Looking to buy a motorcycle... any thoughts?

[themangeraaad]

So I am looking to buy a [new to me] motorcycle. The cheaper the better (to a point). I have looked at anything from early 80's Suzuki GS1100EZ's to Mid 80's Honda Magna and Sabres (V65), to Honda 919's, a couple Yamaha Fazers and Suzuki VX800s... just about anything (trying to stay 90s or older due to price reasons).

First things first, in the future one of my bikes WILL be a Yamaha Vmax.. I love that bike. Only problem is I havent seen one go up for sale for 3k or less in the last couple months. Seemed everyone unloaded their "cheap" Vmax's early. I saw a few go up for sale that needed some work, but I couldnt afford them at the time since I had just landed a new job and had bills to pay. I dont mind getting a bike that needs some work (hell, I drove an XJ for years and now its sitting in my yard stripped down waiting for new floor pans to be welded in), but most of them around me seem to be listed in "mint" or so condition.

Anyway, figured I would turn to the brains of NAXJA for guidance. I'm NOT a full out street bike fan.. I like cruiser/standard style bikes, some naked street bikes, dual sports and supermotos (though they are hard to come by in my price range). I do have an older dual sport for now, looking more street oriented.

Almost decided to hold off for a year and just not get something this year, then buy a new (or 1 year old) triumph speed triple, or maybe buell ulysses, or... well I could go for a while if I could entertain anything in a 6k+ price range.

Any recomendations that may be in the 3k range? Ideally in the 2k range (give or take a bit, I will let you define "bit") but I can work with up to maybe 3k-ish.

...Or any words of wisdom on what bikes on my list are good bets and what I should stay away from (if any on the list are bad :doh:) heh

-Scott

[wolfpackjeeper]

You can pick up a lot of different options in the 3-4k range. I have never had a problem with a honda. But the next time I pick up a bike I want something along the lines of a HD sportster lowboy or a ducati monster style bike.

My last bike was a 1998 Honda CBR 600 F3 and I absolutely loved it. It was a great bike that gave me no problems. Super easy to ride.

[nick86]

The V-Max was the perfect cruiser/street bike. They can be found for cheap, but anyone of them will need some work. I think they are worth the money and time to get them up to snuff. If you are into a crotch rocket, there is only ONE to look at, that's a Busa. 10 second bike out of the crate. If I remember the V-Max did low 11's stock.

[Capt. Nemo]

How much riding experience do you have? I started out on a 1981 Honda Hawk CB400 which was perfect. I would have killed myself as a beginner on anything larger than that. My next bike was a 1999 Ducati Monster 900S which was a kick ass bike.

I really like the mid to late '80's Honda Nighthawk "S". I think most of those are under 2K. Low maintenance and very reliable (not too crazy about the shaft drive...). Here's what I'm talking about:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/1244192351.html

[ECKSJAY]

You'll shoot your eye out.

[GrimmJeeper]

You'll shoot your eye out.

:yelclap:

[robert2008]

I second the Nighthawks. They're not a true cruiser, but they are more of a standard. The S models were very quick in their day, but the other models are fun too. You should be able to find an S in your price range though.

Here's a great page on them:

http://hondanighthawks.net/

[wolfpackjeeper]

The V-Max was the perfect cruiser/street bike. They can be found for cheap, but anyone of them will need some work. I think they are worth the money and time to get them up to snuff. If you are into a crotch rocket, there is only ONE to look at, that's a Busa. 10 second bike out of the crate. If I remember the V-Max did low 11's stock.

Busa's suck. Why would I buy a street bike to go in a strait line? Overpriced and over rated

[MaxxXJ]

Busa's suck. Why would I buy a street bike to go in a strait line? Overpriced and over rated

X1, their junk, you could take a ninja 250 and race a busa thru the canyon and the busa would lose...

[themangeraaad]

Well, as I said, not a fan of street bikes for the most part. A few exceptions in there, but overall would prefer something else for now. I want something to commute on and I have a 2 hour round trip to/from work so all out street bike... meh. If I was going to get an all out street bike I would just skip them and go straight to a super moto. I got no need to do retarded speeds down the highway or 0-60 times (though I know if I got something like that I would do just those things). I am more for tossing my bike around back roads or just cruising and enjoying the ride.. which is where I am torn. heh. Cruiser for comfort, standard style (ie nighthawk or VX800) for comfort with some hanlding capabilities, or supermoto for all out fun.

The nighthawk was actually one of the bikes high on my list for a long while when I was looking in the $1500 or less range. I somehow kept talking myself out of them and now I have saved up a bit more over the months. Then I moved onto newer nighthawks (and added the VX800 to the list) Also started looking at the sabre/magna around the same time. Been shopping for months and I still can't make up my mind. I keep telling myself that I want a supermoto/standard to toss around a bit while I'm "young", have some fun... but I keep getting drawn back to the Vmax (and Magna since I can actually find them cheap).

[RichP]

bad time of year to be looking, Aug is better when people are selling them and kids are going back to school and looking for tuition money. I'm planning on finding a nice HD sporty, 2003 or newer in the $5K range. I prefer the HD's as I tend to keep stuff and the other bikes are tough to get parts for after about 7 years. Try to find a piston for say and 81 yamaha XS100 and at the same time a piston for an 81 HD stugis, guess which one you will be able to buy new. HD's are like Jeeps, EVERYBODY makes parts for them.
I'll probably get serious in Nov or Dec, thats when the prices really drop.

I am currently using my son Zuki Marauder, 02 I think, 45mpg, quick enough for what it is hauling my 230lb ass around with my backpack holding my nitly DLT's and laptop, so far so good, now if it would just stop %$#$% raining I might actually get some use out it...

[93gc40]

I would look first for 90's Jap Cruisers in the 1100-1300 ranges. My 93 1100 Shadow can be a major pain in the rear for most rocket riders in the twisties. They have to push pretty hard to loose or catch me. V-Max or V65 Saber are excelent choices if you can find one. Harley Sporties 883 or 1200, if you enjoy working on bikes as much or more than working on Jeeps. I would avoid modern sport bikes, mainly due to comfort. 80's-current standards and sport tourers are a good second choice Honda Interceptors or 750 Nighthawk, the GS line (not X or R), Kawi Concourse (Sport tourer), Kawi KZ's, Suzuki V-Strom.

[themangeraaad]

I am currently using my son Zuki Marauder, 02 I think, 45mpg, quick enough for what it is hauling my 230lb ass around with my backpack holding my nitly DLT's and laptop, so far so good, now if it would just stop %$#$% raining I might actually get some use out it...

I hear ya. I have put off buying fork oil/dust seals for my current bike for over a month now just because there hasn't been a damn day to ride the thing. Finally ordered them yesterday. I think we managed to see the sun 3 or 4 days total last month? Starting to get sick of it

I hoped to be buying mid winter, but oh well, life goes on. Lost my job and luckily I managed to get back on my feet and land something else. Took 5 months of hunting but I shouldn't complain anymore.

Maybe I will keep bike hunting incase a great deal comes my way again (i.e I got my current bike for $100, it had been sitting in the owners [heated] basement for 10 years, just needed tires and I replaced the head gasket cause it wasn't perfect). Doubt something like that will come my way again, but I can hope. Otherwise I suppose I could just put off buying till the fall. I want a bike for this season, but hell, I suppose I can just ride what I got... esp if the weather keeps this up I may not be riding all that much this season anyway... but now I got a few more bikes to add to the daily searches of crazedlist. Thanks.

[Clean Racing]

Well Im not one for cruiser bikes but a comfortable street bike would be a yamaha FJ1100 from the late 80's to mid 90's.. very reliable and comfortable for that long commute.. Right now I have a 03 triumph daytona, not very comfortable for long trips..

[Starboard M]

I want a bike:(



One of these days.

[97XJ2]

The first gen V-max did high 10's the new second gen V-max does high nines (145 hp vs. 197 hp). I would not ride my V-max any more than 250-300 miles in a day with the factory seat. I'm really not sure how you could go too wrong with one of those older bikes. If your looking for a commuter a standard would work well enough, and in my opinion anything above a 600 (early-mid 90's) can get out of its own way. As far as fuel economy riding around town on the Max nets me 36 and strict highway will do about 48.

[Shorty]

...and Magna since I can actually find them cheap.

I've had a V65 Magna (1983) for a couple years and wouldn't recommend it as a daily commute bike. You can get into them fairly cheaply, but parts for it are becoming a PITA to get without a second mortgage. Mine was free and it's a "third bike" status project (I'll buy stuff for it when I find a great deal... until then, it'll just sit) but the deals seem to be fewer and farther between lately.

I guess I should clarify-- if you're looking at the 97+ "new" Magnas-- ignore everything I said.

My vote is for a true Japaneese standard, i.e. late '70's Kawasaki KZ.
http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/623340/