[Easy-X]

To be fair, for some bikes, there's not much between new and near new prices.... hehe, well if you buy from dealers any way so I can see how someone would be tempted; especially with a 0% finance deal.

I suppose it depends on how confident you are with your own wrenching skillz. Personally I always assume a second hand bike hasn't been looked after and that any new bike will have plenty of bits they forgot to torque to the right specs at the factory.

However, there is a very satisfying feeling getting any brand new vehicle...

[Baffler186]

I would not buy a shiny new bike for your 1st bike, especially if you're commuting on it. If it were me, I's spend a couple grand on comfy bike that's been well looked after. I've always had ~ 10 year old bikes, not much has gone wrong. The other issue is, you might drop it or have a minor off. Best to make these little mistakes with a used bike.

Plus your 50 mile commute will keep you busy with consumables and maintenance. You'll need to learn how to do all that stuff yourself if you want to save yourself £100's by not taking to a garage. Wet commuting, road salt, dirt, all takes it's toll.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[taz-uk]

[taz-uk]

[taz-uk]

[taz-uk]

[Freddyfruitba...]

I totally agree with the advice not to buy new; however not so much about buying privately. Yes it'll be much cheaper than going via a dealer, but particularly if the OP doesn't have any experience (as it appears) he has a very much higher chance of getting royally stitched up with a private sale. At least going to a reputable dealer he'll have a bit of a comeback legally if he ends up buying a total dog.

For the buyer who has half a clue about bikes and what to look for when buying a second-hand one (and I imagine everyone on this thread who's in favour of private sales falls into that category) then I totally agree that a private purchase is the way forward.

[Easy-X]

Just to put the boot on the other foot what would be valid reasons to buy a brand new bike?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Zakeo]

[c_dug]

[Easy-X]

The main reason I can see for getting a new bike is getting hold of something you can't buy second hand. E.g. I've been looking at the Kwak Vulcan S and there's so few of them about and so low mileage you may as well pay the extra £500 or so to have a new one.

I've have only one totally new vehicle in my life that I picked up with zero miles on the clock and yes, it is nice but that feeling fades pretty quick.

Experiences > Things

I can't decide which I enjoy more: rebuilding things or actually using the things I've personally fixed.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[SDFarsight]

[Teflon-Mike]

Dont ride road you cant se... worry abut the bit you can.

You haven't got a licence yet & sum total off experience is a days CBT. Doing it for real, on regular basis is a long way off and only 'then' will learning really start... and what may actually be important of wanted utterly at odds with the half formed fantasies you have here ane now... eg IF you do DAS and that results in a licence, 6 weeks in, you might find that playing russiam roulette with the SMIDSY's in the wet and the dark of an autumn ruh hour, really iisn't much fun, and after bike has sat in shed unused all winter, next yeart, oooh, I dont know, underwater tiddly-winks or something may catch your interest and seem like the best spend of your leisure £.

Stop trying to plan your life away... go live this bit you can.

Worry about getting the licence.

Till then all accademic. After? Well one step at a time... ride this nit of road you can see, you dont know what's around the next corner, o stop fretting about the possibilities and kep your eyes open for pot holes pop up pedestrians and kids kicking footballs under your wheels!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Stalk]

I do 50 miles a day, every work day for the last 4 1/2 years, when I get in I don't want to clean the bike, lube the chain or anything else that does not involve being at home and relaxed.

Did the first 3 1/2 years on a 900 diversion that was and still is mechanicly perfect but tatty and above all, cheap. Now on a 650 Bergman, not everyone's cup of tea, but comfortable.

The common denominator is no chain. Maybe consider that if you are doing 9 to 12k a year.

Best of luck!

[Bubbs]

I've only had a handful of bikes and I've sold most of them for more than I paid. Zero depreciation is lovely.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.