Buying a motorbike... Q + A

[Merlin]

's up all?

I'm considering buying a used motorbike...from someone I know so no worries about the bike.

If you buy a used motorbike are you required to get a RWC for it like a car, and does this mean the testers have to ride it!? *gulp!*

What is the average interest rate on a bike? Is their a way to work this out?

The finance will be 70k total, with a 20k deposit.

Anything else worth noting for a first-time bike owners?

Thanks, N.

[GavinMannion]

90K for a 2nd hand bike?

Why? You can get a new 600 for 80K...

If you are spending that much then buy new.
Average interest rate is the same as car finance, depends on your circumstances. From 5 over prime to 2 under prime is the main bamd.

[bwana]

's up all?

I'm considering buying a used motorbike...from someone I know so no worries about the bike.

If you buy a used motorbike are you required to get a RWC for it like a car, and does this mean the testers have to ride it!? *gulp!*

What is the average interest rate on a bike? Is their a way to work this out?

The finance will be 70k total, with a 20k deposit.

Anything else worth noting for a first-time bike owners?

Thanks, N.This might help http://autolist.wheels24.co.za/search/pirices.aspx - click on calculator.

[Merlin]

This might help http://autolist.wheels24.co.za/search/pirices.aspx - click on calculator.

I haven't ever financed anything before, so sorry for the confusion...

I'll be financing 70k total, but am putting down a 20k deposit out of that.

It's a good deal on an awesome bike. :)

What is prime at, at the moment?

My father just bought a bike and the accountant told him it's Prime or more. Highly unlikely that you'll get a bike for under Prime.

Wake up. gov - it helps YOUR traffic congestion.

Thanks, N.

[Leitmotif]

First time owner buying a 70k bike? Hmm. Tell us what type of bike it is, and what your prior riding experience is...

Interest on bikes is unfriendly, to say the least. Sigh. Unlikely you'll get within a point of prime.

[Merlin]

'06 Yamaha R6.

Yes, yes, I've read up all the reviews, all the comments, all the first-timer stories, etc.

I know what I'm letting myself in for, and I don't intend getting anywhere near it without a full beginner, intermediate, and advanced course.

I know how the current owner rides, and I don't have the lunatic mentality that he does. :) :o

It's a big dent in my salary, and it's highly unlikely I could afford a better bike in 2 or so years when I'm more comfortable - if I bought a cheapie commuter-type bike.

I'd like something I can progress on and at some stage use for commuting and weekend riding.

I call it a good deal because it'll come with new fairings (some guy pushed the bike over and scratched them), new tyres, helmet, gloves, jacket - all like new, upgraded exhaust, etc.

Prior riding experience is beginner-like. :)

I've ridden small motorbikes, etc. and am learning from my father and his bike, etc.

I've ridden on a small-engined bike through the traffic to work most days for close on 2 years now, so I'm not a total newb to it.

...despite what most people think, I've ridden pedal-bikes in traffic for 15 yrs + so I know how to handle the traffic and a two-wheel machine in such -CAUTIOUSLY!

...although I have no intention of trying it on a m/bike for a long time!

What is Prime at the moment?

Do the RWC guys have to ride your bike?

Thanks, N.

[GavinMannion]

I got Prime -1.5% :D....

It's all about how you talk to them...

[To Slow]
First time getting a bike I recommend a cheaper bike. My first real bike only cost R15 000 and it lasted me over a year and I then sold it for R16 500... Rather get a bike you don't mind dropping to start.

[Update] Your mad son.... first time riding and you getting a R6?

[LandyMan]

My first bike was a CBR 400 RR, then a GSX-R750 and after that the Aprilia Mille ...

Mikroz, start smaller ... The R6 is alot of bike to start off with

[Merlin]

Lucky bugger! I'll have to turn up the charm. ;) Hope she's a Hottie. :D

I know, I know...I've been up all nights for days on end wondering what to do...lots of thoughts floating about.

Hmmm...decisions, decisions...

Thanks for the input. I'm not rushing my decision and am researching this from every conceivable angle.

N.

[Leitmotif]

Agreed. An R6 is not to be trifled with. That's a lot of power under those fairings. The first time you touch the throttle it'll be unlike anything you've ever experienced on another bike. Ask me, I tried to handle my first CBR600 like an NC35, put it out to 95 in second out of the dealership before I realised what was going on. And the CBR is very friendly, especially by comparison with the R6...

Riding courses are a Good Idea™. However, if the bike has been dropped and your friend has been riding like a maniac, you may want to reconsider the price.

[Merlin]

Well he took me for a ride on SAT and we went fast which I crapped him out for, but we also went through some traffic and it was rather well-behaved.

I'll take another look at the CBR...the reason I'm considering his bike is that I know it's history, and he's throwing in all his kit with it.

The reason the fairings were replaced is because some guy pushed a bike over which pushed his over - NOT accident damage!

The bike is pristine.

N.

[Leitmotif]

You're going to have to get used to fast... the R6 eats revs, loves them, breathes them, is utterly infatuated by them.

LM, my first bike was also a CBR400... damn, but I loved that bike. Worst mistake I ever made was trading in for the NC35.

[Merlin]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

It's a tough decision on my part, and input from various sources always helps.

I have an idea of what I'm letting myself in for and don't intend on being stupid with it - I've had too many friends over the years end up in ICU either through their fault or others'.

In that regard, I'm prepared to take the risk as I don't ever want to be left wondering 'What if'.

N.

[LandyMan]

And the CBR is very friendly, especially by comparison with the R6...

Agreed 100%. The Yamahas are fiesty and tempramental machines. Nothing like taking a Rx through its paces, but you need to be very careful as well

[LandyMan]

LM, my first bike was also a CBR400... damn, but I loved that bike. Worst mistake I ever made was trading in for the NC35.

The CBR400 is most probably the best bike to start off with ... easy riding, and very smooth ... power is just enough to still go at speed, but not too much to scare you from riding a bike for the rest of your life

[LandyMan]

In that regard, I'm prepared to take the risk as I don't ever want to be left wondering 'What if'.

Exactly ... you don't want to be in ICU wondering "What if I took a smaller bike?" :p

[Merlin]

*lmao!* @ LandyMan. :D

I'll take a look around and see what crops up, and believe me, there's a lot of thinking going on this side. :)

N.

[Leitmotif]

Exactly ... you don't want to be in ICU wondering "What if I took a smaller bike?" :p

The lament of the liter-bike midlife-crisis rider. :) Along with "but I rode a 125 to school for years!" :D

[Merlin]

*lol!*

[noxibox]

If you don't have much riding experience you should get something without plastic. That stuff is very expensive, although less so on the Yamahas.

Whether a sportbike is a good idea depends on your temperament. You can start on an R1 if you're able to act responsibly.

The interest rate you pay depends on your credit rating and on the amount you are borrowing. You can get the same rate on motorcycles as you do on cars. Don't take nonsense from the finance company. If you don't like the rate demand something lower.

I don't think they drive cars for a roadworthy. On the bike they will check that all the important things are working.

[Merlin]

Good to know Noxi. :)

I've read up and know that certain parts of the fairings are most prone to damage than others and found some info wrt to replacement, etc.

I don't consider myself reckless, and won't touch the public road without doing a complete course in riding. Not an option in my books.

Well, this would be my first vehicle ever bought through installments, so I'm expecting a slightly higer interest rate, but I will do my best to negotiate.

I own a couple of classic cars, so collateral, etc. shouldn't be an issue.

My folks have kindly offered to stand in for surety if the bank requires it.

Every car we've taken for a RWC in the last 2 years that I know of (classic cars being bought/sold by us before you ask. :) ), has been checked over at the station, then driven around the testing grounds to check turning circle, and then on a 1-2km drive around the block, hence me asking.

Marlboro testing station.

I'm not about to let some unknown get onto a perfect bike I've just shelled out big on. :o

N.

[Gambit]

I road worthied a bike a couple of years back and i remember them riding it slowly around the yard testing the brakes and stuff.

[Leitmotif]

Centurion they just check it over on the spot. guy bounced the front up and down testing brakes and suspension. would've killed him if it was my 600...

[Merlin]

Hehe...will keep it in Mind.

Will take along some beefy friends to get the point across... *lol*

N.

[The_Librarian]

And just to derail this thread slightly - it's n00bies rushing in to buy big bikes without prior experience (or they're used to a 50cc piskriek) and then they can't handle the big bike or its power, and they end up making an accident.

So it is best to start small, work your way up, take some driving courses and so on, and then you can go for a bigger one.

Regarding driving courses - where can one go for these?

Now... back to the topic. :D

[Merlin]

www.motorcyclesa.co.za and www.flamesonmytank.co.za have a good list of schools. :)

Advice factored in T_L. :)

N.

[dablakmark8]

R6 good bike but a little short on the top end.Cornering a bit of a bummer..but hey its for you,ANd friendly advise dont flip it till you insure it as this will bound to happen to you,So be carefull

[Merlin]

I'm not planning on going anywhere near the top-end for a long, long, long time.

Mid-range is not even a question right now. :)

I've been told by quite a few people that's a nice bike to ride, more so than the R1, and other comparable 600s.

Why do comment on the steering Dablak?

Not moving out of the garage until it's insured, I'm trained, and the medical aid is sorted. :)

N.

[Shake&Bake]

MY first was a Z1000 shaft -the 1st I'd ever ridden and on the 1st day I took a slip by opening too much through a small traffic circle! :D R6 is a biatch of a bike though - so be careful - thats all and you'll be fine, but focus Daniel son :D

[Nameite]

I use to ride a TZR125 for 4 years, a month or 2 ago i rode an R6 down a road and decided time for a 600...but couldnt find a good deal so got me a CBR600F2 '94....I never looked back!

Power is really different, handling is not as agile but nice and steady, the wow 200km/h on highway feels like 80km/h in traffic :p
I got my bike for 33k...it is pretty old but that would be a good choice if its gonna be one of ur 1st bikes...an older cheaper bike...
I would be heartbroken if my 1st...90k....racing exhaust, baby super bike got damaged...if u know what i mean ;)
Especially if it was brought on finance....

[Merlin]

I've been reading up a lot on the bike and comments from many riders who've gotten the bike as a first. As with most things in Life, respect the machine and it won't bite you.

I know youngsters who act responsibly and much older guys who act like complete Morons. It's how you face the challenge. :)

My learners has expired - again :( - so I'm trying to organize a test in order for the bank manager to like me. :)

I've more or less decided to go for it and want to check some things out later today with bookings, costs, etc.

Thanks for all the input everyone. :)

I'll let you know what happens.

Cheers, N.

[kevinswan007]

Im thinking of Buying a VTR 1000 for about R30 000. I know the guy, so Im sure the bike is in good shape. I think he said it was a 2002 model.

Can anyone tell me if this is a good deal and if the bike is any good.

Picture of Bike (ftp://ftp.uunet.co.za/pub/incoming/kevin/DSC02670.JPG)

[JavaSeun]

Guys, hi...

I have reached that stage of my life where I am sick of having to sit behind old tannies and fags driving Hyundai Atos's and Chevy Sparks at 50 k's a hour......
I simply cannot take it anymore! :mad:

Seeing how bikers effortlessly cruise by and stand in front at the robots, whizz their way through traffic and always enjoying themselves whilst doing so really gets me annoyed.

I too want to be free! :D Hence the decision to buy a bike :eek:

I am am looking to buy a 88' GSX-R 750 Sling from I guy I know and trust (former work colleague), I have no experience with bikes what so ever.

Do you guys think it is possible for a newb to succeed with 750 gixxer? or will I most definitely die?

Im not a big oke, fairly short as well, bout 72Kg, does weight and height play a role?

thx

[werner]

Im not a big oke, fairly short as well, bout 72Kg, does weight and height play a role?

thx

it's different for everyone really...you have to be able to control yourself, then it is just a 10hp bike, with about another that you dont use.

or it could be a 100hp bike that youd ont know how to handle.

for what its worth, i was 18yo, 65kg and could handle my gs1000s easily at all times, except when i had to push her backwards out of a parking spot. both my feet couldnt touch the ground at the same time, so i had to get off and pull her out, so to speak.

think of danny pedrosa. so it is possible. but understand not everybody can be danny pedrosa

[grind]

My first bike was a 1980 Honda Hawk CB400T, Then a 1988 CBR 400 RR and now a 2007 GSX-R 1000.
The R6 is an awseome bike but just keep in mind that when you do your licence smaller is better.

[Merlin]

My first bike was a 1980 Honda Hawk CB400T, Then a 1988 CBR 400 RR and now a 2007 GSX-R 1000.
The R6 is an awseome bike but just keep in mind that when you do your licence smaller is better.

Wow. Ancient thread to awaken. ;)

Things have changed drastically since this thread was original created. I recently redid my Learner's and will hopefully book for a bike test early next week.

I'm renting from rent-a-scooter for my test.

When Fate permits, I would like to get my hands on a BMW F800 GS. My intentions have changed - dramatically. :)

[rodga]

so u never got the r6?

[BCO]

F800 GS. Yummy.

[Merlin]

so u never got the r6?

Nope. It was all set to happen and then the interest rate explosion happened.

The R6 went up nearly 20k in under 2 weeks! :o

That killed it for me, with immediate effect.

...after that, other things got in the way of a bike - other commitments, a still-terrible job situation, etc.

I still find my head following every R6/R1 whizzing past me, but as a mountain biker who had a ball of a time [twice] on a Lesotho cross-country trip and as someone who was supposed to do a multi-country car rally this year, the dirt has keeps on hailing me.

I am still trying to improve my job [income] situation, and until I do, the bike's on hold.

Multi-country travel is a goal though.

[rodga]

london to russia?

[Merlin]

london to russia?

The car rally? Something like that...England to Mongolia.

On the bike? My route isn't decided yet, but looking at the ridiculous costs involved with carnets, I'm more than happy to skip this continent in its entirety.

The Americas are definitely on the list though.

Europe into Russia/Mongolia/the 'stans...

Travel in the Asia region is also hellish expensive in terms of paperwork, so that needs further looking into...

[trapjaw]

back to one of the major themes of the thread, this is why it's a fantastic idea for a n00b to start out on a superbike:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKsOGFh3Efk

[Merlin]

I would concur with your sentiments trapjaw, in general.

As with everything, it depends on the person. I've come across people who learnt to ride on R1s, etc. Not recommended, but possible.

I did a course with the BMW Academy and picked it up pretty quickly, but did give myself a bit of a skrik on the one 650 I rode. ;) Backed off a lot of after that.

The bike I want to rent for the test is a 180cc. :D Haha.

[hungrybeaver]

When Fate permits, I would like to get my hands on a BMW F800 GS. My intentions have changed - dramatically. :)

I've been looking at getting bike for the last 9 months. It was between a Gixxer 600/750, R6 or the F800 GS. Now I've decided that my bike will either be a second hand F800 GS or the Yamaha Tenere 660, salary permitting. The option of riding off road has sealed the deal for me. The only thing is I've been riding a 1200GS every other week and the F800 or Tenere might feel too underpowered compared. I really just want something to get me back into riding again - it will be my very first bike purchase! :D

Although when I drive on the weekend I do feel envious when I see the superbike riders flying on the highway. Someday I'll have a superbike :cool:

[Merlin]

From my research the Tenere is a good bike, but has an ABS system you can't disable offroad.

It also seems to have a rep' for being a bit agricultural.

Every biker I've spoken to, article I've read and critic I've listened to has concluded with the sentiments that you buy a GS and never look back.

The F800 GS is also apparently just about as quick as the 1200 but it is a LOT more agile and nimble offroad. A lot less bulk to move around too.