New bike or not new bike...

[Skip]

...that is the question?!

Shameful as it is but I hadn't cleaned my bike properly since the EAR Christmas do in early December - other than chucking a bucket of water over it to get the worst of the salt off it had basically just been dumped in the garage since then Main reason is that I have been seriously considering changing the bike so had kind of lost interest in it. Three years of the same machine is unheard of for me (30 cars in 13 years of driving!) so even though the bike is great (hence the 3 years I have kept it and only 1 year I kept the SV ) I guess I just have a hankering for change. The pace has stepped up this week as I have been ringing round a few dealers and have had an excellent trade in offer from one dealer who also happens to have the bike I have been lusting after. Just phoned today to get some more information and that particular bikes price has increased by £500 as the manufacturer doesn't want them devaluing the machine so all dealers have been given a minimum selling price.

With all this in mind I thought it was about time I spent some "quality time" with my current steed so last night I pulled the bike into the middle of the garage up onto a paddock stand and started to give it a damn good clean. Put the heater on, collected together all my cleaning products, stuck Bob Harris Country on the wireless(!) and set about clearing a full years worth of grot from all its nooks and crannies. As I was working my way around the bike I started to reminisce about the past 3 years and all the things I have done with the bike. Commuting - its great, touring - its great, track days - its great, Sunday morning hoons - its great, 300 mile+ days out with the 'Org - its great - it really is a do everything sort of bike, sure it has looks that for some only a mother could love, the suspension could do with some work, but it has the heart of a lion and since I fitted the PCIII, K&N and Remus can and had it all mapped it really does shift as 111rwhp should.

The new information that the price of my "dream bike" has increased £500 has kind of stopped me in my tracks. I really don't know if I should change it or not - its added more to the 2 years of finance hanging over me again whereas if I keep this one I can be a bit better off each month (and who doesn't need that!) - I really cant decide what to do for the best

Another problem I have is I cant bring myself to buy a bike with clip-on bars - I have ridden quite a few and its just not me so that severly limits my choice My mate has a Sprint ST and even with its riser style bars I am just not comfy - you could call me a fussy g!t

Not even sure what this post is all about - just pouring my mind out for others to comment on I guess!

Here are some pictures that I was just browsing through - the first one is after the last time I deep cleaned the bike (winter 2007) - IMO it really can look good



Donington Park in October 2007 - had great fun overtaking plenty of super sport machinery to the point where a breathless chap came and shook my hand after one session saying he just couldn't keep with me on his GSXR1000



Summer 2007 - marking for AR07 - had great fun hooning from the back to the front in the pouring rain - the bike was never less that rock steady underneath me.



Summer 2008 - Europe trip to the Nurburgring - 100mph cruising all the way there and two laps of the 'ring, one steady and one fast - I don't think I could have asked for anything more from it on that trip. It was great company.

Got the same problem here mate.Ive had my bike for about 18months ,and it does everything I need or ask of it.Ok its only a 600 Bandit ,but I can cover the miles(nearly900 in a weekend) and get off the other end feeling fresh and ready to go again.Ok more power would be nice ,maybe a bit more protection,but is it worth all that £ to end up with something that I may regret buying.
The thing is the bike Ive been thinging of is the 1000 like yours.
Think I'll wait a few more months and see how I feel then

[STRAMASHER]

Whats the "dream bike" and I'll let you know if its worth it?

Deal?

[Dave20046]

Buying a new bike was never good value for money. We're heading into a recession though and I'm cacking it so would advise second hand. Up to you though.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Whats the "dream bike" and I'll let you know if its worth it?

Deal?

Aprilia Tuono - just gone from £6500 to £7000

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Buying a new bike was never good value for money. We're heading into a recession though and I'm cacking it so would advise second hand. Up to you though.

Hmm, been looking at second hand ones and I just cant abide that god awful dashboard

i like to buy a bike thats just run'in and has just had its biggest deprciation drop, god i hate running in bikes.

[embee]

I guess the exchange rate will be hitting the showrooms about now, but with that sort of "take it or leave it" attitude I can see the dealer putting up the shutters pretty soon.

They will obviously have a bottom price below which they actually lose money, but it's got to be a buyers' market.

If you really really wanted the bike, I'd get my check book and pen out and say "now it was £6.5k wasn't it?"

[SoulKiss]

Just stick some lowers on the Zed

bit rubbish isnt it.

to be fair i cant really talk, if i actually wanted anything more id get rid of all my bikes and just go buy a new one, but im happy enough... ive test ridden a few new bikes the 690duke is hoofing-great fun, the new bmw k1300s is insanely fast (bad jay-u have enough points on your license!) to be fair none tempt me enough.

personally i did look at a bmw r1200s about a year ago, but its not as quick as my r1100s !! dissappointing as i wanted to love them since they were released..pah!

oh god good i hear you say, as you look at the amount i have in my signature!!!

Skip, why not get one thats a year or two old in perfect nick, no need to get the old model


And then let me have a go.