Buying a new (old) bike

As some will know I have had two Bandits and last year traded for a 2014 Honda CBR650F.

I haven't enjoyed the bike so decided to change to a Suzuki DL650.

I visited my local Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealer early last week and got a changeover quote.

I went back on Friday and signed all paperwork for the deal.

While I was in the shop he suggested I might be interested in a LAMS model they had just un-crated.

I indicated I wasn't but decided to look it over as it would be pretty much the same bike I am buying.

When I got to the identification plate I noticed it had a build date of 11/13.

I asked how this could be sold as a current model bike and was told that the date on the plate would make no difference and if first registered in 2015 it would be regarded as a 2015 model.

I stated that I expected my new bike to have a 2015 plate on it.

His response was that sometimes bikes are made at the end of the previous year and a 11/14 bike would be regarded as a 2015 model.

I said I expected my new bike to have a 2015 plate on it and left the shop.

After speaking to a friend over the weekend who purchased a bike with the previous years plate on it, I am going back to the dealer to clarify the date issue.

If he cannot provide me with a 2015 plate bike I think I will purchase elsewhere.

BTW after I purchased my 2009 Bandit in July 2009 I discovered it had an 09/08 plate on it.

Can anybody clarify this issue?

I think it the MY or model year thing.
Bike built in december 2014 but its considered a MY15 not a MY14.
I may be wrong but its my understanding.
My bandit 1200 was plated on jan 2007 same year as the 1250's.

Ironman wrote:I think it the MY or model year thing.
Bike built in december 2014 but its considered a MY15 not a MY14.
I may be wrong but its my understanding.
My bandit 1200 was plated on jan 2007 same year as the 1250's.

That's how most car manufacturers work now, it's a play with words to try and con us that we are buying something newer than we are
The Yanks have been doing it for years, the "64" Mustang was released mid 1963 for instance

Lets put it this way Dave.
When they are selling you the bike the build date is not important to them
When your trading it back to them it becomes very important!

madmax wrote:Lets put it this way Dave.
When they are selling you the bike the build date is not important to them
When your trading it back to them it becomes very important!

Yep .................

The other thing you can do is ask for a discount on a new earlier model to compensate lower trade in prices.

Ironman wrote:I think it the MY or model year thing.
Bike built in december 2014 but its considered a MY15 not a MY14.
I may be wrong but its my understanding.
My bandit 1200 was plated on jan 2007 same year as the 1250's.

Thats only relevant if there is an update. If its business as usual its still a MY14.

madmax wrote:Lets put it this way Dave.
When they are selling you the bike the build date is not important to them
When your trading it back to them it becomes very important!

+1,

IMO it will impact your resale.  I bought my 08 in April 08 and was offered a 12/07...I stood my ground and got an 03/08 for the same money.

Dekenai wrote:

madmax wrote:Lets put it this way Dave.
When they are selling you the bike the build date is not important to them
When your trading it back to them it becomes very important!

+1,

IMO it will impact your resale.  I bought my 08 in April 08 and was offered a 12/07...I stood my ground and got an 03/08 for the same money.

I got mine in Jan 12, there were no 2012 plated Bandits and I had a choice between the Black 9/11 I purchased or a Grey 11/10 (both new) for the same money, after a Black bike for 21 years I was keen to change but thought I'd take the newer of the 2 for the same reason (although if I keep it for 21 years like the last one it wont make any difference at all)

madmax wrote:Lets put it this way Dave.
When they are selling you the bike the build date is not important to them
When your trading it back to them it becomes very important!

I reckon you nailed it MM. (and thanks to everyone else who responded)

I am going to front the dealer tomorrow morning and let him know that the bike I buy "will" have a 2015 plate whether I buy it from him or another dealer.