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Need some opinions. Trade up or not

The problem with distilliing this down to a mere question about fuel economy...

It's like buying a smaller house, because it'd take less paint to cover it! :shocked:

:roflblack::roflblack: EXACTLY!!!


Based solely on mileage improvement, don't. Using the following guesstimates here's a SWAG about payback.

Miles per year - 10,000 (lot more than most riders I'm sure)
Cost of premium gas - $4.20/gal
Mileage w/ 2013 - 22 mpg (2 up and pulling trailer)
Mileage w/ 2014 - 35 mpg (2 up and pulling trailer)
Savings per year - $700
Years to recoup $10,000 cost of trading up - 14.3

...or if you only ride it 5,000 miles per year, you'd still make up the difference in just 28.6 years! Heck, I'd go for it. :joke:
 
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It's not just the mpg

I bought my 2013 RT Limited in May 2013. Loved it. Tomorrow I ride it to the dealer to trade it in on a 2014. Why? I test drove the 2014 at Durango and told myself I deserved it. Yes, I expect better mileage but that's not the primary motivation. Even though I have the BajaRon upgrade anti-sway bar and laser alignment which greatly improved the 2013 handling at speed, I found the 2014 to be even better. The performance improvements (2014 low-end torque higher than the 2013 mid-range highest torque gives much better power responsiveness at cruising speeds), reduced heat concerns (I had put in the cat bypass to stop cooking the contents of the glovebox and my inner thighs but it still got pretty hot), and finally the better mileage with the lower cruising rpm (in southwest Texas I have gone as much as 140 miles without seeing an open gas station so I keep a spare couple of gallons in the left saddle box on longer trips).
Sure, I'm taking a bath on the trade-in/resale value of my 2013 but that's partly because of the quantum improvements with the 2014. Other than the new F3 probably replacing the ST, the word is that the changes for the 2015 model year will be minimal and the 2014 prices won't fall too much next year.
 
SeaDog,

While everything you just said is entirely true, I'd NEVER trade my 2013 RT for a 2014. They don't offer the 2014's in Lava Bronze with the Antler Brown seat! :shocked:
 
I presently own a 2013 RTS. Been a great machine other than the fuel consumption. No serious issues at all with it. My question is. .. is it worth a ten thousand dollar loss to trade up to a new 2014 just because of the fuel consumption?
My wife is always with me on the bike. We typically always pull our leisure light trailer with us. Our normal run is going for a week or two at a time. The one thing that I'm not impressed with is planning our route according to the availability of gas stations every 100 miles.
I have a Goldwing that I suppose I could sell to make up the cost difference I guess, as long as the trade up is going to make that much of a difference.
What do you folks think?
I guess I'm trying to figure out if the 2014 is that much better of a bike for our style of riding compared to the 2013
The 200 plus mile range on a gas tank if very nice even if you still choose to stop more often for stretching. It takes away much of the worry of gas stations locating in areas you are not familiar with. For a heavy Ryder the cost savings are significant. I calculate that from maintenance and mileages costs that on 25000 miles (my normal year) I save $3000.
 
I regret giving up the Lava Bronze w/Antler Brown Seat, too

SeaDog,

While everything you just said is entirely true, I'd NEVER trade my 2013 RT for a 2014. They don't offer the 2014's in Lava Bronze with the Antler Brown seat! :shocked:

I am regretfully giving up my Lava Bronze w/Antler Brown saddle and that is partly the reason I debated the trade as long as I did. It has gotten many compliments from total strangers on trips. I'll also have to get my previously gold custom-design decals redone in a dark color so they will show up on the new Cognac. :pray:
 
I am regretfully giving up my Lava Bronze w/Antler Brown saddle and that is partly the reason I debated the trade as long as I did. It has gotten many compliments from total strangers on trips. I'll also have to get my previously gold custom-design decals redone in a dark color so they will show up on the new Cognac. :pray:
Yeah, but you'll be really happy riding that 2014, and the guy who buys your trade will also be really happy. It's a win/win! ;)
 
I am regretfully giving up my Lava Bronze w/Antler Brown saddle and that is partly the reason I debated the trade as long as I did. It has gotten many compliments from total strangers on trips. I'll also have to get my previously gold custom-design decals redone in a dark color so they will show up on the new Cognac. :pray:

;) I can't wait to see what you do!! :2thumbs:
 
Bottom line for me here would be if I was currently happy with the 2013, I would not be willing to take a $10K hit on a trade in.

I did take one hit when I traded off my heavily farkled 2008 for a premier edition 2010 RTS. I just wanted it that bad--so I took the big hit.

I have been more careful on deals after that. I have taken a little bit of a hit--but nothing in the $10K range.

I am very happy with the 2014 and it is everything they say it is. I now have a range of 200 miles instead of the ballpark 150 miles on the 998 Rotax. That said, when traveling where gas stations can become scarce, I fill the Spyders where I can and move on. I have never carried spare gas, and never ran out. I did go 185 miles on my Rotax and that took 5.8 gallons. That was a controlled test and not in the wilderness.

Like others said, you can buy a lot of gas and goodies for $10K.
 
One Question

If you always tow a trailer, are you actually going to get a decent fuel saving?
 
The 2014s that are towing, are reporting some pretty amazing numbers...
I've seen the same 38 to 40 mpg, that others while report flying bobtail... :2thumbs:
 
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