[Houndguy]

As a few of you may know I went down on 12/21/12 due to some moron cutting across 2 lanes of traffic to push me into a nasty choice.

Well the doctor has released me, I can ride again. My search for a new bike (my 07 Suzuki Burgman was totaled) has resulted in 3 choices.

One - a slightly used 2012 Burgman 400 with 2500 miles on it the dealer is trying to sell at nearly the new bike price. He's not budging even with my cash and out the door offer. I'll be honest this is my first choice but I'm not paying nearly 6K for it. I have bought off him before and used their maintenance department, but as of late I'm not trusting them. What I like about this bike is it already has a small Givi top case and windshield on it.

Two - I really like the Suzuki S40. This is brand new and with warranty, the dealer is throwing in a new windshield for me and it's at the 6K (not including fees) that I refused to pay for the Burgman. This is my second choice but having been a scooter rider for so long I'm a little weary of the transmission. Of course there is no storage on this bike and I would have to buy saddlebags.

Three - An 08 Kymco Xciting 500. Out of all three this is the best price and has the same mileage as the Burgman above. This is not the best option, but I have to travel 70 miles round trip for work every day and I like the storage of a scooter for I can toss my PC, lunch and other odds and ends in it without issue. I don't know much about this brand other than what I've read and it seems like a decent bike.

Ideas on how to talk the dealer down on # 1?

 

[Quantum Mechanic]

Glad you are ok now and returning to riding. Great news! Does the 2012 Burgman have ABS? If so even at $6k I'd probably go for it even if you can't knock him down more. Is the price he is asking more than other dealers are selling for? I have the 2012z abs and it saved me from considerable grief in the summer. The digital abs is worth it's weight in gold. I've ridden bikes of all sizes for 40 years or more and I've never needed abs, until then. It's so good that I'd never buy another bike without it now. The Kymco is a good brand but is there a good dealer and what are spares like in your area? I don't know what the S40 is so can't comment. For me I think it would be the Burgman and I would make a firm offer and walk away if you think the price is over the top. That's all you can do...he's the one selling.

 

[Houndguy]

Glad you are ok now and returning to riding. Great news! Does the 2012 Burgman have ABS? If so even at $6k I'd probably go for it even if you can't knock him down more. Is the price he is asking more than other dealers are selling for? I have the 2012z abs and it saved me from considerable grief in the summer. The digital abs is worth it's weight in gold. I've ridden bikes of all sizes for 40 years or more and I've never needed abs, until then. It's so good that I'd never buy another bike without it now. The Kymco is a good brand but is there a good dealer and what are spares like in your area? I don't know what the S40 is so can't comment. For me I think it would be the Burgman and I would make a firm offer and walk away if you think the price is over the top. That's all you can do...he's the one selling.

Yes, it has ABS. I looked at kymco before but there is not a dealer in my area. I've found a very good and reasonable mechanic in the area that I trust, so that's not really an issue for me I think. I just don't know enough about them to gauge one way or another. I went over to Kymco forums but they don't seen as talkative or friendly as we Burgman folks.

 

[InfernoST]

Sorry to hear about your accident & wish you a swift recovery. I've owned Kymco products and know many that still do, they are a quality product but if you are looking for storage the Xciting isn't going to come close to the storage capacity of the Burgman and isn't as fuel efficient either. 6K doesn't seem to be totally unrealistic, KBB says the bike should fetch $6040 retail Stock in excellent condition, and you say there is a Givi top case and screen that were added to the bike. It is by no means a bargain but nor is it a rip off either IMO.

 

[Daboo]

+1 Out of the three, I'd go with the 400.

One consideration...if you waited till you could find another 400 for $5K, how much would it cost you in gas to get to work using whatever vehicle you're using now? In other words, if your current vehicle is a truck getting 15 mpg, you might be saving @ $45 a week in gas by having a 400 that gets 65 mpg. In 5 months, you broke even.

As InfernoST wrote, you won't get the gas mileage from the Kymco or the storage from it. I looked at the 250cc version when they first came out. I had a smaller Kymco Bet&Win 250 at the time and came away feeling like I had the better bike in every way. The Kymco is physically large, but the engineers didn't do much for taking advantage of that potential space. Everyone on the Kymco forum that I was a member of at the time was looking forward to the fuel injection model when it was due to come out because the carburetor version had poor mpg. It didn't help much. Yet the power was no better than the 400. Kymco's are well made, but I suspect he's lowered the price because it is harder to get rid of.

Chris

 

[tonymarchman]

I HAVE A 2009 Yamaha Majesty with 6,000 miles, charcoal grey, heated grips, touring windshield, good tires, very clean bike. I will consider selling for $5,000. This scoot is so clean and crisp you would think it is still new. I am located 40 miles west of Nashville, Tn
Tony
[email protected]

 

[Elliott Larron]

Well, Once the Damage go Over $3000 I Guess it gets Totaled Off, Since it ant nothing but Plastic Damage just shows you how Expensive Plastics can Be!!

I would go with the 2012! i know it's the same bike you had But Has newer Features and better Looking curves,Power Updated Power Output then the recent 07' Models, So your getting a good deal :thumbup:

I'm gonna wait for the 2014 Burgman 400, by then the Design may change into a New Look i hope,.

Good Luck....

Elliott,

 

[cliffyk]

Ride an S40 before you buy one, I have a friend that had one for 2-1/2 months and then sold it. It is a small bike (the wheelbase is 4" shorter than a 400 Burgman), is quite top heavy, that feels small when you're riding it...

 

[Houndguy]

Well I just had an interesting phone call. The dealership, which refused to deal with me yesterday dropped their price by $400.

Sadly they won't take a deposit over the phone and I'll be out of town for a week. So lets see what happens then. If it's going to be, it will be. Now will I be able to relax on the trip or will I worry that the bike will still be there in a week?

I wonder if they will meet my original price if it still there in a week?

 

[Timbo64]

Ride an S40 before you buy one, I have a friend that had one for 2-1/2 months and then sold it. It is a small bike (the wheelbase is 4" shorter than a 400 Burgman), is quite top heavy, that feels small when you're riding it...

I can relate. When sitting on an S40, it feels like I'm on a 250, not a 650 and I'm only 5'5". I looked at a new S40 last year and ended up buying a new 2011 Yamaha V-Star Custom 650 instead. From what I have read and been told by a couple of people I know who have owned an S40, the performance is very lackluster in stock form. I do like the belt drive, however and I've been told they are quite reliable motorcycles.

For example, a Honda Rebel 250 has a wheelbase of 57.2 inches while the S40 has a wheelbase of 58.3 inches, not much difference there.

I'm not putting down the S40, but there are better choices for the same $$$$, IMHO. Just remember, It's YOUR hard earned money, it will be YOUR scooter or motorcycle....the ONLY person you have to please is YOURSELF! Get what YOU want to ride!!

My wife and I love our new 2012 Burgman 400!

When we were at the Honda/Suzuki Dealership looking at motorcycles last year, my wife said, "I like the paint job on that Rebel over there". She did not notice the bigger engine of the S40 and she thought it was a Rebel 250.

Suzuki S40 (650CC)

Honda Rebel (250cc)

Now if you were going to buy an S40 and put one of Ryca Motor's kits on it, that would be awesome! Not much storage, but way cool looking.

http://www.rycamotors.com

 

[Fatjock]

Well I just had an interesting phone call. The dealership, which refused to deal with me yesterday dropped their price by $400.

Sadly they won't take a deposit over the phone and I'll be out of town for a week. So lets see what happens then. If it's going to be, it will be. Now will I be able to relax on the trip or will I worry that the bike will still be there in a week?

I wonder if they will meet my original price if it still there in a week?

Generally speaking, if it's used, the longer it sits on their floor, the more willing they are to deal........

I've just had a quick look online, and saw that Sky in New Port Richey are offering a new 2012 for $6499 (Plus fees, of course), but interestingly a new 2011 is $6999.....what's going on there?
Regardless, you can reckon on about another $500-$1k for an out-the door cost. So $7k-$7.5k, so $6k is about 15-20% saving........

Are you talking about the grey one with 2,500miles and the Givi box and screen on it I saw during my search?
If so, I would say go for it, and get the best deal you can. With the shield and box on a 2012 machine, I don't think that's necessarily a bad price, and it's a good looking bike, with several hundred of accesories already fitted.

 

[Meadeball]

Heck, my local dealer (Ultimate Cycle in Richmond, VA) is asking $7493 (weird price, I know) for a brand-new 2012 Burgman 650 right now ...

 

[wayneman]

Generally speaking, if it's used, the longer it sits on their floor, the more willing they are to deal........

I've just had a quick look online, and saw that Sky in New Port Richey are offering a new 2012 for $6499 (Plus fees, of course), but interestingly a new 2011 is $6999.....what's going on there?
Regardless, you can reckon on about another $500-$1k for an out-the door cost. So $7k-$7.5k, so $6k is about 15-20% saving........

Are you talking about the grey one with 2,500miles and the Givi box and screen on it I saw during my search?
If so, I would say go for it, and get the best deal you can. With the shield and box on a 2012 machine, I don't think that's necessarily a bad price, and it's a good looking bike, with several hundred of accesories already fitted.

Fatjock,
Have you talked to the sales people at Sky powersports lately. A few months ago i stopped in there when i was in the area.
Talked to them about a new 650exec vs yamaha vstar. To my surprise they have a huge add on dealer fee. I think it was $750.00.
I bought/stole my 2007 an400 from lakeland sky powersports in april 2008 with "0" add on dealer fee's. Has this company changed ownership?
I believe they own 3 delearships. Lakeland, Lake whales and Port Richey. They have become kind of a bait & switch advertiser. They advertise
and lure you in with this incredible low ball price and then hammer you with there fee's.
I like talking to the guys at Suzuki Sarasota much better. No BS there. They give you a honest OTD price with no dealer fee BS.
I am sure it is worked in somewhere but the way they do business is a way better approach than sky powersports. Just my opinion.

 

[ted clement]

If your're interested in Kymco 500, like new, a friend of mine passed away last year and only had a few miles on a brand new one bought in Greensboro NC. Not sure what year, could be '11 or 12, red I believe. If its something you'd travel to NC to get, I'll get in touch with widow and see if she still has it. Email if interested and I'll call her. [email protected]

 

[Fatjock]

Fatjock,
Have you talked to the sales people at Sky powersports lately. A few months ago i stopped in there when i was in the area.
Talked to them about a new 650exec vs yamaha vstar. To my surprise they have a huge add on dealer fee. I think it was $750.00.
I bought/stole my 2007 an400 from lakeland sky powersports in april 2008 with "0" add on dealer fee's. Has this company changed ownership?
I believe they own 3 delearships. Lakeland, Lake whales and Port Richey. They have become kind of a bait & switch advertiser. They advertise
and lure you in with this incredible low ball price and then hammer you with there fee's.
I like talking to the guys at Suzuki Sarasota much better. No BS there. They give you a honest OTD price with no dealer fee BS.
I am sure it is worked in somewhere but the way they do business is a way better approach than sky powersports. Just my opinion.

No dispute from me on what you say.

They definitely try to bring people in with a low price, then bring it back up with "add-ons".
It is very hard work to deal with them, but a deal can be done........Once you let them think they have you, and the start the paperwork, if you walk out then, they're more willing to talk. But it takes time, effort, and a fair bit of exasperation.

I've never been down to the Sarasota dealer, but thanks for letting me know. Next time I'm looking I'll head there, the way you describe it, is far more the way I like to do business.

 

[Houndguy]

Seems that I'm not the owner of a new bike.

I was told by the dealership early in the week that everything was cool. They ran my credit, etc and that the bike was mine. They just need to cross the T and dot the "I's".

OK, great. Only a week later, I'm told that something is on my credit that affects me from getting the new bike. So I'm back to square one. :cussing: :angryfire: At least the dealership is willing to work with me and get me an old used bike out the door without much issue.

I guess I should not have counted on the bank so much. I am not a happy camper right now.

 

[Noth]

Hopefully they told you what the issue was.. I had a report of late mortgage payments to a lendor where I never had a loan.. I went to them and they enteres that data in error and removed it.. so you may be able to get something fixed..

 

[mikeyMarine]

Seems that I'm not the owner of a new bike.

I was told by the dealership early in the week that everything was cool. They ran my credit, etc and that the bike was mine. They just need to cross the T and dot the "I's".

OK, great. Only a week later, I'm told that something is on my credit that affects me from getting the new bike. So I'm back to square one. :cussing: :angryfire: At least the dealership is willing to work with me and get me an old used bike out the door without much issue.

I guess I should not have counted on the bank so much. I am not a happy camper right now.

I smell snake poo at the dealership finance office yeah credit good no credit not good here cheaper bike , someone on your credit , if they were going to be dishonest with selling me one like that the parts and maintenance department would probably sell me turn signal fluid too. I'd almost walk in agreeing to buy the bike in a pair of rubber boots covered in cow poo and dead shrimp, get down to signing, decide no,walk out and fart at the door just to freshen up the air in that place

 

[TwoWheelers]

For the Sarasota Suzuki dealer: are you talking Granny's on University, Fun Machines on Clark, or some other?

 

[wayneman]

That would be Suzuki of Sarasota on Clark rd.