How do you choose your bike(s)

[Bonez]

Even better it was a hell of a lot cheaper, and my insurance pay out almost covered the entire replacement costs.

Guess I really am just a shallow man after all. :unsure:

Value for money
is a big factor for me when concidering bike purchases. "Bang for my buck" and on going maintenance tasks- do as much as possible myself including the odd tyre change. Sounds like the GS500 is that kind of bike well done.

[Timber020]

Bang for buck is the key for me.

I usually have a set budget, and hunt out a bike, but then sometimes I see that buynow button on trademe and just end up buying a bike when Im meant to be looking for something completely different.

Economical, fast, fun

[Lou Girardin]

For me it's;
comfortable
fairing
easy to maintain
can tour two up
torquey
cost less than $15,000 new
Only one bike meets these criteria. (unfortunately. I'd like a choice)

[dawnrazor]

I think most folks would agree that one bike can't provide everything all the time, and that ultimatley an "all rounder", is a comprimise in so much as it will do everything to a degree, but will excel at nothing except its all-roundness. So you can commute, tour and race on a CBR600F but a fazer, gs1200 and gsxr will do each job better. So depends what you want your bike for really, factor in money and peoples size and options start to close down. Take into account engine size and styling and options are less. Its concievable that for most people buying a new bike, their options as they see them are quite slim.

I used to think I wanted "exclusive" bikes, like hard to get models or uncommon bikes, but after a aprillia pegaso 125 and a moto guzzi V5, I have decided that, that way madness lies and financial ruin. Managed to get rid of those to with my shirt intact, and now am commited to riding something that will not cost the earth for spares and servicing and that I will be able to sell. I know its boring and soulless, but I don't have the time in my life for my bike to let me down or wait 6 weeks for parts.

Lets face it if we could, we'd all have 2 or 3 bikes in the garage, go with what works for you most of the time.

[Kittyhawk]

If it goes fast, has lots of thrust and idles with a good vibration and sound in the exhaust I'm sold and it has to look manly and growl hahaha
I like it I buy it

[Karma]

Speed is obviously an issue... but to be honest all I saw was the mass amount of Kawasaki Green, and a couple of Ninja stickers and that was me done for... money is a secondary concern

[Bonez]

My second way of selecting a bike- Go for and inpromptu ride, see a bike with a "For Sale" sign on it, buy it .