Bike buying from a dealer....tips please?

[ribbert]

My impossible  NEW dream-bike would be  a 1984 FJ1100, built last week from fresh new materials, with all of the fuel storage and delivery  gremlins exorcised.
Could I also ask for a 6 speed version?

FjLee         1984 FJ1100           Lee Carkenord  Denver XCO

Lee,

As Pat already mentioned, depending on the budget you are going to spend on a new bike, we can probably spent the same amount and bring your FJ into the current day and age.

If you are interested, maybe a ride out the week before the WCR, a weeks stay in Oakdale and we can perform the RPM magic.

Randy - RPM

There's a lot to be said for this and is at least worth consideration. I have been trying to buy another bike for several years and the only one that absolutely does it for me cost around 23K second hand, and that's beyond the budget.

There aren't many popular late model bikes I haven't ridden and there's something to love about all of them. They are technically superior and do everthing better, but I haven't ridden one that I would step off the FJ for. By the time you've played with all the toys, enjoyed the mind bending power and acceleration and settle back into normal riding or a long trip, they all become one thing, bland.

You've no doubt heard the saying "If you can walk away from your bike without looking back it, you bought the wrong bike"  As wonderful as new bikes are, they have no character, no soul, you don't develop a fondness for them or feel like they would become an old friend over time, they're more like an efficient tool.

After an epic ride I sometimes sit in the garage with a bottle glass of wine staring at my faithfull steed, sad the adventure is over for now and briefly reflecting on what we have just been through, at times even before I have changed out of my riding gear then finally switching the light out, but not before I have one last look back at it.

I could no more imagine doing this with a Bandit or similar than sitting in my armchair dreamily staring at the mower, glass in hand, reliving the mow after an epic lawn cutting session.

To many riders, if it goes faster, handles and stops better, it's a better bike. However, I suspect among FJ aficionados there is a higher than average ownership for whom their bike is more than the sum of its parts.

Of course not everyone sees their bikes this way but I do, and Lee, from what you say I suspect you do to.

I have a '93 FJ that has had $11500 (AU) spent on upgrades and improvements, (parts only excluding repairs and consumables) and stacks up very well against your modern garden variety Jap 4. We are fortunate not to have fuel problems here and I have no issue with the 5 speed box. I've done 130K of trips over the last 8 years and sometimes I still just sit on in it in the garage for a few minutes if I haven't ridden it, even if only for a few days, I love it and lust after nothing else I see on the road, well, except for one bike!

Pumping a bit of money into the old girl isn't a half bad idea and Randy's the man to do it, worth thinking about at least.

To appease the pedants, I am obliged to state the bleeding obvious and say this is only my opinion .

Noel

[fj1289]

I have a feeling Lee's FJ has become so well worn and "fitted" to him, that a total rebuild may ruin that level of familiarity.  BUT, how about a refurbished (suspension upgrades, 17" rear rim, new carbs, etc) late model rubber mounted version as a stablemate?

[X-Ray]

Here's my strategy... Don't sweat the small stuff.

Life is too short to worry about saving a couple hundred bucks. Like Kurt said, an out-the-door price close to the MSRP is about as good as you're going to get. Just pick out the bike you want, get the dealer's best price, offer him a couple hundred under that.  If he goes for it, write him a check. If he counters with a higher price, write him a check.  Either way, it's all about the ride.  Buy the damn bike, get on it and ride.

Go make memories because, in the end, it's all you've got.
Bill

Bill that is the most sensible, down to earth advice I have read on ANY forum in a long time. I usually buy things from someone who treats me well, is not BSing me, and I really don't care if another shop has XYZ for $50.00 less. If you have a good experience, and ride away happy with what you have, that is all that matters, 

[X-Ray]

Since starting writing this I have just read "Cutter Bills" post and he has nailed it, albeit more concisely.

Noel (ex dealer)

Yep, and you echoed it perfectly Noel.  

[jscgdunn]

Look for a brand new old model year. 

This would be about 10,000 USD.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-touring/calgary/2014-kawasaki-concours/1246713748?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[racerman_27410]

Hey Lee,

Hope you are well Brother.

When i picked up my new XSR900 last year i called around and got the best OTD prices from several in and out of state dealers.

I then went to my local dealer and made them an OTD offer with cash in hand.... funny how attitudes change when the Benjamin's are flashed.

"I AM going to buy a motorcycle today.... do you want to be the one to sell it to me?"

I skipped the sales guy completely and dealt directly with the sales manager....no games and no clickity clack on the calculator while telling me they are losing money on the deal when i know better.

retail was 9990.00 and my best phone quoted price was 8900.00 + tax title tags and doc fee ... about 9500.00 OTD

My total purchase price= 8900.00 OTD INCLUDING tax title tags and no doc fee.... it really wasn't even a negotiation as that is exactly what i offered.
Sales manager said "Are you buying today..."  i said " i am buying right now if you take my offer"  and the deal was done just that fast.



Felt so good about the deal i went ahead and threw a Penske triple clicker and some AK20 fork cartridges at it to make it my perfect Sunday morning back road bike.... its definitely a keeper just like my FJ.

[FJmonkey]

Sweet!

[Pat Conlon]

Hello Frank, that's how to do it

How are ya? Still doing HVAC in the dodgy part of town? I think you doing service calls packing your firearm.

How's Brutus doing?

[racerman_27410]

Hello Frank, that's how to do it

How are ya? Still doing HVAC in the dodgy part of town? I think you doing service calls packing your firearm.

How's Brutus doing?

Hi Pat,

Life is good and no complaints... thankfully i dont have many customers left on the dodgy side of town... sad to see them die off but happy to not have to use my 360 vision just to stay alive while working.... the Kimber 45 in stainless still rides with me and is shiny enough for a crackhead to see from across the street in my holster... ( i stopped carrying concealed since its not as good a deterrent as having the piece visible on my hip.)

Brutus is safe and sound in the garage...running great but to be honest he rarely gets ridden.  
I lost my travelling buddy ( Eric Mcclellan) so the majority of my riding now is Sunday morning romps in the mtns with friends and the Annual FJ rallies where the light weight and outstanding performance of the XSR makes it the perfect tool for the job.

[Pat Conlon]

Right on Frank.... yea, I think about Eric when I look at this poster on my wall



I hope someone is taking good care of his beautiful '91

[racerman_27410]

Right on Frank.... yea, I think about Eric when I look at this poster on my wall



I hope someone is taking good care of his beautiful '91

Its definitely a reminder to tell the people who matter that you love them every single day.... and to spend a bit more time having fun and a bit less time working!

Not sure exactly what has happened to Eric's bike but last i heard it may be purchased by a Aussie member here to do a cross country tour on then leave with some one as a rally bike.

RIP Eric!

[racerrad8]

Its definitely a reminder to tell the people who matter that you love them every single day.... and to spend a bit more time having fun and a bit less time working!

RIP Eric!

It is ironic that Eric has come up this week on the forum. Just his past week he has fallen from the list of top 10 users of the forum in reference to actual online time; he is missed.

Never forget our friends and as Frank already said.

RIP Eric.

Randy - RPM

[yamaha fj rider]

I must say the Bandit 1250, for $6,500 is an awesome deal. I paid about that for my 93 FJ1200, in 1994, last years model, new in box. The Bandit is about as close to FJ1200, as is on the market today. Yamaha has moved away from the large displacement four cylinder bikes.

Kurt