question about kawasaki dealers...

[toymachine566]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy either a new or used kawasaki ninja 500. I've been looking for a while now and think this is the bike for me. I want to use the money I get from selling my beater car (95 saturn sl1) towards a downpayment on this bad boy but I have a couple of questions for the more seasoned riders/buyers:

1. When the dealer (site) asks for a "trade-in" value do they mean a bike trade-in or can I trade in my car like at a regular dealership?

2. Is there haggling on price at a motrorcyle dealer like there is at a car dealer

2a. If so, whats is a good price range for an 05/06 ninja 500 when buying from a dealer or what are some things to look out for?

I am looking to get a bike for my commute to and from work for the gas milegae these babies get. Not looking for cheap thrills or anything like that, so any other suggestions for gas saving bikes are welcome :).

I have searched the other bike threads and found nothing on these types of quuestions ;)

[kennef]

1. Generally they want you to trade in a motorcycle.

2. There is absolutely haggling that occurs at a motorcycle dealership. Keep in mind that there is generally a "season" for motorcycling depending on where you live. Also keep in mind that there is usually less mark-up or dealer overhead on a motorcycle.

Not sure what Kawasaki 500s are going for on the new/used but if you're looking to purchase a new bike to save money on gas, you may be in for a surprise. Looking at the overall economics, motorcycles rarely SAVE you money unless you have long commutes, can ride them year round, and don't mind riding in the rain.

Keep in mind that Kawasaki Ninja 500s/EX500 are very often purchased by newer riders for a first motorcycle. A ton of people sell these after a couple years of riding to move up to a bigger and more powerful bike. You should be able to find a used one of these that hasn't been dropped and in decent shape for a bit cheaper than a new one.

Good Luck!

[toymachine566]

awsome, thanks for that. I have roughly a 54mi. commute to work (so 108 mi round trip daily) so would a 500cc be enought to make an impact on fuel economy or should I look more towards the 250?

[rckozma]

I will add that if you are doing Kawi's you should check out the Ninja 650, it will be a little more expensive, but it willl probably suit you more in the long run. It is not as aggressive as the Ninja 600 or 636, but you will not out grow it as fast as the 500.

[Slapshotman7]

I bought a Ninja 500 last week. Lots of fun. Its a brand new 06, got it for $4,200 (before tax and ****). Later I found a dealer invoice online that said it costs them $4,209 (assuming what I saw was accurate).

[FordFasteRR]

I would also suggest the ninja 650 as a starter bike, it has a better engine, better handling chassis, more ground clearance ( real good to have for a daily thumper ), more power! and better BRAKES !!!!!

=)

The price is just a little more so I think its worth it - even if you are going to finance it, the price diff will just be a few more dollars a month..... I say go with the ninja 650.

As long as you are easy on the throttle, and run some touring style tires, you'll get superior wear, bad *** mileage, and minimal chain stretch, and extra long oil change intervals.

[kennef]

Just keep in mind that:

Financing motorcycle ($4,000) @6.9 over 3 years = $125 per month
Insurance (varies widely depending on many factors) = $50-$150 per month

So....on average, the motorcycle (sans maintenance/depreciation/etc) will cost you $2700 per year.

Approx. 26,000 miles per year commuting assuming 5 days a week all year round @ $3.00 per gallon and 50 mpg = $1560 in gas per year

Same variables as above except with 25 mpg (ie. Elantra mileage) = $3120 in gas per year

$2700 - (3120-1560) = bike will cost you approx. $1200 per year. Add into that obvious maintenance items, depreciation, taxes, registration, pain medication for riding a Ninja 650 for 500 miles per week, etc, and the fact that if you're anywhere close to New York, you won't be riding from November to March and you've got yourself a negative cash flow.

Bikes are fun but they are not too good at saving money.

If you really want to get a gas saving transportation appliance, you might look into these.....
http://abacus-es.net/share/imgfetch/scooter.php?img=rr250tr.jpg

[rckozma]

Keep in mind that the Ninja 650 is a more upright riding position than the 6R and 636 and was designed for beginners and mediate riders. So he won't be hunched over as much as the more aggressive bikes in that line. Either way he needs to go the dealer and sit on one to see how he likes the feel. And not that I would suggest it, but here in Florida you don't need to insure the bike.

[toymachine566]

thanks for the info guys, I will check out the 650 then.

I understand the above calculations as far as differences in gas mileage between the elantra and ninja, but being that the elantra is turbo I dont want to use it as my commuter. I'd alternate between the two.

when financing the bike from the dealer would they also require full coverage until its paid off?

[rckozma]

Not sure how PA is, here they would not. Although I would insure it just so that if something happened you would not be paying for something you can't use.

[toymachine566]

true true.....

what other bikes are out there that are similar to the ninja 650? I only know of the Katana. Or are these pretty much it as far as beginner bikes go?

[rckozma]

Katana was discontinued last year I believe. The Suzuki SV650 and SV650S are also good beginner bikes. For the SV650S you can buy lower fairings to make it look more like a sport bike. The yamaha FZ6 is also a good upright beginner bike with sport bike looks. Just depends on what manufacturer you want and what you want in a bike. You probably should check out some cruisers too, they won't be as aggressive in turns but might be a little more comfortable in longer treks.

[toymachine566]

i was leaning towards the ninja 250 b/c from a review I read on it they claimed to have gotten a solid 74.4 MPG from it. But then everybody says that its very easy to outgrow. so I was looking for a good medium. So for me manufacturer is more towards kawasaki, since they really the only ones I been researching through (and suzuki).

would the 250 be enough for a 70mph commute?

[rckozma]

I would not suggest getting a 250 if you plan on doing any highway commuting, stick with a 500 or 600cc bike. Also keep in mind that just because a bike can to 150+ mph, doesn't mean you have to. The bike will only go as fast as you twist the throttle. And I will suggest, like I always do, make sure you take a good MSF course and always wear your gear. If I was looking for a good beginner bike, I would probably go with the following, not in any particular order:

Kawasaki Ninja 650
Suzuki SV650S
Yamaha FZ6
Honda 599 (not sure if they still make this for 2007)

I have not sat on the Ninja 650, but I did like the way the SV650S and FX6 felt. The 599 felt like I was sitting on the front tire, which gave me an uncomfortable feeling, but that is just me.

[Ugzz]

in pa if you pass a good msf course they just stamp your permit into a license at the end and your good to go. at least the ones around me do..

also pa banks require full coverage on any vahicle owned by the bank, wheter it be 30k or 3k.. if they have the title you have to have full coverage. (im no expert but thats the story i got when i bought my sable used a few years back, and it was only 4k.

[toymachine566]

hmmmm, I'm liking the sv650. What is the major difference between the 650 and the 650s model?

Yeah, I'm looking into the MSF courses also. I may have to wait depending on what the schedule for them is like.

I'm thinking of just taking a loan from my bank and paying it off from the dealer that way I can fluctuate insurance a bit.

[kennef]

hmmmm, I'm liking the sv650. What is the major difference between the 650 and the 650s model?

Yeah, I'm looking into the MSF courses also. I may have to wait depending on what the schedule for them is like.

I'm thinking of just taking a loan from my bank and paying it off from the dealer that way I can fluctuate insurance a bit.

I THINK the S has: an additional fairing, a bit shorter gearing, and different peg placement.

MSF course is essential in my opinion. I think it may give you a discount on insurance too depending on your carrier.

Just get this bike....so when you get to work on an 80+ degree day sweating so much that your tie is wet, you'll still be cool.....get it?....cool.....yep you got it.
http://www.corgifan.com/blogger/triumph_scrambler2.jpg

[Ugzz]

did he really just say that?

[toymachine566]

lol no ties at work........my saturn is pretty cool too :cool:

[tharptroy]

you can pick up a used ninja 500 for about half of what a used ninja 650 goes for.

if its your first bike, I'd probably get a used 500 from a private individual (~$2k) and ride it until you got bored of it.

it'll save you some heartache of you drop it.

[rckozma]

I thought the only difference between the SV650 and SV650S was the S has a fairing and a different headlight assembly, not sure on the gearing or peg placement, when I sat on both they seemed the same. And they have been out for a while, so if you want to look for used you should be able to find them too.

[toymachine566]

I think thats what I'll end up doing. But definitely a ninja 500 :)

Now all thats left to do is sell the staurn and I should be good to go. thanks guys

[rckozma]

Well don't forget to post pics of your bike when you get it and let us know how it rides.

[toymachine566]

for sure :).

how many of those msf courses need to be taken? I looked up the schedule and they have 2 morning classes and 2 night classes (alternating every other day between night and morning) a week after registration

[rckozma]

When I took my course it was a 4 day course. First 2 days was in the classroom, next 2 days were riding in the morning and classroom in the evening, with the last day being test day. So it went like this:

Thurs: 5pm - 10pm
Fri: 5pm - 10pm
Sat: 8am - 5pm
Sun: 8am - 5pm

[kennef]

Mine was Sat and Sun all day. Very little classroom from what I remember. My class was full of guys who had gotten a DUI and were require to take the course. It was funny watching a bunch of "Harley guys" riding around on Suzuki GN125s.