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Motorcycle Beginner - Year 2: Buying Your Next Bike
 

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Motorcycle Beginner - Year 2: Buying Your Next Bike

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Used bike/lower cost is the way to go. Plenty of older Speed Triples out there.

I'm interested in the NC700X also and will be interested in any other observations you have on the bike.

There is a flip side to this. When you buy a new motorcycle you immediately get hit with depreciation. If you get in an accident and the bike gets totaled, you'll only get the value of a bike with (100, 200, 300, whatever) miles on it, not new bike replacement value. (may vary with insurance company) You could end up owing the bank money even after the payout.

There's used and then there's 20 year old used. Take a look at some bikes that are less then 3-4 years old. You can find a bunch of them with really low miles.
NEW: $10,500 BMW Motorrad Canada - Build and Buy
Used: $9000 (with extras) 2011 BMW F800R Alpine White

The only reason to buy new is if you plan on beating the snot out of it and want to have a warranty for the entire planned ownership. Or if you're OCD about your bike and want one that hasn't been messed with by a previous owner.

Buying a new bike is not the best choice from a financial perspective. However, having a new bike that only you have ridden, that has been maintained to your meticulous specifications, that you have loved and cherished since it came into your life, that you've laughed with, cried with, and even hated sometimes, THAT motorcycle is YOUR motorcycle.

... and then the Beyotch takes it in the Divorce...

Another great used bike if one can be found is Kawi's Z750.

What makes this bike stand out in your mind, Mr. Duke?

How about a brand new, 2006 Z750S in black for under $6,000:

2006 Kawasaki Z750s Zr750k6f, CHARLOTTE NC - 103742445 - Cycletrader.com

Or if that's too much, the same bike with 35k miles for under $3000:

2006 Kawasaki Z750s, Massapequa NY - 104680122 - Cycletrader.com

I maintain that the Z750S is one of the most underappreciated streetbikes ever. It retailed for $7100 in 2005, and for that you got a great commuter bike, a pretty good sport-touring bike, and, with 90-some hp at the wheel, enough power to entertain experienced riders. When I reviewed it back then, I wrote: "It's very cooperative and fun to ride, and its dynamic personality can be likened to a 10%-larger SV650." Consider it a nicely sized modern UJM that also included good upper-body wind protection. A tolerable amount of vibration was one of its few nits to pick. A lowish-mile example would be a bargain at $4K or below.

Used Kawasaki Versys would be half the price.

some bikes have 2 year warranty and if you buy the bike you are able to buy the extended factory warranty and your dollar will buy you much much more bike and yet still have a factory warranty.

It sounds like you have you mind set on the Honda though...