Going to look at a bike Sunday

-
skep419

skep419

5.9 Magnum 4 speed afficionado
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
5,954
Reaction score
5,091
Location
Minesoooota
http://stcloud.craigslist.org/mcy/3177217381.html

Never had a motorcycle before. Figure I should be able to get it going fairly cheap. (all else fails its not to expensive) Talked to the guy selling it and he said his son road it for a while this year and it crapped out on the way to get gas after he fixed it :cheers:. I had plans to build a 69 GTS clone out of the 69 slant 6 GT I bought last year. But having two cars that get terrible fuel economy doesn't make sense. Hate to part it out but I would probably make more $ doing the dirty deed.

What do you guys think about the bike? (drive 25 miles one way to work m-f)
 
old enough to probably be a pain in the *** to get parts for. chains can be a pain in the ***. small twins are not exactly all that fun to ride, pretty gutless. what is your commute like? freeway, surface streets?
 
That's a Sweet ride. It's always a gamble as to whether you'll have problems or not on an older bike. Many people would consider 26,000 miles a lot for an older Yamaha. It would be great as a weekend/project/toy Bike but as a commuter not so much. I'd recommend a newer Honda Shadow with about 1/2 that mileage. They have self adjusting valves and are very dependable. Of course the price tag will be higher. JM2C
 
thing to remember about commuting on a bike is what you save on fuel up front is going to be minute compared to what it may cost when you fall. notice i said when, not if. everybody i know that has commuted on a bike, myself included, has fallen. i have only fallen once in over 300k miles on a bike, but it was no fun. been ran off the road mote times than i care to admit. have had to dodge ladders, shovels, toilets, various pieces of furniture. pretty much you name it. gotten bumped by a few idiots in cages, luckily never fell.
 
Bikes are hard to beat. My little thumper is awesome, last time I checked with highway driving it was getting 70 mpg, 0-60 in 4 seconds and tears up the canyon roads with some quick bikes, but like inkjunkie said "it's a matter of when". I did this last week. I have been riding for the past 30 years and owned countless bikes and this is actually my worst wreck yet. The engine case fell on it while doing a cool 3rd gear wheelie. :banghead: I have 3 broken bones in my foot. Will this slow me down on my bike? maybe a little, but there is no way that I am giving up riding. After all that is what short term disability is for. :D

My only advice is to buy a decent helmet(and wear it), a jacket with armor, riding gloves and don't wear hiking boots and think that you can get away with it. Honestly if the bike didn't land on my foot I would have dusted myself off and rode the bike home and fixed it, only because I was wearing my helmet armor and gloves. Instead I had to ride it to the emergency room and I am off work for 6-8 weeks. Oh yeah one more thing (Keep your head on a swivel).
 

Attachments

  • BMW1.jpg
    105.5 KB · Views: 259
  • Foot.jpg
    127.6 KB · Views: 236
  • Foot1.jpg
    78.4 KB · Views: 240
don't get me wrong, riding is a blast. was hoping to get back on the bike this year, but surgery put it on the back burner. there is nothing like the solitude of a bike. real sorry i ever got rid of my last sport bike. nothing like close to 150 hp in a 400 pound package. thing used to wheelie going on down hill on ramps. nothing like being on a deserted road late at night and pulling the trigger, looking down and seeing 170 on the speedo......
 
You can pick up older Goldwings 1100-1300cc with 50-60 k on em for around 1,500-2,000
Extremely reliable and smooth.
Although $800 for that bike isn't too bad depending on whats up with it.
My Son just bought a Yamaha V Star 650 for 1,000 and rode it home.
 

Attachments

  • VStar 650.jpg
    93.3 KB · Views: 231
The XS650 is a vibrating bastard. Remember...you'll save on gas, but how many miles do you have to ride at $X savings to justify paying for the bike? The thing to consider too:You'll get about 5-8K miles per rear tire (@$100-150 each) and buying chains sprockets (mileage may vary, figure $150 for both) and all that, including oil changes, valve adjustments, etc. plus you may or may not be willing to ride all year.

The XS is reliable, and most parts you'll need are still available (It's a popular bike among flat-trackers) but you gotta find out what the failure is, too. Could be a CDI ($~200) or something even more expensive. Fun to ride? I didn't care for it.
 
50 miles a day? You're gonna want bigger real quick. How many riding months do you get a year in your neck of the woods. I got caught on a Honda in a snow storm once. It wasn't as fun as it sounds. In the rain, your fellow commuters aren't looking for you. (Like they are when the sun is shining).

On a side note, I'ld pick that bad boy up and bob the nuts out of it. Then I'ld sell it because I'ld look like a shriner on a mini-bike riding it.
 
Not going to try and scare you with more horror stories, but if you've never owned a bike before I wouldn't plan on immediately starting to commute on one. I've also been riding 30+ years but am in the process of teaching another adult to ride. He isn't comfortable leaving the neighborhood and immediate area, let alone getting out on the highway with the cagers and 18 wheelers. Take things slow and learn how to ride properly. Take a class.

BTW, I wouldn't pay more than $400 for that bike in a non-running condition. Lots of miles and no telling what could be wrong with it.
 
I see 10-20 cars on the way to work. Fresh paved road. Country, sticks, middle of nowhere. Thanks for all the advice. March-October riding season.

What bike would you recomend I be on the look out for?
 
Nothing better that a nicely paved country road, early in the morning, peaceful sky's the smell of Mother nature at her best, What a way to the day.
 
Mr.FT said:
Nothing better that a nicely paved country road, early in the morning, peaceful sky's the smell of Mother nature at her best, What a way to the day.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I can't wait to get back riding again. It's funny because the bike is fixed already, but my foot, not so much.
 
find yourself a nice used suzuki sv650. easy first bike, fun to ride AND something you can enjoy once you have the kahoonas to start twisting the throttle. my last bike was a Yamaha FZ1, i loved that bike right up to the point where i crashed it and almost died :-|
go take a state riding class, it'll teach you fundamentals and save you some $ on insurance.
 
Pentastarnut said:
find yourself a nice used suzuki sv650. easy first bike, fun to ride AND something you can enjoy once you have the kahoonas to start twisting the throttle. my last bike was a Yamaha FZ1, i loved that bike right up to the point where i crashed it and almost died :-|
go take a state riding class, it'll teach you fundamentals and save you some $ on insurance.
Click to expand...

http://www.powerbrokersinc.com/show.aspx?vid=2170134&stockno=M00337

kinda looks like a crotch rocket (not really my style)
 
I love my motorcycle and commute daily but here is some advice.

1. You dont save money riding a bike. That is a myth. By the time you add extra insurance, registration, maintainence, leisure riding, etc. there is no savings over the extra gas your regular car would have used.

2. If you ride, get life insurance, a living will, and a power of attorney to someone you trust.

It may sound crude or morbid but I cant tell you how valuable these documents are if you are in a serious crash. Read my sig line. I have lived it. I know what I am talking about here.

As a matter of fact, everyone should have these things, not just riders.

3. The ad is blocked here at work so I cant see the bike you are looking at but I would look for a mid-size bike with a smaller frame such as a Suzuki Intruder 800 for a good starter bike. They are shaft drive and last forever with low maintainence.
(Can you tell Im a Zuki guy?)

The Zuki 800 bikes are small enough to be easily handled but have enough engine to hang with the big bikes. You can upgrade to a bigger bike if you wish once you get some experience under your belt.

4. TAKE A RIDER TRAINING COURSE!! The life you save will be your own.

5. Bikes can be dangerous but so can cars, guns, and husbands that come home early. Life is full of danger. Dont let that stop you from riding. Just be sensible about it.


Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it. I love my bike and riding is a great stress reliever. I go places and intentionally get lost so I can explore. Then I set the GPS to get me home again! LOL


intruder.jpg



DSCF1057-1.jpg
 
xs650's are good little reliable engines. I built a little chop with a yam 650 motor. Doesn't vibrate to the point of being annoying. U can work on these motors and bikes super cheap. Check out mikesxs.com for parts availability.
 
Here's a good example of the Honda's I mentioned.
They last forever, are very comfortable.
Smooth and quiet, and you can take off on a multi hundred or thousand mile trips without having to worry about parts and service availability.
You just cant beat Honda's for low maint. and reliability.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/mcy/3181049783.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/3181028980.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/3180607879.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/3171412903.html
 
Pentastarnut said:
find yourself a nice used suzuki sv650. easy first bike, fun to ride AND something you can enjoy once you have the kahoonas to start twisting the throttle. my last bike was a Yamaha FZ1, i loved that bike right up to the point where i crashed it and almost died :-|
go take a state riding class, it'll teach you fundamentals and save you some $ on insurance.
Click to expand...

I had an 01 or 02 sv650 an looooooved it! It might look at little like a crotch rocket, but you sit damn near upright, it was an exreamly comfy bike for me and im 6'1" and,well at the time, around 230-240. Id seriously suggest you at least look at it.

Above all else, no matter what kinda bike you get, RESPECT it! It might be a single cylender turd or a 2000cc beast, they can bothe get you killed with just as many opertunities.
 
Watch out for corroded fuse blocks on those bikes. My XS400 had the fuse block right under the seat and got so corroded the wires came apart from the vibration when the bike was on. I ended up replacing the whole fuse block.

Not a fan of the older Yamahas of that vintage, to be honest...They seem to do things differently than everyone else (Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki)...
 
franktiregod said:
I love my motorcycle and commute daily but here is some advice.

1. You dont save money riding a bike. That is a myth. By the time you add extra insurance, registration, maintainence, leisure riding, etc. there is no savings over the extra gas your regular car would have used.

2. If you ride, get life insurance, a living will, and a power of attorney to someone you trust.

It may sound crude or morbid but I cant tell you how valuable these documents are if you are in a serious crash. Read my sig line. I have lived it. I know what I am talking about here.

As a matter of fact, everyone should have these things, not just riders.

3. The ad is blocked here at work so I cant see the bike you are looking at but I would look for a mid-size bike with a smaller frame such as a Suzuki Intruder 800 for a good starter bike. They are shaft drive and last forever with low maintainence.
(Can you tell Im a Zuki guy?)

The Zuki 800 bikes are small enough to be easily handled but have enough engine to hang with the big bikes. You can upgrade to a bigger bike if you wish once you get some experience under your belt.

4. TAKE A RIDER TRAINING COURSE!! The life you save will be your own.

5. Bikes can be dangerous but so can cars, guns, and husbands that come home early. Life is full of danger. Dont let that stop you from riding. Just be sensible about it.


Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it. I love my bike and riding is a great stress reliever. I go places and intentionally get lost so I can explore. Then I set the GPS to get me home again! LOL
Click to expand...

1. TOTALLY disagree! And here's why, we'll figure gas at $4/gal
Bike Truck
45mpg and 4.5 gal tank 13mpg with a 26 gal tank
35miles a day m-f is 9100 miles per year, car or bike, doesnt matter which.
45.5 tanks/year @ $18/tank=$819 27.5 tanks/year @ $102/tank=$2805

gas savings = $1986/year, insurance should be aroun $50/month including life and tags/prop taxes probably around 5/month.

ins=600/year
registration/prop taxes= 60/year.

Total savings, just from fuel, would be right aroun 1300 bucks a year! But thats if you continued to drive the truck equal miles, which you wouldnt.

This of course could be waaayyyyyy different based on every variable even possible, but this would be my own particular situation. That bike would probably get MUCH better milage than mine, 2005 Kawi Vulcan 2000cc...


2. That couldn't be more true! Everyone should have these set up, whether you ride or not!!

3. Shaft is the best drive as far as mainetance goes, I'm a Kawi guy ;)
You're right about a mid size bike for all around, but it seems like this is going to be mostly a commuter bike thats ridden 20-30 miuets at a time. the bike in question would be a great bike IMO.

4. I wish more people would understand that it's not only a good idea, but SHOULD be mandetory. There's a fella on one of the bike forums that said no bike should ever buck when you are at low speed. I had to educate him on the friction zone portion of riding. I couldn't imagine riding in a group ride anywhere near him if we had to make a tight turn somewhere.

5. Absolutly correct! Have respect for the machine you're operating, and you and everyone around you will be safer.
 
LOL

Not trying to argue but...

You left out maintainence. Oil changes, tires, batteries, etc. Those will make up the difference really quickly. Especially if you ride a lot.

My 1500 Intruder gets 36-38 mpg. I dont use it for commuting only so you have to take into account all those extra leisure/pleasure miles which use even more gas and wear tires out which arent cheap.

The tires on your truck will go at least 50K. You will go through 5 sets of tires at 50K on a bike. Probably more. LOL

I love my bike but it doesnt save me money. Then again, none of my hobbies save me money. Thats why they are hobbies.

My *opinion* is that if he were selling the truck and making the bike his only transportation, he may save some money but not by adding it to the pack. But as Dennis Miller says, "Thats my opinion, I could be wrong."

We agreed on 4 out of 5 so we got an 80% for a passing grade. LOL
 
skep419 said:
http://www.powerbrokersinc.com/show.aspx?vid=2170134&stockno=M00337

kinda looks like a crotch rocket (not really my style)
Click to expand...

Ok now this bike I would buy the others no thanks. Its newer than the others at least. Looks safer. I cant remember where but I was doing some research before buying a used motorcycle. It stated to never (or try not to) buy a used motorcycle with more than 15k miles.

By the time you get your drivers permit you will be well educated on things you need to know about riding. Go buy you a motorcycle and get out there and ride!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top