Brand new vs used sportsbike (600cc)

[EJK]

It's again this time of the year. I was doing a little search and came with this result.

For example lets take a look at the Suzuki GSXR600s. K5, K6, K7, ex-demo/sellout model K8 and the brand new K9.


NEW

Price range of $13,990 to $17,320

Good:

1. Brand new
2. Factory Warranty
3. Comes with latest tech (eg "A-B-C" mode, upgraded ECU)
4. +2hp if lucky
5. New paint/decal design
6. Cheaper but new bike (sellout K8s)
7. It's brand new!

Bad:

1. More expensive
2. Adding accessories will cost more (eg Knobs, paint protector, tail tidy, exhaust etc)
3. New engine
4. With the price of a new one, you can get a used GSXR750/1000

USED

Price range of $10,000 to $12,000 +- ($1,000)

Good:

1. Cheaper
2. May come with accessories (eg Knobs, aftermarket exhaust, tail tidy, mount etc)
3. May still have warranty
4. Tidy owner if lucky
5. Low kms, depending on the bike.

Bad:

1. May have big service comming up (12,000km/24,000km)
2. Bad owner if unlucky
3. Mid to high kms depening on the bike.
4. It's used!

The question is, how and when can I score a bargain?
Well I guess it depends on how much cash I have. But is it really worth spending extra $2,000 on a brand new bike? How about keep the $2,000 and get a used bike, then spend the saved money on even more extras (eg big service, radar detector?)

Ok. How did you buy your bike? Your choice and decisions? Please share your experience.

[merv]

It's again this time of the year.

Mate its always this time of the year.

Buy what tickles your fancy .

[EJK]

Mate its always this time of the year.

Buy what tickles your fancy .

Honestly I'm not expecting to buy one soon. However doing a little research for my "not-to-distant" future ain't going to hurt!

[slofox]

I bought new. I got on road costs thrown in, 16% off new price because it was a K7 (bought March 08), it was the last one in the shop and the shop was dropping the franchise at the end of the month....
Paid the same money as for the second hand Duc I was looking at but got warranty (2 year), more ponies, newer technology (4 valves per, FI not carb, etc). I also got to run it in as I wanted to plus the knowledge that the only lunatic riding it was myself.
Was a no brainer for me under the circumstances...

[jaymzw]

The question is, how and when can I score a bargain?
Well I guess it depends on how much cash I have. But is it really worth spending extra $2,000 on a brand new bike? How about keep the $2,000 and get a used bike, then spend the saved money on even more extras (eg big service, radar detector?)

Ok. How did you buy your bike? Your choice and decisions? Please share your experience.

I bought my K6 GSXR600 written off by insurance (see pics in my profile) for $2200

Spent abit on front end and afew other bits and pieces, a bit of panel & paint and she'll be done for well less than 10,000-12,000

[gijoe1313]

Oho, the EJK is thinking of the next dream bike! Good to see, if you never set a goal or aim towards a target then you will never get there!

Just remember to get one that you will be willing to get down and dirty with the spannering when required!

[discotex]

Tough call. You'll get more bike for you $$ if you go 2nd hand. But you'll be getting piece of mind and a warranty for a new bike.

A brand new K7 gixxer 6 that's been stuck on a showroom floor could be the best of both worlds

[Morcs]

Why bother with a sportsbike?
No fun on the road unless you like spending your time with cops.
The naked 600's are the way to go IMHO.

[madbikeboy]

I bought my K6 GSXR600 written off by insurance (see pics in my profile) for $2200

Spent abit on front end and afew other bits and pieces, a bit of panel & paint and she'll be done for well less than 10,000-12,000

Speaking of which, next weekend set aside some time and lets get the thing bolted together and get it running.

[3umph]

for that sort of $$ you are wanting to spend if you can get a brand new bike for an extra $2k i would go new for it....

if the difference was going to be 4-5k then a good low km 2nd hand would be a better option...

but then I suppose it depends on what extras you get with the bike as well

[EJK]

I think I'll save more

Mean while still tell us your decisions/experience.

[jaymzw]

Speaking of which, next weekend set aside some time and lets get the thing bolted together and get it running.

Are you psychic? Or is it me? Same thought!!! Im on holz now, its a date

[discotex]

Why bother with a sportsbike?
No fun on the road unless you like spending your time with cops.
The naked 600's are the way to go IMHO.

Morcs has a good point.

If I wasn't doing trackdays I'd probably be trading the 600rr in on a naked of some kind as around town and at legal speeds they just feel more fun.

I personally think a big twin or big IL4 suits a naked so something like a Super Duke would be cool. Or CB1000R. Or Brutale

In my biker heaven I'd have one of those for the road and a race bike for the track.

[Okey Dokey]

If you are serious about a GSXR 600, there is a brand new K8 in orange for sale at the Oamaru Suzuki dealer (Young Motor) for only $13995

I think this looks like fantastic value if you are interested!

[Gremlin]

Secondhand is usually the better bargain, but you are often sacrificing warranty and history of the bike in the process.

Ignore mileage to a degree, its not the be all and end all, a low miler completely abused is worse than a high miler looked after and all services done etc.

Usually I buy secondhand, depreciation from new is always a killer. Latest is different, as the new model had major improvements over the old, which I wanted, so I bit the bullet.