[Kellisanth]

Maybe you’ve been in this position, or maybe not. Or close enough. Just wanted some ideas and thoughts.

As some of you know, back in March, I got myself a EX500 … Great lil’ machine, quite different from the various 250s I’ve be doing BRC with. (whoa) And higher seat too (poor twins). And yeah, I’m not quite flat foot for the most part which makes it tricky – nor am I strong enough or heavy enough to push it around properly (being about 135lbs). Thought of lowering it, but that would mean changing the sidestand, and that would probably do something hicky with the center stand as well. Dunno what it will do with the turning performance.

Lately, finances are getting kinda scary, and June we are having some changes (less hours, staffing, etc) at work. Airlines are scary. And I have a feeling my rent will be going up, which is not a good thing either. *sigh*

I got the bike on a loan ($$$ %%%) and thus debating, should I just eek out what I can in paying for the various bills and such while keeping the bike picking up what extra hours I can (but less riding time – one reason why I got a warning ‘cos I left the bike sitting too long w/o moving – city considers it abandonment), or just see if I can return the bike. The question on the return, is who do I send it to? 😮

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not giving up on biking. I’m just kinda stuck more or less.

[DK]

You gotta do what you can afford. Maybe you could trade down? Find yourself somebody looking to upgrade their 250 for a 500? Less bike should end up less cost to you all around. Plus you should have more confidence for skills improvement.

I hope not to sound condescending because that is not my intent, but why did you start with the 500 anyways? Between your size and apparent need for extra practice before passing your test a smaller bike seems like it would be an easy decision.

[SantaCruzRider]

The return route is probably not an option. The finance company doesn’t typically want that bike back. It may not be worth what you currently owe and it will also cost them money to sell it.
If you can’t afford it, your best bet is to try to sell it and use the money to pay off the note. You may be upside down on the loan and have to kick in cash. It sucks, but it’s how it works.
The alternative would be not pay and to wait until the finance company repos the bike. But they will then add ALL repo costs, legal fees, etc… This can add thousands to what you owe them. They could then sue you for the balance. At the very least, they will trash your credit for the next 7 yrs.
Sometimes it’s better to take your lumps and sell. BTW: I would not modify the bike if you have any thoughts about selling.

[Kellisanth]

The reasoning for the EX500 was that it was the same height as the EX250 as well as being relatively the same on insurance cost (I think, now I need to look at that again). And price wise, it (EX500) was the same price as a new EX250. The EX500 is a ’05 with only 45m on the speedo at the time too.

At the time, I was looking towards the future term, not short term. I didn’t want to go thru different bikes overall, in regards to purchases. And I was going for looks as well (durn MotoGP and AMA).

My original intent was to use it for commuting (my lil’ area to O’Hare) which probably involves highway or the tollways.

I’ve also got family in Kansas City, freinds in Pittsburgh, as well as up in Cheesehead country (Milwaukee and some else around there in WI), thus was looking for a distance touring type as well.

I was probably doing things thru the emotion of the moment… I have a tendency to be impulsive on things, when I think they’re a good deal.

If anything, I know what my next two years of tax returns will be going towards.

Already cutting back on quite a few things. And don’t think I’ll renew quite a few memberships either (like, Prof Photo of Am, et al). And I need to drop AMEX Plat…

[Author]

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