Anyone else finding great deals on new bikes?

I'm entering my third year of bike shopping, and I fully intend to finally pull the trigger on a bike this year.

I was fairly certain I wanted a used maxi-scooter, but I found a great deal at the local bike shop on a 2008 Suzuki GSX650F!

Until March 31st, you get $1000 cash back, and 1.9% APR financing. Did I mention that with all rebates, this bike is now $4000?

I couldn't believe it! Four grand can get me a brand new bike with a warranty, that can commute, be reasonably fun to ride, has fuel injection, and probably won't kill me?

There's gotta be a catch, right?

I don't finance toys and don't have the 4 large. that's the catch for me

4 grand is just outside my budget but its close enough where i would do it simply because its a brand new bike still with warranty. Ohhhh thats tempting

I went shopping last year for a used bike in the 2-3k range.

When I discoverd I could buy a brand new Kawaski Versys for 4k with a warrantee it was a no brainer decision for me.

Pulled it out today for the first time this season....still love it

$4k is pretty damned low for a new bike. All that riding and none of the maintenance headaches assuming the bike is solid. Which I'm sure it is as it's been in production for eons. Payment less than $100 a month assuming 4 year terms.

Nice! Let us know if you decide to go for it.

You've got gear right? Maybe you could negotiate a new HJC with the purchase? That or some really good gloves...

Xceler8x,

My sentiments exactly, I've been looking at older Japanese stuff, and while I'm sure it will be reliable and solid, for a bit more I don't have to fool with carbs...I can build my credit score...and have a bike that would easily last the couple years it would take to pay it off.

After reading the reviews for it, it sounds like a pretty good deal. I was fairly taken with the FZ6 when Yamaha decided to kill it off, and this is a similar kind of sport commuting bike.

It "only" has 75 horsepower (Yet can still run an 11.9 second quarter mile...tee hee), common complaints are crappy brake pads, and the rear suspension isn't as adjustable as a GSX-R.

And my gear is ALL hand-me-down stuff, so I was going to try and drag a little gear out of them. Now I get to price a new jacket, helmet and gloves!

Definitely think I may run a credit app tomorrow or Monday.

Xceler8x wrote: You've got gear right? Maybe you could negotiate a new HJC with the purchase? That or some really good gloves...

Good point, most shops will usually give you a credit toward new gear with a new bike purchase or at least 20-25% off all new gear with a bike purchase. So if you need the gear anyway think of the savings as a further reduction in the total cost of the bike.

One other thing. Check insurance before you start purchase proceedings. I was with Progressive and bought The Widowmaker - a TL1000S from 1997. That thing killed some journo's and was an insurers nightmare. Progressive quoted me $4k for a year's insurance on it.

Went to State Farm and they quoted me a mere $700 for a year. Subsequently SF got all my insurance business. I'm a fan of Progressive but they shot themselves in the foot on that deal.

Check your rates and make sure you can handle the whole deal. Having a new bike and no insurance sucks when/if you drop it.

Also, if you haven't been riding motorcross since you could walk and watch your Mom's tears as you rode away - take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. I did. Worth every fvcking penny and second spent. Contact them now as those courses fill up the minute there is no longer frost on your metal gas tank in the morning.

If you don't know already - www.advrider.com is a GREAT all knowing motorcycle forum. If it's about motorcycles and some guy on that board doesn't know it - it's not worth knowing.

Grtechguy wrote: I don't finance toys and don't have the 4 large. that's the catch for me

I don't usually call my commuters toys regardless of how awesome they are.....(well that's how I justify it in my head anyway)

Purchased an unsold 2009 (in 2010) for $2K below list. Zero miles, full warranty, great finance rate. There are great deals out there, but things are starting to turn around so they won't last forever.

I am still contemplating a new Honda 250R. Slow commuter sporty light bike. 4K brand new 2011!

Maroon92 wrote: I am still contemplating a new Honda 250R. Slow commuter sporty light bike. 4K brand new 2011!

That is a sweet ride.And cheap to insure and operate. Mrs.Mini is looking for a deal on a Burgman.

Racer1ab wrote: Until March 31st, you get $1000 cash back, and 1.9% APR financing. Did I mention that with all rebates, this bike is now $4000?

how do you get it that low? Im only seeing 1000$ off and 1.9% which leaves it at $5999

minimac wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: I am still contemplating a new Honda 250R. Slow commuter sporty light bike. 4K brand new 2011!

That is a sweet ride.And cheap to insure and operate. Mrs.Mini is looking for a deal on a Burgman.

That bike overpriced at $4k IMO. If Honda was smart, they'd undercut the Ninja substantially, and take some of it's business. I don't think the bike will do it on merit.

They may end up doing that anyway. They're doing it aggressively with the 125 now, and my guess it it'll be gone in a year.

Zomby woof wrote: That bike overpriced at $4k IMO. If Honda was smart, they'd undercut the Ninja substantially, and take some of it's business. I don't think the bike will do it on merit. They may end up doing that anyway. They're doing it aggressively with the 125 now, and my guess it it'll be gone in a year.

The 250 Ninja needs to be cranked up to make power. The Honda pulls strong from idle right to redline. The Kaw has proven to be a good seller, but no one keeps them. The Honda, on the other hand, is a keeper, with it's more usable power.There is basically no price difference between the two(new)-at least here.

They're 250's. They both need to be revved. The Honda makes less power, is slower, and the difference at redline is only 1000 RPM. The Ninja is a good seller. The best selling 250 in the world.

The EFI on the Honda might be nice, but only if it's better than the EFI on the CBR125. Sure, it starts in the cold, but it runs lean/rich all over the place, and is so bad in cold weather, it will dilute the oil in a matter of a few weeks with excess fuel. I would hardly declare the Honda a keeper before a single one has been sold. The reality is that the Ninja is a 25 year old bike, and in Canada is even less of a bike than it was a few years ago since the 'upgrade'.

The Ninja was due for a real upgrade a long time ago, and it didn't get it. Why Honda came out with a bike so close to the antique it competes with is beyond me. Both bikes are kind of lame IMO. The fact that the Honda is new makes it that much worse. Surely they could do better at the price.

Honda makes a CBR125? I thought they discontinued it, and that it wasn't street legal?

Zomby woof wrote:

Is that a new bike? I don't see it on their website but I remember seeing it on there a few years ago.

JThw8 wrote: I went shopping last year for a used bike in the 2-3k range. When I discoverd I could buy a brand new Kawaski Versys for 4k with a warrantee it was a no brainer decision for me. Pulled it out today for the first time this season....still love it

I just checked one of the local Kawasaki dealers and they have a 2009 in stock. Just sent them a quote request, and will be going in there within the week. Fingers crossed I can hammer something like this down. Being named Bike of the Year is a pretty damn good review.

Just a quick update, I should've been waiting there when they opened on Saturday instead of spending my day sick and puttering around.

All 4 bikes sold, according to the flirty receptionist girl basically to the sales staff or "friends of". She said if I asked around, I could probably buy one if I offered them a chance to make a little money. She also said if that wasn't to my liking, there was a great used example of that bike on Advrider that she pulled up and showed me. (in confidence of course, )

I've also been offered a pretty good deal on an elderly man's Burgman, so we'll see.

killerkane wrote:

Zomby woof wrote:

Is that a new bike? I don't see it on their website but I remember seeing it on there a few years ago.

I think it's for sale in Canada, but not in the US.

flountown wrote:

JThw8 wrote: I went shopping last year for a used bike in the 2-3k range. When I discoverd I could buy a brand new Kawaski Versys for 4k with a warrantee it was a no brainer decision for me. Pulled it out today for the first time this season....still love it

I just checked one of the local Kawasaki dealers and they have a 2009 in stock. Just sent them a quote request, and will be going in there within the week. Fingers crossed I can hammer something like this down. Being named Bike of the Year is a pretty damn good review.

Its a fabulous bike. Not quite a cruiser, not quite a sport bike. Better upright seating position, ooodles of power. Seat needs replaced or modified but the modification is pretty simple. Its a tall bike, (I have a 32 inch inseam and can barely flat foot it) so that can be a problem for some, there is a lowering kit and lower seat if needed.

Mine was an 09 leftover as well.

MitchellC wrote:

killerkane wrote:

Zomby woof wrote:

Is that a new bike? I don't see it on their website but I remember seeing it on there a few years ago.

I think it's for sale in Canada, but not in the US.

It is, and speaking of deals, I bought an 08 with 5000 miles for $1000 in December (it looks exactly like that one). Honda has discounted leftovers to $1999 now, I hear.