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Howdy TB...can I get some motorcycle buying advice?

#21
Those Triumph triples were incredibly fast. I raced a guy on one with an 850 bolt on kit on it on my '52 (which BTW was no slouch) and he walked away from me like I was standing still.
My bike went mid 12's. I'm guessing from the way he left me his was probably in the high 9's or low 10's.
 
#25
It's been a long time since I rode, but I had a Honda V45 Magna which I bought new in '83. I had it for a few years. Great bike, no issues, but I sold it when I got married. I remember looking at the Nighthawks during that time as well. Also very nice bikes. Mine was a 750, though I can't imagine the Nighthawk was too much less powerful. Mine was a rocket.

2nv9v9y.jpg
 
#26
I rode a '83 Yamaha for a couple years and while it was so much fun to ride I had pretty consistent issues with a bike that old. And it became a money pit. I decided I wanted to be more practical and that 95% of my use was commuting to work so I bought a late model Yamaha majesty maxi scooter. I rode that until a medical condition popped up that wouldn't let me ride 2 wheelers without substantial risk and I had to give it up.
 
#27
Older Japanese bikes that had short production lifespans can be difficult to get many parts (any of the uncommon ones) for, much more so than your ancient Burly-Furgeson's. So check that aspect carefully for the particular model you are interested in. I got fed up with trying to keep my '82 Seca on the road and got a '90 GS500 twin - not remotely new, but at the time they were still selling new ones and had been for nigh onto 2 decades, so lots of parts availability. It's also a heck of a lot lighter (and with a better suspension design) than an early 80's 650-inline-4-shafty; speaking as a former owner of two early 80's 650-inline-4-shafty's.
 
#28
R1100RT.

Plenty of power, loves to go around corners, super comfortable.
Maintenence is easy to do...not that it really needs much beyond oil and valves.
Can get one around $4000.

That and a decent dualsport will be a good start.
 
#29
Would I have a vintage bike as a daily driver? No, probably not. Riding a motorcycle every day where I live (which I do, by the way), is dangerous enough on a modern bike. Riding a bike here, without ABS, some kind of traction control, really good tires and handling, is not just asking for trouble - it's begging. But, if I lived somewhere else? Maybe...
If you have your heart set on something like the 650 Nighthawk, then, IME, some things to consider:
- Can you go to the Honda dealer and get parts for it? Like plugs, points(if it used them), and oil filters? Air filter (s)? Chain and sprockets? Here's a good one- clutch and brake cables? And carb parts - can you rebuild them, if you have to? 'Cause they do wear out. Gonna have to do this pretty soon on my Sportster - which was the last of the carbed Harleys, in '06...
- All the rubber on it is old. And rubber bits get brittle and crumbly. Can they be replaced? Those bits were my main obstacle a decade ago, trying to rebuild a BMW R90 - and Beemers weren't made to be thrown away, either, like Japanese bikes.
- Tires. Some older bikes had rim sizes that you won't see any more - or the tires that fit them. I passed up a really cherry Moto Guzzi Le Mans a year or so ago for that very reason.
That said - If you can get parts for it; and you can wrench on it yourself? Yeah, go ahead, by all means. :)
 
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#30
GIBrat51 said:
Would I have a vintage bike as a daily driver? No, probably not. Riding a motorcycle every day where I live (which I do, by the way), is dangerous enough on a modern bike. Riding a bike here, without ABS, some kind of traction control, really good tires and handling, is not just asking for trouble - it's begging. But, if I lived somewhere else? Maybe...
If you have your heart set on something like the 650 Nighthawk, then, IME, some things to consider:
- Can you go to the Honda dealer and get parts for it? Like plugs, points(if it used them), and oil filters? Air filter (s)? Chain and sprockets? Here's a good one- clutch and brake cables? And carb parts - can you rebuild them, if you have to? 'Cause they do wear out. Gonna have to do this pretty soon on my Sportster - which was the last of the carbed Harleys, in '06...
- All the rubber on it is old. And rubber bits get brittle and crumbly. Can they be replaced? Those bits were my main obstacle a decade ago, trying to rebuild a BMW R90 - and Beemers weren't made to be thrown away, either, like Japanese bikes.
- Tires. Some older bikes had rim sizes that you won't see any more - or the tires that fit them. I passed up a really cherry Moto Guzzi Le Mans a year or so ago for that very reason.
That said - If you can get parts for it; and you can wrench on it yourself? Yeah, go ahead, by all means. :)
Click to expand...

You passed up a Moto Guzzi LeMans!? Because of tge tire size? I can't believe it. That is my super dream bike (Triumph Triple being my regular dream bike). You people are all crazy!
 
#31
I owned a KLR650 for a few years way back when and now own a BMW F800GS. Are you looking at an older F650GS single or the newer parallel twin?

Speed for the KLR is lacking, but it has grunt. Not all that comfortable on a long slab ride, but it can be done. But it is damned near indestructible, easy to maintain and cheap to find parts.

If the newer twin F650GS, since it shares much with the F800GS, compared to the KLR you'll have more power, less vibration, just as much comfort and utility.

I've owned my F800GS since 2011, have about 30K on it. Its been reliable and I haven't spent hardly anything on maintenance aside from tires, chain and sprockets - I do all that work myself, but do take it to the shop for the scheduled maintenance (oil, filter, inspection, etc).

I'd go for either a KLR or a F650GS before considering anything "vintage". And I would LOVE to have a GPz550, just not practical for the riding I do.

I also have a V-Star, but I gather you don't want a cruiser!

KLR in its natural habitat:

4438_195443470366_772330366_7235028_208785_n.jpg


Beemer in its natural habitat (same trail, about 5 years later):

f800_puddle.jpg
 
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#33
Yep, carb intake rubber parts (between the carb and the head) are an excellent example of one of those "if they don't make them, even if you can find NOS it will be aged and crunchy too, so you are either going to make your own or you are scrod" parts. This is not a trivial issue for a bike that has not been made for 31 years.
 
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#34
Thanks dirtdog. I decided to pass on the '82 Honda. i drove it today, and its perfect fit and super comfy. But, the starter has issues...the forks leak, and it doesn't idle.
I am going tomorrow to look at a 2007 BMW F650GS. Its the single cylinder. But, its low mileage and very clean.
I am also going to look at two KLR's and a DR650. I am leaning now towards the DR650 as its a 2011 and only has 700km. I now realise I can't have comfort and power so I opt for comfort.
 
#37
hondo4life said:
You passed up a Moto Guzzi LeMans!? Because of tge tire size? I can't believe it. That is my super dream bike (Triumph Triple being my regular dream bike). You people are all crazy!
Click to expand...

Le Mans 1.jpg

Yes, I did. A small (16") front wheel was a passing fad back in the day, supposed to make the bike's handling better - but it didn't, really; and bikes quickly went back to a larger rim. After a very intensive search, I wasn't able to find 16" front tires for a sport bike - except for a pair of very old, NOS ones, on line, that the owner wanted a small fortune for. That front wheel is the reason it was for sale, in the first place...:whistle:
 

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