New Bikes: Worth It?

[zenjim]

So I got whacked today by a map-reading woman in a Prius. No biggie, slow speed kind of thing. Thank God for frame sliders. Still went OTB and scratched up the bike some (Gixxer I'm trying to sell). I can tell I will be sore for days to come. Not so bad considering. But it got me to thinking...
Are new bikes worth it?
I'm thinking about selling two bikes to get one new one. I'm already a tough sell as it is since I've never bought a new vehicle ever. But now thinking about a daily commute, weekend rides, monthly trips, I don't know. All that wear and tear on a new bike? And you know on week one some piece of debris is going to fly up off the road and scratch something. I don't want to be freaked out about every little ding or flying debris. Maybe I'm just not a new bike kind of guy?

[Greg]

Normally I would not consider a new bike, but now that a lot of new models feature ABS I am seriously looking at getting a new one with ABS.

[justinrhenry]

nope, it's not worth it.  you're paying a lot more money just to say you bought a new bike. 

[swampduc]

Normally I would not consider a new bike, but now that a lot of new models feature ABS I am seriously looking at getting a new one with ABS.

^^^That's just it. If new is the only way to get the model or features you want, it makes sense. Otherwise, on a Ducati, used is the only way to go. IME, new Ducs lose 40% of their value in the first 2 years, if you shop around and are patient. That's a huge hit.
All 3 of my current bikes are used (well, 4 counting the Daytona 675 I just bought for my fiancee)

[Travman]

Used is of course the cheaper and smarter way to go, but if I was wealthier I would probably buy a new Ducati every couple of years. 

[Greg]

Not sure I can wait 2-3 years to get a used M1100 with ABS, maybe I can wait until the end of the 2011 model year and try and score a marked down or demo unit.

[duccarlos]

Not sure I can wait 2-3 years to get a used M1100 with ABS, maybe I can wait until the end of the 2011 model year and try and score a marked down or demo unit.

That's exactly what I'm looking at doing. Didn't the 2010 M1100 already come with ABS? If that's the case then I would look for a used one and if I could not find any, then wait for the end of 2011 to get one for cheaper.

[swampduc]

Earlier i said Ducs depreciate 40% in the first 2 yrs. I went back and looked at my bikes' purchase prices. When you add mods it's more like 50% 

[rideserotta]

A logical/mathematical analysis will never result in a new bike being a better deal. But logic doesn't always (rarely?) come into play where bikes are concerned, does it? Dealer prep, taxes, depreciation... You just get hammered unless you keep the bike for several years. Especially with so many low mileage bikes on the market. A lot of people buy a bike, put 500 miles a year on it, then sell 3 years later.

[The Bacon Junkie]

I just bought a 999 with 7200 miles on it for a song...

After selling my M750 (which I had bought used) out of pocket for me, including gas and meals driving to Albuquerque and back, was about $2,200.00!!!     The bike is near flawless and has some tasty goodies too!   

If you look hard enough, and you're a little lucky, you can get a great bike for very little $$$


Did I mention I got a 999? Because I DID!!! 





 

[sbrguy]

well buying new when you look at it in cold numbers terms doesn't make sense.

like others say the depreciation is huge especially if you mod it at all you are never getting that money back ever.  that being i have always bought used bikes in good condition and then spent a ton on the maintenance to make sure they are in top shape after getting them (and by coincidence they were at the 6k service interval)

now why buy used? peace of mind.

yes you can do your homework and such when buying a used bike, but really you have no idea how the previous owner really did ride the bike or the 2 people before him, even if it has low miles on it.  did they bounce the thing off the rev limiter on every shift? did they leave the thing outside in teh rain and justcleaned it up befor eyou got it, etc?

you really will never know 100% with a used bike because you weren't there 24/7 with the bike, more often than not it won't matter, but what if it does down the line? nobody really knows.

that is the advantage of buying new, you know exactly how the owner treated the bike from day one, because its you, so as long as you are diligent then you can have peace of mind of what the bike has been through.

now what is the value of that? is it worth it for a new bike? some say yes, some say no, its up to you to decide.

my bikes is used but i am considering getting a new bike that is new because well i think the new bike is realy nice, but we will see, like others say its expensive and it will depreciate quick.  but then again i'm not doing it because it will hold value i'm considering it because i want the bike.  not logical at all.

[zenjim]

I can't believe how on the same page everyone is with what I've been thinking. What a frugal lot we DMFers are. The only logic I was clinging to is I figure whatever bike I got new I'd probably keep it forever - or until the next map-reading Prius driver. Whichever comes first, YMMV, etc.

[fastwin]

Like my Dad used to say "you just knocked the new off of it" regarding dings and scratches. He was the original "never buy new" kind of guy. I've bought new scooters and cars/trucks plenty but he did have a point.

[il d00d]

I am a proponent of buying things used, with a couple exceptions:

Make/model dependencies - there are a few instances where I would pay full price to know that was the only rider/driver, and I have the full service/crash/stunt/mod history.  I would, for example, be very cautious about buying a Subaru WRX, Suzuki GSXR, or Kawasaki ZX-6 used.  (Things with Xes in them, apparently)  Gixxers are Prius magnets*, from what I hear .  I know this is prejudicial, but hey, it is my money.

Quantum leaps in performance or features - ABS would be a good reason to buy new in my opinion.

Otherwise, the idea of having something spanking new, while seductive, does not really offset depreciation. It is a head Vs heart thing.  Most times my head wins, but I don't begrudge those who go the other way.


* glad to hear you are OK by the way   Heal up fast and be safe out there...

[jvax]

I bought mine new for a number of reasons.

  1. Self-satisfaction.  Owning a new vehicle puts a bigger grin on my face.

  2. ABS.  I absolutely wanted ABS.

  3. Peace of mind.  Can never be sure how a used bike was treated by the previous owner(s).

  4. Manufacturer warranty.