I Don't Know What To Do!!...

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Hmmm... I really don't know what to do!

I nearly bought a bike from work the other day, a K1 GSXR1000. 2001, 7000 miles, red/black/silver, FSH, absolutely mint, micron race can and red fox rear hugger, otherwise standard. However, I then tried to insure it, and was given a quote of £1900 TPF+T at 20 with 2 years no claims.

So basically, I am now in a predicament. Until I am 21 and have 3 years no claims they won't touch me on a GSXR1000 or R1 which are my dream bikes. So I am going to have to go for a 600 for a year.

I have been offered a 2003 Bandit 600, with 6500 miles on the clock, in silver, totally standard, in mint condition for £2000. Had a quote on this at £463 TPF+T. Or, do I go for an 04 plate R6 in black/silver with 3000 miles on the clock, mint again, totally standard for £4400? Had a quote of £599.87 for that one.

Bear in mind, either way I will be borrowing the money. If I get the Bandit I will finance it over a year then sell it and get either the GSXR or R1. If I get the R6 I will have to do the finance over 2 years, so therefore I would be inclined to keep the bike for 2 years then sell it and get a GSXR or R1.

I really can't decide what to do! One thing I do know is it's absolutely killing me not having a bike!

Off to Darley Moor with my works race team, we should do well, got a top lad racing our R1, although the competition is tough, the likes of John McGuinness and Guy Martin and Ian Lougher are all there on top bikes. Our man should get a podium finish though, we will be dissapointed if he doesn't!

Thanks for any input, hopefully I will be knocking about on the forum a bit more these days too, especially once I have a bike again, and now I'm back in the bike trade!

Regards.
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Can you not get them to bung you on the garage policy?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

keep the gixxer and look after it for a year, then buy a 250 or something. Use the 250 for a year then sell it and insure the gixxer with the proceeds.

its one suggestion anyway! Smile

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I would go for a fair bit cheaper r6 (can do you a deal Razz

) - it will be a much better learning experience if you're looking at getting a litre bike in a year's time - especially if you're intending to thrash it.

Sports 600s really aren't that much off the litre bikes when really pushed (compare the 600cc lap times with your race r1 lap times.)

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

You can do me a deal hey G? Very Happy

Has said R6 been G'd?! lol

Just found out Glen Richards is racing on Sunday at Darley Moor too. Great stuff, we should still get a podium finish though, we have Chris Sammons on board.

I really dunno what to do though for the best!
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Said r6 has issues entirely seperate to G Smile

- but does have issues, thus the 'deal' Smile

.

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

Surely the GSXR1000 is still going to be expensive to insure at 21?

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

/me goes to look in E+M?...
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

Bargain!!

I like the sound of that Bandit TBH, but surely buying a slightly less 'exciting' 600 is going to heighten your longing for a 1000?

Why not go with a GSXR600 for now, and move on to the 1000 in a year? You'll know whether you like the ride by then.

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Very unlikely, if your quote was 1900 this year it wont be 500 next year. Becoming 21 only makes a comparatively small difference, its 25 that really brings it down. Next year you'll be more likely paying 1700.

Get a cheap 600 and insure it, be cheaper to insure the cheaper the bike and the older it is. You've not owned a bike for ages, last one being a 125? so can't imagine the difference in terms of power/handling between a 98 R6 and a 2004 R6 will show itself to you.

Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

I assume he means they will give him a discount because he turns 21 next year, and isn't entitled at this stage.

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Still don't believe it'll be £500, prolly trying to get him to buy the bike now under false pretences. Trade discounts on insurance are usually totally lame, just like Honda's own insurance and such like, 10% off, yet 50% overpriced to start with.

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

I'm in a very similar situation to you Scoob so i'll tell you how it is for me

I work for a motorcycle hire firm, I am also named on the company insurance to ride any bike, which likewise can be anything from a Speedfight 50 to an MV Agusta. I'm also 21 (nearly 22) with 3years NCB, full licence for 3years and I had a Fireblade at 18 for 2years and a GSXR750 at 20.

Upon the renewal ringaround, my specific requirement was that i wanted TPO on other bikes, as the works policy only covers me when my employer says that i'm actually at work. Most companies won't touch you for it if you work in the motor trade, because it means you have access to a lot of big bikes, and could potentially ride any of them, yes it may sound like you'd get good experience from that, but instead it makes you a massive risk.

Eventually 2 or 3 companies agreed to give it to me, and one of those also gave me my lowest premium of 470 with my NC30 on it aswell. This is a 97 SRAD 750 ungaraged in a reasonable part of Brum. They've told me i should be insurable on anything, even a 10R (it's a consideration) but it won't be cheap, looking at about 700 for a 2002 R1, I would be very surpised if you're friend really is paying £400 for a GSXR1000.

The breakdown as I see it iseach years NCB makes a reasonable difference, but not huge, 21 is a small decrease, 25 a big one. You're restriction expiring makes no difference at all. And your previous experience of big bikes is only taken into consideration if you've been insured claim free on said bike for a complete policy year and is not taken into account by many companies.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

If you are buying it for a short while I would be tempted to spend the lower amount, and a Bandit is not the best built bike for winter use. I would be more temtped with a cheaper bandit.

If you were going to keep it a couple of years then grab the R6.

Some insurance companies are dodgy about touching people on litre bikes without prior experience on them.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Well I am not sure of the ins and outs of it Phoenix, but I know for a fact he paid £432. He is very well connected in the bike trade and knows one or two people who work for insurance companies.

Just out of curiosity, how did you manage to get insured on a blade at 18 then? Was it expensive? NCB?
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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

Jamie_ducati · Scooby Slapper Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Karma :

I would get the r6 - it will ready you for the big sportsbike
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Jamie
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Time for eDUCATIon

Collier · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Karma :

I'd get an r6, but definitley get a steering damper!!

Misc · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

It doesn't have to be potholes. Get on the power on a slightly uneven surface and I've seen them seriously shake.

Misc · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Karma :

Woa that's crazy, So really everyone should have them, What does it do stiffen the steering?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Erm. A lot of focused sports bikes do come with them as standard.
It does depend on your riding style as well - and it's got to be a stupidly bad slapper to actually get thrown off.

It 'dampens' the steering, so any quick movements one way or another are slowed down. Decent ones are adjustable so you can turn it up if you're going for it.

Misc · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Karma :

Sounds kool Thumbs Up

Thanks for the info Smile

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

When I had my first blade i was living in the middle of nowhere, garaged etc. It cost me £700 TPO, the next years renewal (19) was £680 TPFT. It went up to over a grand when I moved to Birmingham though which was it said bye bye, before I got another one and swallowed the insurance hit.