Why buy a new "old" tech thumper?

[BigCanoe]

I was looking at the Suzuki page today. I dont think the DR650 or DRZ400 have changed in years (if not decades). Whats the motivation to buy one of these used over buying a low mileage used one?

[Reposado1800]

Some people want to start from 0 on a new bike they will keep for a long time. The best deals though are from people that buy new, rarely ride and then turn around and sell it two years later.

[BigCanoe]

Suzuki has 0% financing, so that could be another reason to start new.

[Speedo66]

I think the original poster's question is not "why buy new", but why buy older technology new.

In the case of the DR650, maybe because it's a simple, proven design, with lots of aftermarket support, and lots of used parts. Perhaps they want the simplicity of an air cooled, rather than water cooled engine.

The DR is also very adjustable height wise, so great fit for most riders.

Besides, it's been around long enough that the new price is very reasonable for it's size.

[neilaction]

Cheap, reliable, easy to fix, heaps of cheap farkles.

[BigCanoe]

Good reasons to buy in general, but I find it hard to swallow spending almost 6k on a new DR650, dunno.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

I think the original poster's question is not "why buy new", but why buy older technology new.

In the case of the DR650, maybe because it's a simple, proven design, with lots of aftermarket support, and lots of used parts. Perhaps they want the simplicity of an air cooled, rather than water cooled engine.

The DR is also very adjustable height wise, so great fit for most riders.

Besides, it's been around long enough that the new price is very reasonable for it's size.

if that is indeed the question (his wording is funny)
then it's about simplicity and reliability.
i see that all the time with panama or ushuia bound riders passing through.
it's mostly all dr650 or klrs.

[suzuki dual rider]

I bought a New Dr 650se, Because of Being very Reliable, I wanted a New One, + 0% Finance + A very Good Price to Start with..

[BigCanoe]

I am surely tempted :)

[sagebrushocean]

Originally Posted by BigCanoe

Whats the motivation to buy one of these used over buying a low mileage used one?

Somebody has to buy them new so that cheap SOBs like me can get them for half price after a few thousand miles.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by sagebrushocean

Somebody has to buy them new so that cheap SOBs like me can get them for half price after a few thousand miles.

Yup.

[Grreatdog]

My motivation for buying used is having two used KTM's in the garage for the price of one new Japanese dual sport. Besides, even my ten year old KTM's are super high tech wonders of engineering in comparison to the Suzukis. See items 5 and 4 above for reference.

[It'sNotTheBike]

On the DR-650 there is a known weakness in the third gear. If this fails it can cause major
damage ( you will probably need a replacement engine, since the cases are typically destroyed during this failure ).

DR-650s produced more recently have a redesigned third gear. I don't recall when the change
was made, but this is a significant difference between newer and older models, and is at least a reason
to buy a new(er) bike if not a reason to buy a brand new bike.

************************************************** ********************************

But "old tech" is not "bad", per se. People who believe new tech is "always" better have been bamboozled by the
big advertising machine which wants all good citizens to consume to the maximum of their ability.
( Actually that machine wants you to consume beyond your ability, that is why credit cards exist. But as some
folks learn the hard way, profligate spending can lead to misery which lasts for years, and even if you can
afford it you cannot buy happiness. Well, except maybe for a short term in the form of a Caddy full of coke
and hookers ... ).

The newest cars are hideously complex and are full of electronics which WILL cause expensive problems,
the only question being when those problems will happen. Some new bikes have similar issues ( CANBUS,
anyone ? ). Such added complexity doesn't seem like an advantage unless you are a dealer who wants his
service department to be the only place a bike can be fixed.


Decide what you want a bike to do and buy the ( new or used ) bike that comes closest to meeting your criteria.

It's not complicated, unless you want to make it that way.

[Maxacceleration]

No radiators to destroy when you crash out in the middle of nowhere (well maybe on the DRZ ).
No tranny oil, motor oil & two filters to change each time.
Shrink wrapped motor small oil capacity needs a change mid trip - on your short half state tour.
Cheap gas works.
If you are crossing a desolate stretch loaded down, its not a race anyhow.
I think the lower maintenance, big gas capacities & gear hauling ability play well for the DR650.

KTM's & Husky's and Giant Loop are certainly excellent for the go fast ADV 'ers though.
Just more maintenance.
Make a decision...

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

On the DR-650 there is a known weakness in the third gear. If this fails it can cause major
damage ( you will probably need a replacement engine, since the cases are typically destroyed during this failure ).

DR-650s produced more recently have a redesigned third gear. I don't recall when the change
was made, but this is a significant difference between newer and older models, and is at least a reason
to buy a new(er) bike if not a reason to buy a brand new bike.

Where did you get this information?
The fact is a very small percentage of gear failures have occurred. Some are documented here and there are probably more outside of ADV where failures have happened. But in the grand scheme of over all sales since 1996 and the hundreds of thousands of DR650's sold world wide, this percentage is quite small. I'd guess less than 1%. If you have PROOF otherwise, I'd love to see it.

I hope you are right about the change in the 3rd gear, but far as I know, this is not the case.

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

But "old tech" is not "bad", per se. People who believe new tech is "always" better have been bamboozled by the big advertising machine which wants all good citizens to consume to the maximum of their ability. (Actually that machine wants you to consume beyond your ability, that is why credit cards exist. But as some folks learn the hard way, profligate spending can lead to misery which lasts for years, and even if you can afford it you cannot buy happiness. Well, except maybe for a short term in the form of a Caddy full of coke
and hookers ... ).

The newest cars are hideously complex and are full of electronics which WILL cause expensive problems, the only question being when those problems will happen. Some new bikes have similar issues ( CANBUS, anyone ? ). Such added complexity doesn't seem like an advantage unless you are a dealer who wants his service department to be the only place a bike can be fixed.

Decide what you want a bike to do and buy the ( new or used ) bike that comes closest to meeting your criteria.

It's not complicated, unless you want to make it that way.

Excellent comments! Spot On!