Keep or trade in?

[Richard]

Hi
I am getting a new Suzuki 1250 early next year.

It has been 20 yrs since I was buying brand new bikes and back then we would buy the newest model and run around on it for a year
then trade it in on the next years model.

It seemed to work well. You got a year of trouble free riding and at the end of 12 months you would trade in the bike.

The price you got plus about another $1500 got you the new years model.

So you could do this year after year.

What is the go these days?

Keep the new bike until the 2 year warranty runs out then trade in on the next years model ?

Or do it yearly ?

Or keep for longer?

Thanks
Richard

[Ender EnZed]

You'll lose at least 1500 trading it in later the same day as you buy it.

[BigAl]

These days I'd think you would lose >4k after just one year for a low k, good condition trade.

[Maha]

These days I'd think you would lose >4k after just one year for a low k, good condition trade.

I sold my 1 year old 1250 FA for $10K, paid $17K for it.

[sidecar bob]

I sold my 1 year old 1250 FA for $10K, paid $17K for it.

Why did you do that, buy a new bike for only a year & take such a bath on it?

[Gremlin]

I don't buy new unless I really have to. Let some other dude take all that new depreciation...

I've bought 1 out of 5 bikes I've owned so far, new. Simply because it was a new model that year, and I didn't like the previous years model. Bought for 24k from memory, 27 months later traded it for 7-8k I think. Ok, so there could have been something about it having 63,000km on it, but I doubt it counts for much :laugh:

[Maha]

Why did you do that, buy a new bike for only a year & take such a bath on it?

Circumstances, bought the bike, six months later we sold up to take full advantage of a new life/career direction, which, unfortunately meant that ride time out of the question. The bike was too good to just sit and gather dust, $10K meant a fast sale.

On the market early next year for a quality touring bike that will (potentially) see us travel the country from time to time.

[mossy1200]

Had mine 2 years owes me 32grand and its likely worth 14k trade in.

[98tls]

Had mine 2 years owes me 32grand and its likely worth 14k trade in.

:clap:Amateur...reckon i can beat that easy.Got to age and just couldnt for the life of me find a reason to buy another new bike,was i going to ride any quicker?No,was it going to be more comfortable?who cares.

[mossy1200]

Got to age and just couldnt for the life of me find a reason to buy another new bike.

My wife got to a stage where she shrugs her shoulders and doesn't really care anymore.:woohoo:

[caspernz]

Haha, yeah once upon a time trading in for new yearly myself here. Nowadays more like 3/4/5 years before doing the trade for new thing. Each to their own I suppose, depends largely on your financial health me thinks...

[98tls]

My wife got to a stage where she shrugs her shoulders and doesn't really care anymore.:woohoo:

I can understand that....:msn-wink:

[98tls]

Haha, yeah once upon a time trading in for new yearly myself here. Nowadays more like 3/4/5 years before doing the trade for new thing. Each to their own I suppose, depends largely on your financial health me thinks...

As you say each to there own but for me personally way back when i bought the TL i simply thought fuck it partys over,kept handing over cash for what? some other cunts idea of the bike to have,annoying thing was it was no different than the other 500 of em you would see when out for even a short jaunt.

[Ulsterkiwi]

I picked up my FA when it was about 5 months old. The original owner took a $$$ hit I reckon, saves me doing it. I have spent a bit of money getting it right for me. Have plans for a few more bits and bobs so I reckon theft or some kind of major accident aside I am looking at keeping her for 5 years to get some enjoyment out of the mods. A vehicle of any sort is a liability, it will always cost money (unless you have a classic) so its how to get some value for that expense. Value is in my estimation a very subjective concept.
I think the best way to think about it is if you have the coin and you want to change then do so, just accept its always going to cost the coin.

[Tazz]

$1500 20 years ago would have been a fair chunk of change wouldn't it? What was the average price you were paying for the bikes?

[98tls]

I picked up my FA when it was about 5 months old. The original owner took a $$$ hit I reckon, saves me doing it. I have spent a bit of money getting it right for me.
I think the best way to think about it is if you have the coin and you want to change then do so, just accept its always going to cost the coin.

Goods points raised but a word to the wise the "getting it right for me" thing can get outta hand a tad,when i started i was much as you were and picked up a late model bike at a good price (actually it was repossessed and i got it for a song)after that things went bad ie aftermarket rims/later model front ends bigger jugs etc:weird:fun but at a cost and far more than changing bikes.

[Ulsterkiwi]

Goods points raised but a word to the wise the "getting it right for me" thing can get outta hand a tad,when i started i was much as you were and picked up a late model bike at a good price (actually it was repossessed and i got it for a song)after that things went bad ie aftermarket rims/later model front ends bigger jugs etc:weird:fun but at a cost and far more than changing bikes.

I can soooo see that happening. The FA was the style of bike I was after, even new its maybe $10k less than its competitors. I reckon if I spend an additional 25% of what I did on the bike I will still be doing ok. Part of the enjoyment for me is keeping that upper limit of spending and working out the best way to utilise it.
I have seen bikes where there have been so many mods and so many $$ spent the owner is scared to add it all up! As you say, better to change when you get into that territory.

[nzspokes]

Only way I would buy new was if I was keeping it forever. Dropping thousands in a year is just not worth it. Cheaper to hire a bike. :shit:

[AllanB]

I can't afford to change mine very often. Shit I kept one for 23 years - long enough for it to become interesting enough to sell for the same price I paid for it 23 years earlier!!!!


And FFS don't anyone buy a new Suzuki until they release their next Summer Fest catalogue.

[Maha]

Only way I would buy new was if I was keeping it forever. Dropping thousands in a year is just not worth it. Cheaper to hire a bike. :shit:

I have lost very little on bikes over the years, primarily because I don't spend bucket loads on extras/mods. I lost money on the FA (in reality $4-5K because it was second hand and not worth what I paid for it) but I know people who spend a lot more than that (crazy money in fact) on tarting their bike up.

[bogan]

I have lost very little on bikes over the years, primarily because I don't spend bucket loads on extras/mods. I lost money on the FA (in reality $4-5K because it was second hand and not worth what I paid for it) but I know people who spend a lot more than that (crazy money in fact) on tarting their bike up.

I've lost even less since I spend heaps on them, so never sell em :woohoo:

[AllanB]

And FFS don't anyone buy a new Suzuki until they release their next Summer Fest catalogue.

Apparently the Fest has started.

[nzspokes]

I've lost even less since I spend heaps on them, so never sell em :woohoo:

Or pull the bits off and sell the bike standard. Then sell the bits.

[nzspokes]

Apparently the Fest has started.

Agreed. Good time for the OP to buy his 1250.

Great bikes. I wouldnt mind one as a second bike. Even better when you do a few mods to get 150hp.

[Maha]

I've lost even less since I spend heaps on them, so never sell em :woohoo:

....most of my purchases have been spur of the moment spending, I should have kept the CB, it was all that I wanted in a bike and looking back, it was a stupid decision to buy something else.

[bogan]

Or pull the bits off and sell the bike standard. Then sell the bits.

Amateur.

No matter how many bits I pull off they'll never end up being standard again :banana:

I have started selling the bits (or clones thereof) anyway though; so I guess the bike has made me money, and lost none :2thumbsup

[nzspokes]

Amateur.

No matter how many bits I pull off they'll never end up being standard again :banana:

I have started selling the bits (or clones thereof) anyway though; so I guess the bike has made me money, and lost none :2thumbsup

IKR.

Current one wont be sold. I fact need another bike so I have something to ride when I mod this one more. JE pistons, Mori cams..........

[bogan]

IKR.

Current one wont be sold. I fact need another bike so I have something to ride when I mod this one more. JE pistons, Mori cams..........

Still an amateur :bleh: Pistons and cams can be knocked out in a weekend...

I need another bike for two reasonsm (ignoring the third reason that is you always need another bike just cos), the current one's mod 'canvas' is overflowing and I want to do more mods still, without replacing old ones; and also it is rubbish for touring (mostly on account of my mods <_<); my other 2.75 are even more rubbisherer for touring too.

[nzspokes]

Still an amateur :bleh: Pistons and cams can be knocked out in a weekend...



If it were only that. :niceone:

Porting, manifold matching, carbon side plates for the carbs, lighten flywheel, polish rocker covers, oil catch tank, external air jet adjustment mod, frame bracing, swingarm bracing, k1 Gixxer calipers, alloy subframe. etc etc.

[bogan]

If it were only that. :niceone:

Porting, manifold matching, carbon side plates for the carbs, lighten flywheel, polish rocker covers, oil catch tank, external air jet adjustment mod, frame bracing, swingarm bracing, k1 Gixxer calipers, alloy subframe. etc etc.

All of those are weekend jobs too though :scratch:

And what sort of pussy doesn't polish his con-rods :eek:

[george formby]

I used to buy 2 to 3 year old cars. So always had a next to new car and only ever spent money on tires & basic servicing.

I reckon that's the way to go with bikes, too. Buy near new. Less investment & less of a hit when you get your next near new machine.
Maha being a perfect example. My condolences mate.

Or you could do what I have. Slowly fill your shed up with bikes that you can't bring yourself to part with because they have no cash value & really tick your boxes.

[Gremlin]

I have lost very little on bikes over the years, primarily because I don't spend bucket loads on extras/mods. I lost money on the FA (in reality $4-5K because it was second hand and not worth what I paid for it) but I know people who spend a lot more than that (crazy money in fact) on tarting their bike up.
I'm ahem... probably the opposite. I've probably spent in excess of $15k modifying the GSA and it wasn't cheap to start with. However, it's almost exactly what I want and I couldn't imagine having anything else (I've even tried).

I also seem to be holding onto bikes longer and longer. Last bike, the KTM was 27 months. The BMW is 46 months and counting... bit surprised myself, but I've pretty much concluded I'm keeping this as long as it's financially viable, then I'll buy another of the same model and swap all the bits over...

[Richard]

$1500 20 years ago would have been a fair chunk of change wouldn't it? What was the average price you were paying for the bikes?

Hi
$7000

Such a long time ago:(

Richard

[Maha]

I'm ahem... probably the opposite. I've probably spent in excess of $15k modifying the GSA and it wasn't cheap to start with. However, it's almost exactly what I want and I couldn't imagine having anything else (I've even tried).

I also seem to be holding onto bikes longer and longer. Last bike, the KTM was 27 months. The BMW is 46 months and counting... bit surprised myself, but I've pretty much concluded I'm keeping this as long as it's financially viable, then I'll buy another of the same model and swap all the bits over...

Probably a viable idea to swap/keep the mods when you have paid more for them than the bike will be worth when selling.
No one ever wins on a deal when selling, it's just a matter of how you are prepared to lose getting to that point.

[nzspokes]

All of those are weekend jobs too though :scratch:

And what sort of pussy doesn't polish his con-rods :eek:

Carillo rods. :cool:

[SVboy]

I would say people that spend more money on mods than the bike is worth have possibly bought the wrong bike to start off with. Generally speaking mods will decrease and not improve resale value.

I would say you don't 'get' motorcycling and would be happier on a knitting forum.

[bogan]

I would say people that spend more money on mods than the bike is worth have possibly bought the wrong bike to start off with. Generally speaking mods will decrease and not improve resale value.

I'd say if you're buying a bike with the idea that you won't want it in a few years, you're buying the wrong bike to start off with.

I mean come on, what really changes these days? few more poinies added to the 'far too many to use on the road anyway box' suspension and handling has changed fuck all and you're far better off seeing RT than expecting newer bikes to fix that, and all the other things like styling is rider preference anyway.

[Big Dog]

I would say you don't 'get' motorcycling and would be happier on a knitting forum.

Or look to get something different than you out of motorcycling.
I buy a bike to ride. Not spend hours toiling over.
I'll change things like bars, and levers for ergonomic reasons. I'll add things like fender extenders and heated grips to add practicality but I buy my bikes for the ride not the workshop. If it needs more than that sell it and buy another. Or buy another. Bike that does what you want.

I have always wanted a project bike. But that would be a different proposition again.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

I'd say if you're buying a bike with the idea that you won't want it in a few years, you're buying the wrong bike to start off with.

I mean come on, what really changes these days? few more poinies added to the 'far too many to use on the road anyway box' suspension and handling has changed fuck all and you're far better off seeing RT than expecting newer bikes to fix that, and all the other things like styling is rider preference anyway.

Hence I tend to own my bikes longer than 5 years.
At 3 years old the Hayabusa got a louder horn.
At 6 years old the Hayabusa got heated grips.
At 9 years old I sold her because I needed the money. If I had not needed the money I would still have her.

Current bike got wider bars, heated grips, crash bungs, and some hand guards within months. They were always factored into purchase to commuterise the bike.
Barring an off or a drastic change in circumstances I expect he to keep putting out for the next 150,000+ kms. Basically until she is uneconomical to maintain.


Does not mean there may not be another bike bought or sold on the side. Unlike wives they don't expect you to be faithful.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[ellipsis]

...every one of the many bikes I have owned over the last 42 years have been brand new...but they were always brand new a decade or two earlier than I owned them...and,what is this money you all talk of?...I have forgotten what it looks like...

[Gremlin]

I would say people that spend more money on mods than the bike is worth have possibly bought the wrong bike to start off with. Generally speaking mods will decrease and not improve resale value.
Two tips.

1. Buy a more expensive bike, my mods haven't cost half of what I paid for the bike. However, soon the cost of the mods will be about even with the bike's value :laugh:

2. Don't fit mods for resale value... well, I can't figure out why anyone would do that. Mods made are for personal reasons and desire. 1/3 of the 15k was for electronic Ohlins, and wow, sooo much better than stock. I love it.

[Tazz]

Hi
$7000

Such a long time ago:(

Richard

So you're looking at 21% loss back then to 30% plus (on the optimistic side even) these days after a quick look :(

Still not as bad as what you lose value wise on some things, but it's all relative to your income/what's in the bank I guess. $6000 to some is what $6 is to others.

if money wasn't an issue I wouldn't have a problem with a new bike every year :laugh: Hard part would be finding a new one I'd actually want.

[roogazza]

305589
This, a mint example. 50yrs and 50th bike.
305590
Is probably going to turn into this,(well close but different headlight) but I'll never sell it which ever I choose.

[Banditbandit]

Value is in my estimation a very subjective concept.


Yes. I have had my 1250 for five and a half years now - put more than 60,000ks on it (remember, I have two bikes, so I ride the other one during the week - the 1250 is my weekend/long distance bike)

I love it. That's the value for me ... I don't really care about the cost or price I could sell it for .. my being is invested in this bike (my wife knows never to ask which comes first, her or the bike ... she knows which choice i have made in the past ...) just as my being has been invested in bikes I have previously owned, ridden for years and finally sold because it was no longer practical to run them.

The value is enjoying the ride and knowing that the 1250 will get me from Whakatane to Christcurch and back (the longest way possible) with no issues ...

Enjoy yours ...

[Banditbandit]

I mean come on, what really changes these days? few more poinies added to the 'far too many to use on the road anyway box' suspension and handling has changed fuck all and you're far better off seeing RT than expecting newer bikes to fix that, and all the other things like styling is rider preference anyway.

Yeah - and most people can't handle what they get from their bikes now .. I know my 1250 still can scare the shit out of me when I really open the throttle in low gears .. I had to grab the bars harder just the other day or I would have gone over the back .. and I've been riding regularly for 40 plus years ...

[Big Dog]

Two tips.

1. Buy a more expensive bike, my mods haven't cost half of what I paid for the bike. However, soon the cost of the mods will be about even with the bike's value :laugh:

2. Don't fit mods for resale value... well, I can't figure out why anyone would do that. Mods made are for personal reasons and desire. 1/3 of the 15k was for electronic Ohlins, and wow, sooo much better than stock. I love it.
Spread over the 150,000km life of a bike of the nature you have and 5 k is fuck all.



Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Maha]

I would say people that spend more money on mods than the bike is worth have possibly bought the wrong bike to start off with. Generally speaking mods will decrease and not improve resale value.

All I ever spent on a 'New' bike was between $600-900 on a Can replacement. My Sprint got Ohlins front and back then I sold it, surprisingly I got almost $1000 above the asking price for that bike in cash, same with my YZF600, the guy that bought it kept upping the price on TM so he wouldn't miss out. I did absolutely nothing to that bike and sold for about $500 less than purchase price. I you buy a $5K bike and spend a similar amount on upgrades, market value wont keep up with the money spent.

[Gremlin]

Spread over the 150,000km life of a bike of the nature you have and 5 k is fuck all.
True. Bear in mind the OEM suspension isn't serviced, you buy another set. I've saved around $2k already, when I had the Ohlins serviced after 30k. In another 30k and another service I'll saved the full cost of another set of BMW suspension (about $5k). Just subtract the cost of the suspension servicing.

Parts and normal servicing have probably cost $5k already. Probably inevitable I'll be up for a replacement shaft eventually... that's $2.5k easy...

Hope I get more than 150k out of it... I'm almost 2/3rds there already! CB900 is amusing. Cheap as chips to maintain, the Ohlins suspension is probably worth the same as the bike, and with 125k on it, it's still reliable and keeps clocking up the km. Worth more as a bike, than it's market value.

[Big Dog]

True. Bear in mind the OEM suspension isn't serviced, you buy another set. I've saved around $2k already, when I had the Ohlins serviced after 30k. In another 30k and another service I'll saved the full cost of another set of BMW suspension (about $5k). Just subtract the cost of the suspension servicing.

Parts and normal servicing have probably cost $5k already. Probably inevitable I'll be up for a replacement shaft eventually... that's $2.5k easy...

Hope I get more than 150k out of it... I'm almost 2/3rds there already! CB900 is amusing. Cheap as chips to maintain, the Ohlins suspension is probably worth the same as the bike, and with 125k on it, it's still reliable and keeps clocking up the km. Worth more as a bike, than it's market value.

That was what hurt about having to sell the busa. I had always assumed it would be a forever bike. It was worth far more as a bike than cash... until circumstances changed...
Got to watch the sprogs... ruination of an otherwise affordable hobby.
:violin:

[R650R]

And FFS don't anyone buy a new Suzuki until they release their next Summer Fest catalogue.

Or a new Honda until its been sitting on the showroom floor for at least two years :)

Sell or trade before its worthless though.

I scored my 98 GSXR750W for15,995 when brand new, now 110,000km later nobody wants it :(
Have had a superb run out of it and the fun per dollar/km is great overall.

[breakaway]

Buying new is for people with zero financial acumen or people with fuck u money (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fuck+you+money).

People in the former group should buy second hand machines that have already depreciated and spending their money on things that will generate funds. But alas, a lot of people feel entitled to a standard of living that they have not earned (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11356914). On the extreme end of it, you hear about these people getting foreclosed on and packing a sad about it.

If you are putting something like this on finance, you can't afford it.

[Banditbandit]

Buying new is for people with zero financial acumen or people with fuck u money (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fuck+you+money).

People in the former group should buy second hand machines that have already depreciated and spending their money on things that will generate funds. But alas, a lot of people feel entitled to a standard of living that they have not earned (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11356914). On the extreme end of it, you hear about these people getting foreclosed on and packing a sad about it.

If you are putting something like this on finance, you can't afford it.

Fuck off ... here's more to life than earning money ... and ya can't take it with you when that scythe-wielding gentleman comes for you ...

[imdying]

Buying new is for people with zero financial acumen or people with fuck u money (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fuck+you+money).Hardly, bikes are cheap. It's not like they're buying exotic sports cars worth more than a house. Five or ten thousand dollars in instant depreciation is hardly going to cause poverty. New Zealanders are terrible at maintaining vehicles, arses so tight they turn coal into diamonds... that money is a small price to pay not to have to deal with the results.

[Big Dog]

Hardly, bikes are cheap. It's not like they're buying exotic sports cars worth more than a house. Five or ten thousand dollars in instant depreciation is hardly going to cause poverty. New Zealanders are terrible at maintaining vehicles, arses so tight they turn coal into diamonds... that money is a small price to pay not to have to deal with the results.

Which is only true if you have the initial capital.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[breakaway]

Hardly, bikes are cheap. It's not like they're buying exotic sports cars worth more than a house. Five or ten thousand dollars in instant depreciation is hardly going to cause poverty. New Zealanders are terrible at maintaining vehicles, arses so tight they turn coal into diamonds... that money is a small price to pay not to have to deal with the results.


Fuck off ... here's more to life than earning money ... and ya can't take it with you when that scythe-wielding gentleman comes for you ...

Attitudes like these are how people end up living paycheque to paycheque in job they hate with car/bike/appliance payments, right up until 'retirement age' (i.e. so old you may as well be dead)

[imdying]

Attitudes like these are how people end up living paycheque to paycheque in job they hate with car/bike/appliance payments, right up until 'retirement age' (i.e. so old you may as well be dead)Rubbish, we're hardly talking about a kings ransom. We are talking about the instant depreciation as an argument against, yes? On a typical thou, that's what, a couple of grand a year? (assuming you lose $8000 instantly on a $24000 bike you replace every 4 years)

If you don't have a couple of grand to dispose of frivolously every year, then you're hardly in a position to be giving lectures on fiscal responsibility because clearly you fucked up badly somewhere.

[imdying]

Which is only true if you have the initial capital.Why? If you've ticked it then that loss is spread over the contact period anyway. In that instant, think of it as having bought time, and that's not on sale often enough.

[Big Dog]

Why? If you've ticked it then that loss is spread over the contact period anyway. In that instant, think of it as having bought time, and that's not on sale often enough.

Or you can lump in the cost of finance, the interest you did not accrue or the other benefits you could have had for the same money.

I used to finance stuff for reasons to complicated for a cellphone keyboard.

Upshot since I stopped doing it, I ride a little less due to rising costs of fuel an reg eating more quickly into my monthly riding money. Good lord there's that budgeting concept again.

I do however spend about 6k less on riding every year.
About 3k less in financing fees and interest.
About 2k less in that I don't use a mechanic to service my bike because it is no longer cost benefit positive to do so ( more financing).
About 1k less a year in depreciation because I no longer buy from dealers.

I accept there is a risk with this formula that I might end up with an expensive paperweight. But his is how a man with little or no disposable income, supporting a family of four on a single income bought his first home less than a year after deciding he could no longer afford Auckland rents.

At this rate I can afford to a write down 8.5k on a bike every 12 months before I am worse off.
Do I have the most glamorous bike? No.
Do I enjoy the bikes I do have well beyond their cost? Yes.

One day when I am in a better position I may buy new. But if I do it will be because I can afford a forever bike I will never sell.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[imdying]

See now that makes sense. You do what you do because you have to do it. Blanket statements like, "Buying new is blah blah blah", are just plain ol' retarded.

[Big Dog]

See now that makes sense. You do what you do because you have to do it. Blanket statements like, "Buying new is blah blah blah", are just plain ol' retarded.

I never said it was retarded. Only that it was for those who could spare the capital. Be it the monthly costs of finance or the cash for a deposit or the full unenviable red outlay.

What is foolhardy is financing a bike you cannot now afford to service, or that you will struggle to service the finance requirements.
Been there done that (via a change in circumstances but the result was the same) got the tee shirt and took the bath on selling it.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

At least if ownership is freehold and you need to you can put off buying nicer cans or park up for a few months until you are back on your feet.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Ps. Blanket statements are always wrong. #ironic.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[imdying]

What is foolhardy is financing a bike you cannot now afford to service, or that you will struggle to service the finance requirements.True that. Big bikes have a healthy appetite for rubber, a lot of people seem to forget that and end up running very high power bikes on bald tyres :blink:

[Banditbandit]

Attitudes like these are how people end up living paycheque to paycheque in job they hate with car/bike/appliance payments, right up until 'retirement age' (i.e. so old you may as well be dead)

Fuck off .. that's not what I meant .. I have no payments to make on any vehicle (I own three ...) the boat ... or any appliances ...

But fuck it .. I would do anything it takes to get a bike if I did not have one (except steal one ...)