Bike purchase - the one on display or from the distributor?
Discussion
I am about to buy a Fantic Caballero, for immediate use. The dealer has the right bike in the showroom, or I can have one from the distributor.
These will be 2025 bikes, the 2026 ones won't arrive till the 2025 ones are sold. The 2026 one has traction control and a remap, the latter of which I get FOC under warranty.
My gut feeling about this is that it makes no odds having the one on display, because it's 0 miles and may, if anything, have been checked over better for fit and finish. Also, that one from the warehouse might come with sods law installed and some sort of issue.
The risk is that, although all 2025 bikes, the later ones have had some sort of early teething issue resolved (2025 is the first year of this bike).
Any thoughts please chaps?
These will be 2025 bikes, the 2026 ones won't arrive till the 2025 ones are sold. The 2026 one has traction control and a remap, the latter of which I get FOC under warranty.
My gut feeling about this is that it makes no odds having the one on display, because it's 0 miles and may, if anything, have been checked over better for fit and finish. Also, that one from the warehouse might come with sods law installed and some sort of issue.
The risk is that, although all 2025 bikes, the later ones have had some sort of early teething issue resolved (2025 is the first year of this bike).
Any thoughts please chaps?
It seems the differences are that one will have traction control and one is available immediately. I think your Sod's Law point could apply to both bikes.
Do you want traction control?
Whilst it's nice to have the bike now, do you plan to ride it now? (he says looking at the snow outside)
Those seem to be the questions to answer. Either bike could have been built on a Friday afternoon and I assume the one in the showroom is not a demonstrator, so no one has ironed out anything beyond a PDI at most?
If it were me, I would wait for the 26 model if it's due to arrive soonish for Spring time.
Do you want traction control?
Whilst it's nice to have the bike now, do you plan to ride it now? (he says looking at the snow outside)
Those seem to be the questions to answer. Either bike could have been built on a Friday afternoon and I assume the one in the showroom is not a demonstrator, so no one has ironed out anything beyond a PDI at most?
If it were me, I would wait for the 26 model if it's due to arrive soonish for Spring time.
Depends on the deal - if they want to discount the 2025 for you then grab it - if they don't, I'd be surprised. However, if not, wait for the 2026 unless you really want a bike right now.
Ref. TC - it's absence wouldn't bother me esp. on a bike like that. Focus on the discount for buying now, or the colour scheme you want if different on the 2026.
Ref. TC - it's absence wouldn't bother me esp. on a bike like that. Focus on the discount for buying now, or the colour scheme you want if different on the 2026.
If I REALLY wanted one I'd buy it now. If I just wanted one I'd wait for the 26 one knowing that something else might catch my eye before I bought it.
The only other consideration is whether you're planning to keep it for many, many years in which case I'd probably wait for the traction control.
The only other consideration is whether you're planning to keep it for many, many years in which case I'd probably wait for the traction control.
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Tuesday 6th January 12:39
Looks like I could be getting the best of both worlds here.
I have ordered the bike and it will arrive on Friday. They can be compared side by side. Which of course won't reveal any mechanical issues but, if Fantic has done anything different with the bike may give me the chance to select which i prefer.
looksfast said:
Did the bike arrive OP?
I asked for delivery next week. I've just called the dealer but been unable to speak to the sales chap to see if bike 2 came in. Will try again later.Edited to add: Just spoken to the shop and the other buyer has yet to stump up a deposit, so I will be getting the one out the shop. By the end of the week.
Edited by Furbo on Saturday 10th January 12:06
Furbo said:
The bike will be coming with a standard plate. I am thinking of getting a 7x5 done. I never had problems with them in the past, is that still the case?
Never had any trouble with any of my bikes on a small plate.Part of the reasoning for not having one is it gives the police an excuse to pull you over. As long as you’re legal otherwise it shouldn’t matter. Although they have put the penalty up to 100 quid.
Drawweight said:
Furbo said:
The bike will be coming with a standard plate. I am thinking of getting a 7x5 done. I never had problems with them in the past, is that still the case?
Never had any trouble with any of my bikes on a small plate.Part of the reasoning for not having one is it gives the police an excuse to pull you over. As long as you re legal otherwise it shouldn t matter. Although they have put the penalty up to 100 quid.
Furbo said:
The bike will be coming with a standard plate. I am thinking of getting a 7x5 done. I never had problems with them in the past, is that still the case?
The law doesn’t specify the size of the plate, only the size of the letters and spacing. I’ve run 7x5 for years with full size letters without any issue, i don’t change for MOT either.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff