Looking to buy a sport bike...any suggestions?

billbillw

exalted512 wrote: »

I will certainly look into it more. Like I said, Im going to get full coverage on it for at least the first year. Does anyone know if you can get an auto loan through kawi, then switch it over to a CC after the first year?

I can afford the bike fine, and I can afford the insurance as well...the thing is why get full coverage when you pay for the bike in just a few years?
-Cody

The full coverage is to pay you (or the bank) back if the bike is totaled, which on a bike like this, happens with great frequency! Fairings are expensive! So are wheels, forks, sub-frames, controls, etc.

As far as putting the balance of an auto loan onto a credit card, you could easily do this with a 'convenience check'. Banks don't really care how you pay the balance off. A check is a check to them. These usually have zero or low interest rate promos attached with them for a period of time. However, they also have processing fees of 3% or so with them, so they are not like free money.

hockeyboy

I'm not sure why everyone is dissing the Kawasaki credit card program. They gave me great rates- much cheaper than a typical auto loan, although in todays environment that might have changed.

billbillw

hockeyboy wrote: »

I'm not sure why everyone is dissing the Kawasaki credit card program. They gave me great rates- much cheaper than a typical auto loan, although in todays environment that might have changed.

I wasn't aware that we were talking about any form of Kawasaki credit. The way Cody was talking, I think we all thought he was referring to a 3rd party traditional credit card, so that he could avoid putting full coverage on the bike. I would assume that any financing through Kawasaki (whether a bike loan or 'credit card') would require the owner to keep full coverage. That is your basic secured debt (vehicle loan) vs unsecured debt (credit card).

exalted512

exalted512 wrote: »

Kawasaki has 2 different methods of financing. One is through a credit card, the other is like an auto loan.
-Cody

Its a CC through Kawi with interest equal to an auto loan. They started doing this because people like me get screwed on insurance. I know its easy to total these things out, I know fairings are expensive...BUT I WILL PAY FOR A NEW BIKE IN FOUR YEARS. ITS A F$%#ING RIPOFF. Thats why I'd rather put it on their card.
-Cody

shack

There is really no such thing as Kawasaki issued Good Times Credit Card. It is merely a branded card issued by a bank (in their case HSBC I belive) with all of the warts and issues all credit cards have. They make the credit decisions and handle it just like any other card. It is nothing magical...just a CC. And purchasing vehicle or any large ticket item via a CC to be paid over time is a problem waiting to happen IMO.

billbillw

exalted512 wrote: »

Its a CC through Kawi with interest equal to an auto loan. They started doing this because people like me get screwed on insurance. I know its easy to total these things out, I know fairings are expensive...BUT I WILL PAY FOR A NEW BIKE IN FOUR YEARS. ITS A F$%#ING RIPOFF. Thats why I'd rather put it on their card.
-Cody

Do what you want, but 4 years is a long time to be without collision and/or theft coverage. SuperSport bikes have accident rates 4 times higher than other types of motorcycles and they are also the most targeted by thieves. You are also more likely to get in a wreck during the first year or two of ownership since you will be learning/exploring the power/handling of the bike.

exalted512

That's why I said I probably will get full coverage for the first year. I've also been looking into GPS tracking systems for it.
-Cody

Sherardp

Heres a few pics of my old Crotch Rockets before I bought the my current MV Agusta. If you want sheer power go for the Gixxer or R1. The Kawasaki is a nice bike, but with my experience of riding them, they are uncontrollable, just freaking raw power, sometimes scary, this is with the 1000 though. 600s are fun, I love to toss them around on the track.

02 TL1000R(1st bike)




03 Gixxer 1000 with Moto GP underseat Pipe




My 04 R1

leroyjr1

Nice Yamaha Sherardp. What kind Of times were you running?

Sherardp

^ Cant tell you the last time I been to a track day. I never had the chance to get the R1 on the track, though it had Ohlins race suspension I put on it. It was a combo of being track ready but custom at the same time. I rode the heck out of it in the mountains here in Japan, so easy to get a knee down on that baby and thats what I live for. It was sick fast too. My current MV will smoke it though, it came race ready with tons of low torque and its just wild. So easy to come up on the front too, I tend to like that part, hold a wheelie pretty nice.

doggie750

Sherardp wrote: »

Heres a few pics of my old Crotch Rockets before I bought the my current MV Agusta. If you want sheer power go for the Gixxer or R1. The Kawasaki is a nice bike, but with my experience of riding them, they are uncontrollable, just freaking raw power, sometimes scary, this is with the 1000 though. 600s are fun, I love to toss them around on the track.

02 TL1000R(1st bike)




03 Gixxer 1000 with Moto GP underseat Pipe




My 04 R1

.....
GIXXER rules!

Sherardp

I like both, and I would take either anyday. Both have their perks, Gixxer will throw down on the low end. R1 has the high RPM and the get up to move. I used to get up to 80-90mph in 1st gear on the Yammie, both of them will move and do some sick speeds depending on the rider. That R1 in my pic was my second one, I totalled the 1st one within two weeks, T-boned back end of car, luckily I was thrown over the car and slide on the road a little, tons of road rash, sprained fingers and a contusion. I lived, and thats what matters. Seen some serious crashes out here with the Squids trying to ride or die thinking they're Superman.

Ive seen my fastest street speed on my Yammy, 168mph and still had more ooooph, but my balls got mad small.

exalted512

shack wrote: »

There is really no such thing as Kawasaki issued Good Times Credit Card. It is merely a branded card issued by a bank (in their case HSBC I belive) with all of the warts and issues all credit cards have. They make the credit decisions and handle it just like any other card. It is nothing magical...just a CC. And purchasing vehicle or any large ticket item via a CC to be paid over time is a problem waiting to happen IMO.

But what problems could you have? I can set up my bank account to automatically pay off the minimum payment so I'll never be late, then I'll add an additional 2-3 hundred bucks.

Initially, I'm going with whatever offers lower interest. If its the credit card, then I'll go with it, if its the auto loan, I'll go with it. But I'm hoping after the first year, if I do go the auto loan route, that they will allow me to put it on the CC. I plan on getting full coverage for the first year, but like I said, its expensive. My buddy with an 08 R6, FC with collision is $213/month.

I'm also looking into putting an alarm on it, and maybe some sort of GPS device I can activate if it gets stolen.
-Cody

exalted512

And I just did a progressive quote real quick, as thats who I have now. Liability only for a year is $322. Comprehensive and collision with $1000 deductible is just under $3000/year.

This is for a bike that retails at $9,800.

Lets say I drop my bike. I need $1200 in plastics/motor covers. I'll pay $1000 and my insurance will probably go up. This is on top of the $2,947/year that I'm pay anyway. So for one year, I'd be paying $4000.

Now, we have liability only. I'd pay $1200 for plastics, and $300/year for insurance. $1500 looks A LOT better than $4000.

On second thought, I probably will not be getting full coverage. Even if I get it 'cheap' at $200/month. We will do the same scenario. $2400+1000 deductible. $3400...still not $1500.

The only way full coverage would be better than liability is if I get in multiple accidents or if I total the bike in 3 years or less.

I guess that's decided it. CC with liability. Kawasaki does offer insurance. I will see what their prices are, but they'd have to be $200/month max with a $500 deductible to even make it an option.
-Cody

shack

exalted512 wrote:

But what problems could you have? I can set up my bank account to automatically pay off the minimum payment so I'll never be late, then I'll add an additional 2-3 hundred bucks.

That doesn't always work. Systems are down...wrong amount applied...etc...then rates are increased, late charges, etc. Even if it is the CC companys fault, they rarely change it back to what you had. I've seen it happen too often. You asked and I am simply giving you the benefit of my experience that long term financing of big ticket items with a CC is a bad idea.
It's your money, your stuff. Do what you want. Good luck whatever you do.

exalted512

Between me and my fiancee, the chances are that we both forget AND the systems are down seem slim to none. And worse case scenario, I end up getting an auto loan anyway.

i DO appreciate all your help shack.
-Cody

shadowofnight

Sherardp wrote: »

I like both, and I would take either anyday. Both have their perks, Gixxer will throw down on the low end. R1 has the high RPM and the get up to move. I used to get up to 80-90mph in 1st gear on the Yammie, both of them will move and do some sick speeds depending on the rider. That R1 in my pic was my second one, I totalled the 1st one within two weeks, T-boned back end of car, luckily I was thrown over the car and slide on the road a little, tons of road rash, sprained fingers and a contusion. I lived, and thats what matters. Seen some serious crashes out here with the Squids trying to ride or die thinking they're Superman.

Ive seen my fastest street speed on my Yammy, 168mph and still had more ooooph, but my balls got mad small.

Have you looked at the new 09 R1 with the new Crossplane crank motor based on the MotoGP bikes :eek: The traction and drive out of the corners is said to be intense and more controllable at the same time with the new firing order ( Basically Ducati's drive out of corners and Yamaha's typical monster top end ) It looks like I will probably be buying another R1 in 09....even though I like the last couple of years styling much better....that motor/bike will dominate head and shoulders above anything in 09.

We have an arrow straight....basically non-policed ( Nowhere for them to hide if they wanted to...or for anybody to pull out in front of you at speed...and there are no trees within 50 feet of the road ) stretch of road leading to the Pinnacles National Monument park south of town. It is the only place now ( Younger and dumber any long stretch would do ) I will do top speed runs. Keeping the throttle pinned for miles in top gear on the R1 was a blast.


On topic, Yamaha has 9.9% financing right now....you wouldnt want to make the minimum payment though as it would take you over the loan period and the interest gets higher...make more then the minimum though and its a sweet deal. That 09 R6 looks nice too

The R6 even comes in mean **** Black

exalted512

The R6 is a great looking bike. My friend has an 08, yellow with black flames...sick looking bike. I dont like the projectors on the new ones though. I'm not sure if the 600s have it, but I really dont like the way they look on the liter bikes.

Also think the 600s look 'Predator' like in the front end. But at least theyre not as butt ugly as the single light Suzuki's!

I LOVE black bikes, but I also believe that out of any color, thats probably the one to MOST blend in with everything else. Cagers have a hard enough seeing us as it is, much less something that blends in to the background.
-Cody

Sami

Nice bike but do 600's really go for that high now? I could have had a brand new '07 CBR-1000RR out the door for less than $9k when the '08s came out. '08s were around the $11.5k mark so that much for 600 seems a bit too much.

Sami

hockeyboy wrote: »

you won't be able to sell the bike without changing back to a street legal exhaust, and NO you will not pass inspection.

I've had no trouble getting inspection sticker for a bike with aftermarket mods, including exhaust. No problem selling either. Are you talking about cases when getting a ticket for mods, and having to do an inspection to get the ticket dismissed?

shadowofnight

exalted512 wrote: »

I dont like the projectors on the new ones though. I'm not sure if the 600s have it, but I really dont like the way they look on the liter bikes.

I LOVE black bikes, but I also believe that out of any color, thats probably the one to MOST blend in with everything else. Cagers have a hard enough seeing us as it is, much less something that blends in to the background.
-Cody

No, the 600 doesnt have the projector's ....if the 09 R1 looked like the 09 R6 I would be in line right now to get mine for day 1 of the release. I am going to have to see the new R1 in person to see if that styling is ok...first to go is the hideous exhaust...but that is replaced by me on every bike so thats a given...I just hope the projectors/ram air inlets look ok in person.

Luckily I still have friends who still ride ( They didnt let their wives put their balls in a purse ) and still purchase new bikes on a regular basis, so I will be able to ride one as soon as they are released. That Crossplane motor has me interested again after a rather boring few years in cookie cutter liter bikes.


Black bikes kick ****...with a sweet loud exhaust ( No problems here in CA...no inspections whatsoever....and they dont even bother the extremely loud Harley's ...no fix it tickets in 28 years of riding either ) and always riding as if the cars cant see you has made owning black bikes just fine for me.

hockeyboy

Sami wrote: »

No problem selling either. Are you talking about cases when getting a ticket for mods, and having to do an inspection to get the ticket dismissed?

I guess I am speaking from my experiences in California although I live in Texas now. In California you will get a fix it ticket for not having a street legal exhaust. This happens just when you are parked. Next you have to get it inspected and they force you to put a legal exhaust on to pass inspection.

Sami

hockeyboy wrote: »

I guess I am speaking from my experiences in California although I live in Texas now.

Yep, Cali is a lot different. In Texas you don't have to worry about getting a ticket for modifications and things don't need to have a CARB sticker.

exalted512

Sami wrote: »

Yep, Cali is a lot different. In Texas you don't have to worry about getting a ticket for modifications and things don't need to have a CARB sticker.

So I'd be fine with the exhaust system in this link:
http://www.akrapovic.de/news_center/bilder%20news/PDF%20Newsletter/ZX_6R_2009_KA_ZX_6R_09_SO.pdf

(not the slip on, the full system)
-Cody

Sami

Should not be a problem. My friend just put Akrapovic on his R1, I have Two Brothers on my XX. If you're set on getting aftermarket exhaust, invest in Power Commander as well.

Sherardp

I was actually looking at the 09 R1's and I'm thinking about coming back home(riding Yammy or Suzi) again. Though it has been fun I like the look of the new R1, have yet to see one in person yet. I'll probably be parting with the MV sooner than later. Its one of those dream bikes, they are rare, chicks dig it, dudes are just like wow when they see it, however I'm pretty much over it. Time to move on and I know for sure it will be back to the R1, they are just so freaking fast. Ride em safe bros, and Exalted shop around for insurance bro, 4000 yr is crazy. I ride exotic bike, 30 yrs old, and my insurance is 1200 for yr for full coverage of 25k for total cost of MV.

doggie750

Sherardp wrote: »

I was actually looking at the 09 R1's and I'm thinking about coming back home(riding Yammy or Suzi) again. Though it has been fun I like the look of the new R1, have yet to see one in person yet. I'll probably be parting with the MV sooner than later. Its one of those dream bikes, they are rare, chicks dig it, dudes are just like wow when they see it, however I'm pretty much over it. Time to move on and I know for sure it will be back to the R1, they are just so freaking fast. Ride em safe bros, and Exalted shop around for insurance bro, 4000 yr is crazy. I ride exotic bike, 30 yrs old, and my insurance is 1200 for yr for full coverage of 25k for total cost of MV.

As your polk and gsxr BROTHER, keep your 2 wheels on the track! **** the road.

keith allen

A mere $120k,you can get dis,very sporty I think!

exalted512

shadowofnight wrote: »

A friend of mine knows a guy selling his R6...exactly like the one pictured above, I just have to take over payments. I declined...I want my ninja! I'm so impatient...I want one already!
-Cody

ben62670

Sherardp wrote: »

I like both, and I would take either anyday. Both have their perks, Gixxer will throw down on the low end. R1 has the high RPM and the get up to move. I used to get up to 80-90mph in 1st gear on the Yammie, both of them will move and do some sick speeds depending on the rider. That R1 in my pic was my second one, I totalled the 1st one within two weeks, T-boned back end of car, luckily I was thrown over the car and slide on the road a little, tons of road rash, sprained fingers and a contusion. I lived, and thats what matters. Seen some serious crashes out here with the Squids trying to ride or die thinking they're Superman.

Ive seen my fastest street speed on my Yammy, 168mph and still had more ooooph, but my balls got mad small.

My FZR1000 did 90 in first, and when third wound out the font tire would come down at 130. Barrnett clutch, jet kit, and Vance and Hines strip pipe:) I have been to 165 a few times, and had some left, but at that speed you start to think stuff like "what if the motor seized, a bird hit me, debris is on the road, or my sunglasses brake. It was very comfortable, but the uncontrollable environment can be dangerous. I have kids now. Bike is gone.
Ben