I tried buying a bike today

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 01/03/2020 at 15:53 • Filed to: None

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No, not the Indian. I did however drool all over it. Definitely my choice for “sexiest bike in production” after seeing it up close. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Anyways... I saw an ad for a KTM RC390. 2018 MY, brand new. $2999. I was ready to buy it over the phone, but unfortunately... It was already sold (allegedly. Maybe it never existed in the first place).

So, I decided to try a new (to me) moto dealer in Lynnwood. They had a ton of 390 Dukes for $3999, which is already a decent price ($1500 off MSRP), but not quite the impulse buy that the RC390 would have been.

Talked to the salesman—a somewhat quiet younger kid—and ended up saying if I could have it for $3500 before taxes I’d buy today. Cash, finance, sexual favors... whatever.

No luck. Apparently the manufacturer incentives dropped off with the new year and the dealership hasn’t gotten new ones from KTM yet. Rats. We chatted bikes for awhile, and I got his card. Definitely my favorite salesman I’ve ever worked with, and I’d love to give him my business. I told him my interests were an XSR900, monster 821/1200, and if they could give me a killer deal... One of KTM’s 390s or a ninja 400. Call me if you’re tired of any of those bikes taking up valuable showroom floor .

This place is so cool. They just became a Ducati dealer as well, so... Pretty much a one-stop shop for every bike I’m interested in.

My first XSR900 in the flesh. Honestly... It didn’t do as much for me as I expected. I like it more in pictures?

This kawi on the other hand... I though was hideous in pictures. Up close it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Unfortunately they didn’t have an RC390 to test-ride. But the Duke is still one of my absolute favorite bikes in the looks department.

New dream bike?

Probably good that I didn’t buy a bike in the beginning of rediculously cold and wet season. But oppo... I need some two wheel fun. It’s only a matter of time.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 15:58

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The young kid working at my local Subaru dealership 100% has my business. They didn’t have a manual Impreza so he let me drive his own personal car (2018 manual Impreza).

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:01

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Have you ever considered buying a crash bike on Copart? You can get a lot of bike for not much money there. There was a D uke at the one near me that needed a headlight and some body plastics zip tied on and it would  be ready to pass inspection. I think it’s sold for about $700, with less than 2000 miles on the clock.

Spaceball-Two > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:04

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Cycle Barn or Emerald City?

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 01/03/2020 at 16:06

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I remember that. Pretty amazing, that guy is definitely going to have a good time as a salesman.

I'm starting to think the key is to just track down the young kids. Internet, please don't take that out of context. 

AestheticsInMotion > Spaceball-Two 01/03/2020 at 16:07

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Lynnwood M otoplex

AestheticsInMotion > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/03/2020 at 16:09

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I want something new. I’m deathly- tired of working on stuff, and would much rather just ride worry-free.

My two dirt-cheap volvos ruined me

fintail > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:09

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With the recent closings in the area, bike shopping must be kind of odd right now. I don’t know who carries what anymore.

I still kind of drool over hypermotards, but too much $$$ and too much risk in the shitshow that is eastside traffic.

Michael > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:09

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The FTR looks so fun. I’m going to have to check one out from R&D next summer and see how it rides.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:10

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There is nothing worse than trying to spend your money and there isn’t the thing you want. It took me months to find a good canoe, nobody is selling canoes these days. Everyone wants a kayak or paddle board. 

Decay buys too many beaters > Michael 01/03/2020 at 16:21

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Its good, currently the best American bike on sale. Good power, brakes, suspension, fit and  finish. The big weak point, to me, was the excessive vibration at lower rpms

AestheticsInMotion > fintail 01/03/2020 at 16:35

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Those are so neat. Too scary for my skill level though.

I really hope someone buys the Redmond shop. Have you been by there? 

AestheticsInMotion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/03/2020 at 16:36

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Ha. I want a paddle board, but I want to pay beat-up steel-frame mongoose prices for one

AestheticsInMotion > Michael 01/03/2020 at 16:36

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Please let us know. I'm definitely going to get a test-ride at some point once things warm up

fintail > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:43

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I’d always have it in the most gentle mode. Same for something like an S1000R (not RR, my back can’t take that anymore). I’d also be the same way on a Busa, in a neutered mode - I kind of have an attraction to those because they look comfy and have such a wild connotation behind them .

Last time I browsed Ducati, they were still in Bellevue off NE 20th/Bel-Red area. I think that one relocated a couple years ago.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 16:44

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A good paddle board can run north of $ 1,000 pretty fast. They are fun tho. I ended up getting a $400 inflatable board that is quite fun, not great for long paddles but really fun on a river with a good current. 

AestheticsInMotion > fintail 01/03/2020 at 17:12

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I don’t ask for much on here, but if you ever show up to a PNW meet on a Busa... It would make my year.

So are BMW *bikes* considered reliable, well built machines? I'm so used to their auto side's stigma of everything breaking and costing an arm and a leg to repair. 

KSUENGINEER > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 17:24

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Good choice on buying new. I started out riding with project bikes. It was fun, but I spent more time wrenching than riding. My mechanical skills are pretty good, but I should have been focusing on my improving my riding skills rather than wrenching. Best is to have 1 super reliable motorcycle, and other project bikes. It’s working out for me! 

fintail > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 17:43

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That’d be a hell of a midlife crisis for me. Then again, I am not getting any younger, and have started playing hockey again in my (early) 40s via the first midlife crisis ( with only mild injuries) , so who knows what kind of stunt I might pull in the future.

I’ve seen BMW R1200GS or equivalent adventure/dual sport bikes with high mileage, those are the ones that seem to hold up best, but I think their bikes in general age better than most of their cars. Maintenance, just like on a car, might not be as easy as on a Japanese brand, though. Highest mileage bikes I recall are usually Goldwings.

Manny05x > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 19:50

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I like the xsr in anniversary livery, riding one is where the fun is. I love the tailights on the ftr i think is the sexiest tailight on any naked right now.

sn4cktimes > AestheticsInMotion 01/03/2020 at 23:48

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I’ve ripped around on a Duke about 5 years ago... maybe 6. Was a good ride. 

B.J. "Jazzy Joe" > AestheticsInMotion 01/04/2020 at 01:19

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I bought a new ‘17 RC390 and had that for 1 and a half years. Great little sportbike, feels much better than the Ninja or R3 in my opinion. Is just let down by poor build quality and fuel range from small tank (commuting: reserve light at 180-200km, max fuel range 230-250km).

My advice when getting one is either buy it with a warranty, or buy it used very cheap. The mechanic I go to services a few of them, he says the valves usually are still in spec at at first 15000km’s, your choice to do so or not he thinks.