Author Topic: Where does one get the book value of a motorcycle? (Read 4450 times)

Bodin · « **on:** September 25, 2006, 03:16:26 am »

I am looking for the book value of a 2004 Suzuki Volusia w/ 13000kms. Just a general price is what I am looking for.

Does anyone recommend a certain bike being this is my first bike? I have driven before but I have never owned a bike. I am trying to look for something 600cc or less because of insurance. I know the Volusia is 800cc but someone recommended it for a first bike.

thanks in advance,
Bodin

dorin · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2006, 08:41:03 am »

Check trader.ca for asking prices.

If this is your first bike I recommend you buy something in the $1k-3k range because you WILL drop it or knock it over or something and it's nice to have something that you don't mind damaging. I also suggest staying away from cruisers. In my experience they are heavier, less nimble, and have poorer braking than standard/sport bikes. I also find the riding position of cruisers to be uncomfortable for long distances.

If you don't mind paying the price for a Volusia then I suggest a Honda 599, Suzuki SV/DL 650, Yamaha FZ-6, Honda 599, or Kawasaki Ninja 650R/500R/250R instead.

johngenx · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2006, 09:15:22 am »

Quote from: Bodin on September 25, 2006, 03:16:26 am

...I have driven before but I have never owned a bike...

They're not the same at all.

Many people are attracted to cruisers as their first bikes thanks to the low seat heights and small gas tanks. (meaning low CG) I've had "standards," sport bikes, and cruisers and prefer the more upright seating position of a GT or "standard" bike. The radical riding position of a sport bike gets old fast, as does the laid-back position of most cruisers. Right now I have a Honda Shadow (cruiser) only because I got a great deal on it. Cruisers also tend to be cumbersome in parking lots despite being able to have your feet firmly on the ground.

Honda's "naked" bikes would be high on my shopping list. If you're planning on doing highway travel, Honda's ST bikes are a little big for a beginner, but fantastic bikes. They match BMW's GT bikes at a fraction of the price.

In all honesty, I'd look for a mid 1980's Suzuki GS. They're cheap, as well made as any bike from any time, and easy to look after. You won't have a cardiac if you drop it when paddling around the parking lot and you won't need the very-pricey (for a newb) collision insurance.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2006, 09:54:48 am »

No love for cruisers here either.

A used standard is a good idea for a first bike because it will be dropped and fairings are expensive! The Suzuki GS is a good idea, or Honda CB or Kawasaki KZ or maybe a Yamaha XS. Try not to get in over your head with engine size, something ~500-650 would be ample.

As far as bike values, checking the trader is about all I ever do.

Good luck!

blur911 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2006, 10:29:45 am »

I'd have to agree with the other replies. Generally cruisers are uncomfortable, ill-handling and underpowered (in an insurable displacement). An 800cc cruiser will have about as much power as a 400-500cc bike of a more sporting variety.
For a first bike, get something you don't mind dropping a few times, usually while stopped

. Consider a dual-sport, hard to damage, cheap to insure, easy to ride if you can reach the ground.
For street bikes, a Kawi EX500 or Suzuki GS500 are good first choices.
As for book value, it doesn't always work on bikes as mileage and condition varies far more than with cars, it's kind of a case by case thing.

articsteve · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2006, 10:36:05 am »

Quote from: Bodin on September 25, 2006, 03:16:26 am

I am looking for the book value of a 2004 Suzuki Volusia w/ 13000kms. Just a general price is what I am looking for.

Does anyone recommend a certain bike being this is my first bike? I have driven before but I have never owned a bike. I am trying to look for something 600cc or less because of insurance. I know the Volusia is 800cc but someone recommended it for a first bike.

thanks in advance,
Bodin

$3200-3700 dealer wholesale

chris · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2006, 11:57:41 am »

For a first bike I'd support an older Kaw EX500 and GS500. Don't worry, there is still A LOT of power in these bikes... enough to embarass pretty well any car on the road you'll meet. The key is to get a bike that can be bumped about without costing you an arm and leg. As well, these bikes will grow with you as they're sporty enough to help you learn to rail corners and powerful enough to do fairly long trips. Stay away from the 4 cyl GS550EF's and the equivalent Honda and Kaw. While they're really cool bikes they are not built like anvils like the GS and Kaw twin cyls.
Remember, even if you never drop a bike (I've never dropped any of mine... except the dirt bike!) you will still screw up in other ways like maintenance. You'll forget/not know to drain the carbs, remove and charge the battery during the winter, forget to lube a chain... all things that are far more costly in a big four cyl bike when you drag it to a mechanic and have them clean the carbs, buy new battery, replace chain and sprockets, adjust a zillion valves. Tune ups are cheaper on a twin too... remember a bike tune up often includes a valve adjustment.

And finally, you probably don't know what you want yet. You might THINK you do but I'll bet you don't

Ride for a season or two, see what sort of real riding you do then you'll have a good idea of whether a 2,000cc croozer twin is your thing or a 530cc supermoto wheelie/stoppie monster. Seriously, I have a number of bikes all for different purposes... the sport bike's great but BOOOOORRRRING in Southern Alberta as you can't use 1/10th it's abilities. My new croozer is a gas! passing squids in the twisties two up with sparks flying... now that's a challenge

I NEVER considered myself a croozer kinda guy (and still don't) but it just shows that sometimes you may WANT one style of bike but the riding you do... or the place where you ride... just won't support it.

safristi · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2006, 12:11:29 pm »

Agree with all the guys above.........get something more "upRight" than "look RIGHT"....and cheap...there is a lot of FUN ...AFTER YOU take a DECENT riding school course...kinda late in the year but maybe a few places left........it is a great time to buy..but if U have not ridden before I'd wait till you get to try several bikes on the COURSE......

I absolutely fell in love with the dual purpose bikes and hated the low riding cruisers when I was learning..it was the only bike I "dropped"..I felt like I was riding a childs TRIKE but with 2 wheels...tippy canoe and fack U.........maybe it woz because there was a 40 acre spread in back of the designated test/practice area and several of us rookies got braver and braver and played "on any Sunday"...an off road classic moofie....to a lesser extent ...when we were out of sight of the Instructor..great fun
and I prolly learned more at the intense course and my first year with my Honda XL350 than I have since.............
The Cruiser WAR is only fer Poseurs IMHO.....U can have MAJOR FUN on OLD and new small displacement BIKES...ENJOY...........and go to yer Library and read ALL the Cycle Mags particularly Cycle Canada..YEAH......

chris · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2006, 04:17:08 pm »

XL350? Cool, the "dirt bike" I mentioned is an XL500. Sooooo much fun but crap in real off roading but that's ok cuz I'm a crap off road rider

. Must be like driving a H1 on the road. Big, tall, HUGE suspension travel, full knobbies that make a rumbly sound with the rusted out exhaust

What a giggle to ride! However, I have several divots in my right shin bone and an everlasting bruse on my right calf muscle... dang kicking over a 500 single is not a lot of fun

johngenx · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2006, 06:29:26 pm »

I have a friend with an XL600. THAT is one fun bike! Thumper to 'da max! You can go trail riding on the weekends and commute to work on the Monday. Awesome bikes. A long time ago I had a smaller XL (like the 70's, dude) and loved it. Wonder if there are any good used XL's kickin' around? Hhhmmm...

I think the cheapest four-cylinder bikes to run are the DOHC CB750/900 bikes from 82-85-ish. Sure, they're 20 years old, but they are out there and there are some pretty nice examples. The engines are bulletproof, drivelines simple (CB750F is chain drive) and the "F" bikes are shockingly good handling bikes. Sure, you're not going to run down some dude on his Gixxer, but so what? An old CB750F (had one...) can do over 130mph and get there faster than any car except some seriously exotic hardware.

The Suzuki GS's are still some of my faves. The seating position is perfect for traffic and for long days of exploring the backroads. The drivelines are industructible.

Kawasaki has made lots of sweet bikes and any of the mid sized "standard" bikes are worth a look.

Here's one example...

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23442896&pgno=1&srt=7

Sure, it's a "Nighthawk" but the cruiser bikes Honda put out then are still "upright" bikes with very moderate seating and bars. No giant investment needed to get a pretty good bike.

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=23180115&pgno=2&srt=7

Another nice bike is the Seca by Yamaha. Yeah, it's another four, but they're nice riding bikes and offer lots of value.

chris · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2006, 12:01:31 pm »

You can have my XL for $1,000

Yeah, there are tons of great older bikes around. My first, a 1980 CB650 custom was a great bike and I didn't do anything to it... except beat on it. Probably the best $800 I ever spent!

To be honest, if I were in the market for another bike, I'd probably get an nice old big bore Suzuki GS and "tune" it a bit. Superbike bend bars, piggy back shocks, filters, pipes, braced swing arm etc.
With a nicely done old bike you've got 90% of the street performance of a new bike but never the buyers remorse that comes when the next "bigger, better, faster" model comes out

Anyway, back to the original posters question, pretty well any reasonable condition older 650 or smaller will be a fine bike... the ones suggested are just what we consider the "best" or easiest to own for a first bike.

As far as value is concerned... I find eBay a good source. As long as there are a bunch of "said bike" listed you can generally get a reasonable idea of the value. Adjust for ease/hardship of getting a bike to where you are and there's a reasonable price.

Chris... conasure of grungy old bikes

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2006, 01:26:00 pm »

Echo the recommendations so far. Suzuki GS500, Kawasaki EX500 are common learner bikes, usually plenty for sale as people use them for a year and then trade up. Kawasaki 250 Ninja is another option. Not really up on the cruisers, but I'm sure there are similar ones around.

The drawback is that you will probably want to trade up eventually, although the advantage is that you will have a much better idea of what you actually want by then (Gixxer, Harley/clone, Standard, etc). Another advantage is that if you decide you really are not that keen on biking you won't have been out too much cash.

The other way to do it is to get something slightly on the bigger/more expensive side to learn on, but enough of a bike that you will be able to grow with it. The Suzuki SV650 and DL650 are like that, also most likely the Kawasaki 650R. I'm sure there are similar good picks in the cruiser department.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2006, 02:27:00 pm »

Quote from: chris on September 25, 2006, 04:17:08 pm

XL350? Cool, the "dirt bike" I mentioned is an XL500. Sooooo much fun but crap in real off roading but that's ok cuz I'm a crap off road rider . Must be like driving a H1 on the road. Big, tall, HUGE suspension travel, full knobbies that make a rumbly sound with the rusted out exhaust What a giggle to ride! However, I have several divots in my right shin bone and an everlasting bruse on my right calf muscle... dang kicking over a 500 single is not a lot of fun

I'm getting a big kick out of the 1990 DR650 I bought in the Spring. It needed a bit of sorting (fork oil/seals, corroded contacts in the lights, new choke plunger) but it doesn't burn oil and has decent grunt on road, a bit of a handfull off road. The Pirelli MT-21 knobblies are great dirt tires, on pavement not so much. It sounds like a deuce-and-a-half rolling buy. Still don't quite have the kick start down 100%. The brakes are much stronger than the old GT..stoppies anyone?

The mirrors are absolute crap though.

It's nice not having to slow for the idiotic speed bumps the city keeps installing, and the seat height allows me to see over pretty much anything on the road short of Freightliners and jacked up peecups.

dorin · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2006, 03:46:59 pm »

If I had the money to buy a new motorcycle (I sold my SV650 this summer) I'd get a Suzuki DL650 or look into doing a supermotard conversion on a 4-stroke dirt bike. Although I think an older UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle) is the way to go for a first bike, I do prefer the better sorted handling and braking of a more modern bike (my SV handled and braked way better than my old CB450 Nighthawk, CB750 Nighthawk, or GS1100 Katana ever did).

Hmm... I wonder how much a 4-stroke YZF-450 would cost and how much it would be to put dual front discs and road wheels and tires on it...

blur911 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2006, 07:54:52 pm »

You could always skip the supermotard conversion and get a KTM, or a bit cheaper, the Suzuki DRZ400SM

I have a DRZ400S and love it. Very easy to ride, short highway jaunts are fine, but I wouldn't want to ride all day. It'll run high 14's in the quarter mile (yes I've drag raced it, it was a blast) and is so maneuverable it makes a great city bike. My GPZ900R has seen little use since I bought the DRZ, and last month my girlfriend got a DR200SE and is learning to ride on it. Back roads and trails are a better place to learn than city streets and 4 lane highways.

chris · « **Reply #15 on:** September 26, 2006, 09:10:46 pm »

Or, you could buy my '82 XL500. Self cleaning oil (when it's dirty it goes out the exhaust) and anti lock brakes... er, ok, drum brakes front and back... but you can't lock em

Bodin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2007, 05:40:27 pm »

Thank you for all of your imput. The info provided has been valuable.

I am seriously looking at a 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 500. It has 9441 km and they are asking $4800. I am no mechanic but it looks like it's in great condition. I don't know motorcycle pricing, so are they asking too much? Also would it be recommended that I get it checked out by a mechanic?

thanks again,
Bodin

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2007, 09:34:49 pm »

I'd just do a search around the autotrader, craigs list, kijji, local paper, etc and get an idea of asking prices, realizing that the selling price will usually be a bit under. Do a search for info on buying a used motorcycle and take it with you, there are quite a few things to check for, and if you are not mechanical it is probably good to get someone to check it out for you.

Often bikes like what you are looking for go for cheap as people are either trading up to something bigger or have decided they're not bikers after all and just want to get some money back. My first street bike was a deal in that fashion, three years old, 7000 km, the guy got it cheap new as old stock and I got it for half of what he paid.

On the one you are looking at, it seems a bit high. I see Blackfoot in Calgary is selling a new 2006 Ninja 500 for 5500, 1400 off retail. Now Blackfoot is sneaky in that it charges extra fees, but still you may be able to get a good deal on a new 'old stock' bike somewhere. With a used bike with 10,000 km you are looking at new tires for sure, possibly chain and sprockets.

http://www.blackfootmotosports.com/promo_suzuki_sportbikes.htm

Cord · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2007, 10:39:10 pm »

That is a great choice for a first bike. The price does seem a bit high though. I'm not selling mine but I figured my 2003 SV650S would sell for about $5000. As PJ mentioned, be sure to budget for at least new set of tires. I assume you've already budgeted for a helmet and protective gear? That stuff isn't cheap.

ktm525 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:01:08 am »

Quote from: blur911 on September 26, 2006, 07:54:52 pm

You could always skip the supermotard conversion and get a KTM, or a bit cheaper, the Suzuki DRZ400SM

I have a DRZ400S and love it. Very easy to ride, short highway jaunts are fine, but I wouldn't want to ride all day. It'll run high 14's in the quarter mile (yes I've drag raced it, it was a blast) and is so maneuverable it makes a great city bike. My GPZ900R has seen little use since I bought the DRZ, and last month my girlfriend got a DR200SE and is learning to ride on it. Back roads and trails are a better place to learn than city streets and 4 lane highways.