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843 Posts
Okay, so after clocking 2000 miles on my bike during spring break, I have come to a decision. I drive WAY too fast and WAY too hard on the street. Buying books regarding riding position/technique and finding areas where I can put it to the test is probably not the best idea in regards to my personal safety.
Also, I have a really nice car that I have put a lot into and I am beginning to feel guilty about letting it sit for lengths of time. We all know how negatively it can affect a vehicle to let it sit.
So, with that in mind, I have come up with a plan:
- Sell my car
- Buy semi beater and pay off ASAP
- Buy good condition street bike
- Convert SV to track only status
1) I have a 2003 Acura CLS 6-speed. There were only ~ 4500 made with the 6-speed transmission. I bought it one year ago in absolute MINT condition, after searching for almost 2 months. Since then I have spent quite a chunk of change on mods. Headers, hi flow cat, exhaust, intake, vafc, springs, shocks, tires, calipers, rotors, pads, stereo, etc... It was my pride and joy - my life... Until I got the bike. I owe 10k on it and will set the price at 13.5k OBO on some of the enthusiast forums I frequent. I really want to just break even but extra is always nice.
Currently I run premium gas, get 19-24 mpg and spend 1700 every 6 months on full coverage. Not to mention, the additional toles of upkeep on a modded and lowered car.
I am going to put the car up for sale ASAP, after some general maintenance over the next 2 weeks.
2) Next is to buy something in good condition with a lot of miles for dirt cheap that I only have to carry liability on. Fuel economy is important as well. Also, I am a honda fanatic through and through.
My dilemma on the car purchase is this: Do I want to spring for a super cheap super civic (~3k), or something a little more practical and a little less economical (~5-6k)?
Options here are RAV4/CRV or Civic. 20-25mpg vs 30-35mpg.
3) This is where the excitement of all of these decisions kicks in. I decided to buy a good condition, non-modded, perfectly reliable street bike to replace the SV. This will be end of summer/mid-winter at earliest.
So far, the ONLY options I am even close to considering are the 2nd Gen 650 or a Daytona 675. My dad is my allstate agent and ran some stuff and basically with my policy, anything under 750cc is going to run about the same.
If I get the SV, it will get a new rear shock (gsxr/zx swap) and springs/emulators plus some other small stuff. Nothing like the current bike got.
If I get the Daytona, it will get stripped naked and have dual headlights installed. That is it with the exception of little things here and there. I'll probably make money on the conversion which will go right into paying for the bike. Oh, and I will be buying used FOR SURE. Beat up with salvage title is even better as long as the damage is reasonable.
Obviously I am leaning towards the Daytona, but the thought of saving money on the SV is tempting since I don't really NEED all of the bells and whistles of the Daytona. I just can't get past the sexiness of the Daytona...
4) Lastly, after the car is paid for and the new bike is bought, the SV will get stripped of street parts and converted to track duty. Hopefully the money I make selling street stuff can fund springs up front and a used Penske/Ohlins/Elka/Fox for the rear. Also, a small trailer would be nice... hence the idea of a more practical RAV4 or CRV instead of the civic.
So, with everything stated in mind, I have some questions:
- Should I get a Small SUV or a Civic? Anything else recommended?
- Should I get the cheaper 2nd gen SV or the sexier Daytona? Any other bikes that fit my circumstances that I should look at?
- Should I even get a street bike or just a car and track bike?
- Should I just get a new street bike and no track bike?
- Should I even get a car?
- Should I even be considering any of this in the first place?
I know for a fact I am selling my car. I feel guilty letting a car that could be someone elses pride and joy just sit and deteriorate. It deserves an owner that will love and care for it. Specially this summer when I ride every day and totally forget about it.
Also, I have a really nice car that I have put a lot into and I am beginning to feel guilty about letting it sit for lengths of time. We all know how negatively it can affect a vehicle to let it sit.
So, with that in mind, I have come up with a plan:
- Sell my car
- Buy semi beater and pay off ASAP
- Buy good condition street bike
- Convert SV to track only status
1) I have a 2003 Acura CLS 6-speed. There were only ~ 4500 made with the 6-speed transmission. I bought it one year ago in absolute MINT condition, after searching for almost 2 months. Since then I have spent quite a chunk of change on mods. Headers, hi flow cat, exhaust, intake, vafc, springs, shocks, tires, calipers, rotors, pads, stereo, etc... It was my pride and joy - my life... Until I got the bike. I owe 10k on it and will set the price at 13.5k OBO on some of the enthusiast forums I frequent. I really want to just break even but extra is always nice.
Currently I run premium gas, get 19-24 mpg and spend 1700 every 6 months on full coverage. Not to mention, the additional toles of upkeep on a modded and lowered car.
I am going to put the car up for sale ASAP, after some general maintenance over the next 2 weeks.
2) Next is to buy something in good condition with a lot of miles for dirt cheap that I only have to carry liability on. Fuel economy is important as well. Also, I am a honda fanatic through and through.
My dilemma on the car purchase is this: Do I want to spring for a super cheap super civic (~3k), or something a little more practical and a little less economical (~5-6k)?
Options here are RAV4/CRV or Civic. 20-25mpg vs 30-35mpg.
3) This is where the excitement of all of these decisions kicks in. I decided to buy a good condition, non-modded, perfectly reliable street bike to replace the SV. This will be end of summer/mid-winter at earliest.
So far, the ONLY options I am even close to considering are the 2nd Gen 650 or a Daytona 675. My dad is my allstate agent and ran some stuff and basically with my policy, anything under 750cc is going to run about the same.
If I get the SV, it will get a new rear shock (gsxr/zx swap) and springs/emulators plus some other small stuff. Nothing like the current bike got.
If I get the Daytona, it will get stripped naked and have dual headlights installed. That is it with the exception of little things here and there. I'll probably make money on the conversion which will go right into paying for the bike. Oh, and I will be buying used FOR SURE. Beat up with salvage title is even better as long as the damage is reasonable.
Obviously I am leaning towards the Daytona, but the thought of saving money on the SV is tempting since I don't really NEED all of the bells and whistles of the Daytona. I just can't get past the sexiness of the Daytona...
4) Lastly, after the car is paid for and the new bike is bought, the SV will get stripped of street parts and converted to track duty. Hopefully the money I make selling street stuff can fund springs up front and a used Penske/Ohlins/Elka/Fox for the rear. Also, a small trailer would be nice... hence the idea of a more practical RAV4 or CRV instead of the civic.
So, with everything stated in mind, I have some questions:
- Should I get a Small SUV or a Civic? Anything else recommended?
- Should I get the cheaper 2nd gen SV or the sexier Daytona? Any other bikes that fit my circumstances that I should look at?
- Should I even get a street bike or just a car and track bike?
- Should I just get a new street bike and no track bike?
- Should I even get a car?
- Should I even be considering any of this in the first place?
I know for a fact I am selling my car. I feel guilty letting a car that could be someone elses pride and joy just sit and deteriorate. It deserves an owner that will love and care for it. Specially this summer when I ride every day and totally forget about it.