Bike Shopping Tips?

[SlashWylde]

I'm hoping to get into some of the bike shops here in Auckland this coming Saturday, weather permitting, with a view to trying out some cruisers in the 650cc to 1100cc range.

This will be my second bike purchase thus far and I was wondering if any of you knowledgable folks would have any tips or good advice for what to look-out for in a second-hand cruiser in the $7500 to $10000 range. i.e. mechanical issues, mileage vs age whatever.

Also if there are some good bike stores outside Auckland either North or South (e.g. Hamilton?) and who I should speak to when I get there.

Any advice will be much appreciated :niceone:

Cheers,

SW

[Waylander]

The honda shop down here might be worth a go. If you can convince me that you're brave enough I might let you take the 1100 for a spin if you havn't riden one yet. If you look I'm sure you can find one for under $7,000.

[crazylittleshit]

I've heard very good things about the vn range From kawasaki?
probable worth a look :ride:

[vifferman]

Before you go looking, have a good browse online (www.bikepoint.co.nz (http://www.bikepoint.co.nz), for example) and maybe even trademe, and get an idea of what's available, and what sort of price.

When checking them out, the most critical thing for me is what they feel like and how they ride. Once you've got a shortlist, or find something you really like, then start getting picky over condition, defects, wear, etc. Typical things to look for are clucnky gearchanges (although these are standard with some models); unusual wear'n'tear, evidence of a badly-fixed crash damage; check the condtions of the disks (can be expensive to replace), tyres, chain'n'sprockets; ask for a service history.
Use any deficiencies in these as a bargaining tool, and be prepared to walk away - don't be in a mode of I really really want the bike, as you'll be too easy to talk into buying it. There'll be other bikes, and if you absolutely have to have it, you'll have less bargaining ability. If you've done your homework about what's on the market, that'll help too.

[Hitcher]

Don't buy a cruiser with 750cc or less, unless all you plan to do is toodle around town. Why? They're gutless. Now that Suzuki has dropped the Marauder, the best sub-litre (new) cruiser is the Kawasaki Vulcan 800. Outstanding build quality and performance. Shame about the spokes...

[zadok]

This one is to your spec's:
http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=735244&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz

[TerminalAddict]

so whats a xv250 worth :) ....
I'm just entering, and want something to get thru my license on.

[James Deuce]

Shop with your heart, test with your bum, buy with your head.

[vifferman]

Shop with your heart, test with your bum, buy with your head.
Very good, Mr Jim2. :yes:

[SlashWylde]

so whats a xv250 worth :) ....
I'm just entering, and want something to get thru my license on.

Yep up for sale alright. A 2005 XV250 is worth $7000. Mine is a 1993 with 26,000kms on the clock. I'm asking $3500 for it. Comes with sissy bar and a big pack which fits on the padded sissy bar and is expandable for touring.

PM me if you are interested in taking a look.

[SlashWylde]

Thanks for the advice guys. Good tips from Vifferman there. I take your point Hitcher, I'd like to get an 800 or 1000cc if I can get a decent bike within my budget.

[Waylander]

Let me know if you are gonna come down this way to look at the shops here. I might join you to check on a few bikes and try and figure out wich ones my dad would like so I can make him buy one soon as he gets here.

[Mooch]

Once you have your short list , do a google search on each bike from an owners point of view, (tonne's of forums on the net) , some bikes have comon faults which can be expensive to repair .

[Virago]

Yep up for sale alright. A 2005 XV250 is worth $7000. Mine is a 1993 with 26,000kms on the clock. I'm asking $3500 for it. Comes with sissy bar and a big pack which fits on the padded sissy bar and is expandable for touring.

PM me if you are interested in taking a look.
That sounds like a pretty fair price - you should check it out TerminalAddict. Welcome to the site by the way!

[White trash]

The new Suzuki M50 Boulevard is a trip. Fat styling, mag wheels, upside sown forks, Softail style rear, shaft drive, fuel injected, water cooled, sod all chrome and a REAL comfy riding position.

Minter'n a mint thing.

Colour?

Black.

[Virago]

Good luck with the shopping.

I would second the suggestion not to buy a mid-size cruiser if you want to get out of town on it.

I'd recommend the Virago 1100 (but then I'm biased). Easy to handle, with all the power you need. Basically the same size and weight as the Virago 750, so why bother with the small engine?

If your taller though, you may find the Virago a bit cramped.

Shop around, check out the Bikepoint website, and good luck! :ride:

[TerminalAddict]

yeah $3500 sounds alright ....
I only decided yesterday that I was gonna buy something.
fortunately I have a job that puts me in front of the web everyday, and I look like I'm working ;) .. so I've been shopping around.

I need to sell my 4 wheels before buying 2, otherwise the WAF does a dive, so it might sell before I have cashed up .. I'll keep an eye out.

[SlashWylde]

Let me know if you are gonna come down this way to look at the shops here. I might join you to check on a few bikes and try and figure out wich ones my dad would like so I can make him buy one soon as he gets here.

Righto will do. It'll probably be the weekend of the 2 June at the earliest.

I'll talk to you closer to the time.