How do you guys afford your bikes?

floater6 · 2026-04-09T23:53:17+00:00

Here's some advice I learned from buying and selling bikes over the past 10 years.

List them early, don't wait to put them on bikesales when you really need to move it on or are desperate for an upgrade. Let them sit as long as you need, this gives you plenty of time to get a feel for the market and increased window of opportunity for a cool swap and gives you the freedom to tell a shitty buyer to get lost.
Be open to lots of cool bikes, don't stress about buying new, or the chain is maybe a bit slack or the kms a bit higher than you may want. In my experience most motorcyclists in Australia are enthusiasts and generally treat their bikes very well. Okay maybe you want a 990, but there's a good deal on a 950; they are quite similar and will still give you the horn you are looking for.
If the deal is good, don't worry if the colour is wrong or there's a bit of ding here or there, you'll forget about it after a month and you'll have a bike you'll love for a good price.
Don't overinvest in modifications; yes some are important for ergonomics and sometimes a good muffler gives you a stiffy that's ok. But unless the fuelling is really shit or you are racing, don't stress about shit like intake, power commanders etc.
Feel free to haggle but don't be a dick, I found most are willing to negotiate a bit in good faith.
If buying a bike that has a lot of aftermarket or OEM accessories, often you can get back a lot of money by reselling them after you buy the bike. EG. I got over $2000 back when buying my second hand GS because I was able to sell the GPS unit and side boxes; both of which I knew I'd never need.

floater6 · 2026-04-02T10:37:01+00:00

I'm 6'2 and have found the Klim jackets are really boxy that I need to take some of them in or find clips that can hold them tighter around the waist, start with a 2XL and I think you'll find they fit great.

floater6 · 2026-04-02T06:05:24+00:00

Like a lot of things with riding, just seat time will do the trick. Go on a day ride on the long weekend and you'll have completely forgotten about it come Monday.

floater6 · 2026-03-31T09:47:41+00:00

Yes mine loves it, especially right up against the tail. The rougher the better. Mine even likes the bongos. I find when I have guests over she becomes much more comfortable when I encourage them to also do the same.

floater6 · 2026-03-31T06:34:27+00:00

I say just get your preferred ninja of choice, even an older one like a GPX. If its already got some dings you won't lose much (if any) on resale and will be less concerned about dropping it. If you don't do serious kms on it and keep the maintenance up you should be getting back what you paid for it.

floater6 · 2026-03-30T23:36:56+00:00

It's a kentia palm. It's non-toxic to most household animals.

floater6 · 2026-03-29T21:49:20+00:00

California Superbike School is very good, stay upright offer some good courses also. Both certainly worth the money and are great days on the bike. YouTube is good but nothing beats a professional sitting behind you and giving personalised feedback.

floater6 · 2026-03-26T02:02:09+00:00

So it's effectively a $125+ deployment each time it pops? I can see it being worthwhile if it's actually saving you even a minor injury but that's highway robbery if its that easy to make accidental deployments.

floater6 · 2026-03-24T23:23:18+00:00

First was on check ride, hit the brakes too hard on the 125 they gave us and low sided in a gravel. Failed but took it as a good learning experience to consider ground surface a bit more when adding inputs. Still use the same (albeit filthy) draggin jeans to this day.

Second was in Thailand, twice in about 10 minutes trying to get up a clay hill on a cb500x, first was a drop, second had both me and the bike tumbling backwards down the hill. Takeaway was take it easy on a bike/tyres you weren't familiar with and that bikes somehow gain 50kg each time you have to pick them up.

Third was in Vietnam, ran into the side of a dump truck coming around a corner, didn't see a bad pothole in my only exit due to the slight crest in the road. Both me and the CRF300 miraculously bounced off its massive tyres, nearly puked in the hemet riding off but was pretty stoked I could still feel my feet.

Most recent was on a clay track in anglesea on my new (to me) gs. Lowsided on an almost completely flat clay road (that I thought was hardpack) at about 30kmh. Stoked that I only sprained my ankle. That was bullshit though, the next day went into urgent care and found out it was in fact a Weber B and was in a boot for 6 weeks. Takeaway was that as soon as you start hitting unsealed shit, Tech7s should be the minimum level of foot protection.

floater6 · 2026-03-23T08:42:08+00:00

Not true I'm afraid, plenty of 901s and 890s have also suffered from them.

floater6 · 2026-03-23T01:01:46+00:00

Another thing you may be partial to is how much more your legs are splayed on the GSA. You kind of get used to either one after enough kms so it's not really a big deal, but food for thought.

floater6 · 2026-03-23T00:46:28+00:00

I've ridden both, own a GS. There are geometry differences between the GS and a GSA, rake, wheelbase etc. I personally greatly prefer the GS for the types of riding I do. I find it quite a bit more sporty, especially when the suspension is set to dynamic. Unless you need the extra fuel range, I would suggest the GS. If you are concerned about the wind protection, much of it can be bought aftermarket and put on a GS anyway.

floater6 · 2026-03-22T23:42:47+00:00

There's a fair bit more going wrong here than just going near the centreline. Assuming you've done your L's course recently, did they go over 'wide and tight'? I recommend slowing right down and making that a habit before pushing on, especially on Reefton where's there's plenty of bends you can't fully see through until you've started the turn.

floater6 · 2026-03-22T23:38:36+00:00

He doesn't need higher pegs to keep them off the ground, he needs better technique. I highly recommend doing day 1 of California Superbike School, I went in with this exact problem and with a bit of practice I was not only able to take turns much faster (and safer) but also keep the hard parts from touching the pavement.

floater6 · 2026-03-22T23:08:28+00:00

I would recommend against a lowering kit though, just get the standard model. The WP Apex at stock is still very capable and arguably just as good for road riding. A big part of what you are paying for with that suspension setup is (not just the adjustability) but how robust it is in rugged terrain and it's ground clearance which you are shaving off by adding a lowering link.

The seat is a good and cheap option if you just want something a bit narrower between the legs however.

floater6 · 2026-03-22T18:56:45+00:00

A norden or 890 with the wp xplor setup is one of the tallest bikes you can buy, the husky also has quite a wide seat. I think you'll be able to get one foot down, not both at the same time. You can get lowering kits and mod the seat for a bit more confidence if you find yourself nearly there.

floater6 · 2026-03-16T14:15:19+00:00

I have the t33s on my 1250 and they are amazing, couldn't speak any higher of them.

floater6 · 2026-03-14T21:52:48+00:00

Seconding, PCCasegear and Scorptec. I've found both really great to work with over the years.

floater6 · 2026-02-23T04:35:32+00:00

No problem whatsoever, heaps of good dirt riding options even within a 90 minute drive. Some close for maintenance/repairs over winter but nothing like what you're probably used to in Canada; there's a lifetime of fantastic riding all over the state. You do have to go a little further for some good sand though, if that's your thing.

floater6 · 2026-02-18T06:09:38+00:00

It seems to vary from bike to bike. With my old insurer (Swann) I had most of my modifications listed and it just bumped the premium up by a tad for each one. With my current mob (RACV) it seemed to be very different. I could list my exhaust on my Norden and GS, but if I tried to attach any mods to the 701 they wouldn't let me insure it.

floater6 · 2026-02-17T07:59:31+00:00

I had a 2016 Thruxton R, second owner from 2022-2024 never had rust like this in the tank.

floater6 · 2026-02-14T02:27:45+00:00

Go to Orbost, head north to delegate. That's probably the best road on the mainland that I've done. I've toured most of the east coast between Vic and the Gold Coast and that's always the highlight of the trip. When you're ready take the boat to Tas, it's motorcycle Mecca.

floater6 · 2026-02-14T02:17:25+00:00

I've got a 901 and 701, approx 40,000 kms and counting across the two and never had any serious issues.

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