Triumphrat

drooartz · 05-28-2007, 11:37 AM

Now that my V-Strom is sold (woohoo!), I'm on the hunt for the next bike. A new Bonnie is my current favorite, though I have a few others to explore before I drop any cash. I'm not opposed to a new bike, though I'm still deciding how much I care about the whole made-in-Thailand thing. I am starting to watch the local ads for used bikes.

My local dealer is selling off their demo Bonnie black. EDIT: it's a 2005, not a 2003 as I originally posted, 3500 miles, asking $4999. My concern there would be that I would guess those miles to have been pretty hard on the bike. Demo riders aren't necessarily going to be all that easy or careful in their treatment. I've not been tempted yet to even go look. Would you be concerned about a former demo bike?

[ This message was edited by: drooartz on 2007-05-28 13:37 ]

Loxpump · 05-28-2007, 11:48 AM

It's true you never know how hard it was ridden, but that's true about any used bike. I'm sure at least the dealer kept it up on maintenance. Maybe ask if they offer some kind of dealer warranty. I'm sure most do.

oldguymx · 05-28-2007, 11:57 AM

Racing Motocross we get the same reaction all the time about buying a bike that was raced. Most uneducated people immediately say no way. Once you talk to them and they realize that normally a raced bike has probably been ridden harder it has also probably been maintained to a higher standard. Imagine a serious racer saying "that oil change can wait and I really don't need brakes this week :wink: " compared to a kid riding around in his yard going in circles who hasn't changed (or probably checked the oil level) since the bike was new.

I would think at least 50% (probably more) of the test riders were normal everyday riders like most of us, yes a couple took it out and ripped it hard. Now think if the dealer will say "oh well it is still together I don't need to check that wearing part, if some test rider gets hurt no one will care". My guess is the dealer has watched that bike and it's maintanence pretty close.
Besides as Loxpump stated most dealers will extend a limited warranty on bikes they sell

RedBird · 05-28-2007, 01:54 PM

The only thing that I would question would be an '03 demo??? My dealer never has anything older than last year and then only during the first few months of the new year. Since auto dealers call used cars EVERYTHING but a used car, I would seriously question the dealer to see if this bike is not just a used bike that came in from a little different source. Right now, my dealer has only '07 demos. :-D

And, $5K sounds high to me....check the used bike books and see what it should sell for--my guess is closer to $4K than $5K.

Larry

oldguymx · 05-28-2007, 02:17 PM

Redbird I completely missed the year of the bike in the original post. I agree I would want verification this was a true demo. Our local dealer also only demos current models (why show off a bike you don't sell anymore?) and then just for the summer.
I know the demo I took out in April with 9 miles on it has already been sold by the dealer

05-28-2007, 03:16 PM

Also, you seemed relieved to be rid of the V-Strom. I've thought about it as a second bike. Did you really dislike it that much?

drooartz · 05-28-2007, 03:33 PM

My mistake, it's actually an '05 (which makes more sense, that'll learn me to post without looking up the ad first.). It is their demo, I've seen it down there before, and I've probably ridden it even on a test ride.

adcache.cycletrader.com/5/3/1/89078231.htm

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll probably look at it later in the week if I get down into the city this week. It's at least worth a look.

As for the V-Strom 650, it was a fantastic bike. Smooth, fast, comfy, ran well with the Givi bags, handled dirt roads with ease. I liked it a lot, but never loved it. Partly, I always thought it was ugly, and partly I'm really just a classics guy, and prefer that style. I'd recommend one if you like what it does, it's one of the best values in motorcycling today. I can only afford one bike, so I wanted to switch to something that was more my speed.

[ This message was edited by: drooartz on 2007-05-28 13:34 ]

CAPTDON · 05-28-2007, 04:36 PM

Get a waranty!! You should be OK. I am sure the dealer did all the req. maint on her so all should be ok? Glad you corrected the year- 03 Demo sounded a little strange to me as well Good luck!!

whoa · 05-28-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

On 2007-05-28 14:36, CAPTDON wrote:
Get a waranty!!

The Triumph demo program bikes are new bikes. The two year warranty begins when the demo bike is sold.

This is not the case with a used bike. So long as this is a demo, you'll get the full two year float. At 18k, I have no concerns with the demo program.

Anchorbend · 05-28-2007, 04:57 PM

Most demo bikes are never registered. If this is the case, you, as the first owner, should get the full warranty. Two years unlimited mileage. I would go for it if tihs is the case.