New Vs Used

.OrgOwner · 03-11-2008, 1:39 AM

So here is your chance to have your say on the new V used issue. So do you always and only buy new bikes? Are you a used bike person? What are your reasons for going either way on this issue? And what about riding gear?

So I will start the ball rolling, I've only ever had one new bike in my life and it seemed like a good idea at the time, looking back the decision was to work within a budget and I compromised on performance. I soon sold it and bought a well maintained used bike that was a little older but much better in terms of performance which is what I should have done in the first place. The whole time I had the thing I was looking for ways to extract more out of it, you know what they say about putting a saddle on a pig? It's never going to work like the real thing.

With riding gear I always go for new safety gear, it's not an area where I will compromise.

-Z- · 03-11-2008, 1:45 AM

New on the gear, used on the bikes.

I will not buy older used gear, unless it seems to me that the gear is "like new"...meaning that maybe the person has had it for a while but never used it and it is still just like new. Like a jacket that I bought. But a helmet? I won't even take that sort of chance on that. New in box straight from the store/mailbox.

For bikes, I've bought 1 new bike. It was great, nothing wrong with it, and I bought it new because I literally bought it right off the showroom floor the very first day that dealership had it in stock. But in my opinion, if you're willing to be patient and look around for a well-maintained bike, you can find some really good deals on used ones.

Oh, and if it's older and used, it's much less of a blow to your ego when you drop it than if it's brand-new.

jacobflyin · 03-11-2008, 2:03 AM

I will all ways go new with the gear and top of the line with helmets I need my brain to work and make money.

The bikes I guess I would buy new but I would never buy a 1st year bike like the new 1000 RR even though it's a Honda and they do not have a lot of problems the 1st year is all ways a Ginny pig and the get feed back from real owners not just there testing.

Not to say you are going to pay top dollar for a bike then what you know you are going to remove half of the crap on it and install new parts let someone else do the hard work and save a buck.

oldnslow · 03-11-2008, 2:59 AM

I would buy used gear (NOT a helmet) as long as it was in good condition.

I don't think I will ever buy another new bike. I bought 2 back in the 90's.
I have a lot of bikes and for what they have cost me used I could have maybe bought 2 or 3 new ones...I will stick with my harem of used toys.

sospelotudo · 03-11-2008, 3:01 AM

Gear...new unless it's from someone I know. I am not a germophobe (sp?). I have a bike that I bought new, and several old crappy ones. I am a mechanic (technician if you are anal retentive) so I buy old wrecked bikes that tickle my fancy. If it is for the track or dirt, I would buy a bike that is affordable (read: cheap)and salvage title or an insurance buyback. Perfectly good bikes go to scrap, just because of cosmetic damage. I only bought a new bike because I don't have $8000 cash laying about.

low-rider · 03-11-2008, 9:23 AM

all of my bikes were new and current fireblade i bought new also. i know that you loose the most by buying a new bike but i can't afford to buy some bike in bad conditition and then repair this and that. here people are not honest and they will mask very good all the damages on the bike and after you buy it you will find out that you bought a wrack. and people are charging for well masked wrack just the same as for bike that has never been on the ground. i like to know that i was the first in saddle and how i made break in of the engine etc. i really take care of my bike and not all the people are like that. many of my friends are not lubricating chain, they are doing weelies and stunting on their bikes, they are not cleaning their bikes, they are not warming them up properly before they hit the gas, or they are raising rpm's to the redline in neutral etc. imagine buying a bike from this kind of persons. im not comfortable to do that.

used bikes are good deal but if you really find one in good condition. but here used bikes cost almost the same as new ones in us. for example cbr 954 is about 11.500 us dollars here. and for that amount of money you can buy new 08 fireblade in usa, right???

regardin a gear i'm also for new gear...especially helmet. that is matter of life or death.

blue1000rr · 03-17-2008, 8:16 PM

only new gear, helmet jacket, boots, everything has to pretty much be new for me.
When it comes to bikes it depends. Sport bikes i wouldnt dare by a new one because i tend to switch bike/vehicles every year if not more often then that. but if i were looking at a harley or maybe another cruiser i would go new because they hold value well

skeeter · 03-18-2008, 6:42 PM

if you are buying a sportbike, i would prob go with a used bike. call the insurance man and im sure he will help you with this decision

blue1000rr · 03-18-2008, 7:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter

if you are buying a sportbike, i would prob go with a used bike. call the insurance man and im sure he will help you with this decision

for me the insurance didnt change whether the bike was brand new or 6 years old. when i bought my 1krr i was considering buying a new 07 until i found my 06 for a killer deal. the only thing that made a difference was that i went from a 750 to 1000, and that was only like 5 bucks a month

skeeter · 03-20-2008, 5:09 PM

i hear you man, for me i was a matter of justifying the expense of full coverage. i chose to buy a used bike and just go with liability. i bought something which i could afford to lose if it went down.

ldavis · 03-20-2008, 5:24 PM

i say new to the gear... especially helmet's.. i did buy a pair of slightly used boots, but they are in great shape, so scuffs or anything... bike's..i bought my first (05 600rr) brand new, and loved it.. but the interest will kill ya... so from now on i think it will be used. .unless of course you're talking the previous year model close outs at the dealership.. they always seem to want to let them go... i know 3 different guys who picked up 07's late last fall for 7k... what a deal...

smack doogle · 03-22-2008, 3:45 PM

Everything used except a helmet. Used gear can be found slightly used (once or twice worn) pretty easily and cheap. I'm on my 4th bike and each have been used. It's just to easy to find the bike you want in good shape from someone who took up the hobby/sport for one season to realize they don't like it or can't afford it. Of course, that really only works if you can live without having the latest and greatest. I'm married with 3 kids so I look for deals whenever possible.

deez · 03-22-2008, 5:01 PM

New bikes, new gear.

I've never paid full price for any of my new bikes, always get a deal on them. Even on the '08 Blade, I could get one for $10.5k + TTL with a phone call.

A new bike feels like nothing else. I cannot describe the feeling of being on it, 2 miles from the dealership, heading home. It's absolutely incredible. I was poor as a kid, so I hate hand me down anything. Used bikes CAN be used problems. I don't want to purchase something that has been abused and/or beat to death so I buy new. I'd buy used if I personally knew the owner.

As far as gear goes, I buy new for most things. If I know the person who is selling, as was the case with an Edwards Corsair Rep I have, I'll buy used. But for the most part I've bought all my gear on closeout specials and got killer deals on all my stuff, new.

mark2119 · 03-23-2008, 3:50 PM

I always buy new bikes and gear.
Im not an expert mechanic, so id rather not play the used bike game.
I always wait for a last year's leftover deal on bikes.
Gear is not much more expensive new, when you shop around on the net.

MelScrilla · 03-25-2008, 3:23 PM

i go with used bikes because alot of the time you can find a deal if you look hard enough. the bikes i try to find are the ones ridden by the older guy that is moving and trying to get rid of some excess baggage of the person that's going through finacial trouble(I know that sounds like it sucks but thats what i'm going through now).

As far as gear i've never liked to wear other peoples used gear unless it was like someone else said never worn before. Of course i've never bought full leathers are anything the only gear i have is a helmet, jacket, and gloves.

2k929 · 03-25-2008, 4:52 PM

Used bikes, new gear.

Although when buying new bikes, I would look for a mint condition bike, I just don't like the idea of paying 11k for a new bike, paying all the taxes and crap setup charges. Then as soon as i leave the dealership....the bikes worth 9k maybe. Unless you are keeping it for a long time to swallow the cost, i wouldn't like that.

rokitt51 · 03-25-2008, 9:45 PM

New on the gear, well i guess the gear is sometimes used as far as maybe worn once and just wasnt right for them. Cant go wrong with the cost there. As far as the bikes, it goes both ways, new and used. Depends on the bike and the money that im lookin to spend. Ive had 4 new bikes and 6 new bikes. The used bikes were immaculate and stock (must have), and the new bikes were with negociated prices, warranty, and accessories.

prtsimmons · 03-25-2008, 10:29 PM

I will probably never buy a new bike, unless I have money that I was otherwise planning to burn. I worked in a bike shop/dealership for a few years, so I did get to ride a brand new Husaberg 650 Supermoto for a couple of years... it was an awesome bike, but it probably gave me more trouble than my 20-year old CB750SC.

Anyway, this is why I always buy used (I'm shopping for a bike now - a 919, low mileage, B.C. or Pacific NW - any sellers?):
- you lose 15% of the value as soon as you drive off the lot. That means that first 100 feet costs about $2000
- new bikes are rarely set up, anyway (I've seen bikes, straight from another dealership, with loose axle nuts, incorrect jets in the carbs, low air in one tire, too much in the other, and suspension settings that were basically random) You really need a competent mechanic to set it up, or do it yourself, even on a new bike
- financing isn't free - if they are giving you a huge advantage on the interest, they are making it back somewhere else.
-4-year financing, at a typical 12% interest rate, adds about $3000 to a $10000 loan. So between depreciation and financing, a brand-new (financed) bike costs about $5000 more than last year's model with low mileage. I'd rather keep the $5000 and spend it on a dirtbike or track days - but that's just me.

I think the best way to buy a bike (if you are talking about anything more than a $1500 beater) is to ask the seller if you can let your mechanic look it over. Find a decent independent shop, and they should do it for about 1 hour labour. It may seem like $75 is a lot if you don't buy the bike, but it's a tiny fraction of the cost of finding out there's no compression on one cylinder, the camchain is rattling around like a BB in coke can, or whatever.

For newer bikes, I would just want to know that it hadn't been crashed or modified, if the mileage was fairly low. Service records are also great. If the seller doesn't know the meaning of the words 'oil change' or 'valve lash', walk away. If the tires are showing cords, he probably didn't spring for a valve adjustment that he can't even see.

Blah, blah, blah... these are just my thoughts, and I've been screwed on used bike deals before, so take it with a grain of salt. Gear - I'd buy a new helmet every time, the rest would be a matter of condition and price.

jesse954 · 03-25-2008, 11:20 PM

I haven't bought a new bike, in fact I'm on my first bike right now. It is in great condition and I like to think I keep it well maintained. I know this much...I enjoy riding a machine that I own, and not some bank! If I bought brand new I'd be paying on it for years. And I don't agree with not feeling so bad about laying down a used one. I would be heart broken if I laid my bike down.

swe39 · 03-30-2008, 5:49 PM

Well I'm still a student, so I have little money.. Both my bikes were used. Also I like having aftermarket stuff already installed (and you pay almost nothing for), and less to lose if/when you drop/crash, and less appeal to thieves. And insurance costs are cheaper.

skeeter 185 · 04-20-2008, 4:00 PM

About two years ago, i bought a 929 with around 4600 miles for 5200. At the same time a friend of mine bought the silver/white busa ltd. He bought this thing brand new 0 miles 13,000. For whatever reason, we both decided to sell out about a year or so later. I sold mine with around 6000 miles for 5000. the only modifications i performed were oil change, rear tire, chain lube. My friend did the undertail, dog bones, new bar clips, frame sliders, etc... Without so much as a scratch on his bike and less than 3000 miles he received a whopping 8500 dollars for his troubles. Now ill grant you, suzuki is not my choice of manufacturer, but let this serve as an example of the true depreciation which may be encountered.

daveyboy · 04-23-2008, 12:15 PM

Gear there just aint no compramise , that lid on your head isall that saves you if the worst ever happens you need to have the confidence in it that it has;nt been droped or frown about so it;s got to be new, Bikes it comes down to the individual and what they want to spend couple of mates have brought new and wish they had;nt do to having loads trouble with them. Somtimes it may be better to buy a good used with history

FTP_929 · 06-13-2008, 8:14 PM

New gear is stupid expensive these days,hate to say it but my first helmet was a used HJC i bought for 80 bucks,i got hit by a car in JAN 07 and slammed my head on the ground,and i dropped my bike in APR 08 where i also hit my head..and the helmet still works fine,i know people say to buy a helmet once its been dropped but its worked great for me