Hi From Newcastle

[geordie_e]

Hi all.

I'm currently riding a Suzuki Intruder VL1500, however I've been looking at Vstroms for about a year now.  ( I like to do a lot of camping/touring on my bike)

So hopefully some will help me out

A local (very small) dealer has a 05 650 strom in his window (its been there for about 6 months).  Its got 2,280 on the clock and today I have seen all the paperwork. its had 2 owners, looks in fairly good nick,   there is a bit of rust on the steering bearing on the bottom triple tree, apart from that the bike is OK.  today I heard her start up, fired first time with no funny noises from the engine block....   I would have bought it but ...... my missus says, if there such a popular bike "why is it still there in the showroom after 6 months??"

the dealer says that trading is very slow and he did sell it twice but the finance was stopped. (mines a cash deal and he will knock £100 off the price making it £3,150,

maybe someone in the Newcastle area would like to come and look at it with me (free coffees )

Cheers
Will

[pad]

Welcome Geordie

Looking at bike trader the price seems about right with that low mileage. 05 bikes with higher mileage seem to be between £3200-£3500.

Parkers valuation: http://www.parkers.co.uk/motorbikes/use ... deriv=6699

The reviews and owner feedback clinched the bike for me, there is not a bad word said about it anywhere.

I would be tempted to go in with cash/chequebook and try to barter, explaining you like the feel of a smaller independant dealer and want to return for servicing etc :D

[Fat Rat]

Welcome in Geordie  :D

[Catballou]

hello   :D

[KLV-Rider]

Hi mate, welcome to the forum.... :D

My dad had a Suzuki Intruder 1500lc....in the yellow and cream colour ( :XX ).

[Fat Rat]

I'm starting to feel like the Northerners are taking over  

Must recruit some southern blood  

[Stobie]

Hi there,

I'm in Stanley, Durham. but lived most of my life in the toon. Which dealer are we talking about ?

Stobie

[Catballou]

I'm starting to feel like the Northerners are taking over  

   

             

[geordie_e]

Thanks blokes for all the hellos

The only thing I'm concerned about is the rust under the steering head bearing.... is this something I should be worried about ???

cheers
Will

[andyberg]

Thanks blokes for all the hellos

The only thing I'm concerned about is the rust under the steering head bearing.... is this something I should be worried about ???

cheers
Will

Hi...
don't understand where the rust is??  is it not just staining from a wash and just been left?

[geordie_e]

[attachment=0:3uptc05e]rusty.JPG[/attachment:3uptc05e]

its this bit that's rusty, looking from under the front wheel,  I think its where the steering head bearing ends and is just a stopper pressed into the aluminum

cheers
will

[andyberg]

don't know if I'm teaching to suck eggs but that's the steering stem which is probably mild steel pressed into the alloy fork clamp..the bearing sits above this.

I wouldn't be too worried about rust here,so long as its not bad/flaking etc. Its in a fairly exposed place which ain't going to get much attention from the cleaning rag!
Id certainly have a very good haggle with this chap, he's had it for 6 months so a bloke coming in with a 'buy it now cash hand' should get a good discount!
good luck

[Piglumps]

Hi, Welcome to the forum,

I agree with andyberg, take your cheque book but of course use the old 'I'm looking at several bikes at the moment' line.

Great choice of bike too, cheap insurance, 60mpg etc...

Good luck,
Mike

[geordie_e]

[attachment=0:1qyax73q]bike small.jpg[/attachment:1qyax73q]

this was my bike loaded up for a 2 week trip to finland via sweden and returning through estonia and poland

cheers
Will

[geordie_e]

Hi all,

Thanks to Stobie.....  

I've bought the v strom  :D

should take delivery of it next saturday  :D

Will let you know how it goes

cheers
Will

[Piglumps]

Good on you. Welcome.