So I'm in Orlando for a conference with my wife and tomorrow morning I'll be heading out to AIMExpo to take a look around.

I've been toying with the idea to get a 2nd bike to leave in Georgia so if I fly or take the car for a quick weekend getaway I'd have something to ride and not have to take the SuperDuke.

I wanted something fun and inexpensive at the same time. Something I can ride with my wife and it would also be decent to strife some corners on my own.

After looking around I had sort of settled on a kawi versys 650 LT. It has saddlebags and heated grips. I saw a leftover 2015 on CycleTrader for $5999 and it was $1k over my self imposed budget but I decided to go to the dealership and lay eyes on it.

I get there (Cycle Sports Center on 4001 N John Young Parkway Orlando, FL 32804) and the sales person shows me a green bike (white in the ad) for $7499. I asked about the $5999 and he mentioned that that price does not include freight, dealer prep. tax, tag and title. The $7499 is + TTT only.

So I asked if there is a $5999 bike and he gave me a bunch of excuses why they need to ad $1500 to the price AND TTT to make it the OTD price.

So I said "so it's basically a bait-and-switch price". He did not like that.

The salesperson got all nervous, his hands started shaking as he was pointing to the price tag and tried to explain why they need to ad a profit percentage to keep the doors open and he needs to feed his kids and all kinds of bullshit...

Needless to say I walked out. Fook'em. $6k is different than $7,5k

Glad I was already here and did not drive from Sarasota exclusively to look at the bike. That would have really pissed me off.

Excuse my brevity. Sent from my phone.

I would never, ever buy a bike from a dealer - unless it was brand new and that was the only way to do it. I did that with my Superduke in '07 but never went back to that place, not even for a first service. I only chose them because I waited a week before Christmas and knew that business would be slack. Rang them up and offered cash and got my hand bitten off! Drove 100 miles, £1K off the list price, Akra pipes, alarm, carbon seat cover all thrown in. It's all about timing with stealers I think. Get them when they are desperate or walk away. You made the right choice.

Dealers here in Oz have to advertise if the bike is "Ride Away" or +ORC (on road costs) or government charges. Usually makes about $1500 difference but should never get a nasty surprise.

Just another reason why we call 'em "stealers" ... Pretty normal tactics here; and $1500 is low compared to some gouges they try to slap on. Patience, timing, and negotiation are everything.

Bought a few new bikes over the years, and before I go see anything - I call and ask "What's the out-the-door price"? If they won't give it to me over the phone, I just drop the conversation. Too many stealer shenanigans.

Get yourself a nice used Bandito 1250 (1200's carbs are a PITA if only using occasionally) or Honda 919 (aftermarket is better for Banditos), and not only will you stay on-budget, both are passenger friendly, take bags well, and have real juice - unlike those silly Versys. Sorry, not a fan of the budget omni-bike; they tend to do little well other than go down the road. Cages are more fun - and have more storage. Used 'Stang vert anyone?

If you want Kawi green - get a first gen Z1000. Why not an FI FZ1? People want stupid money for 'em - and they aren't worth it for what you have in mind.

I love stories like this, you get your old friend back and save some dosh too.

She's baaaaa-aaaack!



I guess don't discriminate. I've got a Japanese, one Italian and one Austrian.

Interestingly, the SV had 17251 miles when I sold it in Jan of 2014, it now has 17791. No wonder the seller accepted my low ball offer since he did not ride it at all.

Well done - theres nothing quite like a happy customer

That's a very clean looking SV - well done for getting her back.

Lovely V-twin in the SV-650 engine.
Earlier this year I bought a 2007 DL-650 and took her to the Alps (loaded up with camping gear). It amazed my friends how fast & capable she was as she was the baby of the group (though the biggest looking). Next year I hope to take her back again but via a different route and once there have my Mrs fly into Italy for a few days, that way she can see the Alps from a bike too.

You three are all eskimo brothers now