Yet Another Motorcycle Thread

[Foxery]

I have my license, and some coworkers who ride and want me to join them... I'm really not sure if I can afford it this year or not until next year, but may as well start asking

I'm looking at sportster/cruiser styles, probably a used Honda (Shadow and Magna come to mind) or Yamaha (VStars are hot!) from the 1980s-1990s. No crotch rocket crap, and I'm not mechanically skilled enough to maintain a Harley, or a very old or very customized rig. Above average gas mileage would be nice, of course.

1. Can most bikes accomodate a windshield? Does this drag down gas mileage noticeably if I get one?
2. How old is too old? I mean, I know it depends on how well the bike has been treated, but how far back can I go before I encounter significant mechanical differences, or inefficient engines, or a general lack of modern improvements?
3. I see some promising possibilities on eBay/Craigslist in my $2-3000 price range. But in your opinion, can I expect much, or should I wait a year and save up more cash?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Foxery
I have my license, and some coworkers who ride and want me to join them... I'm really not sure if I can afford it this year or not until next year, but may as well start asking

I'm looking at sportster/cruiser styles, probably a used Honda (Shadow and Magna come to mind) or Yamaha (VStars are hot!) from the 1980s-1990s. No crotch rocket crap, and I'm not mechanically skilled enough to maintain a Harley, or a very old or very customized rig. Above average gas mileage would be nice, of course.

1. Can most bikes accomodate a windshield? Does this drag down gas mileage noticeably if I get one?
2. How old is too old? I mean, I know it depends on how well the bike has been treated, but how far back can I go before I encounter significant mechanical differences, or inefficient engines, or a general lack of modern improvements?
3. I see some promising possibilities on eBay/Craigslist in my $2-3000 price range. But in your opinion, can I expect much, or should I wait a year and save up more cash?

I have an old Honda CB750 and I paid about $1k for it almost 2 years ago. I've put a few thousand miles on it and spent about $1200 maintaining/fixing it up during that time. It's a good bike, fun to ride but I'm ready for something new. I'm seriously looking at a Triumph Street Triple or possibly a Speed Triple.

You can find parts for old Hondas on ebay pretty easily and most places still carry things like brake pads and the usual stuff that wears out like clutch packs, etc.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I just passed my MSF class yesterday . Hooray!

 

[Arkaign]

Are you at least 6' / 180? Great great deals can be found on Valkyries, and they're sweet bikes.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
I just passed my MSF class yesterday . Hooray!

awesome! :thumbsup:

i should be acquiring a 2004 ninja250R in the coming weeks

i still have to figure out how registration and all that crap works damn governmental paperwork

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: Foxery
I have my license, and some coworkers who ride and want me to join them... I'm really not sure if I can afford it this year or not until next year, but may as well start asking

I'm looking at sportster/cruiser styles, probably a used Honda (Shadow and Magna come to mind) or Yamaha (VStars are hot!) from the 1980s-1990s. No crotch rocket crap, and I'm not mechanically skilled enough to maintain a Harley, or a very old or very customized rig. Above average gas mileage would be nice, of course.

1. Can most bikes accomodate a windshield? Does this drag down gas mileage noticeably if I get one?
2. How old is too old? I mean, I know it depends on how well the bike has been treated, but how far back can I go before I encounter significant mechanical differences, or inefficient engines, or a general lack of modern improvements?
3. I see some promising possibilities on eBay/Craigslist in my $2-3000 price range. But in your opinion, can I expect much, or should I wait a year and save up more cash?

1. You can put a windshield on just about anything. It will affect gas mileage. How much depends on the bike (how aero efficient it was to begin with and how much drag the windshield adds)

2. I would try not to go older than 10 years. Bikes are very simple creatures mechanically. Keeping one running well does not take much work, but it can get expensive when it comes to buying parts.

3. You should be able to find a shadow (or similar) in the $2-3K price range. I would also recommend looking at standard (between cruiser and crotchrocket) bikes.

 

[Foxery]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Are you at least 6' / 180? Great great deals can be found on Valkyries, and they're sweet bikes.

Yow, Valkyries are 1500cc and enormous... that's double the size I want, and no, I'm tall but not strong enough to handle one

Originally posted by: MiataNC
2. I would try not to go older than 10 years. Bikes are very simple creatures mechanically. Keeping one running well does not take much work, but it can get expensive when it comes to buying parts.

3. You should be able to find a shadow (or similar) in the $2-3K price range. I would also recommend looking at standard (between cruiser and crotchrocket) bikes.

Only 10 years, hmm... I'll have to wait until I get estimates on my house projects first.

The one thing I keep forgetting about, though, is that I don't have a proper place to store it on rainy days. It wouldn't get more than a car-cover and a tree during the summer, though I can keep it at my father's in the winter.

Thanks for the tips so far, guys.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: Foxery

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Are you at least 6' / 180? Great great deals can be found on Valkyries, and they're sweet bikes.

Yow, Valkyries are 1500cc and enormous... that's double the size I want, and no, I'm tall but not strong enough to handle one

Originally posted by: MiataNC
2. I would try not to go older than 10 years. Bikes are very simple creatures mechanically. Keeping one running well does not take much work, but it can get expensive when it comes to buying parts.

3. You should be able to find a shadow (or similar) in the $2-3K price range. I would also recommend looking at standard (between cruiser and crotchrocket) bikes.

Only 10 years, hmm... I'll have to wait until I get estimates on my house projects first.

The one thing I keep forgetting about, though, is that I don't have a proper place to store it on rainy days. It wouldn't get more than a car-cover and a tree during the summer, though I can keep it at my father's in the winter.

Thanks for the tips so far, guys.

You can go back farther than 10 years, but then you may be dealing with replacing soft parts. Such as carb gaskets and diaphrams, brake lines, engine case gaskets and seals, fork seals, etc. it really depends on how well maintained a given bike is.

A bike isn't much cheaper to own than a car if you have to put work into it. They volume of sales is so low that parts are obscenely expensive compared to cars.

 

[Foxery]

Another week, another Friday afternoon spent browsing eBay These are what I seem to be drawn to. This week's sellers are newer models, too - all less than 10 years.

Here's one that already sold for $3000, looks like a hell of a steal
2003 Yamaha VStar 650, 12k miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item220217884151

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
Beautiful and cheap, 1500 miles! currently $2700
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item110238762266

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
31,000 miles... seems harsh compared to the rest, but currently only $2400 with windshield & saddlebags already included.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item250231437223

2000 Honda Shadow 750cc
4200 miles,currently $2000
Pretty nice, though I'm leaning towards Yamahas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item320235283027

 

[Fenixgoon]

sigh, no motorcycle for me this summer

i'm still taking the safety class to get my license though

 

[Foxery]

I keep forgetting to ask... Those of you who've owned a Honda or Yamaha in the 650-750cc range, what's the mileage like? 50, 60?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Foxery
I keep forgetting to ask... Those of you who've owned a Honda or Yamaha in the 650-750cc range, what's the mileage like? 50, 60?

Mine is old as hell and it is currently running too rich so I'm only getting mileage in the 35mpg range at the moment. I really need to try to fix that...maybe this weekend.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MiataNC

Originally posted by: Foxery

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Are you at least 6' / 180? Great great deals can be found on Valkyries, and they're sweet bikes.

Yow, Valkyries are 1500cc and enormous... that's double the size I want, and no, I'm tall but not strong enough to handle one

Originally posted by: MiataNC
2. I would try not to go older than 10 years. Bikes are very simple creatures mechanically. Keeping one running well does not take much work, but it can get expensive when it comes to buying parts.

3. You should be able to find a shadow (or similar) in the $2-3K price range. I would also recommend looking at standard (between cruiser and crotchrocket) bikes.

Only 10 years, hmm... I'll have to wait until I get estimates on my house projects first.

The one thing I keep forgetting about, though, is that I don't have a proper place to store it on rainy days. It wouldn't get more than a car-cover and a tree during the summer, though I can keep it at my father's in the winter.

Thanks for the tips so far, guys.

You can go back farther than 10 years, but then you may be dealing with replacing soft parts. Such as carb gaskets and diaphrams, brake lines, engine case gaskets and seals, fork seals, etc. it really depends on how well maintained a given bike is.

A bike isn't much cheaper to own than a car if you have to put work into it. They volume of sales is so low that parts are obscenely expensive compared to cars.

Which is why ebay is such a great place to find parts for very little money. I've had decent luck finding what I'm looking for there and a local bike salvage place.

 

[Flash1969]

Originally posted by: Foxery
Another week, another Friday afternoon spent browsing eBay These are what I seem to be drawn to. This week's sellers are newer models, too - all less than 10 years.

Here's one that already sold for $3000, looks like a hell of a steal
2003 Yamaha VStar 650, 12k miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item220217884151

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
Beautiful and cheap, 1500 miles! currently $2700
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item110238762266

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
31,000 miles... seems harsh compared to the rest, but currently only $2400 with windshield & saddlebags already included.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item250231437223

2000 Honda Shadow 750cc
4200 miles,currently $2000
Pretty nice, though I'm leaning towards Yamahas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item320235283027

Man, buy a real bike. Cruisers are gay. If you're gonna buy an ugly pos, you might as well go all the way and buy a harley.

 

[BZeto]

I just finished the 2nd day of my MSF class. Aced the written portion. What we did on the range today was pretty simple. Tomorrow we go over some more advanced manuevers and take the actual riding test. I like it so far but haven't really learned a tremendous amount of things, the written test was all common sense any 8th grader could have passed.

 

[dpert1]

Originally posted by: Flash1969

Originally posted by: Foxery
Another week, another Friday afternoon spent browsing eBay These are what I seem to be drawn to. This week's sellers are newer models, too - all less than 10 years.

Here's one that already sold for $3000, looks like a hell of a steal
2003 Yamaha VStar 650, 12k miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item220217884151

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
Beautiful and cheap, 1500 miles! currently $2700
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item110238762266

2000 Yamaha VStar 650
31,000 miles... seems harsh compared to the rest, but currently only $2400 with windshield & saddlebags already included.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item250231437223

2000 Honda Shadow 750cc
4200 miles,currently $2000
Pretty nice, though I'm leaning towards Yamahas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...?hash=item320235283027

Man, buy a real bike. Cruisers are gay. If you're gonna buy an ugly pos, you might as well go all the way and buy a harley.

and what exactly constitutes a "real bike" for you? That jap crap plastic I see guys killing themselves on? pretty sure the cruiser came first as well.

/often times i enjoy riding my bike in a position that makes it look like im taking it up the rear
//not =]

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dpert1

and what exactly constitutes a "real bike" for you? That jap crap plastic I see guys killing themselves on? pretty sure the cruiser came first as well.

/often times i enjoy riding my bike in a position that makes it look like im taking it up the rear
//not =]

Motorcycles are more than just sport bikes and cruisers, y'know...

 

[Foxery]

Originally posted by: BZeto
I just finished the 2nd day of my MSF class. Aced the written portion. What we did on the range today was pretty simple. Tomorrow we go over some more advanced manuevers and take the actual riding test. I like it so far but haven't really learned a tremendous amount of things, the written test was all common sense any 8th grader could have passed.

It's supposed to be easy. Driving isn't difficult, they just need to make sure you aren't completely retarded (and plenty of licensed drivers still are!)

I liked my course for the fact that we got used to the feel of being on a bike, and saw firsthand how it all worked, but on tiny putt-putts that were incredibly easy to work with and not intimidating machines.


Dunno what that thread crap was all about, but a cruiser suits my needs the best, and I'm very comfortable with the Yamahas.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've ridden a few different bikes recently trying to decide what my next bike will be and I think I've settled on the Suzuki SV650 (naked bike). I rode a friend's SV yesterday and loved it. His is a 2002 with Yoshimura slip on exhaust and a few other mods. The brakes are excellent, the engine has plenty of power, it sounds great and looks great too IMO. :thumbsup:

 

[rstrohkirch]

Motorcycle manufacturers tend to upgrade their lines every 2-3 years. What you'll want to do is find a few models that you like that are in your price range and then search for changes they made through out the years.
For example, the you may like Bike X and a 2000-2005 would be acceptable for you. After some research you find that in 2002 they switched to FI yet the 2000 and 2002 models cost the same...obviously you wouldn't look at anything below 2002 unless you were desperate.

Cruisers tend to use a lot of old technology so this may not apply to you as much but I know that a lot of bikes started switching to FI in the earlier 2000s.

 

[Killrose]

Check out the motorcycles in your area Craigslist. Usually some sweet deals can be had.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Foxery

Originally posted by: MiataNC
2. I would try not to go older than 10 years. Bikes are very simple creatures mechanically. Keeping one running well does not take much work, but it can get expensive when it comes to buying parts.

3. You should be able to find a shadow (or similar) in the $2-3K price range. I would also recommend looking at standard (between cruiser and crotchrocket) bikes.

Only 10 years, hmm... I'll have to wait until I get estimates on my house projects first.

The one thing I keep forgetting about, though, is that I don't have a proper place to store it on rainy days. It wouldn't get more than a car-cover and a tree during the summer, though I can keep it at my father's in the winter.

Thanks for the tips so far, guys.

Meh, I've got an '82 Honda CB450SC and it still runs fine. There's nothing wrong with an old bike if you can find a low-mileage example. Gets about 45 mpg too.

ZV

 

[BZeto]

I've been looking around lately for just about anything bigger than a 250cc to ride on the streets. It hasn't been easy to find any under $3000.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: BZeto
I've been looking around lately for just about anything bigger than a 250cc to ride on the streets. It hasn't been easy to find any under $3000.

Check craigslist...I see plenty.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BZeto
I've been looking around lately for just about anything bigger than a 250cc to ride on the streets. It hasn't been easy to find any under $3000.

Check craigslist...I see plenty.

Very very few in my area (Vegas). I did see this Suzuki VZ800. Seems like a decent deal for a cruiser.