Best bike buying strategy

So it looks as if a deal has been struck to sell the Voxan. That
leaves me in need of a bike for next year including the TT. An Aprilia
Shiver is my preferred option (still have to sit on one and hopefully
ride one yet to be certain), but buy now or wait until spring? Some
seemingly good offers on 2010 models and demonstrators around now but
will sellers still be anxious to sell come March? Might strike while
the iron is hot, having liquidated some funds that otherwise might get
blown on tarting up the MX5.

 

I looked at the Shiver a while ago, after I'd bought the Versys. Nice
looking bike with some good features and they appear to be quite well
finished[1], but absolutely no way you can fit any hard luggage to it -
even Givi haven't produced anything that fits. I've heard they aren't
too comfortable either, so that rules them out for me on two counts.

[1] Something my Versys unfortunately is not, though 2010 models are
alot better in this respect.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

go ride the demo bike and see if you like it - as you are in a "no p-ex"
situation you have a lot of buying power with a dealer. They will be
desperate to have your cash rather than have a bike sit in stock.

Looks like the 0% finance deal ended last month, but they often extend them
if they still have stock. Do the sums, often works out better value to have
a new bike on finance. That was certainly the case with my car: finance &
cashback made it a better deal than a nearly new one.

 

Find a dealership with one on the floor, walk in 2 weeks before
christmas, and ask for 15% discount for cash.

 

Hepco and Becker list pannier frames for it - and don't Aprilia now sell
one with a half fairing and (semi rigid) panniers?

 

If I was still in to doing long distance trips a Versys would have
suited me. As long as I can get a Baglux tank cover for a Shiver and
my Oxford throwovers can be perched on it securely that will do.
Heysham back to Wolvo' is the longest ride I envisage doiing in the
future so comfort isn't too much of an issue. I will miss the very low
seat height on the Roadster though.

 

Possibly. The half faired version appeared after I looked at them. I
wasn't too bothered then or now because I am very happy with my Versys
so haven't really been looking at them since. In a year's time I'll be
looking to change bike and top of the list is the new 800 Tiger, with
the Z1000SX Tourer a close second.


--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

The Versys suits short trips as well, and back-lane hooli-antics. It
really is the best all-rounder I've owned and it's going to be a very
special bike that replaces it in a year or so... or I may just keep it
or buy another new one.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

That's a thought. Must check my nearest concessionaires. As ginge
says, cash talks, but it might be woth going for a 0% deal if I can
get one.

 

Depends how the 0% is funded. If the finance is subsidised by the dealer's
margin then it may not be the best deal as their hands are tied. If the
scheme is entirely funded by Aprilia then the dealer may be able to offer
you a bit from their margin too.

 

You might find you can strike a better deal if you take the bike on
finance because the dealer often gets commission from the finance
company.

 

My feeling is that the trade is going to get worse, not better, and
money will be even more tight, so better bargains will be had. I'd bide
my time and wait a bit.

What says the Lozz?

 

He says the same, why do you think I got out of it before it hit hard.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Inter-Continental Hyperbolistic Missile , CBR600F-W racebike
in the making, TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

Depends if Pete thinks he might get the bike out on days like today. A bit
nippy but a lovely day for slipping and sliding on damp leaves.

Buying a bike is not only an economic decision. You have to put some value
on the utility of ownership. For some people, just having it in the garage
has value.

 

<Considers bulging garage>

IKWYM.

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

You need an injection of Nige's DNA so you can develop getting a bigger
thrill from the sale rather than being a magpie.

 

Cane has a link for that ...

 

I have delayed selling the GS500 and the black 400/4 until spring
because there seem to be few decent buyers at the moment.
Am I deluded (again) ?

OTOH an 03 GS500 with only 3500 miles and a tidy 400/4 are unlikely
to depreciate too much even if I hang onto them for another year.

 

Correct.

Neither will sell at the ridiculous price you advertise them for so they
will have the same commercial value in March 2011 as now i.e. £0.00

 

Trouble is, speaking as someone looking at this size bike (up to 600cc
ish) in the near future, neither of them look good!

What I mean is the GS is a pretty crap bike, IMHO, so worth maybe ?200
to me .. the Honda not much more as to make it 'nice' it'd need an
inordinate amount spending on it, not least 'cos a lot of bits are
mostly unobtanium or close to, and then it'd not be worth riding as
it'd probably screw it up and not worth selling as you'd not get the
money back.

I'd guess there are many more punters with a similar thought process ...