New Rider...Old Motorcycles

51D7H3K1D · 07-28-2012, 09:55 PM

Im new to motorcycles. very new some might say. I want to buy a bike to learn to ride on.

I dont like the trend in modern motorcycles. Everything is either a chromed out "Harldly" or an water cooled, plastic covered, super charged sport bike. I like the look of a classic straight seat bike. Id like to be able to tinker with it too. Learn to take care of it and keep it running right.

Ive been scouring craigslists for miles around trying to find the right bike for me. maybe an old honda? I want something under 500cc's. What can you recommend for a new rider with a small budget?

goalie · 07-28-2012, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51D7H3K1D

Im new to motorcycles. very new some might say. I want to buy a bike to learn to ride on.

I dont like the trend in modern motorcycles. Everything is either a chromed out "Harldly" or an water cooled, plastic covered, super charged sport bike. I like the look of a classic straight seat bike. Id like to be able to tinker with it too. Learn to take care of it and keep it running right.

Ive been scouring craigslists for miles around trying to find the right bike for me. maybe an old honda? I want something under 500cc's. What can you recommend for a new rider with a small budget?

Walking.

markk53 · 07-29-2012, 09:54 AM

On a more serious note... good comment though...

Look for a mid-80s Kawasaki KZ, Suzuki GS, Yamaha XJ, or Honda CB model in whatever size you want. I like the 400-650 due to the ability to ride a small/slow bike fast, but from a starting standpoint they're great rides. In the mid 80s to 90s the standards that stood out were the Nighthawks by Honda and for some years, the Zephyr models by Kawasaki. Harley also made a very much standard seating position Sportster with some decent suspension, but I think most of them got blinged out.

You aren't going to find much under 500cc because there just wasn't much out there from the 70s on. The 400/450s from Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki were great rides. The 440 Kaws weren't quite as good or powerful. Don't ignore the 550-650 range (avoid the 82 650 Nighthawk like the plague, it was the old design 650 chain drive that had extremely temperamental carburation), that was the one with the most great rides. Honda with their 550 four and the later 550/650 Nighthawk series, all with shaft drive and hydraulic valve adjusters, Suzuki's GS550 was a great ride, the Kawasaki KZ550/650 were also reliable strong bikes.

Just spend the money to get one that is actually running and in good shape. None of that "it ran six months/year/when it was parked" deals. It costs too much to tear apart carbs or to discover ignition problems. Get a used bike that runs out good. I'd rather have a runner with 20,000 miles than a non-runner with 5000 miles. The one is a proven ride, the other may become a money pit due to wasting away in a barn or whatever.

For the new rider nothing is worse than having a bike that isn't running while the weather is good and everyone else is riding. Save the non-runner project bike for a second bike to play with.

bajakirch · 07-29-2012, 04:31 PM

I'll second the above opinion. If you're going to get an older bike you will inevitably have to deal with some mechanical issues. Why get one that's got problems to begin with?

Budget-wise, you can get a good-running 80's or 90's bike like those above for under $2k (at least around here).

ralphlong · 07-29-2012, 04:36 PM

Take a look at Triumph. They have some real classic looking bike.

Team Elkhorn · 07-29-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51D7H3K1D

Im new to motorcycles. very new some might say. I want to buy a bike to learn to ride on.

I dont like the trend in modern motorcycles. Everything is either a chromed out "Harldly" or an water cooled, plastic covered, super charged sport bike. I like the look of a classic straight seat bike. Id like to be able to tinker with it too. Learn to take care of it and keep it running right.

Ive been scouring craigslists for miles around trying to find the right bike for me. maybe an old honda? I want something under 500cc's. What can you recommend for a new rider with a small budget?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphlong

Take a look at Triumph. They have some real classic looking bike.

I'm with you. Cant wait till this trend ends. Times two on the Triumph motorcycles. I'm leaning towards a new Bonneville next year myself.

51D7H3K1D · 07-29-2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Definatly helpful.
My uncle actually has a Kawasaki GPz 305 that Id love to pull out of the garage. hes a pack rat though, who know if he'll ever give it up. Its an odd ball bike so i havent been able to get a lot of info about it. but what i did find looked positive. He also has a SWEET Bultaco Metrella tucked away.

but its in truley sad shape.. ill have to wait until i win the lottery to fix that bad boy up.

07-28-2012, 09:55 PM	#1
51D7H3K1D Registered Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2	New Rider...Old Motorcycles Im new to motorcycles. very new some might say. I want to buy a bike to learn to ride on. I dont like the trend in modern motorcycles. Everything is either a chromed out "Harldly" or an water cooled, plastic covered, super charged sport bike. I like the look of a classic straight seat bike. Id like to be able to tinker with it too. Learn to take care of it and keep it running right. Ive been scouring craigslists for miles around trying to find the right bike for me. maybe an old honda? I want something under 500cc's. What can you recommend for a new rider with a small budget?

07-29-2012, 09:54 AM	#3
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	On a more serious note... good comment though... Look for a mid-80s Kawasaki KZ, Suzuki GS, Yamaha XJ, or Honda CB model in whatever size you want. I like the 400-650 due to the ability to ride a small/slow bike fast, but from a starting standpoint they're great rides. In the mid 80s to 90s the standards that stood out were the Nighthawks by Honda and for some years, the Zephyr models by Kawasaki. Harley also made a very much standard seating position Sportster with some decent suspension, but I think most of them got blinged out. You aren't going to find much under 500cc because there just wasn't much out there from the 70s on. The 400/450s from Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki were great rides. The 440 Kaws weren't quite as good or powerful. Don't ignore the 550-650 range (avoid the 82 650 Nighthawk like the plague, it was the old design 650 chain drive that had extremely temperamental carburation), that was the one with the most great rides. Honda with their 550 four and the later 550/650 Nighthawk series, all with shaft drive and hydraulic valve adjusters, Suzuki's GS550 was a great ride, the Kawasaki KZ550/650 were also reliable strong bikes. Just spend the money to get one that is actually running and in good shape. None of that "it ran six months/year/when it was parked" deals. It costs too much to tear apart carbs or to discover ignition problems. Get a used bike that runs out good. I'd rather have a runner with 20,000 miles than a non-runner with 5000 miles. The one is a proven ride, the other may become a money pit due to wasting away in a barn or whatever. For the new rider nothing is worse than having a bike that isn't running while the weather is good and everyone else is riding. Save the non-runner project bike for a second bike to play with. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

07-29-2012, 04:31 PM	#4
bajakirch Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 307	I'll second the above opinion. If you're going to get an older bike you will inevitably have to deal with some mechanical issues. Why get one that's got problems to begin with? Budget-wise, you can get a good-running 80's or 90's bike like those above for under $2k (at least around here). __________________ 98 Kawasaki Concours

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-29-2012, 04:36 PM	#5
ralphlong Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 1,309	Take a look at Triumph. They have some real classic looking bike.

07-29-2012, 07:08 PM	#7
51D7H3K1D Registered Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2	Thanks for the advice guys. Definatly helpful. My uncle actually has a Kawasaki GPz 305 that Id love to pull out of the garage. hes a pack rat though, who know if he'll ever give it up. Its an odd ball bike so i havent been able to get a lot of info about it. but what i did find looked positive. He also has a SWEET Bultaco Metrella tucked away. but its in truley sad shape.. ill have to wait until i win the lottery to fix that bad boy up.