Amidst the constant reporting of motorcycle company losses, we sometimes forget that people still buy bikes, the companies are not at a standstill, they’re just slow. Are you thinking of buying a new bike this year? If so, what is on your list? If not, is there anything that might make you reconsider?
When we post here about some new model being introduced or planned, the constant refrain in the comments is always, “if they dropped the price $xxxx, I’d buy it immediately.” I think many of those comments are the dreams of those wanting something at half off, no matter the product or price, but, if you’re not thinking about a new motorcycle, what really would change your mind? What would get you in the dealership doors? Is a new design or new technology the key? Or is it the economy?
Don’t put your life on hold waiting for everything to be perfect. The economic news is often gloomy, but you need to remember bad news sells papers and makes people watch TV, it attracts readers to websites looking for details on the newest disaster, whether economic or natural, so that’s what you see. The recent snowstorm was a perfect example. Did you really need major news organizations to tell you it was snowing? The tease on news shows is never “sunny days expected for the next week,” it’s more like “hurricane on track to hit tomorrow!” The first headline makes you smile and move on, the second grabs you because you want the bad news. Our brains seem to be wired that way so it’s even more important for everyone to consider the source of bad news and their motivation. If their doom and gloom is freezing you into inaction, remember, some other folks are taking advantage of the opportunity to move while you’re stuck. Don’t get stuck.
The economy isn’t a weather system where everyone must wait for it to change, the economy is people, you and me, it’s what we do, what we buy, what we save, it’s what we invest in. Don’t wait for the economy to change, change your mind. It’s psychological, when someone starts to smile and do things, it rubs off on others who begin to smile, too. You think, “Hey, it’s not so bad, in fact it’s pretty good!” Well, it is. Remember when I asked “What Recession? Just do it!” Think about it, then get moving.
Maybe your ride needs a few parts to be perfect, this is a great time to pick up what you need. If you never did much work on your bike before, what not roll up your sleeves and learn?
If you think a new bike is in order, stop by your local dealer and see what’s for sale. Make an offer, see what the deals are today. Even the companies posting losses expect 2010 to be better, wouldn’t it be nice to be ahead of the crowd instead of trying to catch up? This doesn’t mean get a huge loan if you don’t have the money, but for those able to buy and wanting to buy, this could be a great time to act.
Don’t wait and wish. Don’t get stuck, get moving!
Related: What Recession? Just do it!
Tanshanomi says
I went into my local Suzuki dealer about a month ago to look at a V-Strom 650. They didn’t have any. The sales manager called me about 2 weeks ago, asking if I was still in the market for a new bike. “You have a V-Strom yet?” “Uh, no.” Then I mentioned that the Suzuki website still listed ’08 SV650 standards for $5999. I said if there were still new noncurrents at the warehouse he could order, I would buy one. He said he’d check, and get back to me. Two weeks later, I’ve heard nothing. Guess he doesn’t want to sell me anything.
kneeslider says
@Tanshanomi : I’ve had the same experience at a few places. You try to give them some business and they are so slow to move or respond, it’s no wonder they’re having problems, but just look around. I’ve found huge differences from one company to another. It’s funny, the ones that give great service are doing really well, … go figure.
Phoebe says
I can’t really afford to outright buy any new bike that would be an upgrade to what I have now, and I’d rather not finance. So, I’m modding instead. Well, I have been modding all this time that I’ve had it, but I’m planning much more. I kind of would rather do this anyway since I will end up with something unique. If I bought a new bike, I would get the modding bug again, and spend even more money!
dan says
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150412395290&viewitem= this should be one of your spotlight selections since you featured it a while back. There’s a bike Id like to own or even build haha. Back to reality how bout a MV Agusta Brutale 990R there’s a bike that’ll give you all the comfort, style,scalpel like handling all the while being rock stable and acceleration, well V-8 like Im told!
Tin Man 2 says
In both the Automotive and Motorcycle Industry its not the product that is the problem, Its the Financial Recession!! We have never had more choices or better deals available, Now is the time to buy ,if your able. Who was the Politicion who said”The only thing we have to fear is fear its self”. This has never been more true than right now.
abenormal says
Half off? Well, I did just buy a Buell 1125R. I didn’t need another bike, but I guess it does go to show that if you do give a 60% discount you’ll get people to open their checkbooks…
😛
The Ogre says
Sadly, a new bike is not an option for me – not that I’m complaining, mind you, having just spent far to much money on restoring/customizing my R75/6…
Zippy says
I want as many people out of work and mad at the government as possible for the 2 next election cycles! I will buy a new MC for cash the day Ovomit leaves the Whitehouse for good (hopefully in handcuffs).
dan says
Hey Zip for brains this is not a political site. Go to FOX News/ Neocon radio where you belong!
Zippy says
This is not about me, I am just responding to a subject someone else brought up. Elections have consequences.
dan says
Is that why this 2000-2010 is the lost decade! They can make TDI clean diesel bikes that get 100 mpg that’ll shake up the indusrty!
Zippy says
Lets just move on, see you at bike week.
todd says
I’m not going to buy another bike. I already have 9. The most I spent on any of those was $2k for the GB500 ten years ago. One of my R75/5s cost me $200, the other R75 ended up being free after I sold off another other bike that came with it. My most recent acquisition, a ’82 650 Seca, was also free – well it did need a carb and brake rebuild, tires and a battery.
I guess to tempt me to buy a new bike it would have to compete in value with all of those. That is, I hope I still have a job when it comes time to look for bike #10.
-todd
Wuwei says
I’m not going to be buying any new mcs anytime soon what with something in the nature of $10K in family medical expenses in the last year or so. In any case, why buy new? Let somebody else take the big depreciation hit and save a ton of money, or get a better bike for your budget. Some dealers are willing to deal, and I bet it is a good buyer’s market if you’re willing to work a bit at it. A lot of folks selling used bikes have way overpriced them–they haven’t caught on to the fact that prices are going down. Lots of out of work folks selling their toys and driving down prices.
Marneyman says
Zip, you took the wind right out of my sails. People like you are the problem with this nation. I know this is not the place for this, but if I was going to add to this thread I was going to have to address that stain a few posts above mine.
KLR650. Later this year after I get some personal finances sorted out. I have not ridden a bike in years and this year a swiss army knife of a bike just feels right.
Pat says
I am planning on picking up a Suzuki Tu250 after having already had the chance to ride a friends. It is not big at 250cc, but it will go legal highway speed for my commute when I need it to, it gets excellent gas mileage, and is not expensive compared to many other bikes. Plus its reto looks are just fun.
It is a recession bike.
Ray says
I bought a used MV Agusta Brutale last October, then promptly turned around and traded for a 2006 Speed Triple (MV’s suspension was too brutal). Just bought some parts from Bike Bandit for my ’99 KLR650. I’m doing my part. 🙂
Tim says
In this environment, only the strong will survive. There are, as TinMan 2 has said, many choices, and many brands/models competing for the same market. The only thing to differentiate is customer service.
Personally, it doesn’t matter what kind of incentives are offered. I am making far less than I used to (in 2008). I simply don’t have the money for something new.
Donnie says
Yup – let’s all whip out our checkbooks and spend, spend, spend!
I’m sorry, I do NOT buy the logic behind this. Digging myself deeper in debt will NOT alleviate, relieve, ameliorate, cure, resolve, or expedite the conclusion of this recession we’re in.
powermatic says
Yea, ‘zippy’, “lets just move on”, How about “let’s just ‘you’ move on.”
At any rate, a thoughtful post kneeslider, and though I never buy new bikes-since the discounts for used are so deep for a virtually brand new motorcycle from someone who suddenly realizes that this is really kind of dangerous and windy-even that commercial transaction puts money into someone’s hands who hopefully will spend it elsewhere.
dan says
I look at used bikes often and when the economic bubble hadn’t burst yet used bikes were cheap. I missed out on a 72 Moto Guzzi 850 fully restored to mint for 3 g’s. That same bike would be 5 g’s now however a new one may be 2-3 G’s off. I can afford neither. I always get motivated by nice bikes however!
powermatic says
Yea, ‘zippy’, “lets just move on”, now that the inevitable post by the one guy who feels obligated to bring his dogmatic political views onto a motorcycle blog has been consummated. Unreal.
At any rate, a thoughtful post kneeslider, and though I never buy new bikes-since the discounts for used are so deep for a virtually brand new motorcycle from someone who suddenly realizes that this is really kind of dangerous and windy-even that commercial transaction puts money into someone’s hands who hopefully will spend it elsewhere.
Zippy says
Donnie, thata the point I was trying to make. NO ONE on the fourm put us $14 Trillion dollars in debt. Maybe I was a little harsh earlier.
I work 3 part time jobs, as i cannot get full time anywhere, plus I build MC seats in my garage too sell online. Ebay is full of Vulcan Voyagers (my dream bike) at $13K, 4K off. I could walk in with $1000 and sign and ride. Folks are scared to death to spend money right now. Keeping the Roadstar until the wheels fall off or things actually get better.
Kenny says
I dunno about you guys but I’m gonna live life as I always have, spending as much as I can on creature comforts and as little as possible on everything else 😀
Oldyeller8 says
Paul – Now you got me thinking on several fronts and this post will go all over the place as I have had similar discussions like this.
Let me start with; Motorcyclists are cheap B@$&^d$!!! That is why we rode bikes to begin with, they were cheaper than cars. And I see this every day. The industry we shop in is different from other retail business’. You don’t go to the grocery store and try to wheel & deal for a better price at the till, so why do you do it at the bike shop!
The shops/dealers are part of the problem. I train hundreds of new riders a year. The #1 complaint I hear is “Lack of Customer Service” at dealers (Are you guys listening?). So when people shop elsewhere it doesn’t surprise me.
2 years ago I bought a used FJR at a dealership. Why? I was told to go Stateside (Yeah! I live up here), I could save money. True! But would it be worth all the hassle of bringing it across the border just to save $1000 or so? No! A lot of people up here buy their bike stuff in the States. Heck! It’s cheaper. But when they start complaining about the cost of things up here or how a dealer won’t mount the tires they just bought in Bellingham, I usually start with: It is basic economics, We have tens of thousands of motorcyclist and the US has around 6 million. Numbers driven!
And since you didn’t buy it here the dealer can no longer afford to retain a mechanics services for lack of business.
Or my other favorite; I can get it on the internet cheaper. Go right ahead and when you have to pay duties and it is not the right size, colour or whatever and you cannot exchange it, don’t come crying to me.
So until the majority of the motorcycling public changes their attitudes towards the sport you article, I fear, has fallen on deaf ears. But keep us thinking and dreaming about that next bike (If I can find room in my yard I will go for a third bike this spring).
*******
WARNING: Political Statement; If you are watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, that song they say is the Canadian National Anthem – Well it isn’t! It is a clapped up pop love ballad version and bites the big one in representation.
Sorry for that! Just my national pride showing.
Ice Racing – Olympics? I would support them if they brought that sport in!
Chris Robson says
Current Big Name Brand motorcycle companies will struggle, but there are a lot of great used bikes out there, and let’s face it, there has not been any major techology out there that a 2 or 5 year old bike would lack. Unless a bike is your major mode of transportation, being purdent can get you a good deal on a bike. Going in major debt is not a healthy choice these days. Since my business makes aftermarket parts, we are seeing increased business for people giving an old bike a new look. A good paint and Chrome can work wonders.
FREEMAN says
I only buy new vehicles if I can do so without financing, or more than 3/4 down and financing. The problem with new vehicles is the immediate depreciation once it has left the lot. It’s not like buying a house, for example, which has to be worth more than you purchase it for just to get financing. Go figure.
MIke says
I am waiting for Yamaha to bring the new 1200cc Super Tenere over here. And park it next to my Super Blackbird. Totally super, lol…….
Tin Man 2 says
I restore Aermacchis so I do like old Bikes, But I must say that there is no greater pleasure than Riding out of the dealer on a Brand New Harley. Some things are just to pleasent to pass up in Life. Ive done it twice in my life, and Both have been Great Expierences!!
David/cigarrz says
Dan
Nice political commentary while you flame someone for the same.
David/cigarrz says
Sorry to say I think it’s hunker down time with every family or person for themselves. The only economy that matters to us is our own personal economy and if that is threatened or degraded that is our focus. Only when we fell safe and sound do we concern ourselves about what we can do for someone else. The US and World economy will quit suffering when the vast majority fell good about their own economy.
MG driver says
After a few years of prowling showrooms(Ducati, Harley, Triumph, BMW, and Moto Guzzi) within a 150 mile radius of home, Harley Davidson struck on a way to part me from my hard earned cash. They made the model I was interested in rare, by canceling the line, and they simultaneously cut the price 33%. I’m the happy owner of a new 2009 Lightning Long. While Harley probably didn’t make any profit on the sale, the dealer did. Even my long suffering wife thought it looked like a bargain and encouraged the purchase. She also assumes that now I won’t be dragging her into dealer showrooms for a long time to come. Anyone else wanting to stimulate the economy in a similar fashion can use the Buell locator website to find the remaining bikes: bike finder
MG driver says
Buell Bike Finder:
http://www.buell.com/en_us/tools/find-a-bike/index.asp?source_cd=Email_0122909_BuellNL&camp_id=16
woolyhead says
When the 250cc market gets more variety I’ll be ready to buy……but I’m keeping the ’82 1000 Katana I bought new…….it’s real quality in every way.
dan says
Hypocrite I know, but hey some things are more important then bikes! Did I just say that! Ha Ha Sorry guys lets ride! I know some outlaw bikers that I don’t see eye to eye to either on any level! Ride on!
B*A*M*F says
I’d really love another (few) bikes (new or not). I can’t afford to buy one right now, and I’m happy with what I have.
Walt says
Todd you cheap bastard you are just like me. My Harley VL cost $75 (way too long ago). My R75/5 was $500 and fettled in fine. I paid $4500 for my Sprint ST with 6000 miles, and that was four years ago. Victor 441 for $350, etc etc. Such deals on the vintage rides are pretty much extinct now curse you, Craigslist), but not so on the more recent machines.
What would it take to make me buy a new machine? Probably a lightning bolt.
todd says
Walt, I also got a (well, two) BSA B50 MX’s for free from my father in-law…
-todd
Thom says
I’m actually considering buying my first NEW bike right now… A Hyosung GT250 R. it’s physically the same size as my old VF1000R (and looks more modern), so my lanky frame actually fits on it, and it’s CHEAP. Well, compared to anything else that fits me. And it’s not about spending money I don’t have, it’s about having something nice to ride around on that isn’t constantly leaving me stranded in BFE. I am SO tired of shelling out dough on mods when I can just buy something right off the showroom floor that fits my needs already. Economy be damned! You only live once!
Anthony says
I’m not waiting on anything except having enough cash to buy a bike outright. SSofA has got an AMAZING deal on an 1100 Guzzi that I would SLAY A MAN to get a hold of…
James Bowman says
I hope in some way we get back to reality and quit throwing money away, debt is bondage both for us as a people and U.S. as a nation, political affilations aside our government has been wasting our money and if you’re a die hard Demacin or Republicrat please be offended, the governmet can mostly help by letting us keep our own money and the banks by not screwing us every chance they can. Both parties have a dismal record, they both take in billions of dollars in bribes because if you get paid to vote a certain way its um lobbying now really? Both agreed NAFTA and GAIT were good but for whom, not us look around I hear a very powerful hoover and it ain’t made here no more.
I can’t wait for some of the global warming promised by the snow miser to ride my eco friendly 250cc yammer that doesn’t vibrate apart that I bought when the oil companies had us over a barrel, hows the weather in D.C.? Anybody still not mad at me yet?
Gitan says
I was planning to buy a Mac motorcycles thumper.
But I can’t do it since the Buell Blast motors came out of production. And I quite don’t like the answer they offer instead (660 yam), because I already own two SRX-6 and I wanted a less squared mono.
AJ says
I am buying a new bike this spring while i would love to get a 675 triumph tiger cub (hurry up triumph) I will prob get a used multistrada.
I say screw it ,you can wait your whole life to pull the trigger,if you can,t afford new just get an old clunker. Riding is riding just get in the wind.
Narflar says
actually, I’m hoping to get rid of my Triumph Speedmaster this year to pick up an Aprilia Shiver. My local dealer is an ass though so I’m trying to find a local mechanic shop that is comfortable working on the Aprilia.
dan says
Hey Thom before you buy that Hysoung take a look at the Vento’s Cafe 400GT made in China but designed by Australian Ian Drysdale. Big frame looks bigger then it is and runs out sweet. Price $3500! Its a real looker. Motorcyclist has on in this months issue!
Jim says
Why buy a new bike? There are smoking deals in the used market.
The MC manufacturers have a demographics problem that is going to exist long after this recession ends, full employment returns and the banks start lending money. It’s the 1980’s redux and those of us old enough to remember know that MC sales cratered.
Tin Man 2 says
The thing about Smoking Deals on used bikes is this, The guys forced to sell cheap now,really could not afford the Bikes in the 1st place. Does anyone believe these marginal buyers did the requiered maintence on the bikes, How about abusing the machine knowing it was being repoed? Also if you finance a 2 Yr old bike your interest rate will be much higher, If you can even get financing at all. How many people actaully pay cash for a 6K used bike, Not without Equity loans they dont.
Art says
And then there’s the increased insurance, especially if financed to buy. I’m fortunately old and claim-free enough that it really doesn’t make much difference what bike I own, and full coverage for my 600RR is just over a $hundred a year extra over a basic crash-and-cry policy. Surprisingly, c&c or full coverage on my early ’80’s Leadwing is only slightly less than same on the RR.
I don’t know how new young riders can afford the insurance on anything but an older less-than-750cc bike. And I’ve heard full coverage on a new/financed 600 “sportbike” for an under-25 new rider can run into the many $thousands per year.
Insurance is based on the idea of shared risk, and the bigger the risk pool, the lower the premium risk for a particular individual. Certainly, bikes are a small part of the entire vehicle demographic, but by allowing the insurers to split bikes off from the full non-commercial pool just makes bike premiums artificially high. Gray-Power and similar “safe driver” insurers skim the lowest “risk” (claim$/premium$) drivers out of the pool and so insurers can segment the rest of the consumer market into various levels of “high risk” with commensurately inflated premiums.
Certainly demonstrated high-risk groups and individuals should pay more than the “lower risk” majority, and those mechanisms are well understood by the industry. But expecting the sub-segments of the total pool to be completely self-sufficient flies against the shared risk premise insurance was intended to provide.
The bike industry will continue to have difficulty attracting new and retaining current riders as long as bikes are unreasonably more expensive to insure than cars.
Tin Man 2 says
Unreasonably more expensive?? The Crash rate among Young Sport Bike buyers is Crazy, They are charged more for Good Reason. I would think that having Frame Sliders on a Bike would pretty much tell the story. In many countrys you must have expierence before you can ride a Hi Po bike, That may be a Good Idea here as well.
PeteP says
Whaaa? How does insurance make a difference? I didn’t own a bike over 500cc until I was was well over 30 and married. And stationed overseas in Germany, too boot.
Youth is always going to induce an elevated premium. Save your money and buy used. Don’t buy on credit.
I know. This is in exact opposition to the article above, but it’s how I’ve filled my garage with the bikes I love, while i’m still young enough to enjoy them.
Art says
Insurance premiums become an issue when they are a significant percentage of the yearly cost of owning the bike. Few of us have the coin to hand over several $1000’s in cash, and then for the young riders a couple $1000 more per year in insurance. Unless you’re so flush you can afford to adopt a few of us. LOL!
I started out on a VERY used 250… over 30 years ago. In my 3rd year riding, the full-coverage premiums on my financed new ’80 GS1100 wasn’t much more than the c&c on my ’67 250. If the premiums were comparable to what I hear young/new riders pay now, I couldn’t have afforded the 1100, period.
BUT… The differential between insurance rates for young riders on ANY bike and experienced riders is much higher now than when I started. Back then bikes were essentially in the same pool as cars, yes, the bike insurance was higher, especially as you accumulated collisions or tickets, but not as outrageous for young riders as it is now.
And if the industry must rely on older riders buying new bikes to sell them used to the young’uns, it’s in trouble. The boomers are selling out, period. I will probably only buy one more new “bike”, most likely a 3-wheeler in the Piaggio MP-3 family, when I can’t handle a 2-wheeler anymore. In 20 years or so…
Nick56289 says
I would never buy a new bike.
kneeslider says
Some of you who refer to this post and imply I advocate buying a new bike and finance it in the process, may want to read the post again.
To quote what I said:
Buying used is great, too. What I’m saying is don’t be frozen into inaction because of the doomsayers. Keep moving and keep doing.
woody peard says
I’m a 56 year old guy thats been single for the past 28 years. I’ve owned everything from a turbo KZ900 Kawasaki to a 48 Indian Chief. I decied to buy another bike after I saw an ad that said ” Why wait? Being dead is a long time!” Cant argue with that logic! I’m now the proud owner of a 2008 Hayabusa with 2300 miles on it. Paid $7750 for it. From a used car lot. Thats a reflection on the present economy. Oh, at my age why is having this bike better than having sex? Because I can still have the bike!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thom says
@dan I appreciate the advice… I have looked at the vento 400, and I LOVE that it’s a triple, always wanted one, but I want something with a full fairing and twin front discs. Plus, while it’s attractive, it looks kinda fragile. I don’t NEED anything bigger than a 250. At least displacement-wise. The Ninja 250 made me look like a monkey humping a football. And if I get bored with it, I’ll pick up a 450 single out of like a DRZ or something and slot in there.
Thom says
@Nick56289 Never say never. I used to say that, but you do get irritated with constant wrenching after a while, and that’s pretty much a fact of life with older bikes. I also never thought I’d be able to AFFORD a new bike, but then I realized how much money I was spending on repairs and upgrades. You just haven’t found the new bike that you LUST after. I know, you can always be patient, and buy the same bike later after it’s used, but how do you know that the last guy that owned it took care of it? I think buying a new bike is something you work toward. Don’t close your mind to the possibility.
Art says
Kneeslider said: “What I’m saying is don’t be frozen into inaction because of the doomsayers. Keep moving and keep doing.”
Good sentiment, but no one knows what shoe will drop next in this “economic crisis”. I’m a “the glass has 1/2 the amount of water it could potentially contain” kinda guy. Is there more water available, will the water currently in the glass evaporate, or do you simply need a smaller glass?
The facts speak for themselves, although those same facts often say different things to different people. Most folks today think the ’29 Crash immediately precipitated the Great Depression, when there was actually many, many months of back-room manipulations between the Stock Market Crash and the full realization and admission by all and sundry of The Depression. The main difference between now and then was the US gov’t refused to commit public funds to prop up the private banking/financial/stock system directly after the Crash. The jury is still out as to whether the latest “cure” has healed a very sick patient. October 2008, Fed Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, conceded before Congress that the economic crisis was somewhat his fault, accepting that he was mistaken in believing that banks, operating without regulation, would act to protect their shareholders and institutions. Even so, the full slate of fundamental regulatory and oversight measures proven in the past to prevent a continuing string of severe bubble/burst speculation cycles have not been (re)instituted, so there is no reason to believe the future will be significantly different than the past.
Greece is in the headlines right now, with Spain, Portugal and a few other EU and South American economies under examination as potential dominoes. In the event the world economy hasn’t reached bottom yet, it is unlikely many governments and international agencies will have the where-with-all or chutzpah to engage in yet another round of $trillion bank/industry bailouts.
The fact Suzuki is not bringing many 2010 models to North America, and limited numbers of those they are, should give people who aren’t financially secure pause before deciding to finance any non-essential purchase.
If you believe you can afford it, do it. But it may be wise not to get caught up in the “happy days are here again” cheerleading just yet.
SlipKid says
The way I see it, the only way I’d be in the market for a brand new bike is if they suddently took away all of the used ones! There’s so many great bikes already out there on the secondary market, that a new bike would either have to be something totally special (for real; marketing hype aside), or be targeted towards those folks that absolutely refuse to buy pre-owned (if I may used a used car dealer’s euphemism). I suppose financing on a used bike is more difficult to get, so for those who have trouble actually saving money in advance of a purchase (doesn’t anyone do that anymore?), buying new could be the only way for them to get their butt in a seat. Or there’s the folks that need a warranty because they aren’t sure which is the busness end of a screwdriver… All that aside, I’ve had over 200 bikes, and not one of them has been new. Honestly, I’ll never buy a new bike. Sure it would be cool, but why take the depreciation hit when you can just wait a few years?
SteveD says
I’m still gainfully employed, but I decided to upgrade my Sportster rather than buy a new one. Of course, that money ($2K) went to my local indy since I like have a local shop and see the need to support him. This does mean no money for the HD dealership and all of the people they employ.
Larry says
Zippy: you might want to check your facts. It was Bush and his policies that put the US into debt. Clinton left America with a $ 200 + surplus. Also, Bush started the bank bailout program. Your comments belie your political partisanship. Onto the article: I agree with the author. It is a timely article. I can’t afford a new bike now but am saving for next year. Hopefully a crossplane FZ1 or a RSV4 powered Tuono. But I am buying any accessory that I can afford now, in order to try to get the economy rolling and keep my local motorcycle shop in the black. Cheers to all on this wonderful website
todd says
Dan, it’s hard to tell but I think Vento no longer sells to the US. Regretfully, I don’t think the 400 GT Cafe has ever been available in anything other than a prototype.
-todd
MAX says
Yeah, we’ve all been thru slow times b4 but when we really wanted something we bought it no matter if we could afford it or not. This country was built on revolving debt.
… but its a little different now. Big banks have put the brakes on lending us all that cash so we’re all stuck now and put our dreams on hold. When they wake up and loosen that pitbull clamp on our nutz we’ll be on the road again. Someday.
Nicolas says
New bike … aaargh, no way, no budget for that. But I’m building from scratch the bike of my dreams (which as well can end up as the bike of my nightmares …;-) ) exploiting the poor economical situation with all the cheap parts available you find on ebay or craigslist, lowballing every deal, and making it a long-term project to keep the budget under control …