Mechanical-minded assistance please...

[Clanger]

Okay peeps, I know some of you will absolutely detest the choice of bike, but could you put your personal tastes aside and give me some advice on which to roll with.

It's a Kwak Versys 650. I have now test ridden two such bikes and feel that one would be the next bike for me (after having looked at, test ridden and sat on a fair few different types).

I have found a motorcycle shop that do outsourcing, but who also sell the Versys from new.

My original plan was for a black Versys '08-'09 plate, approx £3,500-4,500 price tag. But at the shop I was offered an '11 plate, red, with 1,000 on the clock, ex demo for £5,495 (with hand guards and heated grips attached).

The modifications to the newer model are these: more angular bodywork, streamlined exhaust, belly pan, grab rail, LED rear light, modified headlight, rubber mounted handlebars.

Now I hadn't intended on spending that much money, I had aimed towards £5k being my top whack (insurance & tax included). But along with the 1.5yr manufacturers warranty the shop will add their 1yr warranty on top. It also needs a big service at 26,000 miles (can't remember what for).

Which bike would you advise going for?
Does the newer spec really make that much difference?
What price realistically do you think I should aim to barter for (with the newer bike)?

All relevant help gratefully appreciated.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[iooi]

Well my 07 has LED rear light.....

Pop over here and join the forum. Plenty of use and full of advise. Quite a few riders have had more than one and can give good advise.

I assume that the big service is due to checking valves.

Big is a good ride, pretty easy to work on. Biggest downer is having to remove tank to get at the plugs, but then again the std iridium ones last ages. Mine did 11K before being replaced. They still looked new then...

I would go for a older one. Then junk the exhaust and fit a lighter end box.
But only you can decide if you want the newer one, or the older.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[G]

I think it depends on that £3500-£4500 price tag.

If it's the bottom end, you're talking £2k in your back pocket which makes up for an awful lot of warranty work etc.

If you're talking £1k, I think I'd be tempted to try and get the extra for the much newer one, for a few years you may well still be £1k up as far as depreciation goes.

[Clanger]

[Shaft]

Doesn't seem cheap enough to me.

If the reviews I've just glanced at are correct, that bike only retails at £6K brand new, so I'd want more than 500 quid off for being the second owner, that doesn't even cover the original tax content.

If it was £5K, I'd be a bit more tempted, but I would think you could buy one brand spankers for £5500, if you shop around and haggle hard.
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[G]

Ah; presumed new prices were higher.

With the weather just starting to turn, this really should be the ideal time to buy a bike.

A quick look on ebay, while it may not be from a dealer, for £3500 you get a decent bit of kit on an 08 bike:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250945739648
Presuming you are likely to make use of these, something like that seems to make sense.

[Rogerborg]

New price is £6549 or £6899 with ABS. That's the sticker price though, you'd be haggling down from there and it's hardly the peak of the purchasing season. The mods are nice but nothing you couldn't put on yourself for £50.

I wouldn't wipe my arse with an extended "dealer" warranty. For one thing, you're betting that they'll still be around in 18 months when the Kwak warranty runs out, and I'd expect it to be non-transferable so it won't be worth anything in resale if you want to sell it on before then.

I'd offer £5k, leave my number and start walking (slowly) towards the door. See if they want to sit on it until the spring.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Shaft]

[Clanger]

Thanks for all your advice peeps.

I think I will go back and reject the newer model. I don't think I'd be comfortable having such a new bike. I'd prefer to get something for around £3,500 I reckon.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss