Beginner Looking for Used Suzuki SV650

 

I have learned that a used SV650 is a great starter bike.  I would like
to buy used and was wondering if there is blue book like used prices.
How should I negotiate?

TIA,
Dan

 

I'd say that is a good choice!

kbb.com will give you Kelly Blue Book values.

I'd go on cycletrader.com or keep an eye on the local newspapers.

 


So is the LS650

--
Richard Amirault                                N1JDU                Boston,
MA, USA
n1jdu.org                                   "Go Fly A Kite"

 

On Sun, 21 May 2006 22:33:36 GMT, dan@nospam.com wrote:


It -is- a great starter bike, and you will 'grow into' it.

I have found bluebooks unreliable on sports cars and motorcycles.  I
don't think anyone pays attention to them except insurance companies
when totalling a vehicle out.  When I go to a dealer to look at a used
bike it will often be 25% over the bluebook price.  I point this out
ot the salesman and his attitude is: "Well if you don't buy it for
this price, some other fool will." 8^)  That's the thing about
motorcycles and sports cars, young guys see them and want them -bad-
and an extra $1000 isn't going to stand in their way.

Look at EBay and Craigslist.  On EBay Motors you can do a search for
Suzuki SV650, and specify to show only  'Completed Listings'.  This
will show you all the SV650s that have sold in the last few days and
the  prices they went for.  That will give you some idea of what they
go for, with actual value set by the market.

I bet there is also an SV650 mailing list on the Internet.  It's a
very popular bike (not without good reason either!) so there will be a
lot of traffic.  There might be bikes for sale on the list that might
be local to you.  I am on two of these lists for my two bikes and it's
just amazing the questions you can get answered.

There are also many web pages on buying  a used motorcycle--what to
look for, what to be concerned about, etc.  I haven't seen one in a
while but I know they're there.  Google 'buy a used motorcycle' and
you'll find lots of stuff.

Finally if you know someone who has one you want to ask him a million
questions.  Mostly negative ones.  What -doesn't- he like about it?
What kinds of roads -doesn't- it do well on?  Ask to sit on his bike
and try to imagine yourself in that position for hours at a stretch.
In fact if the bike has a center-stand, sit on it with your hands on
the handlebars for 15-20 minutes!

By all means take the MSF course!  Get a good pair of gloves.  And
bear in mind that something like 70% of motorcycle accidents happen to
people in their first year of riding, so BE CAREFUL!