Buying advice: Bikes as new

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Buying advice: Bikes as new
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Buying advice: Bikes as new

Buying advice: Bikes as new
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Factory fresh without any kilometers? a dream for many motorcyclists. But not everyone can and does not want to afford a cutting-edge model for a correspondingly large amount of money. MOTORRAD researched cheaper alternatives that are almost like new all over Germany.

Thorsten Dentges

09/13/2005

What is the closest thing to the bargain idea? A new machine at a discount or a used one as good as new? In an extensive, nationwide market research, MOTOR-
RAD exemplifies three popular models (Honda Transalp, Suzuki Bandit 600/650 S and Yamaha YZF-R1) and the price level of new motorcycles ?? that means vehicles that are no more than 18 months old and no more than 5000 kilometers driven ?? compared to the brand new alternative. Copies with absolutely illusory asking prices, vehicles advertised several times as well as dubious offers and accident vehicles were filtered out so as not to get a distorted picture of the market.
The internet markets www.mobi were the main sources for the research
le.de, www.motoscout24.de, www. ebay.de as well as manufacturer websites, larger advertising papers and magazines that also provide a trading platform on the Internet (for example www.avis.de, www.dhd24.de, www.motorradonline.de, www.quoka.de). In addition, the MOTORRAD price checkers compared all offers with the current Schwacke list, which is also used by motorcycle dealers. Tip for your own research: create a similar one for your desired model
Table and enter all rele for you-
vanten vehicle advertisements. In direct
By comparison, you will quickly find out which new bike is the best for you financially.
As good as new used from private
are in the best case up to 40 percent below the list price of the current model. Rather isolated cases, so it means: strike quickly! On the other hand, many private sellers have unrealistic price expectations, according to the motto: “You can try it.”
some private sellers for their several thousand kilometers driven machine as much as some dealers for a brand new last year’s model. The private companies justify the sometimes high prices by adding useful accessories, but do not take into account the immense loss in value of such parts when they are resold. In the case of used 2004 models, also check the condition of the manufacturer’s warranty for how long
examine the wearing parts and
Pay attention to upcoming inspection dates. Even perfectly maintained machines with useful accessories, fresh tires and mileage of no more than 5000
Kilometers should be at least 30 percent below the list price of a current model. Then it’s worth buying. 2005 used privately owned cars are a rarity. After all, they are priced around 25 percent less than a new machine and are therefore a good alternative with the appropriate accessories.
Overall, the professional motorcycle trade offers a larger range of young people compared to the private market
Second-hand bikes. Commercial able-
They also offer financing options (usually from 4.99 percent) and that
previously ridden motorcycle in payment
to take. In addition to a workshop service and an experienced contact, these are certainly the most important reasons to look for a used vehicle that is as good as new at the dealer. Contrary to popular belief that these are more expensive than private offerings, the ones determined were
Prices for used 2004 models on the same level as private ones-
sales and only slightly above for 2005 models.
Those interested in Transalp can even find better 2005 used bargains at dealers. Especially since current inspections and wear parts are often carried out by the dealer before the sale. Conclusion: Used as new from the dealer are comparable to private offers in terms of accessories and mileage? and often even the more attractive overall package.
The notion that a multitude
different test riders could have maltreated the motorcycle, discourages many buyers from demonstrators. Usual test drives take around an hour (50 to 100 kilometers), with longer full-day test drives the interested customer rewinds ?? often for a fee? up to
500 kilometers from. Ideally, the machine was run in correctly by the specialist staff, and the rest of them
Kilometers result from longer test drives with the engine warmed up. Many demonstrators offered have only 1500 kilometers to 2000 kilometers on the clock. According to various dealers, this is the case with machines that are as good as new
usually around 15 test drives that the vehicle has taken before it is sold. In view of price reductions compared to new vehicles of over 20 percent, a guarantee that is valid for one to two years after initial registration and favorable financing conditions (sometimes from 0.99 percent), the minimal risk of buying a demonstrator is acceptable. The offer
especially at the middle and at the end of the season
is very good. For demonstrators with mileage over 5000 kilometers, however, is ahead-
point of view. In this case, the dealer should be able to document exactly,
how the mileage came about
is because some demonstrators run the same-
early as a rental motorcycle and are not recommended as a new-value bike due to greater wear and tear.
With the technically almost identical previous year’s models from Transalp and R1, savings of more than 15 percent are possible, the 600er Bandit from 2004 even costs around 20 percent less than the current, albeit heavily revised 650 model. As with demonstrators and new vehicles, the same conditions for financing and trade-in usually apply. The only problem: the offer is very poor. According to the Yamaha importer, for example, at the end of August 2005 there were only 50 new, unapproved R1 from 2004 at dealerships across Germany.
Current models at a special price?
that’s going to be exciting at the end of the season. Under certain circumstances, the importers will ring in centrally controlled sales campaigns, and most dealers will start reducing individually for many from September onwards
New vehicles significantly lower prices. Ten
Percent should always be there. One-day registrations, i.e. new vehicles without
a significant mileage (zero to
50 kilometers), but with dealer approval in the vehicle registration document, are sometimes even
To get 20 percent cheaper and there-
with top bargains. Warning: some
Daily approvals are a few months old. The manufacturer’s guarantee, which has been shortened for the buyer, must therefore be taken into account in the price. Interesting, especially for buyers looking beyond the region, is the service offered by some dealers to deliver the motorcycle to your doorstep nationwide for a fee of around 150 euros by forwarding agency. This transport is also often used by demonstrators,
Last year’s models and used cars as good as new offered. Financing programs (from 0.99 percent) and trade-ins are usually possible.
The biggest difference between gray imports and officially imported vehicles lies in the guarantees. The latter usually have a two-year full warranty from the manufacturer. These services can be used at any authorized dealer and even abroad. In contrast, the gray importer only has a so-called workshop guarantee, which is usually only
applies to him on site. Depending on the model, some of the “gray ones” differ technically in certain components, which can lead to problems with the supply of spare parts. The largest gray importer in Germany, ZTK in Schneverdingen, phone 05193/9640, states that the Yamaha YZF-R1 and the Bandit 650 S, built in 2005, are identical to the officially imported vehicles. With financing options of 4.99 percent, its prices are around 20 percent below the list price.

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Honda Transalp 650

Black painted rims, chrome-clad
Exhaust ends, tinted windshield and modified
Indicator glasses ?? other than these retouching has
The Transalp travel enduro, built in 2005 and which has been tried and tested for years, has not changed compared to last year’s model (photo above). Interesting: Until April 2005, the model was available with the so-called early bird discount for 6490 instead of 7240 euros.

Expert buying tip: used 2004 Transalp for less than 5000 euros. This reason motorcycle is mostly bought by reason people who are exemplary in their Transalp
retract and maintain. If you have a suitcase, top case, crash bar or touring windshield with you and the mileage is around 5000 kilometers, then it’s a good deal.

Suzuki Bandit 600/650 S.

The Golf among motorcycles: as solid,
Inexpensive all-rounder, the previous year’s model Bandit 600 was an indispensable part of the bestseller list. The new, more high-torque 650 series with an unregulated catalytic converter was offered from February to April 2005 without ABS for 6290 euros as a half-clad S version; now, with ABS as standard, the list price is 6790 euros.

Expert Buying Tip: There are many 2005 demonstrators on offer, and the prices are low
therefore comparatively low. For around 5500 euros, a maximum of 2000 kilometers should be on the clock. Alternatively, it is worth looking for a 2004 used vehicle up to a maximum of 4500 euros with lots of accessories, completed inspection and new wear parts.

YAMAHA YZF-R1

The R1 underwent a major facelift in 2004 with changes to the engine and chassis. The current model, like the 2004 model with raised titanium silencers, is very popular among buyers and only differs in a modified map of the injection system for
a softer use of power at medium speeds. List price 2005: 13,295 euros.

Expert buying tip: Identical 2005 gray imports for less than 11,000 euros with a two-year workshop guarantee are worth considering. However, savvy bargain hunters are looking for private sellers who find their R1 too sporty or expensive. With negotiating skills, you pay just 8,000 euros for a very neat 2004 model.

As-new motorcycles: purchase advice

Pure flukes, head of department
Motorbike at Zweirad-Center Stadler in Regensburg,
one of the largest motorcycle dealers in Germany.

In addition to used and new machines, you also have many demonstrators for sale. Slow-moving or booty for bargain hunters?
Just like last year’s models or extremely new used models with only one previous owner, demonstrators sell extremely well, especially those with mileage below 1500 kilometers. In terms of price, they differ significantly from a new vehicle, but only marginally in terms of technology and appearance. Often the demonstrators are only three months old.
When all demonstrators are sold, how can you offer test drives??
At the beginning of the season we provide demonstrators who we release for sale again after around three months, because new vehicles are much easier to sell than heavily used vehicles. we
then acquire new demonstrators who will stay with us until the end of the season. Buyers interested in these machines with a good price-performance ratio should keep their eyes open in May and June and from September onwards. Outside of
During the season we also offer test laps on new machines or in some cases
Used with red license plate.
A demonstrator who has been test-ridden by many drivers is not a risky purchase?
No. In our experience, most customers adhere very closely to our extensive test drive instruction and even drive the rented motorcycle more carefully than with their own. Damage or improper use
in any case, we hardly find out. In addition, the demonstrators are under close observation in our workshop, and the manufacturer’s guarantee is of course also valid for the full time.
With such alternatives, is it possible to still sell new vehicles at the list price??
Not possible.
I beg your pardon? Not possible?
Nowadays, new machines are hardly possible without a special promotional price
for sale. The list price only has to be used in the case of subsidized financing programs.

As-new motorcycles: purchase advice

There is no risk and best comparability with new machines or daily registrations from authorized dealers, which are offered at particularly good conditions at the end of the season-
are offered. Up to 15 percent savings compared to the current list price are possible. For real bargain hunters, on the other hand, used vehicles with mileages below 3000 kilometers are recommended, which can be up to 40 percent below the list price. Sometimes you still save the money for
the first inspection, accessories that were originally paid for at a high price are often added for free and usually receive one
Technically comparable to a new machine, as good as new, but much cheaper motorcycle. With a warranty of more than half a year and fresh wear parts, nothing speaks against buying a used vehicle.

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