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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Advice please.
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Message started by jmebluis on 10/25/07 at 16:31:57

Title: Advice please.
Post by jmebluis on 10/25/07 at 16:31:57

Hi,

I really am a newbie. I completed the VT rider safety class but otherwise have no riding experience. I'm shopping for my first bike. I was initially looking at a Suzuki GZ250, its small (maybe too small?) I should be able to reach the ground (I'm 5'5") and its in my price range. Then as I was calling around to see who has which bikes in stock I discovered a dealer that has a LS650 (the suzukicycles.com site lists that bike as a S40 now right?) in stock, last years model and is asking $4,000 for it. That would be a stretch for my budget but managabe.

So I have two questions. One, would you recommend the bigger bike for a newbie? Two, since $4,000 is only $400 off of the original price how much of that do you think is padding? I'm thinking I would like to try to get the price down some more, what would you shoot for?

Thanks a bunch!

-Jaime

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by SavageDude on 10/25/07 at 16:49:23

Look around your area for a used one. Many used Savage/S40 only have less than 8,000 miles on it and you can bargain for $3,000 or less. Otherwise you should try to get it out-the-door price at $4,000.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by forrest on 10/25/07 at 17:13:39

I did some research when I dove into these waters and at 5 ft 2 seat hieght was important. Price was very important since this was my first bike and didn't know if I'd really like riding; boy was I wrong, can't stand driving a car now.
Anyway, looked at the 250 and found that it can hardly get out of it's own way and lacks acceleration(unless you put it the back of a truck).
You can get great deals on the Savage/S40 because if someone buys it as a beginner's bike and doesn't fall in love with it they move on to a V twin pretty soon.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by thumperclone on 10/25/07 at 17:21:16

07 ls 650 W/ 5 miles on e bay... show it to the dealer see if you can better his price..

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by vtail on 10/25/07 at 17:34:58

Dealercost on that bike is $3877 so the spread is rather thin. And yes the 250 is kind of anemic and you'd be looking at something bigger shortly. If you can swing it go for the 650. At least you won't be wishing for more power right away. The 650 has no trouble keeping up on the freeway;)

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by jmebluis on 10/25/07 at 17:39:08

;D

I see nobody has said don't get the Savage. I appreciate your tips I will see what I can do with them. I should be taking both bikes for a test drive Saturday.

-Jaime

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by vtail on 10/25/07 at 17:43:34

Whoever said that, never rode/owned one. Also check my post just above yours about dealer cost etc ;)

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by jmebluis on 10/25/07 at 17:53:16

I did see the dealer price, thanks. I was hoping someone might know it. I guess unless they really need to unload the bike the price isn't going to come down much (not that asking would hurt ;) ). It seems like an ok deal though. I would rather buy new and have a warranty since I don't know much about mechanic work. My dad is a mechanic but he lives a bit over 100 miles away, way too far to be of help.

-Jaime

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by islandwahine on 10/25/07 at 18:28:56

Aloha Jaime,
Just in case you needed a woman's point of view, the Savage is a great bike to ride on. Handles easy, yet has a lot of pizazz!
I'm 5' 6" so practically the same height as you. I do have long legs which was a little tough at first till I did a seat modification and added 1 1/2 inch. That worked out better. If you don't have long legs, the Savage should fit you perfect!
If you do, a seat mod is really easy.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by jimbonerz28 on 10/25/07 at 19:23:35

I bought mine about 2 months ago, 2006 s40 totally stock with 523 miles, the guy was asking 3k, I offered him 2.5k and we agreed to $2650. I think it was a good deal.

I wasnt looking for a savage just something to build a bobber style bike out of. I am really happy with the bike. I has a lot or character and makes a neat and different bobber.

For a first time rider you cant go wrong with the savage, its light and nimble, easy to manuver, and has plenty of useable power. The engine has good low end which makes it easier to learn clutch/gas with out killing the engine at stoplights and such (like in front of your friends when it makes you feel like an idiot). I ride sportbikes also and learning to ride on a 1k super sport bike is way more difficult.

good luck.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by verslagen1 on 10/25/07 at 20:32:32

do your homework jaime.

And while new with warranty is appealing, nothing easier to learn on.

Also, 1st bike, there's a good chance that you're gonna drop it. Why get a brand new one? Shop around for a scratch and dent special. If you drop it, no biggie. I know if you get that new one you're gonna scurry in from the rain and dry the tires. good luck and come on back and sit aspell.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by Bikemom28 on 10/26/07 at 00:41:28

I see that you are in vermont have you tired Craigslist? I know my husband just bought a suzuki on craigslist for $150.00 and the bike purrs like a baby, It only need a charge and carbs cleaned. Working on the bike really shouldn't be that bad this site has tons and tons of information to help you do work on your bike and if you never sure of anything just ask questions and we are hear to help.I had a savage and I am also about your hight and the bike is perfect for us short people. I had to part my out but the ls650 is the only bike that I will personally own, Great little bikes.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by LANCER on 10/26/07 at 05:03:59

Walk in with $3625 cash, tell them you are looking for an entry level bike and KIND OF LIKE the LS650 and have $3625 to spend ... bottom line, tax and everything.
If they start talking this and that just say "I only have $3625 to work with". If they say they cannot go down then thank them for their time and get up and start walking out.
They will likely call you to come back and sit down. Keep in mind that this is the end of the typical riding season and they don't want a bike sitting in the showroom...they need that cash to turnover so they can use it on something else that will make a profit for them, and will frequently take a small loss on the bike so they can put the money into something that will sell for a profit during the winter months.

TRY IT, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOOSE. BESIDES, IT IS A FUN GAME. GO INTO IT LIKE YOU ARE PLAYING A GAME AND JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT.

GOOD LUCK

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by mornhm on 10/26/07 at 05:15:01

What Lancer said. If you are ready to purchase the MC for a certain amount, walk in ready to pay that amount and no more. Personally, I'd be specific and say I was willing to pay $X.XX for such and such MC out the door, no additional charges. If they say no, walk. Chances are this time of year they won't say no. End of the month cash in hand also tends to loosen up the deals somewhat. As far as what the dealer might have paid originally, this doesn't matter at this point, because every month that that MC sits in his shop it's costing him money, and possibly the ability to get new MC's next year. View it as a used MC at this point and you'll probably be closer to what he's will to sell for.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by skrapiron on 10/26/07 at 05:42:15

Wait! Stop! Don't get the 650! You'll regret it later!

If you've been a lurker here for a while, then you already know that the Savage/S40 can't make it up a hill without you getting off to push. The tires won't last 100 miles and you'll have to replace the cam chain at least 3 times a month!

Ok, all kidding aside, I have had my Savage for 4 months now and STILL love it! it's got PLENTY of power for highway travel yet its light enough to be easy to maneuver at slow speeds. The riding position is upright and relaxed. The large single cylinder is rugged, robust, powerful and easy to maintain. I really don't have a vocabulary to adequately describe the bike. I just LOVE it!

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by T-Mack1 on 10/26/07 at 07:20:27

I agreed with Lancer but want to add a little.

Dealers will take a slight loss on a bike that is still under warranty so that you come back for Service. That's where they can make money.

Hmmmmm....maybe that's why they don't push the LS650's, they're easy to work on, so the owners do some of their own maintenance.

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by skatnbnc on 10/26/07 at 09:52:52

I agree with the used idea, because the chances are very high of the bike being dropped as a new rider. The guys advice about costs is good too.

In any case, the bike is great for the vertically challenged (I'm 5'4" and it fits perfectly). It is also easy to ride, easy to maintain and easy to get hooked on!
We love our little thumpers! :)

PS - let us know what you decide on, and we LOVE photos here... ;)

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by bennyc on 10/26/07 at 10:08:24

I was in the same boat as you about 2 months ago.

I bought a 07 S40 as my very first bike right after taking the MSF class.

The dealer here in PA was asking $4100, I got him to $3900 and we both walked away happy- I guess.

First, I have been really happy with the purchase-I think it is a great bike to learn on with plenty of room to "grow". I have no problem keeping up with a couple of buddies who ride an ST800 and a VFR800 (although if we opened them up on the highway I am sure they could blow me away-but we don't ride like that anyway).

Anything smaller (like a 250) might be too small IMO. I rode a 250 in the MSF and this bike feels and handles pretty similar, but has enough power to make it a little more fun.

As far as new vs. used, if you can afford it and you don't plan to work on the bike yourself, buying new under warranty might give you a little more peace of mind (it does for me)

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by Ed_L. on 10/26/07 at 17:35:59

Saddle bags and a windshield are nice and will help keep the bike off the asphalt if you drop it, at least they did for my '02. :-/

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by jmebluis on 10/26/07 at 18:31:53

Thanks for all the help, it's all great. I'm thinking I'm gonna walk in saying I have $3,500 and if they lower the price great, if not and I can walk out at $4,000 I would be happy too. I discovered today that the bike is actually a 2007 not a 2006, but he still wants to unload it.

-Jaime

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by azjay on 10/27/07 at 06:13:23

you'll be sorry (not) ??? next you'll want riding apparel, then you'll want to adorn the bike, then you'll want to ride more, then you'll call in sick on good weather days, then you'll find friends that ride, then you'll ride more, pretty soon you'll be making excuses to ride, and you'll ride more, the more you ride the more you'll need to ride :o OOOOHHHHH where does it all end, the insanity of it all ::) enjoy the ride ;D

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by jmebluis on 10/27/07 at 12:10:24

OK. I am officially frustrated. I made the 1 1/2 hour drive down to the dealership that had the Savage I was looking at and which had told me I could test drive it. Today when I said I wanted to test drive the new bike I was told I couldn't, the ground was wet and it was sprinkling (like the bike was gonna melt or something!!!!). Instead I could test drive one of two used Savages. I thought no big deal I really just want to see how a 650 feels, my only previous riding had been on a 125 at the Motorcycle Safety Class. So I fill out the demo form and the sales guy I had been dealing with takes it to his manager to OK. Nope, you can't test drive a bike there unless you have 3+ years riding experience. I had told the sales guy I was looking for a first bike!!!!! So no deal.
I guess I will have to increase my search range to over 100 miles. I have been asking if I can test drive bikes and I realize a lot of places won't let you, but most of them were good enough to say so!

-Jaime >:(

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by Savage_Greg on 10/27/07 at 12:31:36

It's a PITA, but let's face it, as a newbie your are gonna fall down. Doesn't matter that you took the course. The courses are very good but they just give you the basic feel of riding and the fundamental skills to get you started without killing yourself.

With the knowledge gained you are now better prepared to go down the road, but you are still gonna fall down sometime. Might be in your yard or a parking lot, but those little chrome goodies ain't cheap.

Plus don't forget the auto drivers...and this is probably why the dealer has a 3 year skill level requirement. I bet their liability insurance has limits on it.

What you are gonna have to do (if you don't have a friend with a Savage) is just buy the bike. That's what I did with my first full size motorcycle. Walked in and drove out.

Then if you decide to get another bike, and you ride into the dealership, I bet they'll let you have a test ride then...as long as yours isn't all beat up, that is :P

Go get one...

Title: Re: Advice please.
Post by newrider55 on 10/27/07 at 12:40:03

My wife and I took the class this fall and had not ridden a bike since our teen years. In the class we rode Buell 500's which have a nice pickup. Her uncle had couple of Savages that he was selling and we got a '97 and love it. Great starter bike. The more we rode it the more we wanted another and did last week get an 02. Was listed for sale here. Needs a little tlc but good bike. Point is, we have not ridden since our teens and except for the Safty class had not ridden before we bought our bike. Good luck in your search.

Tony