New Lister here... Few quick questions

[Prestimp]

Greetings everyone,

New lister here, I had the privilege of riding a 01 S3 back at the beginning of the summer. To say the least it was great. It was a friend of a friend and such and I didn't get to ask many questions or talk to the owner.

Well I got the bug, was the first motorcycle in a long time that just made me smile. I am looking for more information to see if it fits my needs or so.

Currently looking at 99-03's and I have a few questions. If you post an answer if your sig doesn't reflect the year of your Triple please post up. I am mainly looking for stock or aftermarket exhausts as the only upgrades when looking for answers to the following questions.

1. Gas Mileage? I understand its in the low 20's, and someone confirm this?

2. I read the entire "things that break" fuel connectors, speedo/console issues, however I was wondering if folks wouldn't mind answering things that "wear" faster than other bikes they have owned. i.e. I looked over the scheduled service record requirements for a Triple, and seems like it requires less shimming of valves than other manufacturers. Mid range power cause more chain/sprocket wear than normal? Things of this nature please.

3. Most of the bikes I have gone to see are 01-03 range. I believe if I have read correctly that the 01 may have more issues than other years, but I didn't see much mention on the boards of 01 or older bikes. Any other particular years I should be careful of? Dealer recalls not included.

4. While some of these questions I am sure have been asked a million times, I have done my best over the past week+ to read as much on the forums as possible. If for some reason I missed a topic thread answering my questions I apologize in advance and please feel free to tell me the topic "subjects" I should be searching for.

Thanks kindly folks,

-Jim

[worthy1]

Prestimp,
my advice would be to get the latest low mileage model you can afford!
Fuel consumption for most models should be in the low 40s.
Running costs are fairly moderate, it helps that there is no faring to remove when any work is required! The last thing you should have done is go on the "problem page" its enough to put anyone off! Yes things go wrong but thats part and parcel of bike ownership. I have had jap bikes in the past from new and they are prone to the same problems as everyone else

[Prestimp]

On 2006-09-14 09:32, worthy1 wrote:
Prestimp,

My advice would be to get the latest low mileage model you can afford!

Fuel consumption for most models should be in the low 40s.

The last thing you should have done is go on the "problem page" its enough to put anyone off!

Selective quoting here...

Pricing will leading me to a 02-03 or older.

Fuel consumption your listing as 40s, from your location are you referencing Kms or Miles?

Yub I know better than to judge a bike by the woes on a internet page, but it doesnt hurt to know what can commonly go wrong so I can look for it in the *used* stuff out there.

Thanks again for the answers its much appreciated.

-Jim

[Gdsila]

I get high 30's to low 40's mpg-wise. Them are Real Made-In-The USA miles son...

[Prestimp]

Gdsila thanks for the input, while its easy enough to find a listing for MPG sometimes it doesnt translate well to what happens in the real world (twisting of throttle).

Heavens knows I dont get the MPG listed on my car, cuz I dont think its ever seen 65mpg on the highway =)

Thanks kindly

[speedydave]

I had an '01 a couple of years ago. It was a great bike. I didn't ever have any problems with it. I always got mid 30's to mid 40's mpg.

The fuel connectors were a recall item and should have already been changed.

I liked the '01 body style better thank the later ones, and I think in '03 they added some more power, 113 to 130ish if I remember correctly.

My suggestion would be to buy as new and as low miles as your budget will allow. Keep in mind that the new '06's can be had in the $9500 range with a full 2 year warranty (which is better than Honda).

good luck!
Dave

[Prestimp]

On 2006-09-14 13:19, speedydave wrote:
I had an '01 a couple of years ago. It was a great bike. I didn't ever have any problems with it. I always got mid 30's to mid 40's mpg.

The fuel connectors were a recall item and should have already been changed.

I liked the '01 body style better thank the later ones, and I think in '03 they added some more power, 113 to 130ish if I remember correctly.

My suggestion would be to buy as new and as low miles as your budget will allow. Keep in mind that the new '06's can be had in the $9500 range with a full 2 year warranty (which is better than Honda).

good luck!
Dave

Unfortunately if I want to be riding one before the snow falls, it will need to be a 99-03 based on cost. I would agree though I like the stock looks of the 01-03, yeah I like the looks of the new ones too but cant afford them.

Thanks for posting up mpg numbers, I commute quite a ways so switching back to a bike for the commute to save on gas is a serioius consideration for me. Specially when all my cars take premium

There are a few bikes in the surrounding cities/states that are in the $5k range with under 8k mileage. So far this is where I have been looking.


I hear you on the price/warranty just cant budget it in this year.

[ This message was edited by: Prestimp on 2006-09-14 13:28 ]

[TonUp]

Mileage, I get over 40mpg most of the time.

Thet 2002 - 2004 models had more power than the older models, the 2001 look better to me.

Great bikes, unique and nasty!

Ton Up!

[amberale]

Prestimp, remember to include tyres in your running costs calculations.
Premium soft compound tyres last 5 to 6 thousand km and cost $500-$600 aus per set. That works out to around 10 cents per km for me, 12 cents per mile for you[I think].
You might get cheaper tyres in the good ol US of A, but the bike might not be that much cheaper to run than a small car, just a lot more fun.
Don't let your wife read this and buy one anyway.
AA

[Prestimp]

Thanks everyone for the input, and yes tires may be more but I can definately offset some of the costs by the fun factor I would assume.

At the moment I dont have an economy car(s), so even with tire cost this may still prove to be much more viable to the wallet. Again though this is exactly the type of input I was looking for.

Thanks again folks!