Tundras live: Dumb Dad Jokes, Incorrect Opinions, and Relationship Advice.

Just the tips?

 

I don’t know, sounds like you were missing out

 

Well.... That conversation did not go as planned.

Talking to my buddy that got back into motorcycles with me. He recently upgraded from his KLR650 to the new V-Strom 800, because the KLR was not great in a headwind or up hills. Dangerous even. He and I are both reluctant to spend money when we already have something, so it took him months of trying to live with it to finally make the leap.

Anyway, I have been toying with upgrading as well, but I haven't ridden as much as him. That being a factor I've been hesitant because I don't want to get in over my head, but I am drooling over the Super Tenere. So, I called him up to chat and laid things out, pros and cons, plus my concerns. Basically, at the point of "I want a new toy but I don't want to make a mistake because I do like the bike I have now" and I asked him to give me his honest opinion.

Rather than the expected talk me off the ledge convo, he basically is handing me a parachute and chanting "Jump! Jump! Jump!"

 

You're probably right, and that's why I didn't come here. LOL

I was trying to not spend the money, but he worded it really freakin' well and he just went through the exact same situation. For all my prowess as devil's advocate and my love for trying to see if I can dismantle an argument, I got nothing. The only thing to hold me back is the expenditure of funds, and it's not such a huge amount that I can't afford it. It's just my inner cheapskate clutching the wallet.

 

Posts are substantive enough that I could see it going either way.

 

By 'getting in over you head'... are you referring to the putting the $$$ out or getting too much bike for your stage of experience????

 

Purely a concern of too much bike. The financial side of it is pretty readily handled. I've been looking at used ones and I think I could solidly acquire one for cash, and worst case it would be a very low finance that would be for a few months only. That would only be if I didn't sell/trade the current bike as well.

I'm fairly confident I could sell my current bike for $7,000-$7,500 without too much trouble. The S Tens I am looking at are $9,600-$12,000 advertised. Some private party and some at dealerships. I could probably pull together $10,000 cash pretty readily, so selling the CB500X or not I am sitting ok from a financial standpoint on this.

My current thoughts are to wait for winter to see if the ever rising interest rates and dropping desire for luxury items combined with the off season time will push the prices to the $9K-$10.5K range out the door. This would let me snag the bike while keeping the little one as a back up in case I am biting off more than I can chew. Realistically, I don't think it's a major concern. I'm a cautious rider, and I've already had a bike that was heavier than the Super Tenere. Barring some odd comfort issue, I think I'll be ok on it.

I just need to try and find somewhere close by to throw a leg over one and get a feel for it.

 

That makes sense, and I do like the idea of pushing till winter

I'm thinking you're correct about pricing, etc... as we head toward winter. Since you already have a bike, it reduces the pressure to buy before the timing is in your favor; and you should use that to your advantage.

 

All good points. The biggest trouble I'm seeing with the winter wait is that the particular bike I'm eyeing is located in Peoria, Arizona. I think the "off-season" for AZ is a bit different, and possibly non-existent compared to here in the Rockies.

 

Not as cold as where you're at, but the desert still gets cold in the winter, and that cold dry air becomes a deterrent real quick.

Is the model you are looking at limited in nature or difficult to find. It's definitely a little different in terms of decision making if 'this is the one' and it's available now and I may not find one in a few months vs. this is the one and if it's not available when I'm ready there's 10 more just like it somewhere else....

 

The Super Tenere is pretty readily accessible both used and new. It's not ultra popular because it is kinda of antiquated. It hasn't been updated since about 2014. This is a huge part of the draw for me. It's got all the new tech from 10 years ago, but not all the current garbage. Kinda like the Taco and the Tundra. I may have a type.

The biggest variation I see is in mileage and the amount of additional kit on the bikes. Some are completely stock with low miles selling for $13K while others are strung out to 50K-60K miles and priced at $6,000-$8,000. The two "deals" I've eyed were $9,500 for a solid example with 7500 miles and all the kit, and the other is $11,800 for 6100 miles and similar kit. The cheaper bike just sold. The other might as well, but there are lots of others priced attractively.

 

@Tripleconpanna if you're interested in the bike at all, this should pull up the listings I am viewing. https://www.cycletrader.com/2014-An...2014:*&zip=84121&radius=500&sort=distance:asc

 

I don't know man.. I'll step in to talk you off the ledge.
Owning 2 bikes with your short riding season doesn't seem like the right thing to do. Upgrading while your bike is pretty much new would be the time to get the most return out of it.
Another route would be, keep your bike for 2-3 years until you feel like you've mastered it, then upgrade.

I don't know your financial situation but I wouldn't blow all your savings either. Like @nobodyintexas says, keep your powder dry.

2024 could be a wild ride.

 

I say at minimum let it rest until next spring.

The smart voice in my head says pay off the truck and motorcycle notes first (if you have them). You were recently talking about building a home too. If the market continues to “adjust”, it might get much cheaper to build the next few years.

 

The bike is owned outright. The only debt I have is the truck, and I can make that on minimum wage if I have to.

You're not wrong, though. Saving is usually good. I just hate seeing the dollar of the value tanking and my fun fund being less able to do fun. LOL. I don't think I'd need to take any additional debt, though.

Waiting until spring puts it back into riding season and prices tend to firm up. Seasonal deals. Winter for bikes and swimsuits, summer for skis and gloves.

 

You are sitting pretty good then. Spring may have the bike priced a bit higher, but there will also be the 2024 bikes on the market so whatever you buy used will be a year cheaper. Plus your bike from a trade perspective will also price better.

The buy now vs. next spring is just an exercise into justifying spending money now. I play that game all the time…remember I just bought a new trailer.

 

Bikes are a little fickle. If the "new" bike doesn't have any changes, old ones don't drop in value. Part of why my current bike can sell for what it does. The '23 model is no newer.

Same for the Super Tenere. No updates beyond varying colors since 2014.

There is an element of FOMO as the model is discontinued outside the US because it didn't pass the latest emissions sphincter tightening in the EU.

 

So where are you with the house dream?

 

Very humbling…
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66917700

 

Definitely a dream. Pricing is nuts and interest is insane. I'll save and reevaluate in 5 years.

 

Not getting. Having one built. Equally painful, though.

 

@ColoradoTJ

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/one-state-making-all-car-owners-turn-in-license-plates/

 

That sounds nasty.

 

I have no interest in owning a bike... not sure if that's what you meant, or just wanted me to see what you're looking at.

I do like the style of those bikes. Definitely a lot more 'upright' and a more comfortable position for the rider than a crotch rocket, but still sporty. Kinda reminds me of the old Katanas. I'd think you'd be more comfortable on a larger bike like this, but the size is hard to completely assess w/picture comparisons between that bike and your current one.

I'm sure your height would make a difference too; inseam more specifically