New Rider Question

[jcrawford]

Hey guys,

So a co-worker of mine wants to get a bike, they have little to no experience with bikes. The last bike they rode was a small bike for the MSF and that was a while ago.

They are not so much into the SS style of riding and is looking at a few bikes, one at GBM 2003 Suzuki LS 650 Savage (Mileage unknown till i look at it Monday) and a 2001 Honda Shadow VLX 600 (4,500 mi).

Not knowing much about either of these bikes I would like to ask your opinions.

The honda is a private sale in Chelmsford for $2,500 while the one at GBM is $3,000 but after all fee's they want $4,000. I plan to tell them $3,400 OTD if they want to sell it, however I am not sure if that is too high or too low for that bike.

Monday I am going to go to GBM with him to check things like sprockets, chain, tires. I am not an expert but I can check those areas. Any specific sounds I should listen for in the engine, etc.?

Any information on these types of bikes would be appreciated.

[Chippertheripper]

Aside from the obvious engine knock, no. If they each appear to be in reasonable shape, it's a matter of which one looks better to the prospective buyer. Essentially they're 2 versions of the same bike. Personally I'd take the cheap one.

Welcome to the forum.

[jcrawford]

LMAO welcome to the forum, guess you didn't notice the username

Thanks for the information Chipper

[Chippertheripper]

No, I did.

[jcrawford]

[Kurlon]

That Savage is overpriced. There are a TON of them available used all over the place, get agressive with the dealership on it if going that route. Note, they all backfire to some extent when you let off the throttle, especially if they have an aftermarket exhaust, it's the nature of those beasts. Dead nuts reliable, very neutral chassis, they run out of steam on the highway when loaded up however. Great first bikes.

[jcrawford]

That Savage is overpriced. There are a TON of them available used all over the place, get agressive with the dealership on it if going that route. Note, they all backfire to some extent when you let off the throttle, especially if they have an aftermarket exhaust, it's the nature of those beasts. Dead nuts reliable, very neutral chassis, they run out of steam on the highway when loaded up however. Great first bikes.

is $3400 too high of a price to pay? They are asking 3k for it, maybe I should be aggressive and say 3k OTD and then let them kick it up a bit?

The guy who will be buying it does not know much about bikes and they are trying to get all they can from him.

$3,000 + $200 paperwork dealership fee + $400 fee for them cleaning up the bike and making it ridable + $200 in taxes = $4000.

I know the 200 is unavoidable as that goes to the registry but the other $800 seems like they are just trying to pad the already over-priced bike?

[Kurlon]

I can find good condition Savages in Maine for $1200 without trying. Expanding that search to NH and Mass I can find 04's for $2500, etc. $3000 OTD inspectable and rideable is a good price, anything more is a ripoff.

What does it need to be made ridable?

Edit: http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/2917632880.html 2009 for $2800

[jcrawford]

I will be able to find out if it needs anything to be ridable on Monday, going to check the chain, sprockets, tires, ask for maint records, etc.

I will stick to the 3k OTD if it is ridable, if it needs anything I will suggest my co-worker buys one private sale.

is there a difference between the S40 and LS 650?

[Kurlon]

I will be able to find out if it needs anything to be ridable on Monday, going to check the chain, sprockets, tires, ask for maint records, etc.

I will stick to the 3k OTD if it is ridable, if it needs anything I will suggest my co-worker buys one private sale.

is there a difference between the S40 and LS 650?

I don't recall the year, but at some point Suzuki starting tagging all their cruisers by cubic inches instead of cubic centimeters, hence S40 instead of LS 650 on the newer machines. Same bike, new badge. In 1993 they went from a 4 speed gearbox to a 5 speed, no other real changes to the bike since launch in 86?

[jcrawford]

@Kurlon thanks for the information on this bike I appreciate it.

[jwm2k3]

LS650 is a single cyl bike. It sucks. The VLX600 is a vtwin, much better. Thats what I would go with.

[jcrawford]

thanks that is some information I was not aware of.

[aldend123]

thanks that is some information I was not aware of.

Have you not seen a picture of one?

It's like looking at someone who only has one tooth. Can't take your eye off it.