- This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by MattN.
Blowing a gasket
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October 19, 2008 at 6:38 am #2271ReindeerParticipant
Sat, 10/18/2008 – 23:22
It’s really a funny thing… I really thought that leaning to ride was going to be fun. Better yet, I thought that now that I’m seriously looking around for my first motorcycle, I would be getting some good advice and help for the n00b rider. What the hell was I thinking?!?!
So here is how things stand…
I officially have 3 “friends” who are all experienced bikers and a dealership all telling me that I need to learn to ride on a 1000+ cc bike! I even had one “friend” suggest that I get a Gold Wing! WTF?
Yes, you heard that right!
Even my father was trying to push the idea of the 900cc Kawasaki Vulcan, and he and his friend were giving me a hard time a couple of weeks ago when I was suggesting that might be a little big for a beginner. “Oh, that’s what they build throttles for” they say.
Grrrrrrr
Is there something that I’m missing here? Are they trying to drop me a clue? Or are my closest friends and family trying to get me killed? If it’s because I’m a big guy, it’s time that people get off of their f***in high horse!
Have people SEEN how BIG some of these liter bikes are? I feel intimidated just sitting on one. Not only that, but they are freaking heavy! The Vstrom 1000 that the Suzuki dealership was trying to sell felt like a two wheeled car, and was a fair amount of grunt just to get the beast to an upright position!
And what the hell is wrong with Suzuki anyways? Found out that the SV650 naked version has been discontinued… but nobody at the dealership bothered to tell me that it was being replaced with the Gay-r-us… errr… excuse me Gladius. Before anybody jumps on me about that last comment, just take a look at the second picture on this page!
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/09/2009-suzuki-gladius-unvealed-a…
Does anybody else get the feeling that Suzuki is going to open up a dealership at the local malls next to Victoria’s Secret?
Well, after seeing the Vulcan 500 yesterday, he backed off on the 900. That’s a good thing, right? One would think, except that the whole reason he thought it was a good bike was because “it looked cool”. Now I probably would have left it at that except that then I started getting this “buy it now” pressure.
Back up the truck please! First off, it’s MY f***ing money! I’ll spend as I see fit, f*** you very much! Second, there is a reason why I’m holding off on making any purchases. I figure that until I take my MSF course and get my license, it’s pointless to run out and buy a bike. I may decide after taking the class that I hate riding, or for that matter I might fail the course… then what happens? Meanwhile, the bike is just rotting in the garage! I don’t think so! The other reason is that we are coming into the off-season, and the end of the model year. Between that and the economy going in the tank, the idea was to hopefully cut a good deal!
Now on top of everything else, the one bike that is speaking to me loudest right now is the Kawasaki Versys. However, you wouldn’t believe the ration of shit that I am getting over that bike. OK, so it’s not the beauty queen of motorcycles! However it fits, it’s versatile enough for my needs, especially living in the area I do, etc. It’s also got a flat torque curve, supposed to handle great, adjustable, etc. People who know me personally are saying it’s either too small for me (join the liter club!) and that it’s an ugly bike. Go onto certain beginner websites where the Ninja 250R is touted as the end-all-be-all of beginner bikes, and then the Versys is too big!
And WTF is with these dealerships anyway? Been to a total of 5 of them now… first two up in Coos Bay ignored me outright. Out of the remaining three, one was the dealership that was trying to get me on a Vstrom 1000. The other big dealership in Medford was somewhat helpful, but they weren’t really going out of their way to make the sale either. The final dealership that actually was helpful and friendly dealt primarily in quads and chainsaws… no street bikes.
Oh, and why am I going to dealerships? For the simple fact that i am not finding squat as far as used motorcycles in this area… or should I say that the bikes I am finding are usually the classic “rider started off too big and scared himself to death so now the bike is up for sale” scenario.
Tell you what though, I really am extremely close to just saying the hell with it. Again I thought that this experience was meant to be fun, but at least for me, it’s mostly been turning out to be bullshit.
October 19, 2008 at 6:52 am #13996megaspazParticipantpar for the course. The fun bit’s all in how you look at it. i don’t particularly think buying any kind of vehicle’s fun. The buying process kinda sucks. The fun’s when after you ride your bike off the lot. sales folk are mostly always gonna try to get you on the most expensive bike they can. You know learning on the smallest, most comfortable bike will be easier and fun no matter which way you slice the bologna, so suck it up and just get it despite what anyone else tells you.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…October 19, 2008 at 11:45 pm #14018MunchParticipantOK…this kind of post is all too common. It should be almost a guarantee that people around you are gonna try to push you bigger, and dealers most certainly since they get commission. Why is this ever a surprise. Why is it that people tend to forget that THEY (you or the next person) ARE THE ONES IN CONTROL!
If they fuss and gripe or pick and whatever else they can think of …treat em like a fussy ex-wife and tone em out. Or a husband talking about sports.
Fact of the matter is ..its your health , your money , YOUR LIFE. Why be concerned for POV’s given by people you know are bogus?
If the Versys fits you …get it… plain and simple. If you take the MSF and don’t like it…don’t get the Versys…. if you fail…. cowboy up and try again. MSF is not the end all to wether you ride or not. Its not a requirement ….but very highly suggested.
Man up! (or Woman up) … quit letting others influence you one way or another…. more especially the ones you know are feeding you bad info.
If you can’t fly solo in your own world…..maybe your better for the side cart then the saddle.side bar : “you” is a broad stroke remark.
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 20, 2008 at 2:08 pm #14036AndrewParticipantNo Auto dealership is ever fun. I like the name someone here used when they called them a “stealership”.
October 20, 2008 at 3:55 pm #14052CandiceParticipantFirst of all I had experienced riders telling me to buy an 1100cc bike, don’t wear a helmet, and ride on the highway and I hadn’t even taken the class, sat on a bike, or drove stick shift. Ignore those that tell you to get such a big bike. The stealerships (I have stolen this word from some other poster, sorry can’t remember who) always want you to buy a bigger bike so they can make more moola, ignore their advice. Yes, I completely agree with do not buy a bike until you complete the MSF course, very smart.
Don’t get fed up, stop talking to your friends about what bike you are going to get because until you take the class and really start shopping to buy you will change your mind a thousand times anyways.
I bought from a dealership because there were two bikes I wanted to buy on Craig’s List and neither person had the title and then the one got his title and the bike wouldn’t start when I went to go see it. So, there you go.
Good luck, just look forward to taking the class and don’t worry about what bike to buy yet, although, I did exactly the same thing, first I wanted a Triumph, then I wanted a Suzuki GS250, then I ended up with a Suzuki LS 650. See!
October 20, 2008 at 4:46 pm #14055MattNParticipantMedford… I’m assuming Boston?
I live just north of you. If you want dealerships that will actually help a new guy as opposed to put you on the biggest most expensive bikes your wallet can handle. A couple observations
NOTE: These are my personal observations, I’m sure others have experienced different results. But I’ve been to many many dealers over the past few months and this is just what I observed.
1. Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki: Your not going to see the customer service here that you want. They all work off commission. They have little interest in talking, and tons of interest in cashing your check. I personally will not buy a bike from any of these b/c of it. Note I’m not saying I won’t buy a yamaha/kawasaki/suzuki etc., but if I do, it won’t be from their dealer. My impression there was unless I was buying, they were to busy for me.2. Harley: They are more expensive. But the sales people love to talk Bikes, and even when you tell them you aren’t buying today but have questions, they will sit and spend half a day with you talking and answering questions. ( generally ) I’ve never felt pressure at these places to buy what I don’t want. Some even have used off-brand bikes that you can get good deals on. I don’t like the cost of harley’s but I love the looks and I can say I’ve gotten a lot of good info from the sales people
3. Triumph/Ducati: Similar to Harley. They let you ride the bikes if you have your license. That shocked me. I thought it was awesome. They are very open with you and like talking bikes as well. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences at the few I’ve been to.
4. Since your local, consider going up to http://www.nationalpowersports.net/ and talking with the sales people there.
They don’t work off commission, have over 200+ bikes in the building, all brands, all prices. You can sit on, start up and talk with them about any bike there. I was there for close to 3 hours last week just trying out different bikes. Its a mind blowing place to go to. Lots of fun and they guys there love having people in and messing around with the bikes with you.Seacoast NH also has quite a few dealerships in a short area that I have had great experiences going to. There is a ton to learn and they all seemed very helpful.
My final recommendation is… get out of the boston area. NH is the place to go to learn about bikes and discover what you want. Highest bike riders/population in the country, no sales tax, and nice people. And if you get out for a ride with a salesperson…. NO TRAFFIC
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