Should I get a new bike?

[Punjistick]

Should I get a new bike and if so what kind?

I am leaning more towards the 750 for the ergos (doesn't feel as wide and I can put my feet down flat) but like the styling of the R6. I can't really put my feet down flat on my '01 gsx 600 so that's not that big of an issue.

[Nikon]

Thank you for the only option i enter in polls.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by Nikon
Thank you for the only option i enter in polls.

What's wrong w/ what you've got?

[Punjistick]

Originally posted by OreoGitorio


What's wrong w/ what you've got?

Nothing really but my bike isn't getting any newer and in fact it's starting to show it's age. There is a small bend in the front wheel, the paint is flaking off the wheels, it's about time for a valve check according to the service manual, makes a buzzing sound coming from under tank that just developed, in all gears at all RPMs, but especially at 4000 RPM, could use some new fluid in the forks and suspension work, needs tires, and it's value is dropping the more miles I put on it and the older it gets. I Might as well get rid of it while it is still worth something and before I have to do all this work to it.

They are willing to give me a pretty fair price for trade in.

I guess I could keep it and just do all that work over the winter though. If I keep it I'd have to drop some $$$ this winter to get it to the point where I would keep it for a while. By my estimate (which I am pulling out of my ass)

$150 to fix bend in front wheel
$250 to powdercoat the wheels
$240 for tires + balancing
$400+ for valve check
$??? to have suspension tuned in by GMD
$200+ for dyno time/tuning for fuel map that works nicely

[Honclfibr]

You've got all winter, find yourself a set of wheels on ebay, should run you less than $300 and boom, you've got a spare set of wheels now. Might even get them with a decent set of rubber still mounted if you look hard enough.

$10 for fork oil, pull the forks off and change the oil yourself, it's not hard and again, you've got all winter. Do the valves while you're in there, it's a bitch the first time but once you make all the mistakes it'll be easier the second time and it'll cost you nothing if you can find a dealer who will swap shims.

Dyno tuning shouldn't be necessary unless you've got a really funked up setup. If it's just a slipon or sytem and you've already got a power commander you should be able to find a map that works well for your setup.

Bottom line, your 2001 isn't that old and is the bomb diggity for any type of street or track riding you might care to do unless your name is Jeff Wood. But if you want a brand spanking new bike go that route. Some people buy new every year, some people run them till they pop, it's your money only you know if you'd be happier with a new bike.

[OreoGaborio]

.... so what you're saying is you have to perform normal maintinance? OMG, NO!!!

[Punjistick]

That's a good point and advice you have there. I'll bring my bike in tomorrow anyways to get the exact trade in value just for shits and giggles. If it's decent enough I might leave with a new bike. If not, then like you said I have all winter to get my bike in tip top conditon again.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by OreoGitorio
.... so what you're saying is you have to perform normal maintinance? OMG, NO!!!

Hey pete, you ever get the valves done on that 6?

[OreoGaborio]

naaah

[Punjistick]

Originally posted by OreoGitorio
.... so what you're saying is you have to perform normal maintinance? OMG, NO!!!

hahaha. I can see where your coming from but the truth is that the guy I bought my bike from did a number on it and I didn't know any better when I bought it. I can tell now that it's been wheelied and dropped by the previous owner. The frame is stright as far as I can tell but there are other minor things wrong with it. For instance the previous owner put in higher wattage bulbs and it melted the headlight and wires. I put stock bulbs back in but I can't get them to point in the right direction now. A used headlight runs between $100-300 on Ebay. I could live with it and just try to avoid riding at night like I have been doing but it'd be nice to have a new bike to sort of "start fresh" and keep it nice.

I guess the bottom line is mechanically my bike runs fine so I don't really need a new one. I could do as little cosmetic work as possible on it and keep it and just do valve, forks and new tires like Darrel? said.

[SVRACER01]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
You've got all winter, find yourself a set of wheels on ebay, should run you less than $300 and boom, you've got a spare set of wheels now.

yaeh! OK! (sarcasim) have you priced a GSXR wheel on ebay?

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by SVRACER01
yaeh! OK! (sarcasim) have you priced a GSXR wheel on ebay?

Hmm, nope. Got a set of mint 6R wheels for 200 shipped though. Are gix wheels that much more $$$? Damn squids, always fucking up the whillies.

[mikeb]

alex having an 01 myself i know its tuff to look at the latest and greatest bikes and then ride your own. 5 years in sportbikes is like 20 years in terms of technology.

if i was you i'd buy the new gix750 or a zx6, r6 whatever as long as you can afford it. hell if you can keep the 6 for a track bike do that.

[mikeb]

oh and if you like r6's try selling yours and buy r7's r6. wow thats confusing

[ChicknStripEatr]

Originally posted by Punjistick
There is a small bend in the front wheel,

MC Wheel in Swanzey, NH straightens motorcycle wheels. They do unbelievable work, and if you bring it there in person they can have it back to you in about 2 hours.

[richw]

Make nice

Go 3 more years then go new. If yours was fresh I doubt you could tell on the street and maybe pick up a 1/4 second on the track.

Or spend money and revalve the fork and get a shock and get a 1/2 second on the track. Your ass will notice the difference on the street.

Let them store your new bike for the winter and buy it in March when they are hungry. If you can sell your old one private the next weekend after the 1st 70 degree dry weekend when all the boyz iz playen


750's ???????

Get the big one and never look back...
except at that black streak following you around

[Punjistick]

I think I'm going to go the new route. Either now or over the winter. He pointed out that I need new sprockets and a chain. So that just adds to the huge list of things it needs. I put a deposit on the 750 so at least it's not going anywhere. They have already sold a bunch of bikes with the deal doing on. I'm about to list my bike on ebay. If I can get more than what they want for a trade than I'll just sell it and use the money for a down payment. I think it would make a great track bike but I can't keep it and get a new one. Plus I already have an EX ready for racing. So if anybody wants it for a track bike or street it's for sale.

[mikeb]

congrats on the 750. what color? i really like the looks of the new zuki's

[Punjistick]

It's still not definite but I am working out the deal. I'll probably get the blue/white one. I was leaning towards the black/maroon but they don't have one anyways.

[mikeb]

Originally posted by Punjistick
It's still not definite but I am working out the deal. I'll probably get the blue/white one. I was leaning towards the black/maroon but they don't have one anyways.

see if they'll trade with another dealership for one in the color you really want. remember your the custermer and your the one that will be making the payments. make them work for you.

[Josephd14]

Not to mention if your gonna buy a new bike buy something you want don't settle for what they have, or go somewhere else there are plenty of dealerships that would like your business.. use it to your advantage, over the winter go into a dealer that has a blk/maroon and when the salesman starts talk be like "no i'm just looking i have a down payment on a blue and white one but i really like that color i didn't seem to see it at the other dealership" and they will jump all over you..

[Punjistick]

I've only found a few blue/white 750s yet alone black/maroon ones, but it's a good point to buy over the winter and maybe after the '07s come out. I don't even know if I would like the black/maroon colors. I'd like to see one in person though. I know the 2007's will be the same as the 06s just with a few new colors. A darker blue/greyish-silver, a black/gunmetal silver, and the current blue/ white but with more white. The darker blue looks at lot like the blue from some of the 'busas.

[ancosta]

OK so you have about 1k of work to put into the bike. If you do the work and maintian it, I am sure the bike will run fine, and you can expect many more miles out of it.

My question would be - do you curently ride at a level that justifies a new bike, or does your riding style suggest a new bike would be better? If not I would stick with your old bike. Bottom line is you will lose more in depreciation the minute you leave the lot in your new bike than you will lose in fixing your current bike.

Keep your bike as a track bike if need be, you could do the work, depreciate it over a couple of yrs, then jump into a new street bike. Maybe if you did that your idea of a street bike would change altogehter. Also consider if you buy a new bike there will be endless mods to do, that is just more money out the window as well.

Lastly - if you MUST buy another bike, don't do trade in. Put it on CL, ebay, etc. as a private sale, hold for a good price (you have 4-6 months at this point now to do so presuming you dont ride during colder months). Don't do any major work, and it will be someone else's problem to deal with. Just make it looks good, its safe and let someone else sort it out. A detail job works wonders for improving the curb appeal. You'll get much more than if you take a dealer trade.

Just some ideas.