Approaching purchasing 1st motorcycle
I'm considering the following list:
*Honda Shadow VXL 750
*Suzuki S50 and S40
*Star V Star Custom
*Harley Sportster 883
*Kawasaki Vulcan 500
*The Triumph Classic Line
My parameters for my 1st bike are under $3k, run well in town and short highway trips. Out of the above models, are there any certain years or models I should be weary of when looking?
*Honda Shadow VXL 750
*Suzuki S50 and S40
*Star V Star Custom
*Harley Sportster 883
*Kawasaki Vulcan 500
*The Triumph Classic Line
My parameters for my 1st bike are under $3k, run well in town and short highway trips. Out of the above models, are there any certain years or models I should be weary of when looking?
0
-
I rode a Kawasaki 350 for a year then bought a an 1100 Sportster.
I'm sure you'll enjoy any of the bikes on your list.0 -
If you are basically a cruiser buy the biggest one your budget allows. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Dak To 68
If you are basically a cruiser buy the biggest one your budget allows.
I'd ride a lot in town, but going to home, Topeka, etc... Also, its the first bike for me, I need to learn to ride one. That's why I'm looking at the smaller ones. I looked at a 400cc Yamaha this weekend; $600, kina ruff. I don't have a year or miles.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Aspen79se
quote:Originally posted by Dak To 68
If you are basically a cruiser buy the biggest one your budget allows.
I'd ride a lot in town, but going to home, Topeka, etc... Also, its the first bike for me, I need to learn to ride one. That's why I'm looking at the smaller ones. I looked at a 400cc Yamaha this weekend; $600, kina ruff. I don't have a year or miles.
I understand your logic, though I think if you buy small, and enjoy riding, you will want a bigger one in short order. Good Luck with whatever you get, they're all fun.[8D]0 -
Just a warning, a $3k bike might require a little work to get it back into reliable riding condition, but the good thing with motorcycles is the outward appearance is a good indicator to the overall condition. From your list, I'd go with either the Honda 750 or Harley 883. 0 -
The Harley 883 might be cheap, but try selling it. Get a bike that can go two hundred miles between fill ups.A Harley low rider is very easy to learn how to ride, it can also buck the wind, unlike some lighter bikes. 0 -
My first and only bike was a Honda Shadow 1100.
I actually had settled on a 750 but told the salesman I wanted the 1100 instead.
That was a good choice. More power, better ride.
I only rode for 2 years. I got tired of everyone trying to kill me.
I figured half of the drivers couldn't see me and the other half were actually trying to run me over.
Take a motorcycle safety course. They start at the basics and work up.
That course saved my butt more than once.
AC0 -
"Remember, sometimes it's better to hit somthing than to try to avoid it". Good advice from John Ames on buying my first motorsickle.
Most hazards we had to learn the hard way, are now in the DMV handbooks.
Keep away from cars as much as possible.
Enjoy.0 -
1) Honda
2) Triumph
Either of those are great machines, and the Honda will run forever with little or no maintenance or repair.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by Aspen79se
*Honda Shadow VXL 750
Not a bad bike but I would rather have a used 1100
*Suzuki S50 and S40
Overall quality not there
*Star V Star Custom
I've heard good things but don't know first hand
*Harley Sportster 883
Way, way underpowered!
*Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Would go with the 750 over the 500
*The Triumph Classic Line
Service and parts are expensive and hard to find0 -
Aspen 79se-Welcome brother to be. Enjoy the road. I still own and ride my first bike a 1978 Honda.Will be my 30th summer on it this year. Has been on the road every year since I got it. I have had many other bikes Kawi's(3),Triumph (1),Yamahas(3) several other Hondas, but my other bike now is a BMW. My brother has a Harley and its a nice ride but after all is said and done for the money I don't believe you can top a Honda...just my 2 cents. 0 -
I had a brand new Honda 750 Shadow in 2000. That bike was a POS. At about 200 miles, the thing started to loose power and choke out till it died. Seemed like it was vapor locking to me. The Honda guys couldn't find anything wrong with it. I couldn't get ride of it fast enough. Probably won't by another Honda because of that expeirence. But who know's, maybe mine was built on a Friday. Hopefully I'll be buying a new H.D. here in the next year or two. 0 -
i too have done some research into a motorcyle, and found that $3k isn't really gonna get you much. you may luck out and find one, but everything i found in my area was rode hard, many layed down and dented, blown motors etc....
check out motorscooters too...
i know, their not as cool and all, but their construction and reliability is very good. most people think of them as putters but they get just as good gas millage, many are highway rated and legal, and nearly all are imports...i say this because in many countries a scooter is their only mode of transport and, if you've ever seen video, many can haul up to six people. i don't recommend trying it but it can be done. and insurance is also a bit cheaper. many come with storage space and are really fun to drive.0 -
I ride a Triumph Tiger and am looking to buy the new 1050cc as soon as it hits the stores. That said, I would not buy any of the Triumph Classic line. I have tested them, they are poor performers, too heavy and underpowered with sub-par brakes. Of your list, I would buy the Shadow 750. If you buy something smaller, you will be kicking yourself in 6 months. Just stay out of the throttle until you are comfortable with it. When I started I took advice to buy a small Suzuki 450, hated it, it wouldn't get out of it's own way. Sold it in 4 months for a 750, much better and rode it for several years before getting an 1100. Now I wouldn't own anything smaller than a 900, you just have to be disciplined with the power. I have been riding since I was 17 and have never put one down, knock wood, and I ride a lot. 0 -
Just a thought.
I started riding two years ago at 43 years of age. My first motorcycle was a Yamaha V-star 650. I didn't want too much motorcycle to start out with and I learned to ride on it.
It didn't take long to realize I wanted more power. I then went to a Honda Shadow ACE 750. Someone wanted it more than me and offered my money back so I sold it and got a Honda Shadow Aero 1100. I still ride the Shadow Aero and really like it.
I'd say buy a used bike because you will probably want to get a bigger one withing a year or two, depending on how much and how far you ride. A trade in on a used bike won't rape you as much as trying to trade in a new one that is a year old.
Bode0 -
All of the bikes on your list would make for fine rides. My only suggestion would be to head out to the dealers, and try them on for size and ask questions about the ones your interested in. find the one that calls out to you, then go find a nice used one. I know a nice used v-star 650 can be picked up for around #3K. I bought one for my wife last summer. Also maybe take the riders course before you buy a bike, If your in Kansas they supply the bikes for the beginners course. That way if you decide that riding is not for you then your only out a couple hundred bucks. My wife is taking it this coming weekend, she would be glad to give you her impressions of it next week if your interested. Good Luck 0 -
Stay away from the HD 883, crap for power. Do some looking around, deals abound if you are patient. I sold a 1983 700 Shadow for $1500 two years ago. It was like new, 6500 miles, not a dent or speck of rust. Look around, $3000 will get a very nice bike unless you get into a hurry. 0 -
I too would stay away from the Harley Sporster. Its a chicks bike, good for crusing and commuting locally.
If you can't buy the Big Boy Harleys don't waste your money!!
I would choose the Honda Shadow or the Yamaha (star). There are more dealers around for those two brands if you need to use their services or get parts.0 -
Let me add one to your list:
www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/blast/blast/features.asp
A: It's a Harley....but not really a Harley.
B: It's rare and will invoke conversation.
C: It's cheap and has a 2yr warranty.
]www.buell.com/en_us/news_events/newsdetail.asp?news_id=11480 -
A lot of the advice that we are giving you is dependent on things that are part of your personality, which we don't have a clue about.
Are you going to ride a lot two-up??
What is the terrain like where you will be riding?
Lots of twisty curvies need a bike that is more of a handler than a cruiser.
Are you a risk taker, or more mellow?
Do you have a secure place to park it at night - My first bike was
stolen right from my apartment's parking lot, while I was home. Oh, yeah - since it was brand new - one day old - I had no insurance on it yet.
Do you have a cage to drive, or will the bike be your only trans- portation?
There are a lot more considerations, but you can probably figure them out.
On two wheels, on the road, not dirt, ignoring safety issues is your major opportunity to kill or maim yourself. Cars, without exception, want to kill you, Weather wants to kill you. Gravel and leaves want to kill you. You get the idea. Riding without a helmet wants to kill you.
Never, EVER ride when you are under the influence - alcohol wants to kill you.
Its' OK to buy a bike that's a rat. As you fix it up, you'll learn more about your self and your bike, than 90 percent of the riders out there.
I love to ride. I've put around 300,000 miles on motorcycles without a single injury. I've had around 9 bikes and the ones that were the most dependable were the Hondas.
Read a really neat book titled: "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". If you can't find one, let me know and I'll loan you my copy.
When you start to ride, you will change. The thrill of being on two wheels is impossible for my meager writing skill to describe.
Have a ball.
Doug0 -
For 3k, you can get a good used Honda 750 nighthawk. It is the "universal Japanese Motorcycle", or UJM. It is indestructable, plenty powerful and fast. Good for just about any riding you want.
You could also find a BMW R75/5 or /6 for that kind of money, but it probably won't be in the same shape as the honda.0 -
I'm looking at used bikes; hence the 3K limit. Most of my riding will be done around town; easier parking on campus and stores. But, I'd like the ability to take it to other cities if I wanted too. I looked for a 400cc+ scooter, which is what I really want, but they can't be had for under 5K...if you can find one in stock. The 150s start around $2200, so I just figured a good used bike would be better until I could afford to go all out for a Bergman, Majesty or Reflex.
For the record: I'm not too much of a risk taker on my current scooter. I laid it down and slid 10ft on blacktop, that'll cure you of wanting to take risks. I have a Toyota Tundra for a daily driver now, but with gas getting close to $3 it's time to get a more economical ride, and my sister is repoing her scooter when she moves.
Lots of good advice coming from the GB crowd. Thanks guys.[:)]0 -
Aspen if your going to be mainly riding around town i would go with a water cooled bike. 0 -
Ok, I cruised the Yamaha page tonight and found this one.
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelimagelib/63/8/1/0/image.aspx
I have a dealer in town, so I'm stopping in Saturday to see what's up with it.
I also tried to read some reviews on the Shadow and 883 and Sportster 1200. I didn't see a lot bad about either; Sportster reviews gave an impression of being on the "small" size for tall people.0 -
Don't buy a Buell Blast, they're small, under powered, and you'll out grow it really fast. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Aspen79se
Ok, I cruised the Yamaha page tonight and found this one.
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelimagelib/63/8/1/0/image.aspx
I have a dealer in town, so I'm stopping in Saturday to see what's up with it.
I also tried to read some reviews on the Shadow and 883 and Sportster 1200. I didn't see a lot bad about either; Sportster reviews gave an impression of being on the "small" size for tall people.
Can't go wrong with a star, we have two of them I ride a roadstar and my wife has a vstar.
2004 roadstar
2000 vstar0 -
quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
Don't buy a Buell Blast, they're small, under powered, and you'll out grow it really fast.
+10 -
Hey, Hawkeye, are you in KS? 0 -
Aspen,
If he still has it, I have a buddy with a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 dressed out with about he wanted $4,000 for. Let me know if you're interested and I'll see if it's still available.0 -
Email sent dheff. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
46 comments