Hey all, I need some advice and opinions....

I'm looking at 2 S'hawks

One is an 03 with only 600 miles. Bought last April so its still in warranty and is completely stock.
On my 30 minute test ride everything worked perfectly.
Man are these VTRs nice bikes!!!
So it's a no-brainer but he wants $5900 (down from his original asking price of $6250)

The second bike is an 01 with 7,000+ miles for $4800 (came down from his $5000 asking price over the phone).
It is stock bike with a new Michelin Pilot rear tire.
What should I be looking out for on this one????
I'll inspect it to make sure it hasn't been dropped, left outside to rust, and check for cosmetic scratches, dents, etc. Check the 'meat' left on the brake pads & front tire wear.
When did they fix the carb problem that made the bike die sometimes on hard stops? (I think that's what I read here)

I hate to be such a cheap skate but there is an $1100 difference between the bikes.
Plus I like the red a little better than the blue.

I see I can buy a new 03 for around $6500-$6700 but I would have to have it shipped 1000 miles.
I'm reluctant to ride one back that far because I'd want to do a better break in than straight highway miles and want to do some oil changes in that 1st 1000 miles.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bill (newbie)

I'm the forum newbie that is returning to riding after an 18 year lay off (started a family). Used to ride a Laverda 750SF2 and Ducati 900SD in the late 70's early 80's. Now riding a Vulcan 750 cruiser (What was I thniking???? Yuck! it's gotta go....can't stand the riding position)

 

Original warrarnty is only for the first buyer. Extended warranties are usually transferrable.

Red is faster. :wink: That bike will need a new front tire before long.

Hard braking stall was fixed, mainly on the early bikes. My 98 doesn't do it.

I don't know you money situtation but I'd try to get the 03 down to $5500 if you can live with the color. He should know that most new bikes devalue the instant you turn the key. They instantly become a one year old used bike. A leftover, non-current, model is even worse. Lending institutions would look at it as a 3 year old bike no matter if it was bought in April.

Crap, a "new" 1000cc bike for $5500!

 

7k is nothing on these if they're well cared for. So if the bikes been babied I'd go for the cheaper one.