Disposable bikes.........???

[jonbuoy]

Hey,

Was wondering how many people out there buy new bikes as opposed to the hassel you can get from a second hand bike? I know were not all loaded with spare cash (god knows I'm not). But even just totalling up a new set of tyres and sprockets ($800 ish), is it worth buying second hand?? The big services at 30,000 k's ish' can get pricey too.

With some of the new bike deals around theres only 3-4 grand difference between a new and a 3 year old bike. You'll get a higher re-sale value and hopefully hassle free motoring. A lot of the bike mags recon suspension should be re-built after 30,000 k's anyway.

I get the feeling a lot of bikes aren't designed to last 100,000 k's (I know theres gonna be some beemers and cruisers who say different) what you all think?


T

[Pixie]

A well cared for bike will last as long as you want it to.
I took my new bike in for warranty service and they gave me my old one as a loner.The old motor is just as quiet as the new one,at 110,000 km

[Sniper]

As Pixie said. A well looked after bike will last a while, but a newer one will only last for as long as you let it.

[SVrunner]

All things looked after will look after you.
A new bike is always cheaper on maintenance, just initial outlay is not so cheap.

[inlinefour]

All things looked after will look after you.
A new bike is always cheaper on maintenance, just initial outlay is not so cheap.


Ive owned mostly 2nd hand bikes and the above statement would apply if the 2nd hand bike was a shitter. Since I tend to stay away from shitters, Ive never had a problem with any of my bikes and Ive had some very old bikes. Having brought my first new bike, I do not believe that I'll ever do it again. Although, I intend on keeping it all the same. Nothing wrong with a good 2nd hand bike, just need to know how to identify them eh:nya:

[marty]

so on the VTR you get what - 3000kms out of a back tyre, 10000k out of a chain? so that's 2 to 3 new bikes a year? i can see how that would be financially sensible.





















if you won lotto.....

[madboy]

You replace chains every 10k? Jeez... my poor chain. I just change the oil every 5, tyres and fork seals when they wear out, and replace the bike with another low mileage example every 3 years. Well that's the plan, but just wait and see how it turns out once I've paid for the latest overseas trip... there's this sexy black R1 I keep seeing...

[marty]

busa's eat chains & tyres. fitted a scotoiler so can hope to extend to 25000k, but still only expect 5k out of my new pilot sport

[SixPackBack]

I work with a rider who's daily commute is a 97' CBR600. On friday he proudly boasted the 100k mark has been and gone.

The bike still looks reasonable with no rattles or parts missing, issues to date have been a faulty regulator and a buggered rear shock.

He boasts he will ride it till it dies.

[SuperDave]

My ZXR250 has done 122,000 Kms and is still going strong. I just spent about $650 on a new chain, sprockets and tyres and had no problem paying for that. Maintenance does add up but I reckon it's just another fact of owning a bike.

[jonbuoy]

so on the VTR you get what - 3000kms out of a back tyre, 10000k out of a chain? so that's 2 to 3 new bikes a year? i can see how that would be financially sensible.



Read my post. Did I say I was going to buy a new bike every time the chain wears??? what Im saying is buying a used bike for three grand less than a new one then shelling out for a 30,000 service (I can do routine servcing but not shims) Then tyres and chains and your halfway spent your money youve saved. Unless you get lucky and buy a bike with new chains and sprockets.

[Bonez]

Hey,

Was wondering how many people out there buy new bikes as opposed to the hassel you can get from a second hand bike? I know were not all loaded with spare cash (god knows I'm not). But even just totalling up a new set of tyres and sprockets ($800 ish), is it worth buying second hand?? The big services at 30,000 k's ish' can get pricey too.
Yes it is. I own a bike with 142,000 ks up, one with 120,000ks up and one with 58,000 ks. I now consider a m/c with 50,000ks up just run in. Tyres cost no more than $350 a pair and the cheapest chains and sprockets I can find for them. For around $2000 you can get a perfectly servicable runner, which will last years if the basic maintenance is done.

[Korea]

Yeah, but I just don't get the feeling that the latest Japanese rockets are designed with longevity in mind. In the hands of a careful owner, maybe.
But...
The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Yes? No?
...meanwhile, they usually get written-off before they die a natural death...

[Bonez]

...meanwhile, they usually get written-off before they die a natural death...A high percentage get parked up for years in garages, garden sheds etc after the owner has lost interest due to various reasons. There are definately bargains out there.

[Deviant Esq]

Can't really say from experience with bikes, but with cars it really depends on the nature of the kms (Open road? Around town? Fleet car that's been regularly maintained?) as much as the amount of kms. But also the make can make a pretty large difference. For example, a Toyota or a Honda wouldn't care very much about high kms, the engine and gearbox can take them presuming it's been maintained well enough, whereas a Mitsubishi wears out faster than those, requiring more maintainence to do the same amount of kms.

As most of you know I very recently bought my first bike. It's done nearly 90,000km, but I didn't hesitate when considering whether or not I should buy it, because I knew that the owner before me (a fellow KBer, nudemetalz) took very good care of the bike, even spending money on the parts that needed attention. Which, incidentally, even though I've bought the bike off him, he's still taking care of a couple of things. Watch for a post on that shortly... ;)

So all in all, it should be considered on a case by case. If it's had the loving care of someone who really gives a damn, kms aren't going to matter very much. They might give you a haggling point though.

Redge

[Ixion]

I think that, unlike cars, *almost* new secondhand bikes are not good value. Two and three year old models are going for not much less than new, and if you want a bike that recent you might be better to buy new. But I've always lived off the bottom of the bike food chain, inheriting the sad and forlorn. I count anything under 100000 Km as low mileage. Present are 95000 92000 90000 and 68000 (and two of those are two strokes - so much for the two strokes don't last myth!). If you're willing to fish in those water cheap motorcycling can be had - As Mr Bonez said. But I steer clear of the mechanically and technologically complex - if I can't pull it apart AND put it back together with a couple of adjustables a screwdriver and a BLOODY HEAVY HAMMER I pass it by (not quite, but you know what I mean)

[pzkpfw]

This thread is interesting, in that I'll have my full license in about a week, so will get serious about upgrading off the NZ250.

My choices seem to be:

1. Get a cheap (old) "a bit bigger bike" as a step up... like some old 400 off TradeMe.
2. Get an expensive (new) "a bit bigger bike" and lose heaps when I upgrade again in a year or two... like a GS500K5
3. Get an expensive (new) "full size bike" and maybe kill myself... like a VTR1000.

Opinions?

(A guy in a local shop showed us a (new) 2005 R6 for $13,000 - my wife said "buy it"; but I think that's for the insurance...)

Cheers,

[The_Dover]

The_Dover rides disposable bikes. I think he normally gets about 2000 k's out of them.

I think you'll find it was 950km and 5800km. And one was recycled. :2guns:

[Bonez]

This thread is interesting, in that I'll have my full license in about a week, so will get serious about upgrading off the NZ250.

My choices seem to be:

1. Get a cheap (old) "a bit bigger bike" as a step up... like some old 400 off TradeMe.
2. Get an expensive (new) "a bit bigger bike" and lose heaps when I upgrade again in a year or two... like a GS500K5
3. Get an expensive (new) "full size bike" and maybe kill myself... like a VTR1000.

Opinions?

(A guy in a local shop showed us a (new) 2005 R6 for $13,000 - my wife said "buy it"; but I think that's for the insurance...)

Cheers,
Option 4. Keep the NZ250 for a wee bit longer till you really have decided what you really want to do.

[jonbuoy]

(A guy in a local shop showed us a (new) 2005 R6 for $13,000 - my wife said "buy it"; but I think that's for the insurance...)

Cheers,


Holy shit - see what I mean a brand new R6 for 13K - thats a great deal!!!

[SPman]

I think you'll find it was 950km and 5800km. And one was recycled. :2guns:
Shit - I got 6050 km out of mine!
Who said Suzukis don't last!

[pzkpfw]

Option 4. Keep the NZ250 for a wee bit longer till you really have decided what you really want to do.

Probably good advice. Thanks.

My latest thinking is SV650 or GSX750F.

But is the SV good for touring? And is the GSX OK for commuting? I'll do more commuting than touring, but I enjoy the touring more...

My head hurts.

Cheers,

[Rashika]

I think that, unlike cars, *almost* new secondhand bikes are not good value. Two and three year old models are going for not much less than new, and if you want a bike that recent you might be better to buy new.
I dont really agree with that... still think you are prob better buying a bike that is a couple of years old (meaning 1-3 aprox) rather than new, for a couple of reasons.
1. Dont tend to get the running in problems that *most* new bikes seem to have, e.g warrenty claims, yes paid for but still a hassle to get done. I know a few people who have gone thru this lately and often more than one claim as well. All those things are pretty much sorted out over the first year.

2. You miss out on all the extras that may get added to a new bike by an enthusiastic new owner, like racekits, fancy pipes, dampeners, all those wee things you'd probably get to pay for yourself on a new bike.

3. You will still get depreciation on a new bike. I've often seen brand new 04 models going for a few grand cheaper than 05 models, with only VERY subtle changes, but still brand new. But if you want all the latest bling, yeah go buy new. I'll take on your 1 year old machine for 1/4 less cost anyday :apumpin:
but only if it is a Buell :rolleyes:

Dont think i will ever buy a new bike (or car for that matter) for these reasons alone.
Of course there are exceptions, like when they are selling older stock for waaaaaay under price...it sometimes happens

[Rashika]

Probably good advice. Thanks.

My latest thinking is SV650 or GSX750F.

But is the SV good for touring? And is the GSX OK for commuting? I'll do more commuting than touring, but I enjoy the touring more...

My head hurts.

Cheers,
Have been told by a reliable source who has a SV650 in wgtn that they are GREAT for touring! He cant get enough of his :msn-wink:

[Rashika]

oh yeah and as for the stock tyres on a new bike ...ya gotta be joking if you think you'll ever get high mileage outa them! :killingme
Think it was 4000km for the rear and 6000km for the front on the Buell....crap as far as I'm concerned ( and I have heard the same complaint from overseas owners too I might add). Already got 5000 outa the replacement rear, and barely worn yet!