My good friend is in the process of deciding whether she wants a R1200GS or a Super Tenere. As you may have assumed, I am encouraging her to pick up a Super Tenere.
Yesterday while on the web, she, her husband, and I looked at the BMW website and built a R1200GS to the spec that she'd like. The price was something like $20,500. If she finances traditionally, via a four year loan, her payments were calculated to be $458/month! Do use BMW's 3 Easy Ride program, where you make 48 payments, then are left with a balloon payment in the end, it would be $250/month. But at the end of the 48 months, she'd still owe about $10,000.
I could not help but to realize that one could buy a 2013 leftover for $8500; $1500 LESS than the balance owned on what would then be a 4 year old bike, after having already paid $12,000 in payments. Or, if financed over 48 months via a traditional loan, her payment would be $194/month, $264 less than the BMW. With that $264 leftover, one could insure, gas, and maintain the motorcycle, and still have money leftover.
I am certain that the R1200GS (water cooled) is a wonderful bike. But is it $264/month -or- $12,000 better? Apparently some think so. I have a difficult time swallowing what could make it that much better.
Yesterday while on the web, she, her husband, and I looked at the BMW website and built a R1200GS to the spec that she'd like. The price was something like $20,500. If she finances traditionally, via a four year loan, her payments were calculated to be $458/month! Do use BMW's 3 Easy Ride program, where you make 48 payments, then are left with a balloon payment in the end, it would be $250/month. But at the end of the 48 months, she'd still owe about $10,000.
I could not help but to realize that one could buy a 2013 leftover for $8500; $1500 LESS than the balance owned on what would then be a 4 year old bike, after having already paid $12,000 in payments. Or, if financed over 48 months via a traditional loan, her payment would be $194/month, $264 less than the BMW. With that $264 leftover, one could insure, gas, and maintain the motorcycle, and still have money leftover.
I am certain that the R1200GS (water cooled) is a wonderful bike. But is it $264/month -or- $12,000 better? Apparently some think so. I have a difficult time swallowing what could make it that much better.