Changing my mind but balance aready settled on Bike

[Keeno]

Hi all

Over the past year I've been toying with the idea of getting a bike and recently took the plunge and started lessons. I passed my theory 2 weeks ago and hopefully will be ready for my practical early february.

The first type of bike I considered was something like a Bandit or hornet, I went off the idea of a street bike soon after having a blast on a cruiser. I enjoyed the laid back feel and that it wasnt a hectic ride (if you know what I mean). I also require my licence to be clean as Im a bus driver, anything over 6 points and im without a job. I've always thought that being on a bike like a cruiser would make me ride slower, as anything over 80mph is really a bit pointless, thus protecting my precious licence.

I spotted a really nice 2003 Kawasaki Drifter for decent money in a local dealer and put a deposit down, i paid the balance just before christmas. The dealer has been very nice and has agreed to store the bike untill I pass my test.

Now here's my problem. Over Christmas an old mate of mine came to visit on his 2003 Kawasaki ZX6 and I was really impressed, even more so when he let me have a quick spin on it. Ive always dismissed a sprortbike but this has really got me thinking. I've also been told that insurance will not be much different between the 800 drifter and the 600.

What the hell do I do?? Im thinking about going back to the dealer and explaining my situation and mabey agreeing to a fee for the trouble. Or buying a different bike from them? How do you think they would take this, they've been very nice so far

On the other hand I could just stick with the Drifter for a while and see how it goes. After all I still really like this bike. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.

Sleepless night ahead

[Keeno]

Nobody??

[dodsi]

Buy private, I could get you a lovely 2000 model ZX6R (the sexyest type) In a dashing red for £2300, £500 under what its worth.

That model ZX has plenty of low down grunt too, and is comfy, better for a n00b than a newer style one.

[doggone]

Just talk to the dealer - he'll want to keep on good terms as he'll think you'll probably want to trade in like everyone else in a year or two. Might help if you buy a jacket there or something?
He may reasonably ask you to pay something towards the 'storage' of it while it was 'not for sale'.

[NitroNorry]

Patience!

Its a hard question to answer because it is like saying which colour is best red or blue? It all depends what you want / like. If you are worried about points, and you don't think you can trust yourself to stay legal, then a cruiser is probably better.

If you want to swap, talk nicely to your dealer. How much was your deposit?

Martin
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Triumph Daytona 675
www.triumph675.net

[Andrewc2oo5zx...]

id just stick with what u paid for for the time being, get sum riding time done and then think about changin, us bikers are gets for forever buying new bikes mate, take it easy
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zxr's and cbr's

SUNDERLAND AFC

[instigator]

I've had 6 different bikes in the last year, all becasue I either got bored/fed up or just wanted a change.

If there's something out there you fancy, hell, go for it. Get a bank loan and pay off the loan on the bike and use the money to get a sportsbike. Life's too short.

[Mister James]

I'm not sure if I read that correctly - you chose a cruiser to keep your license safe, then rode your friend's 600 without a license or insurance?! Did I miss something?!

Cruisers sound perfect for learning the ropes at a more sedate and license-friendly rate. You'll also look the mutt's in the summer.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[G]

Personally I have never seen the point of a cruiser - why have a bike to go slowly when a car can do it so much quicker?

Had you considered getting something sporty, but spoiler?
Maybe an old 400, you could even restrict it to 33hp fairly easily for a while to keep it calm.

[bazza]

Wot Siggi said. I came back into bikes with an XV1100 which I had for about 18 months then swapped over to a GSX600F. Neither of which (as everyone on here will rush to tell you) are particularly "exciting" bikes.

In the final analysis, it's entirely up to you whether you take the safe but less exiting route and have the cruiser for a year or so before progressing, or go with the majority and strap yourself and your brand-new licence to a hedge-seeking missile.

I probably shouldn't mention it here, but if you read a few of the posts, you'll notice something interesting - the ones with the "exiting" bikes are the ones always posting in here about their crashes and speeding fines...

Go figure, eh?
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[Milo]

I seem to chop and change bike quite frequently and my favorite so far was the Yamaha XJ900. I likeds the relaxed riding but it wasn't a cruiser by any means.
I've since had a Hornet and it's a lovely bike, which I ride in a relaxed way 90% of the time and generally engine brake using more revs than I accelerate.
It's a relaxed bike to drive in my opinion though I just miss the torque of my old bike which is why I'm now looking for something larger.

I cruise at a higher speed on my GP100 winter bike than my Hornet because i like thrashing it everywhere so I'm more likely to get done for speeding on that than on the Hornet!

[spam]Just so happens that there's a Hornet for sale...[/spam]
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Shaft drives rule.

[Keeno]

Thanks for all the replies. Tried phoning today to get a reaction but they must be closed for the christmas period.

Will let you all know what they say.

[Keeno]

Well screw that.

Just phoned to get an insurance quote, over 3 times as much as the Drifter, £1750. I was advised to come back after my restriction period is up and when i have some co claims bonus.

She basically told me that insurance for sportsbikes at my age is a killer.

Ohh well, at least that made my mind up.

[instigator]

Too many folk are put off by insurance.

What are your details? Age, ncb, how long into current insurance etc.

You need to know how to get good quotes mate, they don't really expect you to take their first quote.

21 years old, 1NCB, 33bhp license, £434 TPFT for my ninja.

First quote was well over the £1k mark.

[Keeno]

Im 26

Have not yet passed my test (quoted as if I passed today)

Had an accident last summer 50/50 my fault and theirs (in a car)

+ I live in N.ireland which means stupid insurance prices.


TBH anything over £1000 is out of my reach at the minute, so the cruiser will keep me going. I'm going to phone round a few more places tomorrow and see what happens. Will post up then with the results.

[instigator]

[G]

Ah, NI.

Another thing to consider is the age of the bike. For the same model bike with the same specs a ten year old bike was under half the price to insure TPO.

Considered something like the xj mentioned above (maybe a 600)? Not very exciting, but should be cheap to buy and insure.

[faith183uk]

Your insurance claim in a car has nothing to do with your bike insurance.

If the insurance companies dont let you use NCB from a car on a quote as they say its not ncb for a motorcycle then they cant use the accidents from a car for the same reason

Thay cant have it both ways


sorry this is in response to a post a few up.

[syl]

[syl]

[garymv]

Hi there

If youve any second thoughts , do not buy the bike.

You will not get your money back .......

Speak to the dealer and explain that you have looked around and have decided that something sportier would suit you better...you wont be the first person he's had change their mind and he may offer you something you really want.....

You are future custom and he wont want to lose you.......

[G]