Winter versus Spring/Summer prices

Right, I've managed to save a bit of dosh and I'm in the market for a
new (to me) bike. I'm after something faster, lighter and better
handling than I've got now.

Now, I've seen plenty of decentish R1s, GSXRs and their ilk for around
four grand BUT do I buy one now and bag a bargain (and also ruin the
thing with salt) or should I wait until spring, which is when my
insurance comes up for renewal anyway and spend the extra I'd saved on
the same bike just 'cos it's spring?

So, will four grand get me the same bike now as five grand in April?

I suspect yes but I'm asking the FOAK first, like you do.

 

I doubt if you'll pay a grand more in April. Just keep an eye on used
bikes and when you see one you like buy the fucking thing.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Andy Bonwick amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

Good philosophy.

I've just realised there's another two and a half unspent grand on my
credit card, too

****.

 

Get rid of the card before you get into £2.5k more debt.

 

You'll never last until April. My guess is that you'll have a new bike
by the beginning of Feb. at the latest.

 

Whinging Courier said...

For Sale: Immaculate 2002 GSX-R1000 K1, NI plate, loads of quality
extras, low mileage, never raced or rallied - 5800 quid

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Andy Bonwick amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

****. ****. ****.

The reality is there's loads of bikes out there and that nice and shiney
red 04 R1 I've seen will be more in abundance (slightly) later in the
year.

I really hope you're wrong but sadly I've got a track record going
against me.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, BGN amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

I'm planning on buying a bike outright. The card will only come into
play if I really can't resist the bike that's next to the one I /should/
be buying.

 

You're not unique in this. I've lost count of the number of times I've
popped into bike shops for something small and come out having agreed
to buy another bike. It's not something to worry about.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Lozzo amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

I know your bike will have been meticulously maintained and well looked
after which is why I'm going to add it to the list of possibles.

I'm not sure about that price, mind so if it does make it to the
shortlist I'll be haggling like a bastard and despite my enthusiasm I do
want to try and leave this bike buying thing as near to April as I can.

 

Whinging Courier said...

Ummm....I was kidding. it's not for sale.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Andy Bonwick amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

I'm not worried. I tend to do what I feel like now and worry about it
later.

Actually, the only thing that is worrying me is the shit on the roads.
OK, so bikes get dirty but really, when you spend that much on a bike
you want it looking as good as you can for as long as you can and I'm
not known for paying attention to bike cleaning duties, especially when
it's fucking freezing outside and my time would be better spent indoors
keeping warm.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, ginge amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

0% interest on all used bikes at a dealer near me.

It will need checking out because it's probably on some impossibly short
time span like 6 months - a year.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Lozzo amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Phew. That's a relief. I thought I was going to have to upset you by
turning it down

 

On Sun, 1 Jan 2006 21:19:09 -0000, Whinging Courier

Bikes are for riding, not getting precious about. You'll rat the
fucking thing the first time you get pissed so keeping it looking good
should be the least of your concerns.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Andy Bonwick amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

The thing'll get ratted riding it back from Edgware.

Remember Adies Bandit? When I bought it it was absolutely fucking
*pristine*. I really do mean pristine, it was absolutely immaculate. By
the time I got it home from East London (at trip of about 10-12 miles)
it was fucking filthy. A quick jet-wash sorted it but after about a week
I got fed up with cleaning it and as you know, the rest was history.

Do bike prices vary from area to area? I pass dealers during the day and
may pop in during work time to check out a few bikes but would I be
better of buying the same model and spec in Flitwick say, than Finchley?

 

Yes.

And don't ride it - just salt it away (to coin a phrase).

 

Quite possibly, although for a grand difference, it'd have to be the right
bike that you got very cheap.

I'd definitely buy now, and if you don;t want to ruin it, just keep it away
in the garage. Take your time and just wait for the right thing to come
along. I've bought my last two bikes at this time of year, both at fairly
knock down prices. When I had the Blackbird, I sold it a year later for more
than I paid for it. Also, I suspect there'll be at least one or two
dealers consolidating stock this time of year. [1]

[1] Which is exactly how I bought my GSXR. Dealer (stupidly) admitted that
if I didnt buy it, he was shifting a job lot of bikes to another local
dealer. I pitched in an offer which I reckon was about £100 - £200 more than
the trade price I think the other dealer offered him for it and he
reluctantly took it.

 

TOG will be better equipped to answer this but at a guess I'd say it's
more supply and demand than area that governs the price. You'll find
prices a bit cheaper in a city than in a small place like Flitwick
when it comes to 2nd hand stock but for the brand new bikes it's just
down to how badly the dealer needs the sale.

 

Apart from places like the wilds of Scotland or the Shetlands, where
location obviously has an influence, then yes, you're right.