If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the right moment to buy a new motorcycle, your moment has arrived. Is your collection missing something to make it complete? There’s no time like the present to complete it. Are you thinking a vintage bike would be fun to own? I think you’re right. Do you want to try your hand at restoring a tired old classic? There are thousands available looking for a new home, your garage would be perfect.
There’s no need to wait for the new models to arrive, there’s nothing coming that is so ground breaking you’ll kick yourself for jumping the gun. Anything you could possibly want is out there, from the smallest capacity scooter to the largest cruiser or touring bike and absolutely everything in between. The dealer down the street will offer you an extraordinary deal to put you on a bike today and if you don’t believe me, walk in a see.
Of course, you can buy a used bike, too, and lots of them are practically showroom new, some of them are still hard to find at your dealer, but you can get that old classic from the 1940s or 1960s or any other year in any condition from barn find to completely restored museum piece. Anything you want is available.
If you need to sell your old bike first, it’s easy. Try eBay, just take a few minutes to sign up. Extra features on your listing are a few bucks more but if you sell your bike, you can start the hunt for your new ride or restoration project. You can set your old bike out in your front yard with a for sale sign, too. Whatever works, but it only works if you actually do something.
You don’t need the government to tell you what to do, you certainly don’t need to wait for the government to spend your money for you, invest your own dollars (or whatever you use) on those items and with those people or businesses you think deserve them. If your friend or neighbor has an old motorcycle he no longer rides or can’t afford to keep, there’s a perfect win-win opportunity to direct your dollars to a place where both of you benefit directly. The motorcycle dealer in your town would appreciate the business, too, and he’ll pay his employees with your dollars and buy what he needs at the local stores. That’s how this economy will get moving again.
You may want to tell your congressmen and senators you would rather spend your own money, you know what you need far better than they do and there’s no need to filter your dollars through their hands before they spend them on things you don’t want or need.
We can stimulate the economy on our own, buying the things we need from the companies we prefer making products we like. Buy wisely, buy what you can afford, support the people and businesses you want to see succeed. You can act immediately, no votes are necessary, just your decision. Ignore all of the fear, doom and gloom, the world is not ending.
Of course, there is another option, we could just let politicians in a panic throw our money around, and our children’s money and our grandchildren’s money … that will fix it.
Phoebe says
Curse you, Paul…you’re making it very difficult for me to *not* want to buy a Thruxton.
😉
It would round out my stable very nicely…
Seriously though, I’d get rid of my Blast first, but I’m not quite done with it yet. And then I would feel bad for selling off one of my “babies”. I need a bigger garage.
kneeslider says
Phoebe, that Thruxton is you and if you can afford it, I bet you can get a really killer deal. Head over to your dealer and tell ’em The Kneeslider sent you. You’re following The Kneeslider’s economic stimulus plan: everybody pays their own bills and buys what they want with their own money. What a concept!
Phoebe says
I do wonder what kind of deals are available now. I may have to stop by the Triumph dealer soon…you know, just to “look” 😉
Todd says
Paul: Love your website. Recently had some computer work done and had to reset all my “favorite” websites – The Kneeslider was first on the list! Here’s an interesting article about a lady who knows about motorcycles and maybe a little about stimulus programs – I wish Pearl was around so we could ask her opinion.
http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=342
64chevyman says
Paul, I only I could buy a motorcycle or 3 I would. Right now I have a 3 year old who told me just today, “daddy buy a motorcycle”. To which I replied’ “no money”. To which she replied, “go get money”. I said, I would work for it but I must take care of you now” Anyhow nice try but it ain’t going to happen for a few years and Lexi will be right there getting into it! She enjoyed my last 2 bikes and 54 chevy pickup. Nice plan though! You know as the economy gets worse bike prices don’t get much cheaper! Let’s see Speed Triple, Z1000 and Gristo would make a great stable!!! Then build a KZ1000 from the 70’s! Later on build a bobber too! It’ll happen!!
taxman says
i feel that a big part of the bad economy right now is the unemployment rate. there are way to many unemployed here in michigan. and the people that still have jobs are really to worried about loosing what they have so they have started to save money in case of a layoff.
if you have no job, or if job security is just a whisper in the wind flowing down the hallway of the empty cubicals near you, it’s really hard to justify spending money on a luxury item. i have one bike paid for, and one still has a loan. my smart plan to weather this storm is to sell the bike i still have a payment on and make sure that all bills get paid.
the last time the states were in a recession this bad, the only thing that turned it around was massive government spending. big projects. if they hired thousands of these unemployed fellows to work on big projects like new roads and infrastructer, that would have a huge jump on the economy.
just my opinion, feel free to disagree.
Sean says
Phoebe, go ride a Thruxton. You won’t want to ride anything else after. The Triumph dealership I work at isn’t really noticing much difference in business, but it is our summer and it is still the season. If you can’t stretch to a new bike, buy some bolt-on goodies.
Jesse says
I’m heavily considering trading in my 07 Sportster for an 09 Road King because right now Harley is offering MSRP on all 07 or newer Sportsters. I’m just not sure if I can justify spending that much on a motorcycle because I don’t ride all that much. Of course I’m thinking I might ride more if I had all the amenities that comes with a Road King or one of the other touring bikes.
chaz says
In reading articles about Harley’s difficulties, it seems that the largest part of the sales drop is due to decreasing wealth, not income. My and my wife’s income have not declined significantly, but we have lost hundreds of thousands of $$ in decreased real estate and retirement account values. Even though I could pay cash for a new bike to go with the four I already have, and would like to do that, we are much more concerned with eliminating debt and rebuilding our retirement as we approach that age. If I was a young guy with a government retirement, this would be the time to buy as you say.
Clemson says
I don’t think anybody who wants to buy and can afford a bike , new or used ever let the economy or their significant other get it the way. Those who are as passionate about bikes, as the readers here, will do anything short of cashing in the kids college fund to get “That Motorcycle”. I have grown very found of your site and was happy to read somewhere that you also sponsor Jeff Wood, but please don’t tell me what to do or get political.
frizzyrick says
It seems, to me, a bit reckless to encourage people to take on more debt at this point. Motorcycle dealerships are not particularly well known for offering the most advantageous financing options. I think we should support more responsible spending habits. People should work toward eliminating their personal debts, instead of insuring their perpetual debt with constant new purchases. Besides, what really matters? Do you have a bike? Be happy with it. Is it old? Who cares as long as it’s still running. Is it not exactly what you want? Be creative and innovative and change it. Why buy $400 chrome case guards when you can fab them out of $5 worth of scrap steel?
kneeslider says
Clemson, we don’t sponsor Jeff Wood, hope that doesn’t change your view of our site. 🙂
“… don’t tell me what to do or get political”
I rarely say anything remotely political and I’m certainly not telling you or anyone else what to do now, but we are being bombarded by folks talking the economy down and practically encouraging people to panic, I fail to see how that helps. Constant doom and gloom from political leaders, who may wish to be a bit more careful in their choice of words, keeps even those able to buy from doing so and that is definitely not helpful. I am suggesting there is another much more positive way to look at business and the economy which encourages people to act in constructive ways and that view is getting little attention. You may want to consider the positive view or you may choose to ignore it, it’s up to you.
frizzyrick, what I said was “Buy wisely, buy what you can afford, support the people and businesses you want to see succeed.” I did not encourage anyone to take on more debt. Many folks sell some things and buy others with little or no debt involved which is perfectly fine. Being happy with what you have is also fine. The point is, don’t start to feel fear because of some news report or politician on TV. Make your own decisions and plans and move forward. And fabbing up case guards or anything else from scrap is an excellent idea which I would always encourage.
todd says
I would if I could.
-todd
Jeff says
If you can’t buy a bike buy parts to upgrade your old one . 🙂
JC says
One other thing to keep in mind, is that many old classic bikes are only getting more and more rare, especially as more get wrecked or hacked into somebody’s dream bike.
Many an old Triumph to be saved before it becomes another chopper.
I’ve become notorious for shopping craigslist for bikes that need saving. Will I be rich one day? Don’t know and don’t care. will I save some good old bikes? Yes
DRock says
Has anyone seen the interest rates on new motorcycle purchases? It’s the middle of winter and I’m looking at manufactures promotions and there’s nothing there. One company rep I met at the international bike show the other week said he can’t get anything under 11% to even buyers with the best credit.
If banks don’t lend, people don’t buy
Oh and the sale of used items does not get counted in the GDP
Phoebe says
Not directed towards anyone in particular (or is it?) Obviously, if you can’t spend the money, don’t. I don’t think Paul expects us to blindly follow his advice 😉
Walt says
Paul, I have to agree about the drumbeat of bad economic news. I’ve had it. All January we got daily blasts about layoffs here there and everywhere. Then two days ago it’s the wrapup: “More layoffs in January than since (you name it)!” No kidding. We sorta got that.
The constant breathless repetition makes me want to crawl under a blanket. I guess that’s the problem, but frankly it’s me against the world. I’m hanging on to my bucks, because in a year or two I plan to retire. And four bikes is enough.
Phoebe says
Come on, Walt…just three more and you have one for every day of the week 😉
Azzy says
I think jeff has the ticket. I would suggest stimulating the local economy by buying used. No tax dollars to feed the fat cats who just want more and more every day.
But theat neighbor on ebay, craigslist or the table in the driveway this spring? Find a tool or 2, find a part, whatever. Someone selling off a few bits to raise a couple bucks could use a bit of income, and if you have a bit of outgo to spare, why not?
mxs says
Not many deals available up here in Canada. Basically, the only time you are looking at a good deal is if you walk in with a handful of cash which most people do not have these days. If you go for financing, forget about 0%, it doesn’t exist these days, unless you don’t mind 24 or 36 months duration, which again most people do, or yo are willing to buy a demo or model they have trouble selling ……
Bank prime rate is down, but the dealers will be asking you to pay 7% over 5 years on a new model ….. hard to get warm to deals of this kind.
DRock says
The reality is manufactures’ “deals” right now are pitiful and and trying to find financing below 11% to buy a new motorcycle is infuriating considering banks are getting that money at near 0% from the Fed.
Like mxs said – Cash is king and unless you can walk into a dealership with a suitcase full of cash you’re just going to get hosed if you buy new.
Buying a used bike or anything for that matter doesn’t necessary help the economy. If someone is selling their motorcycle in the dead of winter chances are the money they receive from the used bike’s sale is not going to be used to purchase a shiny brand new motorcycle but pay their mortgage, credit card or food bills.
hate to be all doom and gloom but that’s where we’re at