Fixing vs buying new?

[fireball]

So many variables here, when you say buying new are you meaning brand spanking new, or just another second hand bike?

It all comes down to the dollars, will your bike be worth any more if you fix it up??
Can you get a better second hand bike for only a few dollars more??

.

looking at the market as is i can get 4000 max for my bike and a brand spanking new bike for 5000

current bike has no speed 120max and feels like it struggles alot plus she has high ks now for a 5yr old bike

but after some thought im still undecided

[Squiggles]

Dont forget about instant depreciation on a new bike (even a 250), and the run in maintenance and break-in issues

For 5g a new one probably isnt going to come with awesome tyres and a quality chain

[HungusMaximist]

The question is, if you're a full time working professional and got the dosh then get a brand new spanking bike every-year.

If not, then you might want to consider your options.

Generally speaking a standard bike is pretty cheap if you keep it that way and upgrade every-year but when you start modding it that's when your money blows away.

[Mike748]

looking at the market as is i can get 4000 max for my bike and a brand spanking new bike for 5000

current bike has no speed 120max and feels like it struggles alot plus she has high ks now for a 5yr old bike

but after some thought im still undecided

I gather you have a cruiser style of some sort, have you thought of going a little more sports-ish.
Have a look around at some second hand bikes, there are some well looked after bikes around with most of the money already spent on improvements.

If you purchased new I would still allow for decent tyres and brake pads, minimum.

[jim.cox]

I generally figure that fixing what I have is advantageous.

Its usually cheaper, and you end up with something of known quality.

Buying something new just opens up the possibility of a whole new, different, can of worms.

[FROSTY:Me]

To be honest you would be best to take ya bike to Cycletreads.
Book it in and get a chain,brake pads and tyres done at the same time.
Adjusting the back shocks is a 2 second job so why not get em to do that at the same time.
Leave the forks alone for just now untill you assess the difference new ruber,chain and adjusting the rear shocks makes for ya.

A couple of comments here. If you are more than happy wit the way the bike accellerates why not change the gearing by a couple of teeth at the rear. Slightly slower acceleration- the trade off is better top speed.

About the sore back thing. If you aint totally fixed on the custom bike look You might want to try a set of flatter/lower bars.
Sounds cookey but it will change your riding position and as a result should reduce the effect of the back shocks jolting you.

Ya could try taking Jorjas Scorpio for a ride --I suspect you will love it--better top speed better riding position and at $3750 brand new you'd be better off financially

[breakaway]

I've been dealing with this issue as well fireball.

Sometimes I feel like selling my CBR, it has a lot of 'little' things wrong with it (sticky throttle, lights for the dash etc) but if I do that, then it will mean that I never learn how to undertake highly mechanical activities like cleaning carbs, maybe even an engine rebuild. I mean, it's not like I can't do an oil + filter change, but I'd like to learn how to sort the more complex stuff on my own.

My biggest problem is that I have nowhere I can store the bike, and I'm not keen to open it all up without know what / where / how to fix. Don't want my shit lying around all over the place.

For now I think I'll just keep it till I can organise a prefab shed or something :\

[jrandom]

Scorpio

Best advice in the thread so far.

[fireball]

cheers guys.. i had taken EJs scorpio for a blast when it was still in one peice and i dunno it was very 'farm bikeish' and reminded me of the CT125 i used to own i think that that kind of bike would get me into alot of trouble as i would want to thrash it and be naughty

but yeah have decided to start with the chain and sprockets then move onto tyres and breaks once i get the cash together