Winter SV prices?

[DomP]

I'm looking to get an SV, but I'm new to biking and was wondering with my upper budget of 2k will I get more for my money now or might I just as well wait till spring when I intend doing my test? Dom

[squirrel_hunter]

Tradition dictates that you will save a little bit now as less people are buying which makes the sellers position weaker. Dealers will probably be more inclined to negotiate to keep money going through the tills as they have running costs. Private sellers can be hit and miss, check out some of the asking prices on eBay (that can apply to dealers also). But it depends on the bike as a whole if you are getting a better deal or not.

However if you do save a couple of hundred quid on the asking price of the bike then park it up for 6 months is that value for money? And if a bike isn't being used will you need to spend anything recommisioning it once the time is right that wipes any saving out?

Why wait till spring to do your test? Get it done, get a bike, get out on it.

[DomP]

All makes sense. See what you are saying about doing my test now, I would love to just get it out of the way but I'm using the slow persuasion method to convince my kids and girlfriend(who would prefer I used the money to become wife) that I'm not entering into a death sentence.

Really hope I find it easy to pass too, it was 17 years ago that I did my cbt at 17 and I never got round to getting a bike due to a lack of funds. I thought I might do it the other way around - bike first.

[Littlepeahead]

Some places do cheaper courses in winter. I took my test in 4 days in a freezing week in January. My CBT had lapsed ten years prior. I waited until March to buy a bike as I had use of a 200cc classic Vespa in the meantime. As for spending the money on a wedding, don't do it. My spur of the moment nuptials cost nothing but a donation of $75 to the chosen charity of the American judge who performed the legalities and lunch for the mate who was our witness. No one needs to spend £20k on all that wedding nonsense when there are motorcycles on sale.

[Sir Trev]

Dom - consider your insurance costs as well. If you're paying out a couple of grand you will want at least theft-only cover while the bike is stored. Assuming you can get cover with no licence of course. If you really want to wait to take your test it may be worth paying the "Spring" cost once you've done so but get some quotes before you decide.


The others are right too - you can get some good deals on courses and bikes during the slower/colder months but as things have been so warm lately it may take a few weeks for the winter prices to kick in and then you're right on top of Chrimbo...

[DomP]

I did my cbt in a miserable November and can't say I enjoyed it in cold driving drizzle and rain, I think that memory is what is driving my spring idea.

[Nobbylad]

You can sometimes drive a hard bargain in the run up to Xmas if people are tight for cash and their other half is on at them to get rid of a bike they no longer use, in order to free up cash for kid's prezzies.

it really depends, like said, but at the budget, you're in a for a very good sv anyway. I would also suggest doing your course in the winter, really helps the riding skills and confidence.

Just to chime in, I was not allowed to insure a bike I was not licensed to ride. That was when I had the CBT and had a bigger bike in the garage.

[DomP]

Hmm all food for thought. Oh which to do first, bike or licence? I could go down the restriction route I suppose.