| Author | Message | ||
     55spy |
Alright I was originally looking at the XB12X but I really don't like the sound of the pinging crowd and the disgruntled first model year owners. It is the bike that I ultimately want maybe but here's my own unique situation. I'm moving to Japan, and can't really take anything with me, Have been riding Enduro's and Hare Scrambles for the past few years Gave up street riding 10 years ago after a few accidents when I was younger and less concerned for the future. My dad just got into riding cruisers a few years ago, So I want to parka bike at my dad's place so that when I come back through the stated I can just pick up and ride with him on some 4-5 day touring-ish rides, I'm sure he'll happily put a dozen or so miles a month on it while I'm out of country so I'm not worried about the sitting. I like the Buell design and the upright riding position of the Uly and Lighning product lines ( I trashed my wrist an shoulders riding Bulls PRCA through college...Yes I just said I was an ex professional Bullrider) Is the SCG a comfortable distance tourer when compared to the Ss? Any inputs would be appreciated. (Message edited by 55spy on February 11, 2007) | ||
| 55spy |
Forgot to add, I'm 5'11" and can almost flatfoot the X So I don't really need a lower seatheight, I'm gonna go test fit again later this week. I'm puring through "Search" to find the SCG/Ss differences | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
If you've got the inseam for it, get the ully. The xb 12's all have the same engine, so i can't account for the pinging. My .02 | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'd say go for the X as well if it's what you really want. How long are you going to be in Japan? If you're leery of getting a first year model it might be better to wait until you get back. Then you can get a better deal on an 07 or even an 08 model. Personaly, I would want an 07 or later Uly just because of the changes to the suspension (different springs) & seat (better for us under 6') | ||
| 55spy |
I'm gonna be in Japan for 3-4 years so the bike will accumulate very few miles one or two 1000mile trips per year and thats about it. Kinda why I'm leaning toward a used bike which puts me in an 06 or older bike. It'll be replaced, left to my dad or take a place in an extra place in the garage when I get back. I won't be using it for gravel road travel for the next 4 years at all since my dad will be on a cruiser (He's on a large Sportster now and looking at something to replace it already) This is honestly a road trip only bike to accumulate 4-8 thousand miles over the next 4 years. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would hold off buying until you get back and rent a bike to ride the odd week you are in. It won't be the model you dream about probably, but at least you won't be buying a thoroughbred and letting it get fat standing in a field. 8,000 miles over 4 years is cruel and unusual punishment. It also isn't good on a bike. Then you could buy a bike in Japan and ride there! | ||
| 55spy |
Ftbstrd - Damn you and your common sense! But what will I ride between now and June when I leave? Seriously though I did think about that but for 8 week long rentals it equals out to about $6000-$7000 at $700-800 per week long rental. It might be cruel and unusual but it gives my pops something different to ride too. I get COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) and that will be buying a bike over there. A 2006 XB12__ will not drop to being worth only $2000-3000 dollars in 4 years. | ||
| Metalstorm |
You do realize if you go through with this you will not want to leave your bike behind when you go to Japan. After one good ride you will be hooked and you will most likely try figuring out how to ship it to japan with you. Then you'll have to deal with all the red tape involved with that. Then in 3-4 years you'll have to deal with shipping it back to the states.  | ||
| 55spy |
Yeah I do realize that...But there is a loophole in the military shipping policy that would allow me to ship a motorcycle...Don't tell the wife!  | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
As tall as you are, I'd go with either the Uly or the Ss. I've got a Scg and love it, but then I'm 67" tall and prefer to be able to put both my feet down. I couldn't do that on the taller bikes. I think you'd feel cramped on the Scg. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
55spy, Pragmatism is my "other" middle name (my first one is "Dear God, don't post any more pictures like that!"). If you are going to be renting on the schedule as you say you will, build a relationship with a dealer who would be willing to give you a volume discount. You might even look to see if some pre-pay arrangement could be hammered out. If I knew I was going to get all the money for a 4 year rental now, I would be willing to cut a pretty good discount were I a dealer. You can also look at it this way, a 2003 model is currently selling for around $5,000. Original purchase for whatever would be around $10,500. So you are looking at around $5,000 in depreciation to play with. At the low end (assuming you could secure the volume discount), you are probably even with depreciation, so it's not like you would be losing anything. You also have to keep in mind that 3-4 years is an eternity in bikes. I personally believe we are on the cusp of another revolution in Buell. Four years from now, we may be looking at an entirely different design, and entirely different powerplant, and entirely different Buell. That said, a four year old Buell will be even more difficult to sell. I would look to buy something you will enjoy over the summer but something you could flip easily. A GSXR or something else with a strong secondary market would do nicely. I always look at commitment vs. flexibility, known vs. unknown. There is simply too much commitment and too many unknowns. In the end, though, it's only money. (Message edited by ft_bstrd on February 11, 2007) | ||
| Nb_mitch |
When I was in the Japan decades ago, you could buy a Harley through the exchange system to have it deliver when you got home, not sure they still do that, but if they do you might get a good deal. Personally, I wouldn't buy a bike to let sit for 4 years, paying for insurance and probably would need a full service each time you rode, plus depreciation would probably greatly offset the cost of just renting a bike for a month when you are home. You could also ride something different every time. Good Luck & Semper Fi, Mitch Okinawa 1978-1979 | ||
| 55spy |
Ft_bstrd, Nb_mitch, Both really good points. i ahd not thought about talking to a dealer in advance on teh frequency deal. Mitch, Yes I can still buy through the exchange system. I probably will to prior to returning to the states to get a current model year bike...whenever that is. Migth just have to look around for a used/NOS buell XB12S. there are a few dealers especially here in teh midwest that have some older models that were never purchased lots of 05's and some 04's even. IF I can swing a smokin deal I might do that...Or just wait and rent. It's so cold and frozen here in omaha right now I am just itching to ride period. on road, offroad I just don't care Ft_bstrd, I'm a man of convienience sometimes and a bit anal. I have never subscribed to the idea of riding someone elses bike and I don't really like anyone else riding mine. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ft_bstrd, I'm a man of convienience sometimes and a bit anal. I have never subscribed to the idea of riding someone elses bike and I don't really like anyone else riding mine. Agreed, but in this case buying something that will be used 5% of the time may not be the best answer. I rented a jackhammer last summer. I had some concrete to break up. It cost me about $60. I didn't really get to use it much since all the neighbor guys were fascinated that I had use of a jackhammer and came out to give my concrete lump a try. I got free labor, but that's another story. It just doesn't make sense for me to buy a jackhammer. I only needed it once. It would be cool to have, and I would have been the only one to use the one I bought. I just wasn't going to use it enough to justify the purchase. In this case, you will get marginal use out of a bike you are basically renting from yourself and full retail. Were it an aircraft, I would say buy it in an LLC and put it on leaseback to a flight school, but this is a bike. Look to see who has rental programs near Omaha. Honda, BMW, HD, Buell? You could go for a package deal or you could spread it around to different makes and models. You might also see if there are demo models that the dealer would be willing to let you "rent" for a week. That way you could rent whatever the new model is available. In this case, the models would all be relatively low mileage. Again, make the deal for up front cash. How many times could a dealer flip $5,000 worth of bike floor plan in 4 years with no interest for the dealer? Just because it isn't on the menu doesn't mean the chef can't cook it up. Money talks. Think of how you would like the deal to look and negotiate the mechanics. As additional sweetener, make a deal to purchase a new bike from the dealer at the end. From a profit standpoint, you can make it look as though you have bought 4 or 5 bikes over a 4 year period of time. | ||
| Shinobi13 |
I'm 6'1" and own an Ss. I use it for daily commuting, canyon blasting, and some limited sport touring. I love it!! The added fuel capacity of the Ss versus the cg would made the difference to me when I was in the market... |
