Buying a bike

[Davenaylor]

Having passed mod 2 this week and looking to buy my first big bike.

Just wanting to know if I have missed any websites to look on.
I'm not looking to spend over a grand and also have a ybr to sell.

I have
eBay
Bike trader
Gum tree
Preloved
Fridayads

[Cuchulain]

Also try motorcycle supermarket & MCN.
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CBT 15/6/2011 Theory Test Passed 6/2/2012 Module 1 Passed 11/6/2012
Module 2 Passed!!! 19/6/2012

[Rogue_Shadow]

Congrats on the pass mate
I was in the same shoes as you only 2-3 weeks ago, having pasted my test and eager to upgrade.

Unfortunately in my area, all the bikes disappeared
So what I'm about to say will make you want to hit you head against the wall.
But be patient! Don't buy something you'll regret.

Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, this is purely from my own experience. So feel free to tell me to STFU

Coming from a YBR (like me) your knowledge of riding bigger bikes is limited making any bigger bike "better".
True ... but you want to make the transition a pleasant one.
So you likely have a bike in your head that you want, likely done some reading up on why this bike suits you. If you haven't now is the time.

Go find your bike locally and sit on it, make sure you expectations meet the reality.
This was an eye opener for me, forgetting how small a YBR is in comparison to a 600, size and weight.
Once your happy, don't compromise.
If you want bike X, don't become inpatient and go for something else that is readily available.
Lecture over.

So, Out of that list you have missed out MCN.
I found a few bikes locally through the seller adverts on the MCN website

[cimbian]

As mentioned, MCN. With the right conditions you can buy a bike with 7 day insurance, 7 day warranty and 7 day breakdown. I did this for my TransAlp and it meant that I could ride it home straight-away. Mind you, the insurance is TPO and with a £1000 excess, but hey, it is legal!
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[Davenaylor]

Cheers. I did know about MCN just forgot to lis them. Didn't know about the insurance though.

I hear you about being patient, I wasn't with the YBR and it has cost me. To be honest, I think I might go to a dealer. But I'm still looking for a bargain as I might buy a hack for the first bike.

[nickerbelly]

If you're looking to spend around a grand and have the ybr to sell, you might get a half decent deal from a dealer using your bike as a px, and the bike you buy will come with some sort of warranty too. If you go with ebay, it can be a good way to pick up a potential bargain but I would strongly advise viewing before buying - and take a friend or someone else who knows about bikes with you!! - I'm a bike mechanic by trade and the number of people I've had call me with "I bought this bike on ebay and ....."!! - also, as has been suggested - try the bike on for size and ergonomics, make sure you feel comfy and secure sitting on it - sounds crazy but it has a huge impact on your enjoyment of biking if you feel comfortable and secure on your bike rather than feeling as if you're a bit stretched to reach the bars or footpegs or the bike's a bit tall and feels unstable at certain speeds etc.
All in all though - congrats on passing, and good luck finding a decent first big bike
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there is a fine line between madness and genius - I have a foot on each side!!

[Seb]

Also worth a nose round various forums relevant to the sort of bike you're looking for
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Polarbear]

who is with you?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Davenaylor]

Sorry, not sure what you mean polarBear. I don't know anyone personally into biking. My dad used to ride on an AA patrol bike but he doesn't have much knowledge of the newer bikes. Still he knows the right end of a spanner so he has a head start in me!

My YBR is an 06 so don't think the dealer will do me an amazing deal, but I will be asking.
Also noted on sitting on the bikes, I passed on an ER6n and bugger me was it uncomfortable. My instructor reckons the seat was lowered. I was very cramped on it being 6'3. But I'll sit on another one to see if its different with a higher seat.

Cheers guys

[Davenaylor]

I'm doomed!

Went to dealer today and saw my new baby!

Bandit 600s in black. 21k miles, amazing condition, registered 99.. WANT IT

so what to do. My YBR is an 06 and frankly a bit tatty. Dealer offered 500 for a px and said I'd do better selling privately.

So I'm looking for what would you do answers.
1) px bike, save trouble if tidying up and selling and finance the rest.
2) wack a deposit down on the bandit (he said he'd keep it for a month), sell mine privately, then finance a lower amount assuming I sell and px if I don't.
3) finance the full bike and take my time over selling the YBR
4) sell privately and buy privately with whatever I can afford at the time.

Ive visited a few dealers today, the bandit was the best I saw.

As I said, I'm doomed.

[yaigi]

I'm in a similar boat, passed Mod 2 back in September, trying to sell my YBR Custom to fund buying a bigger bike. Finding it hard to sell the YBR Custom, so haven't even begun seriously looking at bigger bikes cos I know it will drive me insane. Personally, I'm holding out for the price I want for my YBR Custom, I'm still riding it, I'll see what January brings when a lot of people will be stuck on 125s.

I know you'll be itching to get a bigger bike (as am I!) but a little more time on your YBR wouldn't be the end of the world... other than that, I'd go for 0% interest credit card, big bike, sell the YBR when you can I unfortunately do not have that option cos I bought my YBR on a 0% interest for 10 months credit card and don't have the space to hold onto two bikes
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[Cuchulain]

[Cunnington]

How desperate are you for a new bike and how many people are looking for your old one in November?

I was offered a low value for my bandit when I bought my SV in May, but, at the end of August, sold it to the same dealer at a lower value because I couldn't find a private buyer, despite it being absolutely mint because of the silly low mileage it had.

If you can afford to keep both bikes until March / April, when you are more likely to get a decent price for it, go for it. Compare the cost of financing the difference between trade in value and what you will realistically get privately against what you would lose by trading in now, and you will get the sensible answer. Or bugger the sensible answer, trade it in, and cut out the stress of selling a bike privately - solo test rides are completely different to a test drive in a cage.
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'82 C50, '81 CB100, '84 GS125, '95 NTV650, '00 Bandit 600, '06 SV650, '56 Z1000, '89 NTV600
The Shaggy D.A. wrote: "You are invisible. Those who can see you are trying to kill you."

[Rogerborg]