Cold weather means hot bike bargains

I’m slapped pink with the realisation that the weather is only going to get worse; it’s either time to hang up your spurs or prepare yourself for the ritual of multilayered wind / rain resistant dressing, all for the love of riding our bikes.

I must admit I dress slightly towards the warmer weather, this means my beloved bike gets tucked away for the winter, ready for next season. Some say this is the best time to buy that perfect bike you have dreamt about or had on your bedroom wall for the last ten years; which ever it is new bikes or tidy used ones are going to be at their cheapest now.

Christmas has been and gone so why not treat yourself to that sexy little number which gets your heart racing every time. I’ve done it myself, 2 weeks before Christmas one year, travelling back from Norfolk to the Midlands, I saw a little bike shop out of the corner of my eye, took the time to have a quick peek and ended up Buying a 52 plate Aprilia RS250.

When I got home I informed my wife not to worry about a Chrissy present this year – the socks, pants and woolly jumper will be denied. I had the screaming Aprilia delivered between Christmas and New Year, annoyed the neighbour immensely, fantastic!

Bargains are there to be had, It’s a matter of luck and good judgement. Check the web now, you will be surprised what you can get for your hard earned cash.

Another factor to bargain hunting is funding; cash speaks volumes. When I purchased my current Suzuki TL1000R, again through a small shop front in the midlands, the sales guy was eager to say the least , for a trade of my beautiful RS against the TL and a little cash.

It came serviced, Cat 1 Alarm Fitted, Taxed and Mot’d, 3 months Warranty, ready to scare a big man out of his pants. Some of my friends argue that good seasonal rotation of a new bike is value for money, a good point if you are lucky enough to have a wife or partner who can understand you losing quite a few thousand pounds every couple of years; fine when things are good but during this credit crunch it’s a hard pill to swallow.

I’m fine having other peoples cast offs; let’s face it, you can’t buy a bad bike that’s under 10 years old, if it’s been looked after. The engine technology and suspension is more than enough for the average rider (dependent on personal choice, of course).

If you are like me, let the other people spend their money on the new bikes; it gives us more choice in the second hand market. I’m flicking through the ads now seeing which hot bike is going to keep me warm this winter.