Love watching your videos. So much I bought the same bike . 👍 l was looking for a midsized bike and some how over looked the CL500. I went for a test ride and bought it.
Today I just picked up identical bike to yours (same colour). Just put 90 miles on exploring the lanes that I've avoided ony bigger bikes...what a blast.. absolutely love the thing! I already had the pyramid fender extender waiting to go on after seeing your previous video (many thanks for putting me onto that). From your video, I think it actually looks quite a bit better than without it... aesthetically I thought the mudguard looked a bit too short, so for me the extender improves both form and function. As regards chippings....I'm pretty certain they used a road roller at one time, whereas now they just use the traffic! Seems saving money is their priority and they aren't concerned about chipped paintwork and windscreens as they don't have to foot the bill for the repairs. 😡
Glad you're enjoying the bike, it is an absolutely perfect bike for the lanes with the advantage of being perfectly capable on bigger roads too... a great allrounder👍 ...I think you have a point , why roll the road just let us do it ! ... many thanks for watching.
As regards ex demo... For me it would depend on the engine size/power of the bike. A small engined bike is far more likely to have been ragged around at its limits than a 200 bhp hype bike on which youd be hard pushed to stress its engine at all, so I'd have little hesitation with a more powerful ex demo bike. With a small engined bike a test rider is far more likely to be exploring the upper end of the rev range for adequate umph, rather than carefully observing the running in regime. Depending on the price, I wouldn't completely rule out a smaller engined ex demo bike (most modern engines will take a fair bit abuse), but Id more likely go for a nearly new or pre registered given the option
You've kicked a goal by adding the extender, David, both aesthetically and practically. Re: road stones, over here in Australia most main road departments around the country use the stone method for resurfacing. First they spray a layer of wet tar, then spread an even layer of stones. From there I've found it's then left up to the road users to set the stones in place. The downside, as you mentioned, is the loose stones can potentially cause problems. Thanks for the interesting stories and your reflections on the CL500
I agree about gravel on UK roads, its a danger to us Motorcyclists, it destroys paintwork like its going out of fashion both on bikes and cars, nothing worse than pepper marks to spoil the appearance. Good move fitting the Fender Extender, will give you a lot more protection than the standard mudguard. Personally I wouldn't go near an ex demo. Let's be honest, they get ridden by anybody and everyone from day 1 and the majority of folk want to test out its performance. For the few hundred pounds saved I'd rather buy new and run a bike in properly. Yes it's covered by warranty if anything goes wrong but I buy a bike to ride it and not returning to the dealer that often. The other consideration is consumer rights, far greater buying new as opposed to buying used. Pays your money makes your choice. On a different note I see they are closing the 442 to the Cafe again, presumably to put right the bodges they made during the last road closure in February. Wonder if they'll stick to schedule this time?🤔👍
Yes gravel seems to be everywhere at the moment , hard to avoid it in our area . I was on the 442 today , everyone at the cafe was wondering when and where it was being closed .. I think you might be right Jonathan .
when i bought my new bike a few months ago, my opinion on ex-demo's was pretty much the same as yours. but i've changed it a bit recently, and come to a conclusion that most test riders aint going to rag an unfamiliar bikes ass off or ride like evel knievel for an hour lol, and anyway from what ive learned, different types of riding on modern engines are better for it when reved up and down the range/gears to bed it in, rather than just pootling at low speeds and low revs. I myself got a little too hung up on 'doing it perfectly' for the first 600 miles, and biking mates just laughed and said things like 'it's a motorbike for FFS' or you really have to try hard to mess it up. anyhoo like you i bought new and was happy with that, but wouldn't dismiss an ex-demo in future, just depends what it is - btw im a honda fan lol, and they know how to build a bike to last :). GL
For ex demo bikes I suppose it depends on what it is and how many miles it's done as some will have been ridden hard. It also depends on how long you intend keeping it as dealers normally like low mileage 1 owner bikes and you'd be the 2nd owner. The gravel is a cheap way of adding some life to a road without having to resurface it. They spray tar on the road then apply the gravel on top which then sticks to the tar providing the speed of the traffic is kept low. If it isn't the gravel gets thrown off to the sides and they end up with a poor job like they did at the end of the Franche Road between Marpool lane and the ring road when they had to completely resurface it as there was no gravel left.😂
A few years ago I picked up an ex demo Z1000SX with 700 miles on it, first service all done, saved about £3k. Bargain, loved it, bike was perfect. Later traded it in for a KTM1090 Adventure - ex demo with about 800 miles on it. Again, first service already done and 'saved' almost £3k again. Bike perfect, like new, loved it. Eventually realised I don't need 125hp, lol, and now have a CB500X which is a great bike.
You know, looking at this bike, can't help but grow fond of it. Okay it's 'BUILT TO A PRICE' but if Honda put an1100 100bhp engine, in it, beefier ally swingarm, radial calipers and a few other tweaks I would deffo consider it. Come on Honda - do it. The green colour spot on. PS: Ex demo bikes DO put me off as I have seen riders hammering them, not all but the quote 'Not my bike' springs to mind.
everything inside me that likes (and usually insists on a bargain), said to buy a low milage ex-demo as there were some wonderful bargains to be had with extras fitted, however i 'wanted' a brand new bike to make sure it was treated properly and run in correct from day one, & got a great deal anyway, and apart from that i could easily afford it lol. While i'm happy with my decision to buy a virgin, and have open eyes about depreciation, as well as losing money on the extra's i have fitted, i now think that it's going to take a lot to have any major issues on an ex-demo, and they have usually been run in for you, with a first service thrown in, as well as the bulk of the manufacturers warranty left, so maybe in a cpl years when my warranty runs out, im going to take a better look at ex-demo's as there's a lot of plusses. GL
I bought my CL as an ex demo, it had 176km on it and I did about 100km of them $3k saving! The used to roll and sweep chip seal roads in NZ too. Again they don’t bother here anymore, they rely on the traffic to roll it in for a week, remove all the signs and don’t bother sweeping it. Exceedingly dangerous but no one seems to care
Hi dave i bought a ex demo suzuki gsxr 1000 back in 2016 with 250 miles on the clock and all the yoshi bits came fitted with it and full warranty and a 3 grand saving on list price i kept the bike 5 years and it never missed a beat and when i traded it in i only lost 1 grand less than i payed so was i just lucky im not sure but i do miss that bike
That's brilliant , I've had similar outcomes with x demo's especially when bought during the winter when dealers just want them gone ...cheap biking indeed !
Yes I think you're right ...if bought directly from the dealer as I have in the past . I've looked at 2 recently being sold privately from the 2nd owner , still within the manufacturer warranty period though . Of course after that the next change of owner hides the original ownership so its possible to buy one unknowingly anyway .
Mine is black, I put on knobbys on it along with one of those rectangle food plates attached to the handle bar. Best practice: When eating food, keep it under 30 mph, the food and drink blows off the plate. My first try going down the highway was a disaster!!
Ex demo bikes can be a good way of saving a bit of cash against buying new, however give the bike a really good going over before parting with your cash. I bought an ex demo bike a couple of years ago from a main dealer and later discovered some tell tale signs of it being dropped, nothing major all cosmetic. If I had checked more thoughly, I probably wouldn't have bought it. My Himalayan was ex demo and this time I did check it out and there was no cosmetic damage at all.
Yes good point indeed , sadly a less than totally honest dealer will fix any damage themselves and it will not be recorded anywhere so nobody will know ... they certainly won't volunteer the info !
Love watching your videos. So much I bought the same bike . 👍 l was looking for a midsized bike and some how over looked the CL500. I went for a test ride and bought it.
Thanks , that's great! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
Today I just picked up identical bike to yours (same colour). Just put 90 miles on exploring the lanes that I've avoided ony bigger bikes...what a blast.. absolutely love the thing!
I already had the pyramid fender extender waiting to go on after seeing your previous video (many thanks for putting me onto that). From your video, I think it actually looks quite a bit better than without it... aesthetically I thought the mudguard looked a bit too short, so for me the extender improves both form and function.
As regards chippings....I'm pretty certain they used a road roller at one time, whereas now they just use the traffic! Seems saving money is their priority and they aren't concerned about chipped paintwork and windscreens as they don't have to foot the bill for the repairs. 😡
Glad you're enjoying the bike, it is an absolutely perfect bike for the lanes with the advantage of being perfectly capable on bigger roads too... a great allrounder👍 ...I think you have a point , why roll the road just let us do it ! ... many thanks for watching.
As regards ex demo... For me it would depend on the engine size/power of the bike.
A small engined bike is far more likely to have been ragged around at its limits than a 200 bhp hype bike on which youd be hard pushed to stress its engine at all, so I'd have little hesitation with a more powerful ex demo bike.
With a small engined bike a test rider is far more likely to be exploring the upper end of the rev range for adequate umph, rather than carefully observing the running in regime.
Depending on the price, I wouldn't completely rule out a smaller engined ex demo bike (most modern engines will take a fair bit abuse), but Id more likely go for a nearly new or pre registered given the option
Good points 👍
You've kicked a goal by adding the extender, David, both aesthetically and practically. Re: road stones, over here in Australia most main road departments around the country use the stone method for resurfacing. First they spray a layer of wet tar, then spread an even layer of stones. From there I've found it's then left up to the road users to set the stones in place. The downside, as you mentioned, is the loose stones can potentially cause problems.
Thanks for the interesting stories and your reflections on the CL500
Thanks , appreciate the comment glad you enjoy the video's ... I am determined to visit your fine country one day😊
@@WyreForestBiker 🦐🦐🔥😋
I agree about gravel on UK roads, its a danger to us Motorcyclists, it destroys paintwork like its going out of fashion both on bikes and cars, nothing worse than pepper marks to spoil the appearance. Good move fitting the Fender Extender, will give you a lot more protection than the standard mudguard.
Personally I wouldn't go near an ex demo. Let's be honest, they get ridden by anybody and everyone from day 1 and the majority of folk want to test out its performance. For the few hundred pounds saved I'd rather buy new and run a bike in properly. Yes it's covered by warranty if anything goes wrong but I buy a bike to ride it and not returning to the dealer that often. The other consideration is consumer rights, far greater buying new as opposed to buying used. Pays your money makes your choice.
On a different note I see they are closing the 442 to the Cafe again, presumably to put right the bodges they made during the last road closure in February. Wonder if they'll stick to schedule this time?🤔👍
Yes gravel seems to be everywhere at the moment , hard to avoid it in our area . I was on the 442 today , everyone at the cafe was wondering when and where it was being closed .. I think you might be right Jonathan .
when i bought my new bike a few months ago, my opinion on ex-demo's was pretty much the same as yours. but i've changed it a bit recently, and come to a conclusion that most test riders aint going to rag an unfamiliar bikes ass off or ride like evel knievel for an hour lol, and anyway from what ive learned, different types of riding on modern engines are better for it when reved up and down the range/gears to bed it in, rather than just pootling at low speeds and low revs. I myself got a little too hung up on 'doing it perfectly' for the first 600 miles, and biking mates just laughed and said things like 'it's a motorbike for FFS' or you really have to try hard to mess it up. anyhoo like you i bought new and was happy with that, but wouldn't dismiss an ex-demo in future, just depends what it is - btw im a honda fan lol, and they know how to build a bike to last :). GL
For ex demo bikes I suppose it depends on what it is and how many miles it's done as some will have been ridden hard. It also depends on how long you intend keeping it as dealers normally like low mileage 1 owner bikes and you'd be the 2nd owner. The gravel is a cheap way of adding some life to a road without having to resurface it. They spray tar on the road then apply the gravel on top which then sticks to the tar providing the speed of the traffic is kept low. If it isn't the gravel gets thrown off to the sides and they end up with a poor job like they did at the end of the Franche Road between Marpool lane and the ring road when they had to completely resurface it as there was no gravel left.😂
Correct Bazza I know that patch well ... 👍
A few years ago I picked up an ex demo Z1000SX with 700 miles on it, first service all done, saved about £3k. Bargain, loved it, bike was perfect. Later traded it in for a KTM1090 Adventure - ex demo with about 800 miles on it. Again, first service already done and 'saved' almost £3k again. Bike perfect, like new, loved it.
Eventually realised I don't need 125hp, lol, and now have a CB500X which is a great bike.
Brilliant purchase ( both bikes! ) not blowing huge amounts of hard earned cash makes the whole experience so much sweeter !
You know, looking at this bike, can't help but grow fond of it. Okay it's 'BUILT TO A PRICE' but if Honda put an1100 100bhp engine, in it, beefier ally swingarm, radial calipers and a few other tweaks I would deffo consider it. Come on Honda - do it.
The green colour spot on.
PS: Ex demo bikes DO put me off as I have seen riders hammering them, not all but the quote 'Not my bike' springs to mind.
Thanks , there is some talk of a 750 version with the new twin engine ...I would be very interested if it ever surfaced ... 😁
everything inside me that likes (and usually insists on a bargain), said to buy a low milage ex-demo as there were some wonderful bargains to be had with extras fitted, however i 'wanted' a brand new bike to make sure it was treated properly and run in correct from day one, & got a great deal anyway, and apart from that i could easily afford it lol. While i'm happy with my decision to buy a virgin, and have open eyes about depreciation, as well as losing money on the extra's i have fitted, i now think that it's going to take a lot to have any major issues on an ex-demo, and they have usually been run in for you, with a first service thrown in, as well as the bulk of the manufacturers warranty left, so maybe in a cpl years when my warranty runs out, im going to take a better look at ex-demo's as there's a lot of plusses. GL
My CL500 is also a Demo bike. She came with some add-ons on her.
I'm sure it was a good buy ...just to clarify my CL was brand new but I have bought x demo's in the past ... good value to be had.
I bought my CL as an ex demo, it had 176km on it and I did about 100km of them $3k saving!
The used to roll and sweep chip seal roads in NZ too. Again they don’t bother here anymore, they rely on the traffic to roll it in for a week, remove all the signs and don’t bother sweeping it. Exceedingly dangerous but no one seems to care
Thanks Mark. 👍
Hi dave i bought a ex demo suzuki gsxr 1000 back in 2016 with 250 miles on the clock and all the yoshi bits came fitted with it and full warranty and a 3 grand saving on list price i kept the bike 5 years and it never missed a beat and when i traded it in i only lost 1 grand less than i payed so was i just lucky im not sure but i do miss that bike
That's brilliant , I've had similar outcomes with x demo's especially when bought during the winter when dealers just want them gone ...cheap biking indeed !
Hi David, been racking my brains to think if l have ever bought an X demo bike and l can't remember, but it wouldn't put me off 👍
Same with be Mark , as long as the reduction was enough and it wasn't in fact the workshop courtesy bike which can be a different kettle of fish !
Nice one DJ, I think ex demo bikes come with more or less the same warranty, so it wouldn't put me off buying one...
Yes I think you're right ...if bought directly from the dealer as I have in the past . I've looked at 2 recently being sold privately from the 2nd owner , still within the manufacturer warranty period though . Of course after that the next change of owner hides the original ownership so its possible to buy one unknowingly anyway .
Mine is black, I put on knobbys on it along with one of those rectangle food plates attached to the handle bar. Best practice: When eating food, keep it under 30 mph, the food and drink blows off the plate. My first try going down the highway was a disaster!!
Thanks, grest advice I'll remember that ! 👍
Ex demo bikes can be a good way of saving a bit of cash against buying new, however give the bike a really good going over before parting with your cash. I bought an ex demo bike a couple of years ago from a main dealer and later discovered some tell tale signs of it being dropped, nothing major all cosmetic. If I had checked more thoughly, I probably wouldn't have bought it. My Himalayan was ex demo and this time I did check it out and there was no cosmetic damage at all.
Yes good point indeed , sadly a less than totally honest dealer will fix any damage themselves and it will not be recorded anywhere so nobody will know ... they certainly won't volunteer the info !