| Author | Message | ||
     Buellgrrrl |
This past week I've visited a couple more Buell dealers, three Guzzi dealers, two Suzuki dealers, and two BMW dealers. In the midst of all this shopping I've had to visit both BMW dealers- Moon in Monticello, Mn. and Judson, in, well, Judson, MN. for parts as well. These were parts for a model that has been out of production for over a decade, and specifcly for an '84 R80ST. Both of these dealers had every part I needed in stock. Thus has the standard for my next bike purchase been set. Buell's chances of getting my business have not been helped by there much noted running out of drive belts this summer, and stators and starters last year. The fact that these are parts currently being installed in new bikes suggests that HD/Buell has gone way to far with "just in time" inventory management, and they'd rather a customer sit broken down in Podunk waiting for a part than upset their production scheduling. So Buell will have to offer me one heck of a deal to keep my business, and one dealer has offered me 10% off on non current models and another offered around 20%, but the one model they had (XB12TT) is too tall for me. The hook Buell has to catch me is the longest extended warranty in the business, and maybe an awesome deal would persuade me to buy another Buell, though I'd pretty much have to write it off after 7 years of extended warranty. On to Moto Guzzi- I'm tempted by their 750s as they're the closest thing you can buy to a new BMW airhead, but they're pretty much sold out. I found one of the "Nevada" cruiser versions, but the dealer didn't want to deal much below list. BMW: The current boxer twin is way over my $10k limit and all too often fries it's differential. The weak dollar has pushed even the F800 parallel twins over $10k. But BMW has come out with an 800cc. 'F650GS" that's $2000 cheaper and has a commendably low seat on a dual sport bike. Judson has one and it looks darn tempting... Suzuki: The WeeStrom appears to be sold out, as even the standard version of Suzy's 650 V-twin is darn near impossible to find. I found all of 1 DR650 dual sport thumper, and it was only marked down $300. Kawasaki: I'd prefer a WeeStrom or DR650, but would consider a Versus or KLR650 instead. I found one Versus in North Dakota and couldn't find a KLR anywhere. Honda and Yamaha: Have nothing I'm interested in. So that's the status of the "hunt" so far. The WeeStrom and KLR are such good values that the commuters have scooped them all up. Buells are all over dealership floors, but most dealers are still trying to get MSRP... They're can't help themselves, they're Harley dealers. BMW and Triumph have a few desirable models available, but I haven't seen the 10% minimum discount it'd take to motivate me to buy this year. Moon, and more so Judson, are starting to drop their prices a bit though... I'm going to keep my eye on that F650GS! | ||
| Bads1 |
And Why???? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Aprilia Shiver? Triumph Tiger? Ducati MS? | ||
| Brinnutz |
Then you'd have to change your name...lol | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
The Tiger is heavier than I'd like- I'm trying to find something under 500 pounds wet. I like Ducatis, but I don't have the patience to adjust the valves on one. I should look at the Aprilia's though... If BMW based their F650 single on them, they can't be all bad. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Is the Shiver one of the new inhouse powerplants? | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - you could pick up a 2008 1125R for a discounted little over 9000 bucks at a good number of dealerships - you didn't know? If I hadn't just bought a house I would be all over that - especially with the new mapping free as a retro-fit. No one told you? EZ | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Yawn, scratch, scratch. and a fishing we go. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
If I was looking for something other then a Buell, I'd pick a Ducati 696. Or a GSXR 600 or 750, or a Ninja 600, or a '07 VRSCR, or a MV Agusta Brutale... (Message edited by bikertrash05 on September 29, 2008) | ||
| Paint_shaker |
If I couldn't get a Buell, I'd probably get a Sporty. But hey, that's just me... | ||
| Hexangler |
I'd pick a KLR650. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
The TT should come with the dual seat kit, which is lower (& more comfortable) than the single seat. With the current financial market situation & the riding season drawing to a close, I'd be inclined to hold on for a while, as better deals will present themselves when dealers unload stock. Buying new entails significant depreciation the first year, you can save a bundle by buying recent used & put what you've saved in a "maintenance account". | ||
| Crusty |
I hope BMW offers you a smokin' deal! I bet you'd look right at home on that F650. | ||
| Brumbear |
Auf Wiedersehn | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I like Ducatis, but I don't have the patience to adjust the valves on one. The BMW 800 requires valve adjustments as well. | ||
| Miamiuly |
^^^^but they aren't desmo valve adjustments. | ||
| Ducxl |
What's the beef with "Desmo" valve adjustments? When i do mine i also pull the camshafts for inspection and inspection of rocker arm flaking(known defect).Heck,my cams practically FALL out of the engine.Air cooled Desmos are even easier.What a cop out attitude.  Buy the BMW and complain about their grenading bottom ends.It was the bottom ends wasn't it?? | ||
| Swordsman |
I thought about getting a different bike, but in the end I just didn't like anything well enough. The only things I would truly consider would be a Kawasaki Versys and a Piaggio MP3 500, though I haven't test ridden either. Both look ideal for my style of riding, and both are quirky-looking enough to hold my attention. ~SM | ||
| Babired |
I had a Moto Guzzi 750 Breva then went back and bought the XB9SX. Things I didn't like about the Breva only 1 dealer in Md, the owners group in my area very high strung, oil filter in oil pan, you have to drop the whole pan to change the oil. The front fork suspension too squishy and can't be adjusted. Things I loved about the Moto Guzzi, the look, sound, hard luggage, and just having a Moto Guzzi. I traveled about 4,000 miles on the Breva all over 3 states and it ran with out a glitch. I sold the Guzzi to buy the City Cross. If Buell wasn't made I'd be on a BMW K12R with the hard luggage. Good luck to you  K | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
The BMW F twins, KLR, Stroms great and small, etc. all have a PITA replace the shims valve adjustment method. In practice though they wear little, so SOP is a valve "check" until some pretty high mileages are reached. BMW does want $400 for a replacement F800S/ST drive belt with no aftermarket alternatives available. This makes the chain drive F650 twin a better deal... That's twice the price of a Buell belt, but at least BMW is honest and admits it's only good for 30,000 miles. | ||
| Edgydrifter |
On the other hand, you'll likely burn through about $300-$400 in chains and sprockets over 30K miles, so it's almost a wash. At least the F650 comes with a center stand. Never again will I own a chain-driven bike without a center stand. Too. Much. Hassle. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I saw a street triple today, I don't know how much they are but it was nice. I fell in love with my Lightning so I didn't shop around as much as I should've. Good luck to you. If you want me to check prices in the Bay area let me know. You're in So.Cal. right? | ||
| Smoke |
i thought the F650 was a single for some reason. sure felt like it when i demo'd some years back. tim | ||
| Edgydrifter |
The F650 was a single until '08, so your seat-of-the-pants impression was correct. Now it's a 798cc parallel twin (the same motor is used in the F800). | ||
| Rex |
I love my Buells,but my Triumph Bonneville is fantastic! 6900. I also like the Triumph street triple. Also the Ducati super motard. REX If I could sell my primo S1 Buell and Primo S2 I would buy a ducati super motard....Red with carbon fiber...then I would have a buell for long distance, a triumph that I love to ride, and a ducati for spooling around.....plus my honda ft 500 fills the bill for classic and single cylinder...rex | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
The prices are definately dropping... I stopped by Hitching Post, a multi brand boutique that never discounts anything. Now before y'll think I've dropped my standards, I was just there to get some Honda Moly 60 grease- the hot tip for airhead clutch splines. They had a whole row of new BMWs, all marked down. They had a new '07 F800S marked down from $11.2k to 10k. That's still above my top price limit of $10k out the door, but the way the economy is going I suspect prices will be dropping further | ||
| Court |
I put my 1999 F650 in the classifieds last week and had 8 "I'll take it" (sight unseen) responses within 2 hours. Delivering it Saturday. Great bike. Pricey to maintain but part of that is the fact that I've ignored it and didn't start it for 3 years. Fun bike to ride. VERY goofy handling (as Dave can attest) with the lowering kit. | ||
| Billfish |
Hang in there Buellgrrrl, It's going to be a more favorable buyers market in the months to come. Be patient. Bill | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Just wondering why someone who has no desire to buy a Buell (nor has anything good to say about Buell) is posting here about her shopping experiences? My only suggestion is NOT to buy new. Huge depreciation and the BS dealer fees are the reasons why I will most likely not buy a new bike ever again. There are plenty of bikes with a couple thousand miles (or less) that are bargains compared to new. My buddy just bought an '07 Gixxer 1000 with 2,400 miles on it for $7,500. New would have cost him about $12,000. No sales tax incl. in either figure. | ||
| Bosh |
had 8 "I'll take it" (sight unseen) responses within 2 hours" LOL.... that's because its worth more than the $500.00 you were selling it for.  |
