Buy new if big enough discount or still go second hand?

[Martylaa]

Been looking at changing out bike, had a test drive of a second hand bike and the basic part ex deal would have meant me paying £2800 for a bike that’s 10 months old with 1600 miles on it and only 14 months left of its warranty.

Seen another 10 month old second hand bike that had 1000 miles on it and total cost would be £2000 to change but I’d have to buy a seat as it has a low seat only on it.

Or would you go with a new bike for a very healthy discount meaning the total cost would be £3500 for a brand new bike with full warranty and I know its totally new with no demo rides which the other bikes have been.

[KTMsm]

Personally I'd rather pay £2k - probably easy to swap a seat on a group or easy to sell a lowered seat

What's going to have happened in the first 1000 miles that's not going to show up within the warranty period ?

This is assuming that it's not a stupidly expensive bike hence £1500 isn't much discount nor a bike that's likely to have been raced

[Drawweight]

Possibly it depends on the make of bike?

Secondhand Honda probably. Secondhand KTM or BMW I’d have to think about it.

[Martylaa]

Moto Guzzi with the option of extending the warranty another 1-2 years depending on the plan.

[KTMsm]

Martylaa said:

Moto Guzzi with the option of extending the warranty another 1-2 years depending on the plan.

What's likely to go wrong that isn't covered by a warranty that costs over £1500 ?

Equally how quickly can you save £1500 - if it's a day - who cares, if it's 6 months...

[trickywoo]

Depends how long you plan to keep it.

10 years plus go new. Two or three years get the cheapest.

[OutInTheShed]

Also you should get some of the extra £1500 or whatever back when you sell or trade up in a few years?

I've never bought new, newest bikes I've bought were pretty shiny, but easily less than 2/3 the price of brand new..
These days, some used price seem pricey compared to new?
OTOH, total cost over 3 year or whatever?
Going out of warranty after 6 months then doing my own servicing worked for me, but bikes have moved on?

Some people see a lot of value in having an immaculate new bike or whatever, I am more comfortable with a nice used bike where a small scratch is just another sign of use, not 'the first scratch'.

[Essarell]

trickywoo said:

Depends how long you plan to keep it.

10 years plus go new. Two or three years get the cheapest.

If buying new with a view to long term ownership how do you feel about the amount of Tech that seems to laden on every new model release? Personally it’s the one thing that’s stopping me from putting a new bike in the garage, I struggle to get out on my bikes, work etc just make that difficult, it would be in the back of my mind that the one day I finally get out for a run i’m met with warning lights and random failures.How well manufactured are modern bikes that allow them to sit idle the majority of the time?It’s not anti tech it’s just for a lot of us a bike isn’t for commuting it’s just for the joy of a ride out.
I have a 2003 1150RT, picked it up from the main dealers 16 years ago used, it’s sat in the garage fuelled, battery tended and ready to go, tech wise I need to change the clock twice a year and it’s needed a battery or two and a headlight bulb. The fact there is so little on it to fail is the main reason we’re still together.

To the OP, what’s your usage? Commuting or just sunny day ride out?

[Martylaa]

Days out only, no commuting here...

I do hear what you are saying regarding the modern tech stuff, as nice as it is then yes it is just another gizmo that could go wrong, luckily enough I've never had a major issue regarding that.

But if I had a bike I was going to keep for years on end then yes its a concern...

[KTMsm]

Martylaa said:

Days out only, no commuting here...

I do hear what you are saying regarding the modern tech stuff, as nice as it is then yes it is just another gizmo that could go wrong, luckily enough I've never had a major issue regarding that.

But if I had a bike I was going to keep for years on end then yes its a concern...

It's a modern Italian bike...

It's got a better chance than most of having an issue

But it's not like it's a £200,000 Ferrari, anything should be fixable without being a horrific cost

[Essarell]

Martylaa said:

Moto Guzzi with the option of extending the warranty another 1-2 years depending on the plan.

Always a Moto Guzzi in my Autotrader wish list, so much character and the V85 looks magnificent:

[Neal H]

I’d go for the cheapest one assuming it’s fairly immaculate. With 1000 miles it should have had its first service which is an additional expense and inconvenience out of the way. There’s enough warranty left for any major problems to show themselves.

[Martylaa]

Neal H said:

I’d go for the cheapest one assuming it’s fairly immaculate. With 1000 miles it should have had its first service which is an additional expense and inconvenience out of the way. There’s enough warranty left for any major problems to show themselves.

Thanks, and I can extend the warranty with MOTO GUZZI as well if needed later down the line, makes sense...

[Biker 1]

Also worth looking at insurance costs - new bike more expensive to insure.

[stang65]

I'd buy the cheapest as it sounds like you don't intend to keep long term. However, have you tried pushing the dealer for more on the new bike? It might work out a more attractive deal with finance, free service or kit thrown in? There's certainly more scope for a dealer on a new bike. Also, other than the seat are the bikes otherwise the same - colour, spec, extras, etc.? Any you prefer?

I've only ever bought one new bike as it actually worked out cheaper due to 0% finance (i.e. I earned interest on the money offsetting the finance) and 2 years free servicing. Plus it meant I could pick the colour and the tyre brand and got some extras at cost, which for me all had value. I don't think there are 0% deals around now but the rest is optional to the dealer.

Are they all at the same dealer? Dealer loyalty can make a difference when you're chasing warranty claims (especially with cars but I'd guess with bikes too - my new one was a Honda so no warranty claims) so will you service with the dealer you buy from?

I'd look at the entire package and then probably buy the one that was cheapest. I'd possibly pay £300-£500 more for new over the low mileage bikes you mention just becuase sometimes it's nice to have shiney things!!