CHANGE OF BIKE - ADVICE NEEDED

[exhornet900 2nd chance]

B12BANDIT,

How are you getting on with swapping the Triumph?

In September last year I bought a Blackbird from a mate. It's a superb bike, 98, carb version WITH 12,400 miles on the clock. I've loved every minute with it.

Sadly, something happened last night to a mate that has left me wanting to sell the bike and get something slower.

If you are (even slightly) interested, have a look on Blackbird website B.I.R.D, at people's comments on the bike.

If you fancy a look put a reply on this forum and we can perhaps chat on Airwaves, tetra, at work????

BTW, we might also have a new style unfaired Fazer, FZS, for sale, with only 250 miles on the clock and couple of extras (belly pan and Yamaha screen). This was my wife, Deb's bike that we got after part - ex.ing her Suzuki GS 500. She never got on with the Fazer and it's a great piece of garage furniture. I don't think she'll ever ride again now though.

 

[Andy Davies]

Have a look at http://forums.delphiforums.com/new_bonneville/start

I've got a 2002 Bonneville and a F650GS. Both horses for courses, I'd lose the 650 in favour of an R1200GS but I don;t think I'll ever let the Bonneville go.

Andy
Argyll

 

[bigbike2004]

If you borrowed cash to buy a bike, then be prepared to borrow a lot more to run a second hand BMW when one goes wrong unless you are very handy with your tool kit !

What the people here won't tell you are the prices you are expected to pay to BMW main dealers for services (although I think the dealers get away with it by drugging the coffee thrust into the biker's hand the minute they arrive in the showroom with some 'best mate' accompanying smile).

In conclusion, I recommend doing your homework; check out the prices of replacement clutches, engine management systems, etc for a second hand bike; you may be pleasantly horrified.

 

[BBB61]

There speaks the voice of experience. This man knows all there is to know about the cost of running a BMW motorcycle and all the things that go wrong with them. What he doesn't know isn't worth knowing. I wished I'd known him back in 1993 when I made the mistake of buying my first BMW. Oh the financial pain of having to replace that clutch cable that started to fray. I should have learned my lesson then, but no, the drugged coffee got to me and I bought my first GS. The cost of that one was even worse. In the 3 years I had it, I had to replace tyres and brake pads when they were worn out. And a seat catch broke too!

You would have thought I'd learned my lesson, but I was seduced by yet another GS. I have kept this one for 4 years. This one turned out to be unreliable. In 4 years, it has caused me the great expense of replacing a steering bearing and the rear wheel/drive shaft bearing.

Oh Bigbore2004, if only I had met you all those years ago, you could have saved me so much pain and strife.

Bob

 

[Welshmagician]

Oh Bigbore2004, if only I had met you all those years ago, you could have saved me so much pain and strife.

Bob [/B]

Bigbore?, surely a typo, erm, maybe , didnt he post as erm, no, you're quite right .

 

[KevinG]

Pete, get yourself back to FOC-U, or PM me I have just purchased from Northampton, so can give you any info you need.

Kevin

(kevonhisownnow FOC-U)

 

[b12bandit]

BONNEVILLE SWAP

exhornet (from wales) and Kevin G,

Still got the Bonnie. Still not entirely happy with it although it is growing on me (a bit). Have tried my best to keep it clean but the engine cases are rotting away before my very eyes. I'm seriously considering a warranty claim. Bike has less than 3000 miles on it but the engine cases look awful.

With regards, swapping or trading it in, I'd have to clear the finance. Not quite sure how this works as the finance agreement (Black Horse), says if I sell the bike I must clear the finance (which is fair enough), but I can't clear the finance until I sell the bike! Which am I supposed to do first?

Local dealer - Flitwick motorcycles, have offered me a pitiful part-ex against a second-hand Sprint RS. On Yer Triumph weren't much better. Less than £3300 for a bike which I paid £5k for 8 months ago. Also, the finance on second-hand bikes is eye-wateringly expensive. The salesman kept saying 5.5% flat. I insisted he told me the APR and he whispered 14.7%!!!!

So yes, I'm still interested in a swap - if I can sort the finance problem out.

Have tried to PM both of you but the site won't let me for some reason. If you want to stay in touch try

[email protected]

CHEERS

PETE WOOD
SHEFFORD, BEDS

 

[Snooky]

Pete,

1st, good to see another defector from the FOC-U, had mine all of 2 months now and love the change, wish I had made it years ago when I 1st looked at them, got the 1150 and love it, and agree with others when they say they wouldn't know what to swap it for if they wanted a change. Even took the Fazer for a ride on saturday to give it an airing but felt small ond insignificant, what engine breaking prefer the feel of a big twin, loads of torque and great handling IMHO. Also tend to use it on the colder days when the Fazer would have stayed in the garage as it feels much safer on the tarmac in slippery conditions.
If I was you I'd do it, oops my mistake I already have

 

[Spud]

Pete,

If you want to clear the finance on the Bonnie, then a "0% for transactions" credit card may be your answer in the short term. Black Horse will accept a credit card payment to clear the balance, and the monthly minimum repayment on the credit card will be much less than your current loan repayment. That will give you some breathing space to sell the Bonnie over the next month or so. When you do, make sure you pay off the credit card bill!

The only concern would be whether or not the transaction would occur as a cash advance on the credit card. If it does, then the 0% transaction does not apply and the interest is something horrific. The credit card company should be able to tell you this - but it should be a "normal" transaction as you are not taking "cash" from the bank or an ATM.

Cheers,

Spud.

 

[BBB61]

The only thing to watch with settling finance early is the calculation they use to settle the loan. They use a formula called the "rule of 78". Its very complicated, but basically it means the amount you think you might owe by settling up early actually works out a lot higher because of this formula. There used to be a way of getting round this by paying off a lump sump, not quite big enough to pay off the amount owing, and then ask for a settlement figure. The settlement would be based on the outstanding balance.

Bob

 

[b12bandit]

finance

BOB,

You're right. It seems that the easiest (though most expensive) way is to let a dealer sort it all out. I could get a second-hand bike from a dealer but I figure you get hit three ways;

The dealer give you less for your bike than you wanted

The dealer makes a profit on the bike he's selling you

The dealer takes commision on the continuing finance deal - the rates for which are extortionately high anyway.

The flip side is that it's easier. No hassle of having to sell your bike first. No hassle of tyre-kickers and hagglers wasting your time.

So, I've either got to take the financial hit - I've been offered £3500 for the Bonnie, which cost me £5k just 8 months ago, or I learn to live with it and keep it for another 2yrs 4 months until it's paid for.

What would you guys (and girls) do?

 

[exhornet900 2nd chance]

What's FOC-U?????

 

[Snooky]

FOC-U is a planet where yamaha Fazer owners come from but for some reason seems to be attracted to the GS planet as there have been quite a few defectors in the last 6 months
www.foc-u.co.uk

And think there may be a few more coming soon

 

[BBB61]

Another option is to keep the bike for a couple months more and see what you get offered when the summer season is just getting under way. Dealers will offer silly prices at this time of year, especially if they have enough stock of the model you are trying to part-exchange.

Bob

 

[Number 6]

B12bandit, check the paperwork for your loan agreement. My sons loan with Black Horse is NOT Hire Purchase, it's a personal loan, which was arranged through the dealer. That means that you can sell the bike and do whatever you want with the money. If it is a 'Hire Purchase' agreement, then you can't, the bike remains the property of the finance company until you've paid for it.

 

[b12bandit]

FOC-U

FAZER OWNERS CLUB - UNOFFICIAL

see www.foc-u.co.uk

 

[Spud]

You can only do what you are happy with.
You are right about the dealer trade-in option though - it's going to be the most expensive. Don't forget about the hit you may also take on insurance if you have to cancel your existing policy to get a new one for your new bike. Some policies are transferable, some are not. (Been there too.)

Me? I'm going to be clearing the final bit of debt (I've got a lot less time to go on mine though) using my flexible friend so that an HPI check on the bike is clear.

Then I'll be trying to punt it privately in a few weeks time when people start to get the urge again.

Choosing the right publication to advertise will be the biggest problem - and don't ever, ever get sucked into the CarData offer. Just don't get me started on that one - please.

- Spud.

 

[BBB61]

Spud,

Is car data the one where they ring you, tell you they have buyers lined up for your bike/car, that they can arrange finance for the buyer and all it costs you is a mere £80?

Bob

 

[Joyseeker]

the thing with all GSs is the plods love em.

when i'm taking a tea at newlands corner, when they are there, they are all over it. mind you i do get warned of speed traps.

no way am i putting anything 'exploring the margins of legality' on the 1200 because of this.

when i explained i bought the perfection with 'funny money' things got very tense and i had to get to terms and definitions quick.

b12bandit look at the KTM range..... a harley chum bought a 625 smc new after extensive test rides against the 650gs and raves about it....... price new ...... under £4k last month. and a great salt machine!

leave us alone .... no offense

 

[exhornet900 2nd chance]

Quote "Still got the Bonnie. Still not entirely happy with it although it is growing on me (a bit). Have tried my best to keep it clean but the engine cases are rotting away before my very eyes. I'm seriously considering a warranty claim. Bike has less than 3000 miles on it but the engine cases look awful".


Mate of mine in Cardiff has the very same problem with his, cases rotting like mad. Triumph offered to replace the cases but he refused saying that, to replace the cases would mean his engine was a rebuilt one, and he wanted the whole engine replacing.

Can't say I agree with him; should just get the cases replaced. The bike mechanic at his local Triumph shop, Bevan's, is superb and I'd have trusted the work to him no problem.

Anyway, I've been stuck in your financial predicament once before. I had a gorgeous looking new Ducati Monster that was in for warranty work every two weeks at least. When the warranty ran out, I just couldn't afford to get the work done to keep the bike on the road. I use a bike for commuting and pleasure and the Ducati just couldn't cope with 16,000 miles per year.

Ended up owing A LOT more for the bike than it was worth. Got £3000 part-ex against a Hornet 900 which meant I was going to have to pay £7000 for a £6000 bike......had to do it though because I NEEDED reliable transport.

I understand your dilema but would say........if the Triumph is reliable, keep it till the amount you owe to Black Horse is less than the bike's value. I know you've only been offered £3300 for it, but each year now the depreciation will be about £200-£300.