New or used?

[CaptainAwesome_imp]

I'm looking to get a CB1100 here within the next month or so. Either way I will be financing (dealer or bank) it so I can ride it this season.

I want an ABS version and I'm not sure I can find a '13 ABS model in my area. There are non-ABS versions but the ABS is important to me.

Kelly Blue book has the '13 models at about $8000, a '14 will cost me about $13k new after tax. So that's $5k for a 6th gear, dual exhaust and gear indicator, and .5 gallons basically.

Price wise I'm sure I could do a lot of modifications for that difference. Exhaust, gear indicator, custom seat, even swapping out the gas tank for the larger one. Only the transmission would really prove to be a difference. However I noticed a couple members on here selling their '13 to get a '14 so I wonder how much of a difference those extras are really worth.

There is also the warranty thing. Not sure if it's worth it to have an extended coverage on the bike, but by now I'd need a new one for that or find someone who bought it on theirs. Still looking into it to see if it's worth the money.


Bike is planned for a daily commuter in Seattle.

Ideas?

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Well, thats a tough call. I think the ABS 13 may be hard to find used. Otherwise, I would vote used. I have done these things both ways and finding a gently used one is by far easier on the pocketbook short and long term. The thing about buying a used CB11 is that more than likely it has been ridden gently sorta like an old Crown Vic. Its not like buying a used Mustang GT or sport bike that you pretty well know has had the stew run out of them.

I would at least take some time to search around for a used CB11 ABS before I took the plunge. You never know you just may fine one at a good price somewhere. Patience will be your friend if you can hold out.

[redbirds_imp]

I agree with Old Guy. Buy a used bike if you can find one that seems to have been well cared for. Would have done the same but could not locate a used CB in my area. There are some used CB's listed on Cycle Trader.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

I agree with Old Guy. Buy a used bike if you can find one that seems to have been well cared for. Would have done the same but could not locate a used CB in my area. There are some used CB's listed on Cycle Trader.

I use search tempest that will search the entire craigs list at one time also. It can be handy if you are searching for an odd part or even a CB11 ABS. Just google "search all of craigs" and you will get several options. You can put in your location and search from closest to furthest away. Its a pretty handy tool to use.

[CaptainAwesome_imp]

Yeah, my location is a big problem for finding ABS. The closest city is Denver to the south at a 6 hour drive away. Second place is Spokane at 10 hours away. So middle of no where is where I be, lol.

I'm finding the standard versions but since I'm moving to Seattle and using it as a commuter the ABS is very important to me. It makes a big difference on wet roads.

I'll probably be stuck buying a new one but the only downside to that is the cost. Never had a new bike, or a new car for that matter (I like vintage), maybe it's about time I bought something completely new.


Is the extended warranty worth it? Looks like $1000 for 3 extra years. I'm planning it as a commuter so it will be on the road a lot, but it's also a Honda, I can't remember the last time I heard of one breaking.

[Aussie_imp]

I doubt you'll use the 3 year warranty, save the money. If you're using the bike as a commuter, you won't need a sixth gear, so a '13 will be adequate. Actually, the bike is absolutely fine without a sixth gear on the highway as well (is it a psychological need for a 6th gear?? ). That said, the upgrades to the ex are nice. It's academic for me as no ex will make it downunder. But hypothetically, if honda did bring it to australia it would retail for at least 16-17k AUD on the road. I might get 7-8k for my bike second hand. So it's a 8-10k change over price tag!

[Guth_imp]

A variety of thoughts on this one...

First off, do you have to buy the bike before you move? If not, you'll more than likely have a much better selection to choose from in the Seattle area regardless of whether you are buying used or new.

Obviously there are financial advantages to buying used as already mentioned. But owning a brand new bike is truly a great feeling.

Personally, I would say go with your gut. I've found that when it comes to vehicles of any kind, if I buy exactly what I want, then I tend to stick with that vehicle for a very long time because I tend to stay happy with whatever I'm driving/riding long after I've stopped thinking about how much I paid for the thing. So, if you have a preference for the one of the 2014 models, then I'd say go for it and buy new, I don't think that you'll regret it in the long run. If you really don't have a preference, then maybe shop for the best deal on a used 2013 ABS model.

Good luck!

[CaptainAwesome_imp]

You know, I think I'll do the 2014. I found myself trying to talk myself into it today and I think buying a 2014 model when I'm making a very big move in 2014 sort of sets a nice tone.

It doesn't have to be new... but I want it to be. I know it's going to get dinged and scratched, maybe even laid down, but I don't really care on this bike. It's something I can see keeping for a really, really long time. The kind of bike that gets the company of other bikes over the years but doesn't get traded in itself.

I'm a bit used to figuring out projects (vintage cars). They require a lot of time and effort so you really need to be sure before you pull the trigger. So it tends to be the way I think, especially about this.

I figure the best I can find an ABS model in this area of the country will be like $10k before tax. Prices tend to be a little higher because you have less options. If I find one I find ONE, not two to choose between. If I can get a 2014 new, I think all the minor upgrades mixed with it being new and thus truly mine (rather than the feeling of just my turn with something used I get sometimes) really makes it worth the couple extra grand.

Right now my best offer is about $13,000, I might be able to get him down a little as in his cacluations he listed the bike above MSRP by about $350, but only had a $75 doc fee and then tax on top. That's not bad I don't think, but there are a few dealers out there and I'll see if I can't try to get out the door at about MSRP. It's my understand that MSRP is sort of where companies feel you should be at your walking out the door price and I know they are still making good money at that. My hope is since they all seem to have a standard '13 model that hasn't sold that they won't feel it's a high demand model. The ones I talked to I had to inform that there was a DXL version coming out in March.

So I'll try and see, I have a couple options if I'm willing to go North or South or East for an hour and half either way. Don't see any reason why I shouldn't see who will give me the best deal, lol.


As far as getting one after moving... I could, but I don't want to. I like the idea of learning it in this town before going and then going through YellowStone on it on the way out. Be a long season I felt like I was missing, be worth it to have on my days off to just pick a direction and go before I moved.

I guess to do it this way I'm paying for the luxury of having it here and now and new, but I recon I should experience that at least once in my life. No fun always being sensible, lol.

Thanks for the help.

[Pauley]

My 2 cents worth:
I've never bought an extended warranty for anything ever. I figure that over a lifetime, I'll come out way ahead.
Guth has a great point - get what you want. You'll be so happy you won't think about the money for long but you'll always kick yourself for not getting the bike you know you really want. Good luck to you.

[CaptainAwesome_imp]

Yeah that's something I've weighed into it. I tried to imagine it being 5-10 years down the road and telling the story of it all where the difference in money was long forgotten. Do I want a '13 or the new and improved '14 in that story? And then it was pretty clear I'd be happier for the rest of my life with the '14, even if the bike didn't last the rest of my life so to speak. Because I got the brand spanking new one, not a new old one.

Good to know on the warranty. I still want to research it out but unless you got a rare lemon or really thrashed the bike I don't see anything going out in 4 years. Plus you can still extend it if you're under the original warranty so maybe if I came across a big problem in this first year I'd consider it. It's sort of like I had the insurance on my phone for all those years and nothing ever happened to it out side the original warranty. So either I pay for it through insurance or I might end up paying the same for a new one later on.