New vs Used Debate | GTAMotorcycle.com

New vs Used Debate

T

TheNewGuy

Member
Forum Sponsor
Hey everyone, I have been been debating with myself on buying a new or used bike for this season. I have been drawing up a list of pros and cons of a new or used bike and I thought I would ask the advice of the good people on this forum.

I just started riding last spring and I started on a 250 ninja. I like the bike but I find that it isn't doing it for me on the highways. I can get up to 120 km/h just fine but anything higher is a slow crawl, plus I am worried about the strain on the engine at such speeds.

Currently I am thinking of a ninja ZX-6R or others of that displacement. I will be doing a fair bit of highway driving for work and I feel like having the ability to have a quick burst of speed at highway speeds would be an advantage over the 250. Something within the 650 range is somewhat acceptable but I do not see the point as State Farm would charge me more for the 650 having a slightly higher displacement.

Basically what I am asking is that for anyone with experience tell their stories on what they encountered and give any advice so I can make as informed decision as possible.

Thanks in advance!
 
Doing something wrong if you are only getting to 120K and afraid of pushing higher. These 250's were made to rev and you will not probably hurt them. You are a timid mouse. On a ZX6R you would be a flop as you haven't even mastered a small displacement yet. Ride and learn the limits of your present bike first then think bigger. :pottytrain2:
 
I am not afraid to push the bike harder. My experiences on the 250 is that any speeds higher than 120 takes too long to arrive at. I want something faster for this purpose.
 
TheNewGuy said:
Hey everyone, I have been been debating with myself on buying a new or used bike for this season. I have been drawing up a list of pros and cons of a new or used bike and I thought I would ask the advice of the good people on this forum.

I just started riding last spring and I started on a 250 ninja. I like the bike but I find that it isn't doing it for me on the highways. I can get up to 120 km/h just fine but anything higher is a slow crawl, plus I am worried about the strain on the engine at such speeds.

Currently I am thinking of a ninja ZX-6R or others of that displacement. I will be doing a fair bit of highway driving for work and I feel like having the ability to have a quick burst of speed at highway speeds would be an advantage over the 250. Something within the 650 range is somewhat acceptable but I do not see the point as State Farm would charge me more for the 650 having a slightly higher displacement.

Basically what I am asking is that for anyone with experience tell their stories on what they encountered and give any advice so I can make as informed decision as possible.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I've only had used bikes before, nothing new. If I was you, I'd get a low mileage bike in that way if the owner skipped on maintenance, it would just be a few oil changes. I'd get a high mileage one if I knew the owner or have maintenance history
 
How is this a new vs used debate? Sounds more like should I upgrade because my 250cc is slow.
 
The jump from 250 to a 600SS is humongous. A current 600SS will do over 100km/h in first.

A 60-to-85hp 650 has ample passing power on the highway. 100km/h in second or third.
 
It is a big jump, but i figure it would be a better longer term investment. I wish to keep my next purchase for a long time and I want to be a worthwhile investment. Also my insurance provider will charge me more for a 650 than a 600 due to a larger displacement. I do not agree with their policy but it is what it is.
 
This is a condensed version of my list.

New
Pro
Longer life span
Learning/giving proper care from bottom up (breaking in, etc)
Warranty
Dealership takes care of bike start-up requirements

Con
Higher initial cost
Financing
Potential greater risk of theft

Used
Pro
Cheaper to put on road
No financing

Con
Safety requirements my responsibility (mechanic)
More effort on my part to get on road
No warranty
Potential shorter lifespan
 
The longer life span is not an issue, a modern 600cc bike can go to 150,000 kms or more.
So, it means that if you ride 10,000 kms per year, that's 15 years.

If you got bored of the Ninja 250 after one year, I don't think you will be keeping the next bike for 15.


Overall, the debate is very, very similar to a car case: buy it used… or finance it brand new?



NEW:
Reduced maintenance expense
Warranty coverage
Roadside assistance (if you buy a Ducati or BMW, I think no Japanese brands offer that)
Peace of mind (bike has not been abused, raced, etc)
Made to Order: you can select the color and options (limited options in bikes)
Latest technology
Financing is easily available


USED:
Cheaper to buy
Cheaper to buy
Cheaper to buy
Just like new: easy to find bikes with very low mileage in our used market
Depreciation may be very minimal
Our used bike market is small compared to the USA, but big enough you have many choices: you can still get the color you want.
Sometimes you can get aftermarket parts included in the deal.
 
Looks like you got it covered, nothing to debate here. Pity.
 
Since you are a fairly new rider (started last spring) i suggest going with a used bike..... What happens if you buy a new bike and a month later you get bored of it..... there is a lot of premiums that have to be paid for newer bikes

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
How much faster do you need to go on the highway? I commute on the 401 every day and it is a very good day if you're doing 100 km/h, never mind 120. You do realize if you get caught riding much faster than that and it's a 7 day roadside suspension, possibly losing your license, up to $10,000 fine and probably not being able to afford bike insurance for about a decade, right?

If after one season of riding a 250 you're planning on making the leap to a 600ss bike I would highly suggest buying a used one. Given the higher probability of you getting into some kind of trouble on the bike, you will be out less money in the end with a used bike vs a new bike.
 
I had a long(er) reply typed out but it got convoluted. Coles notes is that I NEVER buy new (car or bike), never have. I let others take the depreciation hit and I buy low mileage, well taken care of machines. It takes a bit longer to find the right one but the outcome is positive.

As for what your post has become; 250 vs 600SS vs 650; I can see how the 250 has been outgrown and you want more (in most cases the 250's are a 1-2 year bike then it's time to move on), but the question now becomes what style bike is it that you want? An SS or a sport bike as that's basically the line between the 600 and 650. SS bike sales are coming down as riders are learning what it took me a long time to figure out; sport bikes suck for day-to-day riding. They're sexy, impressive machines, no doubt but they're ultimately not a great daily rider which is why you're seeing the influx of nakeds and less aggressive sport bikes. For undisclosed reasons this is an only "somewhat acceptable" to you. Add to that, as you mentioned, the insurance hit you take with an SS and it seems an easy decision to me.

On insurance, I think SF is the only provider that bases its rates solely on displacement; good if you're getting an SS but otherwise, not so good... especially for cruiser riders! Shop around and get the better insurance deal on a 650, it's the better match for what little description you've provided on your riding.

My 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
Morrissey said:
How much faster do you need to go on the highway? I commute on the 401 every day and it is a very good day if you're doing 100 km/h, never mind 120. You do realize if you get caught riding much faster than that and it's a 7 day roadside suspension, possibly losing your license, up to $10,000 fine and probably not being able to afford bike insurance for about a decade, right?

If after one season of riding a 250 you're planning on making the leap to a 600ss bike I would highly suggest buying a used one. Given the higher probability of you getting into some kind of trouble on the bike, you will be out less money in the end with a used bike vs a new bike.
Click to expand...

I am aware of the penalties, nor will I be using it in a reckless way. I rode the bike many times to work last year and I felt it was lacking on the highways. I want a bike that will be able to drive at highway speeds and not feel like I am stressing the engine too much. A 650 would be an ideal choice, but as I mentioned my insurance provider would charge me more for the 650. Why pay more for less bike?
 
TheNewGuy said:
This is a condensed version of my list.

New

Learning/giving proper care from bottom up (breaking in, etc)
Click to expand...

FYI - this is a con. You don't want to learn how to properly care for a bike on something brand new!! Wait til you screw something up a few times and learn from it... that way you will have way less chance of damaging your brand new baby.

Take my R6 as an example. It has it's own shirt... because my first bike, I used to always clip the fender with the front stand... so I scratched it. new bike, the first day it came home, I went to my closet and got it a shirt I still wore. Now it is my bike's shirt and I never have scratched it.

Not to mention proper chain maintenance, (another massive screw up on my first bike).. plus a new bike will have little maintenance in the first couple years. If you bought a 4-5 year old bike, you could look forward to learning how to do things like:

Taking the wheels off to buy new tires
Change brake pads
Brake fluid
Rad fluid
New chain and sprockets
installing swingarm spools and frame sliders if not done yet

You can learn a lot, for a lot cheaper, on a used bike.... then transfer all these skills to a new bike and not live a life of regrets after you make small mistakes
 
TheNewGuy said:
I am aware of the penalties, nor will I be using it in a reckless way. I rode the bike many times to work last year and I felt it was lacking on the highways. I want a bike that will be able to drive at highway speeds and not feel like I am stressing the engine too much. A 650 would be an ideal choice, but as I mentioned my insurance provider would charge me more for the 650. Why pay more for less bike?
Click to expand...

As I stated, I totally agree with your want for a bit more on the highway when required. But, again as I stated, depending on what exactly it is you're looking for, the 650's may actually be MORE bike than the 600's. You have to verify what it is you want.
 
Agreed.

SweetOnion said:
FYI - this is a con. You don't want to learn how to properly care for a bike on something brand new!! Wait til you screw something up a few times and learn from it... that way you will have way less chance of damaging your brand new baby.

Take my R6 as an example. It has it's own shirt... because my first bike, I used to always clip the fender with the front stand... so I scratched it. new bike, the first day it came home, I went to my closet and got it a shirt I still wore. Now it is my bike's shirt and I never have scratched it.

Not to mention proper chain maintenance, (another massive screw up on my first bike).. plus a new bike will have little maintenance in the first couple years. If you bought a 4-5 year old bike, you could look forward to learning how to do things like:

Taking the wheels off to buy new tires
Change brake pads
Brake fluid
Rad fluid
New chain and sprockets
installing swingarm spools and frame sliders if not done yet

You can learn a lot, for a lot cheaper, on a used bike.... then transfer all these skills to a new bike and not live a life of regrets after you make small mistakes
Click to expand...
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom