What to go for? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

elephant · 05-24-2007, 06:21 AM

Ok, some of you may remember me from quite a few months ago. I still want a bike, heh.

A co-worker has a Honda Shadow Spirit with 1,200 miles on it, he says he'll sell for about $3,500-$3,800...he needs to get rid of it, doesn't have time to ride anymore, getting older...something like that.

Then I also find these Kawasaki Vulcans for great deals, and other Shadows, in the local Cycle Trader.

And then there is my one true love, the M50. They can't really be had for less than $4,500 (in the color and mileage I am interested in anyway) used.

I really don't want to get a chain drive because of the fact that I will be cruising around a LOT. The bike will, in fact, be my main (in other words, only) mode of transportation. To and from work daily, and then out to my friend's shows, friend's houses, etc. I can borrow one of my friend's cars, or even my parent's anytime I need to, but the bike will be it for me. Shaft drive sounds like such a better way to go, smoother, virtually no maintenance...my cup of tea. The Shadow my co-worker is trying to get rid of: there is nothing wrong with the bike whatsoever. It's just that it's a 750cc Spirit which means chain drive.

Then there is the dilemma of finding out how to get rid of my current vehicle and get the bike. I'm not too worried about negative equity on my current ride, the car is worth $8k and I owe about $11-12k, so adding that $3-4k on top of a $3-4k bike, not my biggest concern. That'll put me at a significantly lower monthly payment, which is a main goal for me. As opposed to trading it in on a new car, and adding that $3-4k to a car that costs $16-20 already...ehf that. But finding a way to actually get that added to a bike...My friend jokingly said that I should try to find a dealership that sells cars and bikes, I laughed and then said to myself, "maybe somebody has done that?"...anyone got an answer for that? Heh. Anybody ever heard of a bike dealership taking a car as trade?

Anyway, basically I need to find a way to get rid of my ride now, so I can get a bike. And then on top of that, which bike to choose? Should I really go for the one that makes me all gooey when I see it? Or get something that "will do" for now? At this point I think I'd be content with any 750-800cc cruiser as long as it looked nice and was reliable.

Summary: I really want a bike.

~elephant