Riding for fun and adventure...

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I hate when that happens.

If I get the big one, I'll still have the GZ for most of my local riding. There is some logic to working one's way up, but most of what I see on the Internet is buyer's remorse that one did not buy the bigger model. I wish Dupo would weigh in here, I was sort of hoping he'd give me some encouragement.

And his bike is only a 750 but big enough for his needs and wants. Sat on some really big cruisers today and just didn't like the physical size and weight of 1100 + bikes. Maybe just me with old age syndrome but the 800 CC Suzukis were comfy and large enough. Still capable of cross country trips without the added cost of purchase and less miles per gallon. But that is personal preference. Ultimately it is your money Alan and your desires to fulfill. Have fun spending b/c you earned it.

[alanmcorcoran]

I appreciate the advice Patrick, even though I appear to be ignoring it. If I do get the Strat, I will be hearing your voice telling me "I told you so, dumbass" in the background every time I climb on it. Perhaps that will allow me to live a little longer.

I don't have any illusions of deep experience or expertise at this stage, but I am generally a quick study. If I survive the first few trips I will probably be okay. I have seen many a newb buy an 1100 as a first bike. Perhaps they are road kill now, but the majority of them lived long enough to post at least once.

I promise I will wear my gear if I take the plunge.

[mr. softie]

The big strat is probably a lot safer than a 500-900cc sport bike by a big margin, so displacement is not really the determining factor of safety IMHO. More the maturity of the rider. Hell I would probably wreck on a 250 ninja before I ever got in trouble on a big cruiser. My 2 cents..

[patrick_777]

Who said anything about comparing the Stratoliner to a sportbike?

FYI, there is a huge difference between 500cc and 900(?)cc sportbikes. If you've never ridden that style of bike, you really should try not making blanket (and very incorrect) statements about them.

Hell I would probably wreck on a 250 ninja before I ever got in trouble on a big cruiser.

I seriously doubt that.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Are these standard everywhere? Do dealers really get 1200 transportation and 1000 setup on $7200 motorcycles?

They "get" whatever they can GET. The M50 is a very popular model; the Liner, not so much, thus the difference in add-on fees.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I'm a little anxious about it, but I think I might go buy that Strat tomorrow.

Well, it's "tomorrow"; what's the plan?

I don't know WHY you are hesitating. Everybody here has been telling you for 2 weeks now that this is the perfect bike for you. :shocked:

Well, mmmmm, have I been watching too many politicians lately? :whistle: :biggrin:

One thing that hasn't been mentioned (much) is your extensive experience on a bicycle, which is more valuable than most people think.

You WILL need to do a refresher on the basics......in an empty parking lot.......heavy braking, low speed manuvers and some time in tight road turns when traffic is light. While the Liner will be more stable in tight turns, I'm pretty sure you will have to make a more consious effort to make it turn (understeer).

Congratulations on the new bike !! :cool:
I'm jealous.....kind of.

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks Easy. I got the sense the fees were somewhat negotiable on the M50, but not how much negotiable. Just seemed ballsy to tack on 1200 for delivery of a 7K MC. They tacked on about 1400 in fees (license, destination, setup, safety check, etc.) to the GZ when I went shopping for that, and, eventualy lowered it to $900, which I still thought was a hosing, but there weren't any others available then. Now, six months later, it's "worth" $1300 on a trade. (The dark side of motorcycle fever!)

[music man]

You are smoking crack if you trade in your GZ for 1300 dollars, you have a bike that is not even a year old, with less than three thousand miles on it, that's all I will say about that part.

Now on to these supposed fee's they are trying to charge you, if you want to find out how real they are, go in to the dealership with the 7k in cash to buy the bike with, or credit card or whatever, anything but financing it, tell them you want to own it free and clear that day, and SHOW them that you can afford it right that second, I guarantee you that you get it for whatever the sticker price is, or maybe even a little lower if they really want to get rid of it.

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks Music. I'm not trading the GZ for 1300. Also, I used to sell cars, so I know a little about negotiating. I didn't do so good on the GZ250 but, the problem I had then was there weren't any new 250's in the lower half of the state last July.

I have had some more developments on my potential Strat purchase. I'll catch you up later.

[music man]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

the problem I had then was there weren't any new 250's in the lower half of the state last July.

That is true I forgot about the fact that you bought your's in the middle of a full on gas price crisis. :oops: