Objective comparison needed please.

[Matt4395]

Hi guys and girls.

I'm kinda stuck in a rut here; I'm torn between two bikes: a Kawasaki eliminator 125cc 2008 and a Suzuki GZ 125 marauder.

Let me give you a little history.

Kawasaki eliminator.

Same condition as it was when it came out of the factory,
Fitted with an alarm,
New tyres,
Upgraded headlight,
9000 miles only.
£1200 with insurance at £408

Suzuki marauder.

Put together from two bikes that were raced on.
Not all original parts,
Can't be sure how many miles are on the clock,
still relatively reliable,
Comfortable.
£500 but needs to have stuff done to it.
insurance is £480

I'm really stuck between the two. Help please.

[Jacde]

Humm, I wouldn't touch any vehicle that was previously 2 or more vehicles!

[Last Train]

I'd steer clear of the Suzuki :)

[Dabz]

wouldn't touch that suzuki with a barge pole given that description

[Splash]

Don't talk yourself into it because it's cheap (Suzuki), you'll regret it and built from two bikes? Might have been crashed and parts from that used on another possibly crashed vehicle... not worth your life should anything go wrong! :)

Buy what you can afford, the Kawasaki is obviously in your price range as you are looking at it and it sounds like a well looked after bike from what you have described and had some good modifications and sounds like you could ride it away, just barter the price! You can gauge a lot about a product just buy speaking to the owner so make sure you have a phone call with them!!

Summer is on it's way! (Touch wood)

:)

[BB]

Personally, I wouldn't touch anything made up from two or more vehicles unless I had it done myself, then I would know it's history and that it was done right.

BB

[Berniebloke]

My personal advice would be not to go near the Suzuki as it could be a potential death trap and or money pit!

We used to have one of the Kawa's and have to say it was great for a 125

[wheelers]

ditto, anything made from 2 bikes, if you were going that way a quick text check can check if any history.

[Senna(Dan)]

As has already been said, steer clear of the Suzuki. Unless you know the person selling it steer clear.
They are both good starter bikes when they have been kept as one bike. If you can afford something better then do it, buying cheap can only lead to doubt once you buy it.

[Rabb]

All of the above.
Go with the safe option.

[Conehead]

+1, stay clear of the Suzi.

Is your life worth the risk?

[Julie_S]

Sounds a bit of a no brainer. 'Racing' Suzuki Maruader? come on...

[MarkB]

Matt
As has been said already stick with the Kawaski, probably easier to insure as well. From personal experience I would also shop around for your insurance using the internet. Just had a quote for my K1600 GTSe that was £130 cheaper than my current Bennetts insurance. Not sure if this will work for you but try MCE Insurance company based in Northamptonshire. Good luck

[Elliott_Carr]

coming form experience don't go for anything that has been put together form two bikes or/and you don't know the history of the bike like the mileage etc. also a bike that has been used for racing has most likely been striped and re-built a hundred and one times and if the person is a half a job harry the bike is going to have a few bolts missing here and there, also if the bike is made from two separate bikes it would suggest that there was a f**k up along the way so they needed a cheap replacement. i had problem with a bike that was made from two different bikes and all was good till i found out that the bike's engine number was different to the frame number so who ever put it together didn't let any one know (DVLA) about it for some reason :P but any how go for a reliable bike witch you can find out the history of etc..

hope this helps :)

[Jon_W]

The Eliminator. No questions.

[DanS]

Kawasaki without question.

Please, for the love of God, don't buy a cut & shut bike. Even if it's just parts rather than frame / engine etc, your life is worth more than a few hundred pounds.

[Kevinb]

Definitely the Kawasaki eliminator or wait for a decent Suzuki/Yamaha cruiser to come along.