Recently I've been really wanting a motorcycle. The nice weather just makes me want to roam around and not take the 90% of my truck that i don't need (and being my truck could explode, break or otherwise fail me). I was wondering if you Gentlemen and Ladies could point me towards a good starter bike for me. I'm a big fella, 6'3" 300ish pounds so i want a bike that won't make me look like I'm on a moped. I figure about 700 or 800cc would work. I have been looking at The Honda Shadow A.C.E., Kawasaki Vulcan Classic and the Suzuki Intruder, but dispite these bikes realitivly low starting price they are out of my price range, used it is...i would rather not spend more than 2000 bucks for my first ride. So...and used bike options you all can send my way? As wellas what to look for and any tips.

Thank you
~eriC

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jul-02 AT 03:15 AM (EST)]Hello Eric. Glad to hear another freedom lover to join the ranks.
Motorcycles are great fun. Buying used is a good way to get started. Look for the obvious like mileage, tires, oil, brakes, chain and sproket wear. Also check for oil leaking around the fork seals. Frayed cables. Dirty brake fluid if it has hydraulic brakes and clutch. $2000 for a good use bike as you describe might be asking to much, depending on the year. Look in the classified section of the paper for used bikes to get an idea of what bikes are going for. Try not to be in a hurry. A good deal will turn up sooner or later. Check out some of the motorcycle magazines. They always have reviews of bikes and accessories and have tips on riding, matainance, places to go, what you can wear and so forth. There are two types of riders. Those who have been down and those who are going down. A good leather jacket isn't just for looks. It will protect you in a fall, along with your helmet, gloves and boots. Get the best tires you can afford. Don't settle for a bike based on price alone. Get one that fits you. It helps build confidence. Remember, the bike your most comfortable with is the one you'll want to ride all the time. And thats what it's all about. Good luck!

 

Hey Eric, I felt the same way you did last year, wanted a ride, but didn't have a whole lot of $ to sink into it. I rode alot when I was younger, and preferred a sport bike, not the rocket type. I'm talking Honda Sabre & Nighthawks, Kawasaki KZs etc. Beefy bikes. I managed to pick up a well taken care of Honda Sabre for under $2k with some looking. Cycletrader is an excellent source for used and will give you an idea of the market. Check whatever you choose carefully. If its a private sale, make sure to start the bike cold & also look at what else the person has in the yard. If the rest of their stuff is taken care of, I take it as a sign that they care about things. Good Luck

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jul-02 AT 11:21 AM (EST)]Check out the older 1100 cc Honda Shadows. You can buy them all day long for the price range you mentioned. The Shadows are a large cruiser and very comfortable. Look for 1985 to present. They are all good looking, reliable V-twin sleds.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jul-02 AT 02:03 AM (EST)]I have been doing some research and I am looking at 90's Nighthawks. They seem to be super reliavble if not very powerful. Has anyone had experience with this particular bike?

Not to mention the 85 - 90 Honda Shadow VT1100C. So many bikes, so little time....and money. Anybody?

~eriC

 

I ride an '84 Nighthawk S (700 cc as opposed to mid 90's being 750 cc) My bike has been flawless. I bought it new in May of '85 and have never had a problem with it, only routine maintenence. It is a good performer and comfortable enough to do 300-400 miles in a day.
A few good things about the in-line 4 bikes: Simple, reliable, and less expensive to insure as opposed to fairing-laden sport bikes. Performance enhancement is easy and relatively inexpensive. (Headers, jet kits, etc.)
The 80's Honda V65 Magna and Sabre are good bikes also.

Good luck,
Brian A

 

My dad has a Honda Shadow A.C.E. which he bought for his first bike. Its a 750 and is a real nice ride. It has plenty of power and is actually quite big. Its bigger than some of our relatives' bikes that are sportsters. I think it would be a great starter for ya. I'll probably be getting it in the near future when he buys a new one. Just another opinion.

 

Here's something I didn't know. Motorcycles reguardless of brand seem to hold their value. A brand new Nighthawk retails for about 5,700 dollars while i have seen used ones from the '92-'95 period going for 3500 dollars. Wha? Seems like they didn't go for much more than 4000 then. Not a lot of price droppage in a decade or so. I think if i do get one it will be later...and i'll have to treat it as an investment.

~eriC

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Jul-02 AT 11:25 PM (EST)]I had a 66 Harley in the mid 70's and what a bike, I loved it, had to sell it in the mid 80's to move, wished I hadn't sold it now, but I did, now I have a 98 Intruder 1500 along with my 97 F-150, it looks and sounds like a hog and keeps up with most of the best, not all of em, about half the price as well, I'm not a small guy, but it moves me about with out any problem.

Enough babling,
Laterz,
John

 

I noticed your interest in the Vulcan Classic. I just sold mine last year, I bought it new in '96; the first year for the Classic. It was the 805 CC bike. I didn'y like the shaft drive of the 1500, plus my buddy had one, so I wanted something different.
We both put pipes on our bikes, and my 800 actually sounded more like a HD!
I dropped $5G into my bike by the time I sold it, and that was all customizing. I did all the maintenance on the bike and customizing, including the valve shims after a couple years. It has never needed anything for work, and I am glad I didn't opt for the extended warranty: It would have been a waste anyway.
I lowered my bike with the proper kits (2 inches), even though I am almost 6 feet tall, but I like a low bike. I put on Dunlop Cruisemax whitewall tires. If you want a list of all the goodies I bought and what I thought of them, I can give you the list. If you look long enough, you may find a low miler with your price range.
The bike was great fun, and got a lot of attention (especially with the exhaust baffles removed from the 2" drag pipes!)
It ran cool on hot days, and easily kept up with the 1340 cc Evo's (stock). I could even go faster than my buddy's 1500 Vulcan.
I like the chain drive, but would have preferred belt, and now there are kits available to do the swap.
I found it to be the most attractive bike of it's day (out of the Jap cruisers) It will get you around with plenty of pep.
There are some other bikes I keep my eye on now, like the 1800 Honda VTX, and the Yamaha Road Star. If price didn't matter, I would build myself a custom Harley anyday. If you like these bikes and the respect they get, and aren't afraid to tinker with them, don't settle for anything else, or it will leave you wanting... But for the price limit, you may never get one!
Mark


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

i've owned them all H.D., honda, kaw.,suz.,and yamaha. i now own an 87 yamaha virago 700, that i have spent a lot of time and money costomizing. the hd i owned it was always something to fix before i could ride, owned several hondas most had trouble with the valve train, nothing bad to say about kaw. or suz. only owned 1 each of these. but i've owned 3 yamahas over the past 20 years and not the first one gave a bit of trouble. in fact the only maintance i've done in 3 years on the bike i have now is to change the oil and filther every spring and give it a bath. still runs like new. just my two cents.

 

I can't wait. This weekend I'm taking my FL motorcylce license class. When that's done I will qualify for insurance and I hope to purchase a new Honda Shadow Spirit 750. Honda is offering some really lucrative financing on their 02 and 03's.

http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/models/2003/?model_number=VT750DC

 

How good is the financing? (lightbulb blings into existence over eric's head)

Genrally i avoid debt like it was infected with plauge...though i think i could make an exeption.

~eriC

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Jul-02 AT 02:24 PM (EST)]4.9% for three years. If you buy an 02, Honda will give you a $300 check to purchase accessories. If you go to the website I posted a few lines up, you can find all the info on the financing.

Too bad they won't offer 0 % like GM.

 

Here is my Vulcan 800 as it was when I sold it. Bought new in '96.
Mark
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=6431&.jpg

I miss it!!!




https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!