Hopefully Buying a Kawi Soon!

[hutch]

Hey, everyone! I've been searching and looking through the forums for a few days now, and finally decided to go ahead and join.

So I'm only 16 (I'll be 17 in October), and I live in the Gainesville, FL area. About six months ago I went ahead and took the MSF, got my endorsement, and went and bought a 2001 Suzuki Katana 600 (Please don't flame me for buying a Katana haha). Its been a pretty good bike so far, but its got 23,000 miles and its been laid down on both sides by the previous owners. I just went and got the sprockets and chain replaced and all of that, but going into the dealership I fell in love with the new ninja's!

My friend has a 250(although lately he's been riding his stepdad's bike more and more), and his stepdad has a beautiful green ZX10 he's let me sit on a few times.

So, I've got a pretty good job, and I think I can get my sister to sign for me to finance a new bike. I've been really wanting a new green ZX6R, since I've gotten pretty good with my Katana(not that its anywhere near the power of a supersport), and I've been wanting a real sport bike. But then I went back up to the dealership today and it turns out they have an '06 ZX10 in black with only 1400 miles for $8500. So it seems like I could get a ZX10 for cheaper than a ZX6R!

Now, I wasn't looking a liter bike at all, I didn't even think about it, because I figured it would be too much bike for me and everything, but it sounds like too good of a deal to pass up, and I certainly would respect its power by all means! But then I started thinking the insurance will probably make up the difference and make it about the same to own either bike, although the resale value on the ZX10 would definitely probably be more.

What do you guys think I should do?

[Shifty1]

Call and get an insurance quote. At your age the insurance on that bike (full coverage since you are financing) will probably be over $1500/year. If you are willing to spend that kind of money and can control your right hand, then buy it. But if I were you, I would go with the zx6r. It may be cheaper to get out the door but the insurance could change that quickly. It really sucks but the insurance companies can literally name their price and they are all thieves. Let us all know what you decide and welcome to the forum.

[hutch]

Hey, thanks for the advice man! I went online and got a quote from Progressive, and what I found was really weird.

Well, to start off, both were ridiculously expensive, but I am 16, and they are fast bikes! But then again, that wasn't really surprising What was surprising was the quote they had given me, actually made the ZX10R cheaper to insure?! It was cheaper by about $500/year!

Is this right? I wonder why it would turn out like that?

Do any of you have any suggestions for other insurance companies, are some better for bikes than others?

Thanks for all the help!

[Shifty1]

I found my best rate at State Farm but I have heard of people getting better from other companies. Like my Dad, he's got two bikes with full coverage from Progressive and pays under $200/year total. I have a clean record and I am 28 years old and paying almost $500/year for full coverage/no deductible/max medical. Which was a hell of a lot cheaper than the other companies I called. As for the difference, it could be because the zx10r is 2 years old but I would still call and talk to a rep to make sure. If it is cheaper and you think you can handle the power of the 10, get it. I would. But definitely talk to a rep to make sure. I had Progressive on my R6 and checked the quote online and it was totally different when I talked to a rep because the online quote doesn't check your driving record. Again, good luck and keep us posted.

[hutch]

Thanks for all the help man, I'll definitely call around and see what kind of rate I can get, and see what's going on with the zx10r vs. zx6r rate is all about!

[Shifty1]

Yeah, no prob man, I would love to have an 06-07 zx10r. I think it's a sexy bitch, especially with a custom shorty Akrapovic exhaust. I saw a guy at bike night with the Akra cut down on his SE and damn was that thing hot. I hope it is cheaper for you...it would be sweet to get that 10.

[ajtmex]

Ah, yes... One of our more level headed youths. I admire you for being way more responsible than the rest of them out there. Go with what you think is best but since it seems like you know what your getting yourself into, I would say go for the 10r. I mean personally, I think you get more bang for you buck in this situation, how ever I think that 06 is just SLIGHTLY over priced. I've seen some around here going for just shy of $7,500. If you can negotiate a small discount, that you can use that extra little bit for something else. Also, I would suggest if you can, if anybody maybe even your sister, to perhaps get a loan, and pay the bike off completely with that, that way you already have the title in hand, and just steadily pay off the loan. And if you go for the 5yr plan, you can prolly get around $200/mo in payments not including insurance. That's another story. I hear State Farm is a really good way to go, because unlike other companies, they go with your engine size rather than what kind of bike it is. Basically, it's a rip off for cruiser's but it's a bargain for sport bikes.

[hutch]

Thanks for the tips man! I've been leaning towards the 10R since I've left the bike shop, I think it might be just a tad bit more fun And sounds like I might be able to talk them down a little bit, its always worth a try right? I never thought about getting a different loan, that actually sounds like a pretty good idea! The good thing is I am going to trade my bike in(or sell it?), and I have some money in the bank that I'm going to use so my payments won't be as much (which means I'll have more money for other gear and such!). Seems like I definitely need to call up State Farm and get a quote! I'm going to call 2-3 different companies and go ahead and get quotes for both the 6R and the 10R so I can weigh out what I would be paying for both now, and down the road!


All I know, is no matter which bike I get, the gas is going to be cheaper than both our Dodge 2500 Diesel and my old 1979 Firebird(had a Chevy 350)

[DuckyZX10R]

GEICO charged me almost $200/yr more for my 2002 ZX6R vs my 2007 ZX10R I don't really know the reasoning behind it but I just wanted to let you guys know that it is quite common.

[hutch]

Originally Posted by DuckyZX10R

GEICO charged me almost $200/yr more for my 2002 ZX6R vs my 2007 ZX10R I don't really know the reasoning behind it but I just wanted to let you guys know that it is quite common.

Well its good to know I wasn't doing something wrong! Yeah, I have no idea why, it seems common sense to me that they would charge more for a liter bike..especially a ZX10R!

Although, I guess the insurance companies don't always have a lot of common sense...

[Mailman]

One good thing about getting older I guess; zx6r insurance for me would be $178/year, full coverage :)

[Jaywheel]

Hutch, sounds like you've done your research. Keep the six P's in mind and go with the ZX 10 R. Make sure you never forget to respect any bike you ride. That ZX 10 is a powerful machine. But as you have already found out from riding your Kan-a-tuna, any bike can get you down the road, and going down the road is all that matters. Welcome to the forum.

[freighttrain]

well... it's a tough call.... but if insurance is the bargaining chip?... why not just buy a four year old 600?..

look... if you want the 10r.. get it.. but it's A LOT of bike. i know a lot people would buy it anyway.. i did the same thing in 1986... bought the gsxr 750... had fun too.. but then i road a bike with less power.. and had more fun.. i was finally able to use the whole powerband...

that said.. even the 600's are gonna be too fast for you.. but that doesn't mean you won't have fun on it... just don't put yourself in a situation where you have fear of the power... try an older 600... do some track days.... build the confidence up...
you'll have more fun chasing down the bigger bikes in the turns... i do...

[185EZ]

Hey hutch, I know it's a different bike than the zx10 but I paid $8500 for a brand new 07 zx14. Full warranty and nobody else drove it. You would probably even get a better interest rate on a new bike.
I'm actually surprised at what you guys pay for insurance. The 14 is considered a sport touring and I had to fight to get down to $650 a year. I have a perfect driving record and old enough where most of you guys could be my sons.

[hutch]

hey guys, just an update, I've been looking at some other bikes, and I decided I'm going to start looking for 2-3 year old 600's. The ZX10 would be awesome, but I decided there's no way I'd get bored with a 600 being 5'11" and only 145lbs! The insurance is even better on the 600's from a few years ago, and I don't really NEED a new bike at all, thanks for all your help! Who knows though until I sign all the papers what will happen!

[Shifty1]

Keep us posted.