I have narrowed down to two options for my C14 purchase and looking for some sage wisdom to help me decide

"Used" Metallic Racing Green 2015 with 530 miles on it. Was never titled, used as a demo. Has 12 months of warranty left on it. Essentially a new bike in terms of condition save for two little paint gouges that I would have repaired. Price $11,000.

"New" leftover 2017 Blue in color. Price is $12,669.

What do you think?     

I've owned both and the latest 2017 vented screen version is a slightly better bike IMHO

I've owned both and the latest 2017 vented screen version is a slightly better bike IMHO

Interesting as the adjustable vented screen was introduced in 2015 and that o paper the 15/16 & 17 year models are identical spec on paper other than colo(u)r


Wonder if your 15 was actually an unregistered 14 model?


Anyways  presuming the 15 has the following features (highlighted the easiest to spot) I would get that


Kawasaki made numerous minor changes in 2015 that include a revised first gear ratio, different steering stem seal for lighter steering at low speed, stiffer rear suspension for enhanced carrying capacity, an adjustable vent in the windshield, revised ABS programming to reduce the linked braking effect, a new rear luggage base, silver bezels on the analog dash meters, elongated mid-pipe heat shield, change of warning lamp color from red to yellow, tank pad, cushions on passenger pegs, and a more deeply sculpted seat. The revised parts should all be backwards compatible with previous model years. Kawasaki also shifted the North American models to use the oxygen sensor that had previously only been used in the other world markets. Color options of Candy Lime Green for USA/Canada, Metallic Spark Black for all markets, and Metallic Moondust Gray for Europe.

Interesting as the adjustable vented screen was introduced in 2015 and that o paper the 15/16 & 17 year models are identical spec on paper other than colo(u)r


Wonder if your 15 was actually an unregistered 14 model?


Anyways  presuming the 15 has the following features (highlighted the easiest to spot) I would get that


Kawasaki made numerous minor changes in 2015 that include a revised first gear ratio, different steering stem seal for lighter steering at low speed, stiffer rear suspension for enhanced carrying capacity, an adjustable vent in the windshield, revised ABS programming to reduce the linked braking effect, a new rear luggage base, silver bezels on the analog dash meters, elongated mid-pipe heat shield, change of warning lamp color from red to yellow, tank pad, cushions on passenger pegs, and a more deeply sculpted seat. The revised parts should all be backwards compatible with previous model years. Kawasaki also shifted the North American models to use the oxygen sensor that had previously only been used in the other world markets. Color options of Candy Lime Green for USA/Canada, Metallic Spark Black for all markets, and Metallic Moondust Gray for Europe.

It appears to have all of the updates that the 15 models were claimed to have.

The 2015 hasn't been run very much.  It's now closer to 2018.   Buying an older bike that's been essentially sitting that long you'll need to go over everything.   All fluids will need to be changed.   Not sure I'd trust the tires.  Battery might not last long....   I'd go with the 2017.

If the 2015 was used as a demo and never titled, I would question why the 3 year warranty wouldn't start with your purchase.

If they ate the first two years of the warranty up on a demo bike, ask them to extend it for another 3 years on them.

Just a thought but I would be wary of any demo vehicle. They often get used and abused, so while showing 530 miles, those might be very hard, nasty miles.

And as another poster pointed out, why are there only 12 months of warranty left on a bike that was never titled? Sounds like the dealer and / or Kawasaki may be backing away from fully backing the bike?

Brian

I have narrowed down to two options for my C14 purchase and looking for some sage wisdom to help me decide

"Used" Metallic Racing Green 2015 with 530 miles on it. Was never titled, used as a demo. Has 12 months of warranty left on it. Essentially a new bike in terms of condition save for two little paint gouges that I would have repaired. Price $11,000.

"New" leftover 2017 Blue in color. Price is $12,669.

What do you think?     

The 2015 hasn't been run very much.  It's now closer to 2018.   Buying an older bike that's been essentially sitting that long you'll need to go over everything.   All fluids will need to be changed.   Not sure I'd trust the tires.  Battery might not last long....   I'd go with the 2017.

True but then again a reputable dealer would sort all those issues (except maybe the tyres) as part of the sale


Its still $1,669 cheaper

Too many reasons for the 2017 and not enough for the 2015.  Buy them both and give me the one that you don't want. 

also depends what colo(u)r you want

Two model years newer, two extra years of warranty, and you know it will be broken in right.  Oh and did I mention blue is the fastest color!  Go with the 2017.

* The older bike, even though it was essentially unused, will have a lower book value, so full insurance will be lower.
* The older bike will have a lower recurring annual tax (assuming your state does that... mine does).
* The older bike should be sold with 3 year warranty, but I am not sure what the rules are for miles.
* Even without the original warranty, you can still cheapy add 6 more years of factory warranty, so that is an option (and price) although you can't have as much TOTAL warranty (7 years instead of 9).  Remember, don't buy the warranty from THEM.
* The older bike might not have been broken in properly and/or could have been abused; although abused is not as likely for this particular class of bike.
* You might be able to talk them down even more on the older bike price.

$2,700 difference.  It is a hard decision for sure.  For me, color would be a major factor- the good part is that neither is black   The bad is that neither is silver(y)

Thanks to all.

I pulled the trigger on the blue 2017. Got them down a few hundred more, which puts me around 12,200 before TTL. Not bad considering. The bike is being picked up tomorrow. I'll have the winter to farkle it up in preparation for next season, at which time I will sell my K16GT.

This time I am going to bite the bullet install MC CRUISE along with the mods I did on my 2012 C14. Should keep me entertained this winter.     

May I ask why you're selling the K16?

May I ask why you're selling the K16?

I was wondering the same thing.  Just curious... what made you leave and what made you come back?

I believe he mentioned the reason in another thread: cost. He has found the cost(s) of the BMW too high. I am sure he can elaborate.

Brian

May I ask why you're selling the K16?

May I ask why you're selling the K16?

A couple reasons: First, despite great intentions, I ride less than I used to, and my rides tend to be shorter day rides. This year barely 4K. My wife comes along less frequently as well. For these reasons along with what I spend for the K16, it makes sense to try to find something more economical.

Also, taking the K16 out for a two or three hour ride fells like I am launching the USS Ronald Reagan to cross a pond. It is a fantastic long distance bike, but low speed maneuvering is really cumbersome especially with a passenger. The C14 is easier to handle.

I turn 50 this month and at this stage have bigger ambitions than spending $25K on one motorcycle.         

Makes sense on the battleship/handing thing and such.

But unless we are talking about ongoing maintenance costs (which we do know are higher for BWM), you already lost your shirt by buying the K16.   It is hard to recoup unless you found someone willing to pay super-top-dollar (hopefully you did).

I would ask you what you will miss the most about the K16, but you kinda implied it already by what you immediately plan to add to the C14 that you didn't have before on the C14- cruise control.

Thanks to all.

I pulled the trigger on the blue 2017. Got them down a few hundred more, which puts me around 12,200 before TTL. Not bad considering. The bike is being picked up tomorrow. I'll have the winter to farkle it up in preparation for next season, at which time I will sell my K16GT.

This time I am going to bite the bullet install MC CRUISE along with the mods I did on my 2012 C14. Should keep me entertained this winter.   

Can you satisfy my curiosity and check the 10th digit of your VIN for your new bike please 


8 2008
9 2009
A 2010
B 2011
C 2012
D 2013
E 2014
F 2015
G 2016
H 2017
I 2018
J 2019
K 2020


I pulled the trigger on the blue 2017...

...Should keep me entertained this winter.   

Congrats on the new toy!!  Many happy miles ahead.

BTW, what's this Winter I keep hearing about?