Soon to be new rider

[primalmu]

Hey guys, just joined the forum about 3 minutes ago. Hopefully I will be a new rider within the next month or so. I'm scheduled to take the MSF Basic Riding Course in about 2 1/2 weeks.

I've been wanting to get a motorcycle for some time, but it wasn't until gas prices started rocketing that I felt I could justify getting one. I'm not interested having the fastest bike around. In fact, I'm sure that I would be perfectly happy with a sub-500cc bike for my entire riding career.

I've started looking for some good beginner bikes in my area, and I gotta say, there is almost no used motorcycle market here ("central" West Virginia). I have found a few promising bikes, however.

The first is a 1981 Kawasaki KZ440. Seems like a pretty good bike from everything I've read. However, there is one problem: price. The guy is asking $2000 for it, but its Kelly Blue Book value is more around $850. *gasp* Granted, it comes with saddle bags, a wind shield, and has a pretty nice custom paint job. It seems to be in really nice condition, with 17k miles on it, and it has been mostly garage kept. With the windshield, saddle bags, and overall condition of the bike, I wouldn't mind paying $1000-1100 for it. Anyone have any advice for talking sellers down on a waaaay overpriced bike? :)

The second bike I've found is an early 80's Yamaha Maxim. I couldn't find any model on it, so I'm not precisely sure about its displacement, but given that it is shaft driven, it's pretty safe to say that its at LEAST a 600cc bike (probably bigger -- the Maxim 550 (I think) has a chain drive). That's really much bigger than I want.

If I had my druthers, I'd get a used Buell Blast. Yea, yea, not the fanciest or fastest bike, but I've read great things about it, and its low maintenance is a major selling point for me. My second choice would be a Suzuki GZ250. I just love the look of the bike. I'm not interested in sports bikes at all, really, but would certainly consider a Ninja 250. In fact, there is a guy selling two salvaged Ninjas that I'm considering buying to build a new bike. But, I think that's just a pipe dream, and really is beyond my technical abilities right now. The fuel efficiency on all of those bikes are the main advantages for me.

There is a 1985 Honda Nighthawk 700S for sale in my area that is really sharp looking. However, this seller is also asking quite a bit more than its Blue Book value... $700 over blue book, to be exact. Its also more bike than I really want or need, but even when overpriced its within my budget. I'm confident that I could handle it -- I'm very cautious by nature, never even speeding in my car. I also like to think that I'm an excellent driver (no accidents or tickets in my 5 years of driving), so I feel that I could learn the bike easily enough. However, I'm sure that everyone thinks that, so you can probably just disregard everything I just said. ;)

Thats all I can think of to say at the moment, though I'm sure I'll have plenty more comments/questions in the future.

[LowRiderGhost]

Evening Primalmu and welcome to the forum.

I can't comment on the other scoots you mentioned, but I think you're spot on about the KZ440! Yikes?! :eek: Seriously there isn't much I could say here now that would have much pertinent bearing on the present BUT.... I did purchase a used (essentially the same bike) 1975 Kawi KZ400 SOHC Twin in the mid-80's for I'm guessing well less then $400 bucks. And actually this little scoot was in pretty sweet shape as I recall - not too trashed and fairly easy to clean up. ;) Even if you were to say take inflation into account aren’t you reasonably looking at a maybe $800 to $1,200 scoot in decent condition?! I dunno... :p Anyways, the bike aside I had bought this bike at the time (including a 1975 Honda CB400F Four) in the hopes of teaching a lady I was 'with' at the time How to Ride. She could ride either but she was (understandably) uncomfortable with the height of both (Nothing could beat a Honda REBEL back then OR now!). My vote would be for the Kawi (I've had 4 so far) but ONLY if you could get the price WAY down (otherwise the bugger can choke on the thing!)! Nuff' said.

Enjoy the forum!

LRG :cool:

[primalmu]

Thanks for the reply, LowRiderGhost. I just shot an email to the guy asking him if he could do any better than $2000. I figure I know exactly why he's asking so much. I figure when he bought the bike he didn't research how much it was actually worth. He probably paid $2000+ for it himself. I just can't imagine what he'll think when I offer him half his asking price. But, the Kelly Blue Book is on my side, so who knows.

I'll post a picture after I've made enough posts on the forum. :)

[Schneiderman]

If the guy added the accessories and had the paint done himself then he thinks the modifications significantly add to the value of the bike. I'm sure it has sentimental value to him but unfortunately it does not drastically increase the resale value. That said, the value of anything is however much someone is willing to pay for it. It sounds like the bike is in good shape and if you really like it, then maybe it's worth a little more to you than what KBB says. I've heard that KBB does a poor job of appraising motorcycles anyway.

[shelzmike]

In fact, I'm sure that I would be perfectly happy with a sub-500cc bike for my entire riding career.

Welcome to the forums (to start with!). I too, am a new rider, but already have my bike - got a great deal, but more on that in a minute.

Not 3 weeks ago, I thought the same thing, that I could like with a sub-500 for my entire riding career too. But, after just a few short weeks I KNOW that I want something a bit bigger - not 1200 or anything, but probably at least a 750. However, that will come in time and I am not going to rush anything. In fact, the bike I bought to learn on is a 1973 Honda CB350 and I LOVE it. I am so glad that I got a smaller bike to learn on, but since I have been riding and becoming more confident and comfortable I am entertaining the thought of something bigger after a year or two.

As far as finding bikes, there is not a big market here either and we are right close - SW VA here. I searched craigslist and local classifieds and well, hell, just drove around to see if anybody had any sitting out for sale. I found one on craigslist, but had to drive about 2 hours to get it. But with the price - $900, and the great shape it was in - it was well worth it. So I suggest to search surrounding areas that you are willing to travel to to pick it up. Heck, I would even say search a little bit further than that - you never know when a deal you just cannot refuse is laying in wait.

As far as working him down, I would have actually named a price, rather than asked simply if he could do better. That way, there is an actual figure out there. Depending on how much you want to spend you can usually start looking for bikes that are $200-$400 (or so) more than you have. For instance, if you have $1000, then you can probably look (and get) a bike that is advertised for $1200-$1400.

The thing that will help you the most, with that "not willing to negotiate" seller is time. The longer they see the bike sitting there, and the more money they pay in advertising, the better your chances are of getting a deal. Be firm and ready to give it up though, negotiating is not always easy or fun.

Many times, you will offer, say, in this case $1100. Well, he may say get the hell outta here with that! But may call you back and say it is a go because he cannot get any other buyers.

It is hard to negotiate over the phone and email, not to mention a bad idea when buying a bike. Go there in person, ready to take it home if all works out. Also, if the most you are willing to pay is $1100, take it with you IN CASH. There is nothing that will seal a deal quicker than all that money in hand. (If you are concerned with carrying that kinda money around, be sure to take a big friend with you, or a couple of smaller ones!) Be firm on your end - either it is the $1100 (or whatever) or nothing. This may not work every time, but eventually you will catch the person at the right time.

Good Luck!

Mike

[primalmu]

Thanks for the advice, Mike. I actually read and article about buying new bikes that said more or less what you just did. However, with a bike priced over twice was KBB says its worth, even $200-300 off would still be twice what the bike is worth. I can understand how KBB might not be the best when it comes to appraising bikes, but sheesh, it can't be off THAT much.

I actually did tell him that the best I could do for a 27 year old bike with 17k miles was $1200... he told me the best he could do was $1500. So, time will tell. He may shoot me an email in a few weeks if he hasn't managed to sell it.

[primalmu]

Here are a few pictures of the bike:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/insignia100/DSCF2171.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/insignia100/DSCF2172.jpg

From the pictures, the bike looks really good. There is a little bit of rust, and I'm sure the chrome could stand to be polished up a bit. I believe the seat was also recently replace/reupholstered. It also seems to idle nicely, from the video the guy sent me. If it looks as nice in person as it does in the photos, and it checks out mechanically, I might go ahead and get it. I'm gonna wait until after my MSF course, though, in case anyone has any bikes they want to sell there (I've heard its common for people to sell 250s at the MSF courses).