We are all different and have different reasons for buying something or not, as the case may be. I was wondering what factors other bikers consider when buying a bike ? and just as importantly, what order of priority do you place on those factors. When it comes to the time to get another bike this is roughly my order of priority : 1. My budget (usually exceeded by several thousand). 2. Performance - acceleration/top speed and handling. 3. The appearance of the bike ie shape, style. 4. Quality of bike build 5. Reputation of brand and model. 6. Reviews from bike mags and owners. 7. Servicing costs/repair costs. 8. Resale values. So what do you guys consider important and in what order (if you wish of course)
personally Looks, (its goto get the Juices flowing) Can I ride it? ( I tried an zx10r before going for a Blade, nearly died! ) Reviews help. I do my own servicing so no worries there. everything else there describes a Honda.
For me its budget..................otherwise i would probably have an RSV4 or an 1198s as it stands at the mo
we need s poll on this with multi votes. For me it's the looks first. I would not pay money on a amazing bike that looks like crap. Yes eye candy first then quality and reputation. Why I bought a fazer 600, great first bike, Speed triple just a stunning looking fun bike. Then the blade for my first sports bike owner ship Performance is a good thing for a petrol head. I get a buzz from the acceleration and speed. On track of course
For me it's looks first, then budget. I had £10k to spend on a bike and decided to go for an older 06 over a new 09. The older bike has a bit longer reach, wider bars and a taller seat to suit my frame too. So with the £5k bike it left over plenty of money for add-ons. Ohlins shock and forks, full titanium Arrow, R+G's everywhere, Gilles pegs, adjusters and lifters, PCiii, carbon, PVM wheels etc etc. I'm contemplating selling the 'Blade at the minute though for a Factory RSV4, or an 1198SP. Can't see it happening in 2012, but maybe for 2013. Need a few things sorting in the house next year.
Definitely the looks above all other considerations. There are many great bikes out there, but very few I like the look of. I also have to give some consideration that the Mrs can get on the back. She wasnt happy when I moved from the BUSA to the Blade, but she is sort of getting used to it.
Top of the list for me was the ride .... How did it feel on the road Second was how light is the clutch .... an old accident has left my wrist a bit weak Otherwise all the same really
All about the ride and handling for me!! then power / performance.... perfect example is i love the gixxa motor, but the seat position felt 10yrs out of date and the sit in position / not on the front end made it feel vague imo then looks and quality...hence why i'd never buy the zx10r.... and i wanted something without any gizmo's... so the blade was a no brainer!! handles lovely, great strong grunty motor, look fantastic with honda reputation and quality!
budget for me,could be best bike in the world but no good if you cant afford it,like most things its a compromise.
I just have a thing about the fireblade, cant explain it. In the used market age didn't matter to me its the condition, my current Blade was 4 years old when I bhought it and I paid a little over the odds but with only 2000 miles it was a new bike, still is. So number one it has to be a Blade, number two, as new condition, number 3, I have to be able to afford it without debt.
Firstly I gotta see it and go mmmmmmm I want one. Then check the price tag.........yes I can stretch to that I think! Then test ride, yup it goes like stink and yes it handles ok!!! Now, let's see what sort of deal we can strike and free stuff added! And it has to continue to make me wanna go look at it and look at every part of it loving it!!! I actually like a bike that can be personalised to, like the horrific cans on the GSXR, does it matter I'll be swapping it anyway? Oh and I love it to represent or at least remind me of what I see on track in WSB and BSB.
mine was purely the colour scheme. been lusting after a repsol since i first seen 1 in the dealers in 05. my best mate had preordered the first repsol to be sold in cornwall but got fed up waiting and took a new r1 instead which was from the same dealers. (still rib him about it now lol) i already had an 07 blade and was well impressed with ride, handling , build quality so thought whats to lose.
Remember what a mate of mine at a Suzuki dealer said if its got that special thing that turns u on and makes your heart skip a beat when you open the garage then you got the right one Firstly for me handling handling handling how does it feel does it fit my style how good will it be hustling it down the extremely tight twisty roads near me How good a road bike is it had pesky unusable bikes before Then the power delivery and baking system if theres a weak point how much to adress it to fit.my needs Dealer support if something goes wrong how fast can they get the parts so I can fix it so theres no repeat of the daytona Then obv what deal can be done
First it has to be a Honda, (have looked at others but have only had Honda's, very Sad) then I need to spend three weeks at least just wanting it, if I get over it that is fine, like the Ducati, then I need to ride it, one ride for about 5 mins is about ok to tell you if its not for you, and about the same to fall in love. I spent almost 5 years trying to get over the CB1300 then I walked into a shop and just said yes, I was afraid of the weight (being short) five years wasted. The Blade took two rides one to fall in love and the second to make sure as I already in love, and did not need a second bike or the problems with the wife (still ongoing). I had to sell my Type R in the end to get it. Yes it needs to go and handle I also need to be able to ride it for three hours without being VVVibbrrrattted to death like on the Harley my wife wanted. Still miss my red 1989 VFR 750 FJ had to sell that to have a baby??? SO to sum up 1 Lust 2 Go 3 Handle 4 must fit me (and my shed)
