As you know, a couple of weeks ago Gen and I test-rode a white Suzuki V-Strom 650X. When we got back to the dealer after Gen’s ride, I asked if I was able to purchase the test-ride bike; I liked the white colour and as the bike had been used as a test-ride bike I was hoping I would be able to get a fair bit of discount for this practically brand-new bike.

I’ve been waiting almost two weeks now to find out (who would’ve thought it’d be so difficult to get a salesperson to sell you something) but on Friday I went in to see the bike again and have now put a deposit down. The bike is going to cost £4,795 cut down from its new price of £5,450 which I guess isn’t too bad considering it’s only done 350 miles. The bike has a full warranty and the first service will be thrown in for free; something I did manage to negotiate despite my poor skills.

I’m trading in my Monster 695 for this bike, I will be sad to see it go but I do believe I’m doing the right thing; for once I’m trading style for sense. Just for anybody who cares I’ll be getting £2,650 for the Monster (5,600 miles) as a part-exchange value against the V-Strom leaving me with a lovely £2,145 bill to pay – so much for that mortgage deposit!

The bike should be ready for me to pick up on Tuesday so that’s me sorted for a bike, now we need one for Gen; one down, one to go.