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Buying A New Bike - The Ins And Outs

This information may be relevant to some of you out there as a means to avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a new bike. While some of it will be common sense I am sure, it helps to have someone who has just gone through it to be able to bounce idea's off and who has some knowledge in that regard.

A little about myself might be appropriate here I guess. I've been riding almost as long as I have been driving tintops, some thirteen years now, which is somewhat scary in itself! I've had a number of cars and bikes over this time, the last being a Suzuki GSX750F. Right now, I am in the market for a new set of wheels after a few years out of the saddle. So, the journey begins you might say, and like all journeys, it begins with the first step.

The Journey Begins - The First Step.

The first step in purchasing anything, be it a car, bike, stereo, computer or any other item is to identify what it is that you want to be able to do with it. It's pretty pointless in buying a stereo without a turntable if you want to be able to play the old scratched vinyl's you have in the wardrobe, or driving a sport-scar if you need a wagon to cart the dogs around in... So, firstly, identify what you want to be able to do, cruising, commuting, track days, scratching on your favorite bit of tarmac or bush bashing on the weekend with mates. This is where you need to start, whether you are an experienced rider or a new rider to the scene.

Ok, so in my case, I want a road bike. I've done the hybrid sports tourer thing with the GSXF, and while it was good, this time I want something that is more along the sports bike path, something I can ride to work on, but have fun on during the weekends, the odd track day perhaps, and a maybe a few longer rides as well. Now, my ride to work may sound like commuting, but seeing as I live only 10 minutes from the office, it doesn't really count.

If you have trouble deciding what you want your bike for, it may be easier if you work from the other point of view, being what you DON'T want your bike for - trail rides for instance.

Decisions, Decisions - The Second Step.

Ok. So by now you have decided what it is that you want to be able to do with your new bike. The next step is to have a look around (which you most likely have already been doing) and decide what you like... There are a multitude of different models on the market from all the major manufacturers and new ones are being released all the time. If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, then there are plenty of these around the traps as well. Of course, part of what you need to consider is price. It's no good looking at an MV Augusta Senna at $42,000 when you only have $10,000 to spend. Be reasonable in your choices, and stay true to your budget, as the cost of the bike, whilst it may well be the major part of your investment, won't be the only part. All those little taxes that the government like to add on and things like insurance and gear have to be taken into account as well.

For me, it all started with the new Buell XB9R. I saw an article in the cars guide of the Herald Sun newspaper and I gotta say, I was hooked. It is gorgeous! It got me thinking, was it the best bike for my purposes. After much thought, looking around and reading various publications, I came to the conclusion that if fitted with what I wanted. But, like anything, it was best to ride it before making a final decision. This hasn't happened as yet, so I decided that comparison was the next best thing. What is there out there that suits what I want from a bike? In the end, there were only two other real contenders, the Honda VTR1000 Firestorm and the Triumph 955i Daytona.

I like things that are a little out of the norm, and while the Honda is a "production" bike, I have had a soft spot for it since its release. Those looks - Love it! The Trumpy is a little different again, not your everyday bike, and to me that is important. I guess I want a little prestige to go along with it. So, that decided upon, the next step is take them out for a test ride and see how they really feel.

Testing... 1,2,3.

The 955i Daytona was the first bike that I tested. A 2002 model, blue, which was nice as that is the colour I'd get. A quick fang from Peter Stevens Motorcycles in Melbourne, out through Flemington, up the freeway to Pascoe Vale Road and back again to the store. Enough to be able to test the brakes, see how it handles some of the rough roads and tram tracks, get a feel of the handling by dodging a few cars and a chance to twist the throttle on the freeway.

A word of warning for test rides, you will most likely need to fill in a disclaimer form before you will be allowed to throw your leg over any bike you want to test. This covers you and the store for insurance should anything happen while you are out testing, also it means that any speed camera's that snap your pic are your's as well. The excess - well on the trumpy it was $1500, so try not to do any damage or it could seriously dent your ability to be able to buy a bike financially. Also, some stores will be quite happy for you to take the bike yourself, other will require that someone goes with you, as was the case with my test. This is not a real drama as you can either follow them or they can follow you. Just make sure you let them know which before you head out.

Well, the trumpy was nice, but I had a few issues with it. All of the bikes I have ridden previously have all had rubber covers on the foot pegs, so when my foot slipped off the steel ones, they old heart was jumping up into my mouth and the sphincter had me sucked on to the seat like a vacuum! The feel through the bars was good, the power more than enough to be enjoyable. Handling was top class as well, for a large bike it was pretty nimble through the traffic and the exhaust note was something I would have no problem in listening to. Turning over the tram tracks at the end of Elizabeth Street was not a drama as well, and that is a pretty rough section of road which the 955 handled very well.

There were a couple of things that I didn't like though. Firstly, the seat height and position. I'm just a shade over 6 feet tall, and god did I have a time trying to find a comfortable place to sit! The seat height in comparison to the bar height felt all wrong. The hands are very low, not surprising given that it is a sports bike, but the seat height felt too high, giving the impression that you were likely to be catapulted off at any time, not confidence inspiring I must say. The instrument panel has been changed significantly from the previous model in that the Tacho is now centre of the panel, with a nice large 955i logo pride of place (as if you didn't know already). The analog speedo has been replaced by a digital readout (this is an improvement over the last one as it was in showing both Mph and Kph). The main problem I had with the instruments was seeing them. In the most comfortable riding position I found, I could not see the speedo or tacho without actually looking down at the panel, not the best design I thought.

In the wash up, while the Trumpy was a nice bike with a stack of go and good road holding/handling, the seating position and instrument panel location have put me off somewhat. Next to be ridden was the Honda, that happened a day later and I picked up the bike from Honda in Tullamarine. I expected the Firestorm to be a joy to ride, and I was not disappointed in the least. From the moment I swung my leg over the blue bodywork and planted myself on the seat, it felt right! A half hour ride up the Calder, through Sunbury and back to Tulla gave me a good chance to get a real feel for the Firestorm, good brakes, very comfortable, good vision (though the mirrors are a little on the small side), and grunt... Absolute bucket loads of GRUNT! The twin feels great, responsive at low revs, but it does tend to run out of breath as the speedo rises (which is a very nice, useful analog unit, along with the tacho and a digital panel showing fuel level, odo, tripmeter, time and temp). The best part, flicking into a corner, running through the apex and hitting it hard on the way out. The torque produced is mind boggling and had me grinning like a cheshire cat all the way back to Honda.

Peter Stevens had also given me a chance to ride the VTR1000SP1, which is due to be replaced by the SP2 in the very near future, and while I had not really considered an SP1, with the run-out deals that are sure to occur, it was worth a ride as well. Again, I was not disappointed. The two bikes though they share the same mill are completely different! The SP1 has a much better top end, though you do need to rev it to get the best out of it. The seating is completely different, you feel as though you are perched on top of it rather than sitting in it like the Firestorm. About 20 minutes was all it took to get used to the seating though and then the fun began! The brakes on the SP1 are incredible, huge amounts of grip and you really only need to dab them to slow up. The gauges have been replaced with a completely digital affair, and while the speedo is easy to see and read, the tacho does get obscured by the front screen. Still, listen to the engine and you don't need the tacho anyway. Again, this bike had heaps of grunt, and true to form, it really is a race bike for the road. Don't get caught out though, on the highway, it was a dream, but stuck in traffic, this is not a bike to ride into and out of the city everyday.

While the SP1 was a lot of fun, and would be great on track days or just ride days, living with it on a daily basis, for me, would be a little too much. The Firestorm just pips it at the post for mine, with a more comfortable riding position and the ability to do what the SP1 does almost as well, and still be used everyday. Next up is the Buell XB9R, and I tell you, it is going to have to be something special to compete with either of the Honda's.

With the test ride on the Buell XB9R only a couple of days away, I contacted Peter Stevens Motorcycles retail store in Melbourne to confirm the time and location of the ride. The response they have received in regard to this new model is very high, with the ride day being completely booked out well in advance. Thankfully, as I spoke to them very early on in the piece in respect to this particular motorcycle, my place in the queue is well and truly safe. So Saturday afternoon, at 12:30pm, I will be one of the first non-journalist riders to have a chance to throw my leg over this piece of mechanical art (and like all art, I may not know much about it, but I know what I like). And be sure, once I have managed to remove the grin from my face and started once again to make coherent speech, the details of this bike (and the tough decision I will then have to make) will be told!

The Arrival.

Saturday morning, grey, overcast, cold. Typical Melbourne weather for this time of year really. The anticipation was building as I got my gear together and we headed out to the car to make the short trip from Prahran to Peter Stevens city store to test ride the new Buell XB9R Firebolt. Peter Stevens had acquired two of the beasts from the Queensland importers for the ride day they were holding, one white with blue decals and the other blue with white. A quick chat with Gary to get the formalities over with, signing the release, filling out the necessary forms and the usual licence checks saw me then standing before the Firebolt, keys in hand, heart in mouth!

The first thing I noticed as I swung over the bike was just how small it really is. Reading the reports in various magazines, they all give you the dimensions, but seeing it really puts it in perspective. The Firebolt is smaller than most of the 600's that are going around. That's small! The second thing was the clean lines at the rear of the bike. With the exhaust mounted in the belly pan between the front and rear wheels, there are no pipes or exhausts running up past the wheel to clutter the rear of the bike. Very nice. The real surprise I had was how comfortable the Firebolt is. A very natural position, part of the bike rather than perched on it. The instrument panel consists of the usual analog tacho and speedo. The orange delimiters on the white background made me wonder just how easy they would be to see. Surprisingly easy I came to find. There is also a multi-function LCD panel mounted beneath the speedo that displays the trip meter (x2), odometer and clock.

Firing the Firebolt into life provided me with my next surprise. Just how quiet it actually is. For what is essentially a Harley V-Twin, it is very quiet indeed. Not like the Honda by any means (where you have to wonder if you have actually fired it into life), but certainly it made less noise than expected. Pulling out into Elizabeth Street, I headed out past the Vic Market through North Melbourne and onto the Tullamarine Freeway to Pascoe Vale Road, the trip as I took on the Triumph a couple of weeks previously. From there I headed back down the freeway, over the Bolte Bridge, along the Westgate and then back to the store via South Melbourne. A good mix of rough and smooth roads, some fast riding and some in traffic.

The Firebolt handled the rough sections with aplomb, it sits on the road extremely well, with very little shake over either the tram tracks or uneven sections of Royal Parade. The engine delivers a lively amount of torque from way down low, as you would expect, and still delivers well as the revs rise. While the mags have all said that the power (or lack of it) is the only really negative from the Firebolt, I found it to be very well mannered. While it may not have the outright grunt of a VTR Firestorm, being lighter and smaller, it does perform as well. In the handling department it excels. The short wheelbase and 21° rake on the steering allow for lightning fast movement and the Firebolt goes around corners like they are not there...

All in all, as you can see, I was very impressed with the work that Eric Buell and his team have done. They have set out to create a motorcycle that is user-friendly and can be part of the family. In my opinion, they have succeeded. Visually, the bike looks like nothing else on the road, if only for the lack of an exhaust at the rear. The fuel, held within the frame lowers the weight and the centre of gravity. The oil, held in the swing arm does the same. Technically, there are some very advanced features on the bike, not the least of which is the enormous front disc, mounted to the outer rim! There is some serious stopping power here, and I am very surprised that I have not seen this piece of engineering on other motorcycles.

With buying a bike, it is not a totally emotional decision, nor is it a completely financial one. It is both. I have tried to be very clear in what I wanted from a bike, what I found attractive, what rode well, and in the end, what I liked. The Firestorm is a wonderful bike, and I have absolutely no doubt that if the Firebolt was not on the market, I would already have placed an order for one. Since riding the Firebolt, I have done some soul searching, trying to determine what is best suited to me at this point in my life. I keep coming back to the Buell. While it is between $3000 and $5000 dearer than the VTR, I believe that it is well worth the money, even if people say I'll be going slow. To me, speed is not all important. Any monkey can grab the throttle and blast down the road. I've been there, I don't need to go back there again. As I said at the start of this article, I also like something that is a little different. The Firebolt is certainly that. I did enjoy the looks I received from the punters around town as they looked at the gleaming pearl white paint work, wondering just what the hell it was that had gone past... Perhaps it's a little "one upmanship" if you like. That's fine, I can go join the boys on their Harleys and the lads on their sports bikes...

So there it is, a decision made. The Buell Firebolt XB9R is the target. Now that I know what I want, I need to figure out what the total package is going to cost!

Number Crunching.

It may seem that at this point, things should just get easier. You have spent countless hours pouring over magazine articles, talking to riders about their mounts. Finding out what people like and don't like about particular bikes and test riding as many as you can get your leg over. With a decision made, things become clearer, but there is still some work left to do. In my case, The Firebolt retails at $18,000 plus ORC (On Road Costs). That brings it to a grand total of $19,200 on the road. Ouch! Still, there are other costs on top of that, that I need to consider as well. Firstly there is insurance. Damien Codognotto has a great piece here that covers all the in's and out's of insurance, so I will only say that as far as I am concerned, comprehensive is the way to go, and that is exactly what I will do. The first thing you need to do is to shop around. To quote Damien,

"What you shouldn't do is take an insurance salesman's word for anything. Grab the Yellow Pages and shop around. "

And that is exactly what I did. Insurance can vary greatly from one company to another. An example of this is companies that don't really want your business because they believe you are a high risk. While the RACV do insure motorcycles, and I did have one insured with them a few years ago, they have once again changed their tune in regard to us. Approximately $1660 per year, rating 1, full comprehensive insurance was the quote... Now, many of you are probably wondering why I would bother to call them in the first place. Simply to get a worse case scenario. Knowing the changes that have occurred over the last few years, I knew that the premium I would be quoted would be astronomical, but I felt it was worth it, even for the sake of being able to say, "Hey, guess what guys, the RAVC want to charge me a fortune to insure my bike!" That said, I understand why the RACV don't really want me, or any other motorcycle on their books. To them, we are a risk, they want risk free clients, who will pay their premium and not make a claim. But, if we want to be insured by them, they will happily take our money, though charge us accordingly. Hence, my next call to Western QBE, who DO insure motorcycles, and happily. Western quoted me mid to high 800's per year, full comp, and to be honest, this was much closer to what I expected. This was with the standard $400 excess.

My next call was to NMC, who quoted me much the same, but with a slightly lower excess. As you can see, it is worth shopping around to get the best deal. Now, I don't have a lazy 20k just kicking around here at home, so the next thing to do is to check the interest rates and do some more shopping, this time for the right loan. Everyone has different deals that they are offering, and what suits me and my lifestyle, may not suit you, so I won't go through the same thing again, but do shop around. There are some really good deals to be had from both the banks and the other financial institutions. A word of warning though. Banks will have the lowest interest rates available, these will be followed by the credit unions, and coming lastly will be the in-house finance options as a general rule. If you can, get your money organized before you go and slap a deposit on the table. If you have the backing of the cash behind you, you are in a much stronger position to bargain on not only the sale price of the bike (though in my case I know that they will not move on that), but also for any extra's that you may want or need, like gear, accessories, improvements, etc. If you have to finance it at the store, then it can be much harder to get any extra's thrown in.

The End Of A Journey - And The Start Of Another.

This journey ends when you place your order, or select your bike. Pay the deposit and wait that interminable period for that magic day, "Delivery". It can take a couple of days on a second hand bike, a couple of months on a new bike, either way, these are the hardest days you will have to endure. The endless waiting, the possible hold ups with delivery, being told that the bike is there and it will be a couple more days while they go over it before you can pick it up. Then that magic day arrives. No matter the weather (and the last time I picked up a bike it was pissing down, and the same is likely this time), it is a glorious day, and the first day of a new journey. From the time I place an order for the Firebolt, I know that it will be at least 6 weeks from then before I can take delivery of a new, Battle Blue, Buell XB9R Firebolt. And I will be counting the days.

I would like to thank you all for allowing me to sort my thoughts through this article, and I hope that through the journey with me on this, you have learnt something that you didn't know, or had something confirmed that you did. I would also like to thank John for fixing the typo's in the early drafts of this article and for netrider.net.au for being here so I could post it.

I will continue to add my thoughts, along with the trials and tribulations as I get closer to taking delivery of the Buell, and after, if you'll let me. One last thing, I would appreciate any feed back you may have in regard to this article, or any others that you believe you would like to see posted.

Email me any comments or feedback that you have.

Keep it black side down.

Matt Allgood.