What bike holds its value the best in NZ?

[lostbeachbum]

Hi everyone,

My name is John, I'm 27 and from the US. I'll be arriving in New Zealand around January on a WHV as part of a RWT. I plan on buying a bike as soon as I get there and was wondering which bikes, specifically cruisers and tourers. hold their value best in NZ and which were in the most demand? I planned on buying a late model Suzuki GN250 since I am familiar with them and I will be riding one through SE Asia before I get to New Zealand. I'd like to stay under $4000 and don't need anything too fancy, however I don't want to take a huge loss when I sell it either. I take meticulous care of my vehicles so it would still be in great shape. Also what bike would you guy recommend to ride across both Islands that fits into my restrictions? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks,

John

[avgas]

GB400 or RG150 or RGV250 holds the best value in NZ.

The first 2 are more expensive right now then they were new. I have bought GB400's for sub-$1000 and cleaned them up for $2K+ sales.

[Maha]

Ones that doesn't cost alot to start with, most (if not all) new bikes are overpriced and drop in value once the funds have been transfered.
Same as cars really....:yes:

[MSTRS]

... I planned on buying a late model Suzuki GN250 ...

Please don't make that mistake.
Spend some time here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes) and familiarise yourself with what's available, prices and what sells easy.

[lostbeachbum]

Thanks guys, I would never buy any brand new vehicle, loses to much as soon as you drive off the lot. I've never been much of an off roader, but given the beauty of NZ, I'd like to have the option to hit some trails. I've owned enough sport bikes to never drive one around a country. I plan on camping as well as staying in hotels, hostels, couch surfing and some Help Exchange. I was thinking something like this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-394240448.htm

or this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-395511927.htm

My problem comes back to not wanting to take a huge loss or spend months trying to sell the bike. If I buy something cheap enough, I should be able to sell it to another backpacker at a hostel. There is also a chance I'll stay in NZ for the full year, then it really doesn't matter. I still want something reliable, dual purpose, comfortable for a wide guy and good for long hauls. Any more suggestions?

[wysper]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-394240448.htm

or this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-395511927.htm




My guess would be the R1100 would be easier to sell at the end of your trip.
But nothing to base that on except a hunch.

[Maha]

If your looking to onsell quickly later then perhaps a BMW is not the bike to buy.
Yes it would be a great tourer but...
What you need is something like this http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/140804-2000-Suzuki-GSX1200-FS

You will have no real problem selling it when you are done with it.

[lostbeachbum]

Please don't make that mistake.
Spend some time here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes) and familiarise yourself with what's available, prices and what sells easy.


I've been searching the site for some time and there are plenty of options. It's going to be a pleasure after Asia I'm sure. What exactly is wrong with buying an older GN250? I see them for around $1600 and for that price another backpacker would be more likely to buy it. I've ridden them through some pretty tough shit in the Caribbean and besides normal tire blow outs and some carb issues it was very reliable. Plus it was comfortable on my wide ass.

However if I can find something for $3-$4k that I would likely sell quick for around the same price, I'd buy that too. I need to research more about what make and model bikes are more expensive to repair in NZ. Any examples of this would be appreciated.

I like the GSX1200 Maha, but it's the handle bars that I think would give me a problem, they're a little too sporty. I have screws in my shoulder so I need bars that come farther back to me like a tourer. I could use some like a Suzuki Intruder like this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-397397037.htm or even a Vulcan. But those are comparable to my Harley Sportster. It's comfortable on long cruises and I could camp from it, but the off road capabilities are extremely limited. Plus they're heavy and if NZ roads are windy they won't be much fun.

[MSTRS]

Re GN250s...the newer ones were made in China (with all poor quality of materials etc that entails) and the older ones have usually been owned by a succession of first time riders or poor students (ie people who may have heard of the word 'maintenance' but have no understanding of what it means).
As for touring the country on one...yes, it's possible. But who would want to? Far better options out there. For what you are prepared to fork out, I'd say that with patience you could score a fairly reasonable F650. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-357049984.htm

[wysper]

Plus they're heavy and if NZ roads are windy they won't be much fun.

Yep, we have corners in NZ, and large rocks glued together that we call roads.
You can have fun on most bikes and most styles in NZ.

Is the riding position on something like an SV650/1000 to sporty?
How important is carrying capacity?
Are you really going off road?

[ukusa]

What exactly is wrong with buying an older GN250? I see them for around $1600 and for that price another backpacker would be more likely to buy it.

Biggest problem I see is falling asleep at the controls :yawn: We do have some good roads here, & they would be much more enjoyable on a bike that has a little open road ability.
In the South Island we have a distinct lack of passing lanes (and alot of roadhog camper vans sitting on 80kph/50mph), so you will need to take your passing opportunities when you can. The GN will leave you struggling on those all important overtaking manouvers, especially on the hills.
For touring, some more cubes will be needed.

[chasio]

If you want to do off-seal work (and there are some cracking rides that are) maybe something like this DR650 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-397923761.htm) and a sheepskin for the seat?

Well regarded and pretty sellable.

[JohnJumper]

Definitely go for something popular if you want to sell it off quickly, price it a tad below everyone else and it'll be gone in a flash

[_Shrek_]

Thanks guys, I would never buy any brand new vehicle, loses to much as soon as you drive off the lot. I've never been much of an off roader, but given the beauty of NZ, I'd like to have the option to hit some trails. I've owned enough sport bikes to never drive one around a country. I plan on camping as well as staying in hotels, hostels, couch surfing and some Help Exchange. I was thinking something like this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-394240448.htm

go for this, simply because it will give you more comfort on the long distance & has power for overtaking :woohoo: when needed thats is :whistle: not that i'm biased :corn:

& welcome to KB

[JATZ]

If you want to do off-seal work (and there are some cracking rides that are) maybe something like this DR650 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-397923761.htm) and a sheepskin for the seat?

Well regarded and pretty sellable.

:yes: That would be perfect

[Zadkiel]

I don't see anything wrong with a Funduro. They'll be pretty good for the touring/off-roading necessary and shouldn't lose you too much. Might take you a little bit longer to sell thats all.

Any 250 will usually hold value well due to the aforementioned learner market, however as mentioned before, they will all have been riden by learners.

I recon an RVF400 might do well for you, they certainly don't seem to have dropped in price too much recently and have a decent amount of power. Riding position might not be ideal though and not really dual purpose.

[lostbeachbum]

Thanks for tips about the 250 being used as "learner bikes", we don't have that in the US, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm starting to do more research on the Funduro and BMWs in general because I know absolutely nothing about them. Except that a BMW motorcycle is the most expensive so maintain, over here anyway. The DRZ and Enduro style bikes are great for short trips and off-roading but I could never ride any distance due to the rider position. Thanks for the help everyone. I'm more excited for NZ than any other stop on my RWT.

[waspnz]

Harley Davidson

[Old Steve]

I've done just under 20,000 km in 16 months on my Hyosung GV250, I'll go passed 20,000 km after riding another 40 km on Saturday, so I see nothing wrong with a 250.

There are many advantages of buying a 250. Better resale opportunities in the learner market - there'll be an endless supply of potential purchasers so less chance of making a loss.

But I'd look at one of the 250 vee-twin cruisers, they should cruise at up to 115 - 120 km/hr, give you mid 20s km/L fuel consumption (between 50 to 60 mpg, per Imperial gallon that is), give a smoother ride than a single banger like a GN250 or Suzuki Marauder, and provide good luggage carrying capacity. My GV250 is great around town, and I ride on the weekend keeping up easily with bigger bikes - they're not racing of course, just cruising.

If you're interested in a 250 cruiser, then look at the Suzuki Intruder, The Yamaha Virago, the Hyosung Aquila GV250. They'll all sell reasonably easily as long as you price them right. You might lose $500 to $800 on the deal, in order to quickly move the bike and because it will have more kilometres on it than when you bought it.

If you want to move up a little in engine size and stick with a cruiser you probably can't go passed the Suzuki Boulevard C50 or S50 for resale ability, and they'll give good rideability and load carrying ability Just don't look at the Honda Shadow 750, it's heavier and lower powered so only has the power to weight ratio of my Hyosung GV250 and there seem to be so many of them for sale on TradeMe that you're likely to make much more of a loss to move it quickly.

Don't get hung up on having to have off-road capabilities. The best part of getting off road in NZ is walking, and so much of NZ is close to a fairly main road - just look at Google Maps and follow the road around the coast from Opotiki to Gisborne, or out to the west coast townships of Raglan or Kawhia. Then there's the South Island, look at the ride from Christchurch over to the West Coast and then down the coast road to Haast and then over the Haast Pass to Queenstown. They're all sealed roads but through pretty rugged country.

By the way, you'll probably do less than 500 km per day, maybe much less.

[lostbeachbum]

Thanks for the update about the 250 Old Steve. I'm going to keep researching the various makes and models in my price range and as time get's closer I'll start contacting some sellers. Thanks for all the help guys!

[GrayWolf]

Thanks for the update about the 250 Old Steve. I'm going to keep researching the various makes and models in my price range and as time get's closer I'll start contacting some sellers. Thanks for all the help guys!

One possible option, and they seem to sell well is the Suzuki S40/Savage... 650cc single cruiser... Not 'fast' but they can cruise along at a reasonable clip, seem to be reliable and have seen quite a few around with big numbers on milage....
Would fit the bill for seating arrangement, would carry you and some luggage OK.

[mulletman]

Hey John, my sister lives in Catonsville anywhere near you ? she's riding her 1200RT to the Dragons Tail again this weekend, her boyfriends on a Harley something ,have you done the D/ Tail ?
Theres bound to be something on trade me for ya keep looking :)

[lostbeachbum]

Hey Mulletman, yes I'm close to Catonsville, about 25 minutes. When you say Dragons Tail I guess you mean the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC. Yes, I ridden the Dragon several times. The annual T-Rex of America meet is in Deals Gap. It's a place where we can push our bikes to limit and really see where the money went. Amazing ride and the trip down is pretty nice too if you get off the main roads. I'll keep my eye on trade me to watch the market trends. I'm trying to find out what makes are cheapest to repair in NZ and which ones have the most expensive parts.

[DMNTD]

One possible option, and they seem to sell well is the Suzuki S40/Savage... 650cc single cruiser... Not 'fast' but they can cruise along at a reasonable clip, seem to be reliable and have seen quite a few around with big numbers on milage....
Would fit the bill for seating arrangement, would carry you and some luggage OK.

Yep good bikes and would do the job well. Yes there are a few around etc but that is because they are not a fast seller.
If going down the 250cc way I'd be inclined to hit a VTR250 as you can pick one up from around $3,000 through to $4,500. They are a simple bike that generally have no issue and will sell quickly without losing much if any money after the trip.

[bluebird]

:yes: That would be perfect

yes the ideal choice.