Buying my first dirt bike?

Question

I went to a motorcycle / offroad / speed boat dealership. I was looking at the dirt bike. I am 5'10 or 5'11 weighing in at 150-160 pounds (might lose weight during football season).

Now I want a dirt bike to ride around a forrest preserve next to my house and just to ride around, not racing or to do jumps / tricks with.

The sales man recommended the CRF150F to me and said for my body it will fit me like a glove. I sat on it, felt pretty good. Do you guys recommend that bike for me? The dealer said they are reliable and it would cost me about $4,000 with tax. Now as a first bike should I buy it new, or used. Should I asked for used bikes and would other stores sell used or purely new.

The dealer was selling the bike to me for little over 4k with tax. I looked on the honda site this is a honda bike btw, the bike on the site was $3,149, what's up with that??

Plus my dad is making me getting it next year when it warms up (live in IL) and I'm wondering should I buy the '08 model or '07

Answer 1

$3,149 is the manufactures "suggested" retail price.
Dealers can charge what they want.
You have to pay sales tax, same as if you bought something at a department store.
You pay shipping & handling.
Bikes are shipped from Japan to the United States, from the port authority to the dealer's warehouse, then to the dealer.
You pay for assembly & preperation.
The bikes are partialy assembled and have to be removed from their shipping crate (handlebars, front wheel, front fender, throttle, clutch - some models need more and some are fully assembled).
Then prepaired for the customer.
Add gas, oil, tire pressure, brake fluid, cable adjustment, test ride, in some cases fill and charge the battery, coolant, clean the carb if necessary.

Answer 2

Most dealers sell used. If you are getting it next year a 2007 model still sitting on the showroom floor will be almost given away. As to the dealer selling it for 4,000 he's a dealer. They don't sit there for fun, he's trying to make his money. 850 bucks isn't that big of a markup. The 3,149 is proably what they paid to get it in there dealership add a couple hundred for shipping, and some more for title, dealer service, signing, all that fun stuff the dealer is only making 2-3 hundred off it. As to it being a good bike for you. Realize that is all a motorcycle salesman does all day is size people up as they come in. Dealer's head: Does this guy look like he want's a bike? Yes. His size he needs a _____ . Ok I have 3 of those left. Time to go introduce myself.

Answer 3

If you are a new rider, that is probably the ideal bike for you. Honda makes the most reliable motorcycles -- period. I'd buy new if I were you, unless you can find a mint condtion used one. Probably 07 or 08 models won't change much becuae bikes don't change as often as cars do. I would check the price at a couple of dealerships even if you have to call around your state. If you are in NJ, call Coopers Powersport Honda in Hamilton. They are great.

Answer 4

go to a different dealer!!!! you should be able to buy a brand new CRF230 tax and all for around $3300 (and much less for a CRF150!!!). likewise, stating your height and weight, I too would advice you move up to the CRF230.

look around for a clean used bike and save yourself some money. these little CRFs are based on the old Honda XR engine design and are pretty much bullet proof with minor maintenance care (oil changed and clean air filter).

my daughter is 5'6" ~130 lbs and I bought her a CRF230 after trying several other bikes that were too tall for her. it fits her perfectly, has electric start, kinda in between the smaller bikes and the full size bikes both in height and length. the one I bought her was a used 2004 and I paid $2100. they had already done the needed mods like opening up the air box to breath better, put an aftermarket muffler on it, and bark busters...

watch your local Craigslist for a good deal. alot of women ride these (CRF230 or TTR225) due to their size and ease of starting with the electric start..... and you can probably find a really sweet deal on a used one.

Answer 5

The '07 model and '08 model will be essentially the same model. If you can find a brand new 2007 model next year, jump on it. I recommend moving up to the 230cc model, mainly because it is just as easy to ride, but with a bit more power.