Motorcycle Dealer's Cost vs MSRP on a new bike. Advice?

[Josh1234]

Bump

 

How goes the search, Jack?

 

The last thing you need is another $0.02, but then again, it's a forum, so everyone's welcome to chip them in

 

If you haven't yet considered them, expand your search to include the Yamaha YZF-600R and Kawasaki ZZR-600.

 

I had a YZF-600 and loved it.  I went to that after learning on a Buell Blast, which could be considered comparable to your GS500.  The YZF-600 is similar to an R6 (which is technically a YZF-R6 - see what they did there?) but the seating position is more upright and comfy (i.e. it's a sport-tourer, not a supersport) and the engine makes more torque and less HP. It'll seem heavier and more bulky than your 500 at first, but I've found after riding a smaller bike (my ninja 500) that I miss the more solid feel.

 

Ton of aftermarket support, fully faired, so good looking and wind protection while you're on the freeway for your commute, and it has enough power/torque to keep you happy.  

 

The ZZR is comparable, although I have no personal experience.  Just another bike in the same class.  A note, though... the zzr-600 has the same engine as the the previous model of ZX-636, so it's probably more RPM oriented.

 

Anyway, just thought I'd fan the flames for your bike search.... I know what It's like

[Helmutt]

These figures are more likely correct.

 

33.99 HP @ 8500 rpm (cranksh)

25.08 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm (cranksh)

 

.

Sad numbers for a 500. My wife's Ninja 300 has more gitty up than that GS

My votes are SV650, Ninja 650R ( Tall Tracy has a superb specimen for sale now ), or the FZ6. The Vtwins have better torque down low, are light and nimble, but the FZ cant be discounted in any catagory either. Ride em all, pick your favs, shop away

[smccrory]

This thread has some outstanding advice.  I don't have anything to add except that.

[Josh1234]

Buy this one!:

 

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/4557523149.html

 

Is that an '02 VFR-800 for 2800?  Did "interceptors" come in any other displacements in '02?  If that bike is real and not "too good to be true" then it'll go fast at that price.  Ad is a little scarce on details though.

[Tpoppa]

I know of an SV650s...ABS version.

[JackFlash]

Bump

 

How goes the search, Jack?

 

 

The search is on going.  It's not so much a search for

a bike as it is a search for information and answers to

questions, which will point me in a more defined direction

to the bike I'm going to get.  It has been suggested that

I need two bikes, and also that possibly the bike I want

doesn't exist.  Both of those may be a little true.

 

One issue with being built a little closer to the ground

than many of you is that my reach is less, causing my

riding posture to be more forward leaning than I would find

comfortable for a lengthy ride.  That's what gives a VFR,

SV 650, ZZR 600, etc. a less than desirable seating 

position for me. 

 

The FZ's, the Ninja 650, and the Suzuki SFV 650 all have a

seating positon that agrees with me.  The Ninja is a parallel

twin, like the GS 500, and may not have as much pizazz

as what I may wish it had.  I don't want only a little more

umph in engine performance, I want a lot more, for the money

I'm going to spend.

 

The Suzuki's V-twin has low end torque, but will it accelerate

me out of the turbulence of an eighteen wheeler from 70 mph

and put me in front in five seconds?

 

And those FZ's are nice are far as how they sit.  This being

the season of the street fighter, leaves us with less wind

protection than what I like.  Also, the FZ6's power band is

in the upper revs, from what I understand.  I prefer not to

have to buzz around the city in third gear at a high rpm.

 

The FZ1?  Well now, maybe that's closer to what I should

consider.  I wouldn't have to shift near as much as I do when

riding the twisties with the big boys, and at freeway speeds

I could reduce my passing time to four seconds to get around

that tornado inducing truck.

 

The 2014 Ninja 1000 gets my attention.  I like it a lot.  The

FJR and Connie 14 both appeal to me.  I believe maintenance

costs for the FJR would be less, plus the Connie sits way too

high for me to be able to back it up easily while seated. 

Many of these should probably not be my second bike, but I

have my wishes.

 

I sat on a new Interceptor (VFR 800) at John Hinderer in Heath,

Ohio.  They have two, in case anyone is looking; a red one and

a white one. I liked the white one.  I wonder if Heli bars would

put the grips in a friendlier position? 

 

Now, you know where my head is, currently.  Bring on the

corrections in my way of thinking.  I look forward to it.  It gives

me things to think about that I didn't know to think about.

 

No hurries for my second bike.  I'm having a blast with this one,

for now.  I'm just trying to narrow my focus for when the desire

overcomes me, and I can't resist the temptation of a bike that

I can't take my eyes off of.

 

.

[shadyone]

new bars will give about any bike the desired position your looking at. find one that fit your legs without lowering, put on tome aftermarket bars and away you go.. almost any bike can be made to fit. the conny 14 will be big no matter what. the weight could be your issue. plus 180 HP is a big jump from your 35. be respectful of any bike goes farther than experience anyway. I learned to ride on a 955 Speed triple. Way too much for most people but i respected the power. even a 250 will be by a 18 wheeler in 5 seconds with a little pre planning. plus the highway slab is not where the fun is anyway. 

[Steve Butters]

Not to be that guy who only recommends what they ride, but have you looked at a CB1000R? They can be had fairly cheap used, and they sit much more upright than a vfr (also come stock with bars instead of clip ons) ... No wind protection, but a decent helmet and you won't notice... Plenty of power, and the stock gearing puts most power down low despite being an i4.. Redline is just under 11k rpm, and power is usable at any rpm... 6th gear on Highway will definitely put you around a semi quickly, and for around town you can leave it in 6th anything above 35mph with no bogging or hesitation... Seat also feels pretty low to me, but I'm 6ft so may not notice if it's too high for you

Edited July 8, 2014 by Steve Butters

[Ryan_c_F]

Buy this one!:

 

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/4557523149.html

 

Is that an '02 VFR-800 for 2800?  Did "interceptors" come in any other displacements in '02?  If that bike is real and not "too good to be true" then it'll go fast at that price.  Ad is a little scarce on details though.

 

That's a really good price...

[Pokey]

The twin 650's of the Ninja or Suzukis will run like a raped ape compared to what you have now. There is a reason why so many riders of all sizes and skill levels own them, and they are many times ridden 2 up and fully loaded with gear. Unless you start taking test rides or just decide to take a chance and pull the trigger on something else, you are just wasting time reading up and listening to opinions. Decide for yourself, not like you are buying a house.......it's just a damn bike.

[redkow97]

I know of an SV650s...ABS version.

 

This, or the Vstrom 650 that's up for sale would both be amazing options at fair prices.  Just depends on what kind of riding you prefer.

[redkow97]

The Suzuki's V-twin has low end torque, but will it accelerate

me out of the turbulence of an eighteen wheeler from 70 mph

and put me in front in five seconds?

 

 

In short, yes.

 

you're about halfway up the tach at 70mph, and just getting into the meat of the SV's torque curve.  down-shifting into 4th gear will get you out of there faster than you can blink.  Rolling on in 6th will still get you out of the way safely.

[smccrory]

In short, yes.

 

you're about halfway up the tach at 70mph, and just getting into the meat of the SV's torque curve.  down-shifting into 4th gear will get you out of there faster than you can blink.  Rolling on in 6th will still get you out of the way safely.

 

Absolutely.  My V-Strom 650 ABS is a little heavier, has nearly the same engine as the SV and the Gladius, and can pull away from a tractor trailer on the highway, 2-up, with ease, even in 6th gear.  5th gear if going up an incline.  JackFlash, come ride on the back of mine or get a demo ride of the SV, FZ6 or V-Strom - they're all a lot more powerful than you think.

[Tpoppa]

An SV will realistically do 125-130mph.  It will pass 100 quickly.

[tall_tracy]

My Ninja will do 130mph...

[Steve Butters]

My cb will do 130...

Pretty much anything bigger than a 500 and not a cruiser, will do 130...not sure what we're aiming for here lol

Edited July 8, 2014 by Steve Butters

[JackFlash]

 Unless you start taking test rides or just decide to take a chance

and pull the trigger on something else, you are just wasting time

reading up and listening to opinions.

 

Time is not an issue.  There is no rush to upgrade to a larger

bike.  I still enjoy the one I have while I explore other possibilities.

 

This, or the Vstrom 650 that's up for sale would both be amazing

options at fair prices.  Just depends on what kind of riding you prefer.

 

I think the V-Strom is an excellent bike.  I wish it didn't sit so high.

I don't think it can be lowered enough for me.  

 

...you're about halfway up the tach at 70mph, and just getting into the

meat of the SV's torque curve.  down-shifting into 4th gear will get you

out of there faster than you can blink.  Rolling on in 6th will still get you

out of the way safely.

 

And that is the kind of info that I find useful.

 

My Ninja will do 130mph...

 

It's a parallel twin.  Right?

 

An SV will realistically do 125-130mph.  It will pass 100 quickly.

 

Good to know.

 

Absolutely.  My V-Strom 650 ABS is a little heavier, has nearly the same

engine as the SV and the Gladius, and can pull away from a tractor trailer

on the highway, 2-up, with ease, even in 6th gear.  5th gear if going up an

incline.  JackFlash, come ride on the back of mine or get a demo ride of the

SV, FZ6 or V-Strom - they're all a lot more powerful than you think.

 

I might have to stop by.

 

.

[tall_tracy]

Yes, the Ninja 650R is a parallel twin. It's more than capable on the highway passing trucks or whatever else.

[smccrory]

I think the V-Strom is an excellent bike.  I wish it didn't sit so high.

I don't think it can be lowered enough for me.  

 

I might have to stop by.

 

What's your inseam?  Mine is 29" and the bike felt insanely tall to me at first, but I removed the rubbers under the seat and got used to being able to put the balls of my feet down or using one flat foot when stopped.  It feels unstable at first but once you get to know the bike, it only feels tall and heavy when pushing it around the garage.  Once I'm on my Strom 650, it feels completely natural and under control.

 

I'm in Westerville just 2-3 miles north of Iron Pony.  PM me if you want to arrange a visit and we'll go riding, and you could combine that with sit-downs on IP's various bikes for fit and feel.

 

Oh, and I have a set of 3/4" lowering links I ended up not using - you can have them for free if you get a DL650 and it's a tad high.

Edited July 9, 2014 by smccrory

[aforrest4]

Just buy something and ride it like you stole it.