2019 fe350 or 2020 fe350? Need advice

[FloRider]

Hey everyone, hoping I can get some good advice. I have an opportunity to purchase a 2019 FE350 with only 400 miles and lots of options added for $8500 (ridden by an older gent who changed his mind). In doing my research I see there is a lot of info about how the 2020 model is much better (power, frame, suspension) but I don't know if it so significant to warrant the the extra $3K ($11,500 OTD price) for a brand new 2020 left on the showroom floor? I currently have a 2012 TE250 so either way i will be moving up, but is the 2020 worth $3000 more?

THANKS!!

Cheers!
Doug

[Tims1572]

I would say that sort of depends on how long you keep your own bikes. You've kept the FE250 for 8 years. So you obviously aren't too worried about resale like some people that buy a new bike every 1 or 2 years.

So I keep my bikes a long time as well.

I have a 1977 Maico AW 400 that I bought new. It's getting its second full restoration here very soon and still runs.

I have a 2009 BMW G450X that I bought in 2012 that is mint that has 3700 miles. I also have a 2015 FE501 Husky I bought new, that has about about 4200 miles, both it and the G450X have so many mods it all adds up to way more than half again of what the bikes cost me and then some. But that's what makes me become attached to them. I have no interest in selling either of them.

As for the 2019 - 2020 differences ?
You would probably have to be a fast class "A" rider to notice the difference of the 2 models.

Just remember if you buy the 2020. The bike is only new once.

I would offer the older gentleman $8000.00 for his 2019 (Cash in Hand) and be willing to pay his price or at least split the difference when you take into consideration if those were options or upgrades that suit you, or you would have maybe done yourself to the 2020 if you still had cash to spend. That can be the difference right there. Add up his options and modifications, make him an offer and be ready to turn and walk away to see which way he jumps.
Good luck.