NA; Help me choose motorcycle :NA

Which motorcycle should I buy?

  • Total voters
    9
Morgan3820

Morgan3820

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New Bern, NC
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El Conquistador
As some of you may remember, I have become interested in getting a motorcycle. At y'all's suggestion, I finished my MSF class last weekend and should get my motorcycle endorsement this Tuesday. So, I have found two new Suzuki V Strom 650's, and I am having a hard time deciding which to put my money down on. Both are priced almost identically so the decision comes down to intangibles and aesthetics. Aesthetics is important to me.

Item A is a 2020 model and is about a 4 hour drive away. Doable with a trailer pickup. I don't mind driving. Color is Gloss Iron Grey.
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Item B is a year older model 2019 with a local dealer. The color is Pearl White.
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I like the idea of buying locally, but the 2020, is a 2020. Except for the color, they are identical. There were no changes between model years. Again, the total cost of acquisition is just about identical. I find both colors kind of plain, Previously, suggestions to jazz up the white with decals were made on another thread. What about ideas for the grey?
I expect to keep whichever I pick for awhile, so there is some gravity to the decision.
 
One option is repainting the bike to get rid of the "both colors kind of plain" problem. Having said that, I don't know how much a good paint job would cost. But if you are going to keep it for awhile...
 
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I don’t know beans about motorcycles, but I can’t imagine one year makes a big difference. Sweet looking moto!
 
Sorry, but, My honest opinion is that calling these different colors is stretching it ..... fuel tank (or cover thereof) color seems to be the modern manufacturers’ idea of “color”.
This is a white Moto
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Wee-Stroms are well regarded bikes; have fun, be careful out there.
 
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I favor the gray one, but that's my taste, which is not necessarily yours. Whichever one you choose, I'd get some tank pads, which would both liven things up aesthetically, and be functional.

I'm envious. I told my wife no motorcycle until the kids were grown. The younger one is 18, and I figure at 21 I can get another bike.
 
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White bikes are a little more visible to drivers, otherwise it's a toss up. If you're brand new, which sounds like it if you just did the MSF, you might have gotten the spiel about avoiding buying brand new for a first bike, which I tend to agree with. You can can get one a couple years old with ABS for 60% of what you'll spend new. You might find your specific interests in type of bike quickly change with experience, and you'll lose 40% of the total amount you paid the dealer even if you sold it a year later with low miles. But then it's not too expensive a bike to begin with. That first bike is by far the most exciting and can't be recreated, so if brand new elevates that and the coin doesn't matter, go for it. Have fun.
 
Go with the newer bike. You roll off the showroom floor with either, you'll lose value, but the 2019 already is farther ahead in terms of value loss. The local dealer should be giving you a bigger discount to earn your business on the 1 year older bike. The dealer farther away knows he has to give you a good deal to make the 4 hour drive out there to buy the bike.

BTW, you can always vinyl wrap the grey if it's not your style. I like it, but I would also apply some black or grey reflective striping to help make you more visible at night.

Lastly, rent a car and drive the 4 hours to pick up the bike. Then ride the bike home. Just like an airplane, there's nothing quite like a cross country ride to get familiar with a bike.
 
If both are the "same price" talk with the closer dealer, probably get a free 1st service with it etc. Plus I like white.
 
RoscoeT said:
White bikes are a little more visible to drivers, otherwise it's a toss up. If you're brand new, which sounds like it if you just did the MSF, you might have gotten the spiel about avoiding buying brand new for a first bike, which I tend to agree with. You can can get one a couple years old with ABS for 60% of what you'll spend new. You might find your specific interests in type of bike quickly change with experience, and you'll lose 40% of the total amount you paid the dealer even if you sold it a year later with low miles. But then it's not too expensive a bike to begin with. That first bike is by far the most exciting and can't be recreated, so if brand new elevates that and the coin doesn't matter, go for it. Have fun.
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I have thought of the half off for a used bike. looking at the used market, the older bikes, unless they are something special like a classic motoguzi, just sit. If in two years I want out, I feel that it will be easier with the later year models. If on the other hand, I keep it and use it, I will be happy to have the newer model and the extra money spent won’t matter.
I mean, I own an airplane. This is no more than a single Nav/com installed.
 
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steingar said:
I'd bail on the Vstrom and get the 'Busa. But that's just me.
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Motorcycles become more stable with speed so it makes sense to want to reach a stable speed as quickly as possible. Turbo Busa is the ideal starter bike.

To the OP: Someone has to buy the bikes off the dealer floor. Sounds like you have a great opportunity to haggle with both dealers and get a better price on one of them.

Having said that, I bought a used 2010 model bike and 18 months later sold it for a couple hundred bucks more than I bought it for. I sold it in better shape than I bought it and it worked out.
 
Unless the white dealer is willing to better the deal to offset the depreciation, I’d go with the 2020 gray one.

Enjoy, 650 Stroms are nice bikes!
 
I agree with @Bill Jennings on this. Unless you can get a better deal on the '19 for being a '19 and a less desirable color (I don't like the white tank either) I would get the black one. Yeah it'll take you a full day of driving to get it, but you could also go drive out and ride it home (assuming you get your license in time), and what better way to take delivery on a motorcycle?
 
FWIW, I have a like-new, blue, 2013 V-Strom 650 (like the one pictured below) sitting in my garage, less than 2500 miles on it. Not ridden much (obviously), but well-maintained with regular oil changes, and all Service Bulletins complied with. Not mine, selling it for my BIL. Asking $4400, but he's given me room to negotiate. Unfortunately, shipping it from here in AZ to NC would probably run $1000 or so...
2013-suzuki-v-strom-650a--1.jpg
 
Given that The votes favored the 2020 grey one, I called and put a deposit on the grey one. I like the grey better too. One year newer has to be better if I decide motorcycling is not for me and need to sell. A friend with a trailer offered to road trip with me to go get it sometime before the end of this month.

Thanks to everyone. it is nice to have a community like this to help out in these decisions.
 
flibmeister said:
FWIW, I have a like-new, blue, 2013 V-Strom 650 (like the one pictured below) sitting in my garage, less than 2500 miles on it. Not ridden much (obviously), but well-maintained with regular oil changes, and all Service Bulletins complied with. Not mine, selling it for my BIL. Asking $4400, but he's given me room to negotiate. Unfortunately, shipping it from here in AZ to NC would probably run $1000 or so...
2013-suzuki-v-strom-650a--1.jpg
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Thanks, pretty bike
 
flibmeister said:
FWIW, I have a like-new, blue, 2013 V-Strom 650 (like the one pictured below) sitting in my garage, less than 2500 miles on it. Not ridden much (obviously), but well-maintained with regular oil changes, and all Service Bulletins complied with. Not mine, selling it for my BIL. Asking $4400, but he's given me room to negotiate. Unfortunately, shipping it from here in AZ to NC would probably run $1000 or so...
2013-suzuki-v-strom-650a--1.jpg
Click to expand...

Honestly, I like that one better than the above two choices. The newer bodywork looks too Star Wars for my taste. Mechanically, these things haven't changed in twenty years.
 
I agree with Sac Arrow. Take the used one so you wont feel so bad when/if you drop it or scuff it. Its already taken the depreciation hit, so you shouldnt be too much out of pocket if you sell.
 
charheep said:
I agree with Sac Arrow. Take the used one so you wont feel so bad when/if you drop it or scuff it. Its already taken the depreciation hit, so you shouldnt be too much out of pocket if you sell.
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Yes.

My first bike was a used Honda Shadow. I bought it after taking the MSF course, as a starter bike. I dropped it at low speed, scuffed it, broke a turn signal. Two years later I sold it for about what I originally paid, and bought something fancier.

A V-Strom is fine as a first bike, but I would get used.
 
Motorcycle choice is more personal than choosing a woman.
Sit on all of them, then pick your own.
Currently I have a VStrom-DL1000, Intruder VS1400, and a SV650S. (all Suzuki's)
In my family everybody rides, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, kids.
Most of my cousins ride Harleys. I won't ever own one. I like fast, technical bikes.

I have a "Tee" shirt that says "Suzuki Intruder VS1400. When you are tired of pushing your Harley home".
I got it after towing my cousin and his Harley 25 miles behind the VS1400 after a family ride back in '98.
 
Shepherd said:
I have a "Tee" shirt that says "Suzuki Intruder VS1400. When you are tired of pushing your Harley home".
I got it after towing my cousin and his Harley 25 miles behind the VS1400 after a family ride back in '98.
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80% of Harley Davidson motorcycles made are still on the road.......

.....the other 20% made it home under their own power. ;)
 
Buy the 2020!
I have 3 2020's in the garage now. 2 Harley's and 1 KTM..
2020 is the way to go.
Why would you buy a year old bike for the same price? make sure they are charging the the bike plus tax and not a bunch of other fee's.
They try to tack on freight, assembly and prep. I never pay any of that.
I have had lots of bikes in my 47 years.
So why the Suzuki 650?
 
Shepherd said:
Motorcycle choice is more personal than choosing a woman.
Sit on all of them, then pick your own.
Currently I have a VStrom-DL1000, Intruder VS1400, and a SV650S. (all Suzuki's)
In my family everybody rides, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, kids.
Most of my cousins ride Harleys. I won't ever own one. I like fast, technical bikes.

I have a "Tee" shirt that says "Suzuki Intruder VS1400. When you are tired of pushing your Harley home".
I got it after towing my cousin and his Harley 25 miles behind the VS1400 after a family ride back in '98.
Click to expand...

A mechanic friend of mine told me he has a BSA T shirt. He said that it was a really nice T shirt but it did leak oil.
 
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pigpenracing said:
Buy the 2020!
I have 3 2020's in the garage now. 2 Harley's and 1 KTM..
2020 is the way to go.
Why would you buy a year old bike for the same price? make sure they are charging the the bike plus tax and not a bunch of other fee's.
They try to tack on freight, assembly and prep. I never pay any of that.
I have had lots of bikes in my 47 years.
So why the Suzuki 650?
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The V-Strom 650 seems to be a favorite of many. Didn’t want a cruiser or the sport bike stoop. This seems to be a nice compromise. Big enough to keep me interested but not too big.
 
Morgan3820 said:
The V-Strom 650 seems to be a favorite of many. Didn’t want a cruiser or the sport bike stoop. This seems to be a nice compromise. Big enough to keep me interested but not too big.
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Look at the KTM 690 Enduro R.. I will tell you I have owned just about every bike made and the 690 is about the best do it all everything motorcycle. I love mine. Ride the freeway, ride dirt roads, go out in the middle of nowhere. It does everything great!
 
pigpenracing said:
Look at the KTM 690 Enduro R.. I will tell you I have owned just about every bike made and the 690 is about the best do it all everything motorcycle. I love mine. Ride the freeway, ride dirt roads, go out in the middle of nowhere. It does everything great!
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KTM makes great bikes, especially ones geared towards offroad riding. But, and this is a BIG BUT, KTM has less than a stellar reputation for reliability. Far less for some models. If one doesn't mind being stranded 600mi from home[1] waiting 3-4 days for a repair while your big vacation plans and days burn away, then KTM is for you. If not, go with another brand.

[1] Not just one friend, but multiple. I wouldn't take any KTM more than 100mi from home.
 
Bill Jennings said:
KTM makes great bikes, especially ones geared towards offroad riding. But, and this is a BIG BUT, KTM has less than a stellar reputation for reliability. Far less for some models. If one doesn't mind being stranded 600mi from home[1] waiting 3-4 days for a repair while your big vacation plans and days burn away, then KTM is for you. If not, go with another brand.

[1] Not just one friend, but multiple. I wouldn't take any KTM more than 100mi from home.
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I think 15 years ago KTM had reliability issues just like old Harleys. They are rock solid now. I have been on KTM’s for 15 years and not a problem one. Just basic maintenance. I run them like a racebike also. Always wide open.
But yes that Suzuki is a great bike. I wasn’t saying it’s the wrong decision for him. I was just saying look outside the box.
 
Bill Jennings said:
THAT is a race dirtbike with lights, NOT a good all around starter bike. Especially if that new rider plans to do other things than just dirt ride.
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It is actually a really great street bike. I ride it on the highway and just old paved country roads more than anything.
 
wrbix said:
80% of Harley Davidson motorcycles made are still on the road.......

.....the other 20% made it home under their own power. ;)
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Well, to be fair, there are alternative viewpoints:

.....the other 20% were towed home on flatbeds.
.....the other 20% are parked in front of bars, leaking oil.
.....the other 20% are still waiting for parts.
.....the other 20% crashed.
.....the other 20% are on trailers waiting to be towed to Bike Week.​
 
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