heraser
Expert Class
Tall Blue 14
Posts: 259
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posted January 13, 2009 07:50 PM
 Edited By: heraser on 14 Jan 2009 04:01
bought my zx14 from ramsey motorsports. good service but parts wouldn't get close on price so I did upgrades elsewhere. Still I give them the opportunity when buying new stuff.
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Blue '07 Racetech Fork Kit/Ohlins Rear
Ivan Tuned Fast and SMOOTH!
   
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heraser
Expert Class
Tall Blue 14
Posts: 259
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posted January 13, 2009 07:52 PM
bought my zx14 from ramsey motorsports. good service but parts would get close on parts so I did upgrades elsewhe
e. Still I give them the opportunity when buying new stuff.
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Blue '07 Racetech Fork Kit/Ohlins Rear
Ivan Tuned Fast and SMOOTH!
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted January 13, 2009 08:26 PM
Some dealers are just crazy.
They have a firm price ,take it or leave it, 99 percent of the time I leave it.
Even with the knowledge that we can drive 2-3 hours and save 6-700 dollars on a new bike,
they won't budge. Parts are so much higher than ronayers or schnitz that unless I must have it to race, I'll wait. I've spent over 20K in the last 5 years on bikes and parts, less than $500 in local dealerships.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted January 14, 2009 03:11 PM
Wow let me thank everyone who replied,
The last 2 days I've been in a deep sleep trying to get rid of whatever I caught. I think this is the first time I ever pulled a 2 page thread.
Lots of information I did not know and some I did. There are dealers who are crazy. I suspect they are going to change their minds in short order or there will not be in business for much longer. Myrtle Beach is a huge disappointment. You know we bikers tend to spend money when our bikes are involved. I will bet this will be a call that the Mayor will regret next year. Or maybe the city is has so much money they will not need the help of thousands of bikers spending money.
Thanks again for all the information it is much appreciated.
Rob
PS if I could save 6-7000 dollars on a bike....Hell yes I'd drive 23 hours...those of you who remember I like riding, I ride 3 hours every day.
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checkedout
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted January 19, 2009 08:36 AM
I live in the middle of nowhere. I bought my 14 from a local dealer. He had just bought the Kawasaki franchise from a larger auto dealer. It had been sitting on the show room floor for a year. Traded in my 7r at the same time. We started the haggle process, ( i love that part) anyway he did something I never expected. I was sitting there contemplating the meaning of life and trying to decide if I really wanted the bike. He flips the computer screen around and says. See the number at the bottom of the screen, that is the amount I have to pay Kawasaki as soon as I sell the bike. I thought holly crap. What a tactic. I gave $9500 for a left over 07 in the middle of nowhere. He cut a check for $9200 to kaw. The other part that impressed me was how well he did on my 7r. They are good folks that work there.
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2007 ZX-14 PC3, Akrapovice race exh, heli bar risers, throttlemeister, DB windscreen, speedohealer
96 ZX6, -1 +2 gearing, jet kit, jardine slip-on's. lowered 1.5" frnt 1" rear ZZR1200 rear shock. Corbin seat.
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Pilgrim
Novice Class
Posts: 83
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posted January 20, 2009 06:50 PM
quote:
Good Day All,
I hope those who are raw ZX-14 motorcyclist will forgive my thread; it’s more about “the Economy” than “the Bike”.
I wanted to send a heads up to those who feel my threads are somewhat boring. Well I just got back from a large dealership in Central Florida (3 Major Japanese brands) and for the first time I seriously think we may lose up to 50% of the dealerships across America. The person I talked to told me that since the beginning of the year they have sold 1 (ONE) bike. Keep in mind in Florida we ride year round. I should have asked what the norm might be for the first 10 days of January, I know it’s a normally slow time but I suspect this year is slower than normal. I counted 5 sales people on the floor and when I was selling we worked 2 shifts. Even if there were only 1 shift and 5 people well this is going to make for pretty tight paychecks. Making matters worse the other major Japanese brand they don't sell they can't finance. Additional savings to the store, No More TV's, Coffee areas and I suspect anything else that can be cut will be.
Problem 1:
I think at the start of 2008 most knew the economy was slowing. I’m no economist but I’m old enough to know that economies rise and fall its natural. But I also know when supply and demand is played with the end result can be disastrous. This time around there are so many factors that played into the fall of the economy. I feel the number one factor was our government refused to do anything about China and India’s subsidizing fuel. Not that we can do anything about what these countries do, but we can control what can be done here. These countries kept their economies rolling because their governments were selling fuel well below market prices. Because of this here in the US bid the cost of a barrel of oil up because it could not get enough oil to support our demand. Last July both China and India stopped the subsidizing (or in China’s case in part) increased the amount they charged for fuel. I had a story (sorry I can’t find it now) said that China was charging 2.00 per gallon while we were paying 4.00 per gallon, then in July they bumped it up to 2.80 a gallon. India in the article I believe went back to Market price. Both Countries economies slowed as expected and oil retreated as expected. But for the US and most of the world the damage was done.
The Solution would have had our government understand what happens when the supply and demand is screwed with and be ready to do something about it. My solution would have been, open up the coast-line and any other area to drilling. Even if not one piece of dirt was drilled the perception would have prevented the oil markets from going as high as it did. You know in Washington Perception is more important than actually doing anything about the problem.
Problem 2: About the bailouts allow be to simplify; we all know someone who is buried in debt. His/Her Solution is not going further into debt I think most would agree this in fact I believe it would be the worst thing to do. Yet here we are more bailout money. I do not come from the left or the right I think both parties are the problem. Stop Spending would be a great start. Leadership is not giving away money, it is knowing when we have spent too much.
Bringing home my point, I am considering buying a new/used bike a year earlier then normal provided my job has no issues. Of coarse the ZX-14 is near the top of the list. I know many here think of Dealerships as Stealerships but in the hope to keep these guys around a while I’m encouraging you all to please try to support them. I used to think that many businesses were in “Survival Mode”. Today I think we are one step over the line of survival.
If this is not supported in your town (and I hope I'm wrong) please feel free to write me the good news. In the end I suspect I'm dead nuts on.
Trying to save the world one thread at a time.
Yeah, but sorry, I bought my last GM, Chyrsler and Ford. They can take my money from the gov. bailout but they can't make me like it..
Rob
02 VFR 118,074 miles
07 VFR 25,702 miles
PS If I got too political forgive me. When I'm under the weather and have too much time on my hands well this is what happens.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted January 21, 2009 03:58 AM
When I was in retail I was taught a little bit of profit is 100 percent BETTER than NONE at all! So point being if some of these dealers would just knock a LITTLE off there's no telling how many more they would sell.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted January 21, 2009 06:15 PM
checkedout,
Sounds like you did get a good deal, and it's nice to know that there are good people out there. I tried to treat people with respect when I was dealing, Managers always had a way of screwing my deals all up...Just kidding most of my deals went very smooth.
Rob
02 VFR 118,181 miles
07 VFR 26,213 miles
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted October 17, 2009 02:41 AM
10/17/09
Good Day all,
And it is a good day, in a couple hours I'm heading over to Bikeoberfest. I did not want to rewrite a new thread on the economy so I grabbed this old one from January.
With the loss of Buell my fear is this may be the last time there is a Bikeoberfest. I understand that many here believe that these bikes were not up to the same standards as the Japanese but there is a following and workers who thought they were being laid off for 2 months now on the unemployment line. I feel for them because back in June I too was laid off and it's tough out there right now.
Keep in mind this is my opinion but with a little history I think most might agree that I have fairly decent thinkings.
We are in a heap of trouble and I don't care what we are told by Congress I am convinced they are taking us down a road we don't want to go. They throw money at things in the hope that the American People allow them to do what they want. Geesh since I wrote this in Jan we have spent close to 1.3 trillion Dollars, for those keeping count (I think that = to 4,600 dollars for every man women and child. My calculator does not have that many digits so feel free to correct this). So many mom and pop businesses are close to the last straw it is scary. Not to mention that the Business Real Estate issues that may be the big issue in 2010.
I feel we are about to really about to enter the dark days of the recession. It seems to me that Congress is doing their best to bring us down that I encourage you to stay strong and Lord knows if you feel you can help in any way now would be a great time to speak up. Bikers by nature are understand the way of the world better then most hell at this time just a little common sense would work for me.
Stay Strong thanks for allowing me to vent.
Rob
02 VFR 120,237 miles
07 VFR 43,894 miles
07 VFR 7,194 miles
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bgordon
Parking Attendant
Posts: 14
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posted October 17, 2009 09:36 AM
Rob:
I'm watching a set of Netflix DVDs titled "John Adams". It's a fascinating look at the people who started our country. Compare what they were doing and saying and thinking with what we have today, and you will probably agree that it's amazing that we have lasted as long as we have.
I don't think the country is going to last much longer if it keeps going in the direction it is going. -bg
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted October 17, 2009 12:14 PM
bgordon,
You know I have got to find the time to watch John Adams, I've heard it is excellent, Thanks.
I just got back from Bikeoberfest and there were only 4 Manufactures there.
Kawasaki, Yamaha, Can AM and Indian. Harley had something but nothing like last year. I signed up for a ride Sunday so I took a little ride into the city and it's steady but nothing like the past but to be fair it was 11 in the morning.
I hope there is not a deletion of this great week from the calender. Up to this year it was my favorite event. The lack of many many people tells me that City leaders may go the way of SC.
Rob
02 VFR 120,287 miles
07 VFR 44,027 miles
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted October 17, 2009 01:13 PM
All the bikes went up last year and this year so Next time I'm in the market for a new bike I will shop for a used one with low miles and save thousands over new. I think alot of guys will be doing that in the future.
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wrongway
Pro
Posts: 1078
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posted October 17, 2009 02:18 PM
quote:
All the bikes went up last year and this year so Next time I'm in the market for a new bike I will shop for a used one with low miles and save thousands over new. I think alot of guys will be doing that in the future.
last year I bought a new leftover '07 for $8200. That was cheaper than a used bike, But dealers must have ordered fewer bikes because I only see a few of those deals...
I only found 1 on ebay
KAWASAKI ZX14 2008 SPECIAL EDITION NEW
Vehicle Description
THIS LISTING IS FOR A NEW 2008 KAWASAKI ZX1400 "SPECIAL EDITION"
THE COLOR OF THE MOTORCYCLE IS BLACK
THIS IS A BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE WITH A 1 YEAR WARRANTY.
THE RETAIL PRICE OF OUR 2008 KAWASAKI ZX14 IS $12,999.
BUY OUR 2008 ZX14 FOR ONLY $8999.
SAVE $4000
Roy
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MADNINJASKILLS
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted October 17, 2009 06:59 PM
Edited By: MADNINJASKILLS on 18 Oct 2009 03:03
Last year i was in the market for a new bike. I went to a local Kawi dealer by the house who was real pleasent to deal with and got my best price. I then went to another Kawi dealer by my work in Fredericksburg Va. The young salesman was rude and ignorant. I still got a price which was within a few bucks of the other dealer. I asked if he had any room to work and he got rude stating he had a million dollars of inventory he had to pay for. Im thinking why is this my problem?? I was referred by one of my friends to Romney cycles in west virginia. I called and spoke with one of the sales guys. I told him I wanted an 08 zx14 and was price shopping. he quoted me a price over the phone which was two grand less then both of the other dealers. I told him i would pay cash and wanted to pick it up on over the weekend. He provided me the final price, gave me the VIN so I could do insurance, and told me it would be waiting for me saturday morning. I did the three hour drive to find a really nice huge dealer, very helpful personal, and my atomic silver 14 by the front door. The sales guy told me that they charge a flat figure over cost, i think it was 300, and make there money from volume sales. The experience couldnt have been better. I have sent three of my friends who also bought from them with the same great service. This is where I will buy my new concours and continue to refer people there. By the way, the poor customer service from the one local dealer cost them at least three sales if not more. I do support the local dealer by my house that was pleasant with parts purchasing. They just couldnt match the bike price.
Big Dave
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2008 Atomic silver ZX14
2004 GSXR 1000
1998 Honda Valkyrie
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted October 17, 2009 09:52 PM
interesting!
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted October 18, 2009 05:10 AM
quote:
quote:
All the bikes went up last year and this year so Next time I'm in the market for a new bike I will shop for a used one with low miles and save thousands over new. I think alot of guys will be doing that in the future.
last year I bought a new leftover '07 for $8200. That was cheaper than a used bike, But dealers must have ordered fewer bikes because I only see a few of those deals...
I only found 1 on ebay
KAWASAKI ZX14 2008 SPECIAL EDITION NEW
Vehicle Description
THIS LISTING IS FOR A NEW 2008 KAWASAKI ZX1400 "SPECIAL EDITION"
THE COLOR OF THE MOTORCYCLE IS BLACK
THIS IS A BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE WITH A 1 YEAR WARRANTY.
THE RETAIL PRICE OF OUR 2008 KAWASAKI ZX14 IS $12,999.
BUY OUR 2008 ZX14 FOR ONLY $8999.
SAVE $4000
Roy
Maybe last year that was cheaper but I've seen 07's and 08's selling for less then that with very low miles and tons of bolt on parts on them.
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