Hello! Intro + Some Questions | GTAMotorcycle.com

Hello! Intro + Some Questions

M

MaksTO

Well-known member
Hey everyone,

My name is Maks, and I’ve been lurking this forum for quite a while collecting information in preparation for getting my licenses/insurance/bike! Finally decided to join as there’s some info I could not find thus far - hopefully I won’t be repeating too many topics in here. Also, I’m just looking to finally get involved in discussions and to get to know all the knowledgeable folks here :)

First off, I’m 21, with a G2, and live in downtown Toronto. Just finished my undergrad and I’m looking to improve my quality of life by finally filling the missing link - riding. Going to get my M1 Wednesday and signing up for RTI immediately after that.

Unlike (seemingly) most people my age(?), I’m not interested in getting an SS, but rather want an old bike. I like cafe racers, but am also extremely happy with an original UJM. I intend to get one as original as possible and maybe modify later - though that is absolutely not a priority. If it has two wheels and some character, I’ll take it in a heartbeat.

I don’t plan on using this as a primary travel vehicle since I own a bicycle and take TTC frequently. That being said, I’m hoping to be able to commute work, and most importantly, travel and joyride with others. I’m currently looking for a 70’s or 80’s CB400, or something similar. Also leaning possibly to a more simple, smaller displacement twin for maintenance reasons, as opposed to the 400 quads.

My primary concerns at the moment are:
1) Getting reasonable Insurance (I.e price wise, and getting non vintage/classic/mileage limited insurance on a 25+y/o bike)
2) Finding a bike that I can both ride for pleasure, and learn to maintain on my own (ease of parts access and literature pushes me to Honda every time I lurk a forum seemingly). This seems like an oxymoron - but I’m hoping on getting a previously well maintained bike that I can learn to fix as it needs it. I’m sure this is a pipe dream though - you tell me :)
3) Figure out where the hell can I safely park a bike in downtown Toronto - I live on Bloor and have read so many theft horror stories it boggles my mind. In the winter my family is kind enough to lend a garage, but having the bike close by in the spring and summer is pretty important to me.

I’ve read the beginner thread on buying a first bike, but don’t remember any mentions pertaining to my specific wants / situation.

I hope this wasn’t too big a rant. Just wanted to say hello and get some thoughts off my chest in hopes someone far more intelligent than I could chime in and possibly help me make my dream come true. Not to be cheesy.

I know it will be an expensive path, and I have quite limited means, but I’m willing to work hard to get this ball rolling.


Hi again!
Maks
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Welcome,

  1. I suggest you spend some time on the insurance forum here, plenty of contact info for Brokers for you to reach out and start the discussion of what your 'dream ride' may set you back.
  2. I'll let someone more knowledgeable in the old school stuff answer this
  3. Typically the one's most targeted are the 'hot' bikes, Super Sports and some Super Nakeds. I haven't heard much theft activity of the vintage stuff. As for parking, you can park on any street paid parking area for free. This does not include the Green P parking lots. Be mindful of the signs as some have restricted hours.
Buy gear, be safe and don't be afraid to ask. Just be prepared for a wide range of responses and opinions, which i think is a good thing as you`re getting the feet wet.
 
Thanks for the response!

I will definitely head to the insurance section for more info on my case. Thought I’d just list all my current progress/lackthereof here anyway in case someone stumbles upon it.

I do remember reading that statistics dominantly state sport bikes are targeted the most. So hopefully if I just park a vintage bike on the street with a rain cover during summer nobody would pay much attention to it. Fingers crossed free parking stays in Toronto. With the new parking app I fear that could change swiftly and unexpectedly.

Thanks again!
 
MaksTO said:
Thanks for the response!

I will definitely head to the insurance section for more info on my case. Thought I’d just list all my current progress/lackthereof here anyway in case someone stumbles upon it.

I do remember reading that statistics dominantly state sport bikes are targeted the most. So hopefully if I just park a vintage bike on the street with a rain cover during summer nobody would pay much attention to it. Fingers crossed free parking stays in Toronto. With the new parking app I fear that could change swiftly and unexpectedly.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Doubtful as they would have to force everyone to get a smart phone/data, we aren't there yet. More likely they will use the new pay machines where you punch in your licence and it doesn't spit out a paper copy anymore. Parking Enforcement can scan the machine and check off by plates whose paid.
 
Fingers crossed that won’t happen. But it’s Toronto so I guess high hopes won’t go far lol
 
sounds like you've put that education to use and have a decent analysis going on
agree with the thinking of a twin vs a 4 if your'e looking at vintage
would suggest not buying someone else's project bike, buy an original one
lots of old cafe projects on kijiji that have been ruined and given up on

parking downtown is another story....like stated, an older bike is unlikely to get stolen
but I just could not get comfortable with on street parking for a bike - long term
can you walk the area and look for somewhere off the street to park?
maybe have to pay a bit for this?
 
1) Insurance. Cheapest will be a 125-350 single cylinder enduro type bike. You can find 70 and 80s bikes from all Japanese brands in OK condition for $1500. Next is under 500cc standard (UJM)

2)Makes. For enduro, Honda or Suzuki made a lot of 4 strokes. For UJM it's pretty much Honda CBs as most other makes focused on 2 strokes for their small bikes - not nearly as many of those survive.
 
@JavaFan At the moment finding a non-project or cafe is hard. I did stumble upon some, but unfortunately one is a cb400f. Just the thought of trying to learn to sync 4 carbs on a first bike is giving me nightmares. Will keep looking.
Re the parking: I actually think Bloor St. might be safer than the side streets due to high visibility and traffic. That being said, I am also debating on maybe looking around and paying someone for a spot in their garage around my area - if someone would even do such a ridiculous thing.

@FLSTC Thanks! and yeah, living downtown is very nice for my lifestyle in general, but for owning a bike I feel it will be a challenge. Thanks for the bike link. She looks great!

@Mad Mike I was looking at some 250 nighthawks (also thinking getting an early 2000's might be easier on my maintenance learning and repair costs.... if I can find the damn thing for sale anywhere that's not in the USA). If I do end up going the vintage route (which a member in another thread provided some fantastic reasons NOT to do so), I will try going "less" old, but also will focus on the simplest engine possible.

Also, seems like all the older cb's for sale I've found that "look" to be in decent operating condition are trying to fetch $3000.... Seems overpriced for the amount of work they are...

Just found the sohc4 page with cb400f manuals, and glancing at the wiring diagrams and exploded engine diagrams quickly snapped me into reality about 4 cylinder's.
 
Simple Kijiji search for vintage small bikes that are easy to maintain and unattractive to thieves:

40059
Yamaha Excaliber 250 $600

40060
Honda XL 250 $500

40061
1981 Suzuki GS 250 T $1000

If you head upwards of $1500, you include CM250s (Honda Rebel) and Yamaha XS400s -- both are tough, easy to maintain and cheap on parts.

I'm a big fan of learning on enduros. Cheaopest on insurance, easy to ride, easy to maintain, and they look better with the odd scar.
 
I'm sorry this will sound idiotic - what search criteria are you using to find them? I find when I go to the street/chopper section, go under $4k and under 500cc, I get a lot of cruisers showing up, but less of these. Though I guess my geographic constraint should be more than 100km outside of Toronto? Or do people list these under sport bikes? Seems online markets don't really have a "standard" section.

I don't own a car, so finding a bike within the city will mean I can go take a look at it. But also - these are all about twice as cheap as the CB's I've found... so much much MUCH more friendly to my wallet if its actually running.
 
Mad Mike said:
Simple Kijiji search for vintage small bikes that are easy to maintain and unattractive to thieves:



View attachment 40061
1981 Suzuki GS 250 T $1000

If you head upwards of $1500, you include CM250s (Honda Rebel) and Yamaha XS400s -- both are tough, easy to maintain and cheap on parts.

I'm a big fan of learning on enduros. Cheaopest on insurance, easy to ride, easy to maintain, and they look better with the odd scar.
Click to expand...

That little GS looks pretty nice from this angle.
 
Use the following criteria:
Price: Min $500 Max: up to you (min $500 gets rid of a parts and junk from the search results)
Max cc: 400
Max year: 1985

Sort by price
Category: Motorcycles

You might need to go outside Toronto for best prices.

Here's one in Toronto for $2K. Not too expensive, classic UJM, looks unmolested, kick start drum brakes and laced wheels! -- you can probably get it for$1500 1978 honda twin cb400t


40062
 
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This is your 1st bike, not you last. So as I say to all the newbs that ask me....don't worry about getting the "right" or "dream" bike. Get a cheap used one to learn on. As long as it mechanically sound, don't worry about the cosmetics, don't be looking for a project. A few scratches and maybe even dents, means it cheaper and less for you to worry about. Just learn to ride. A plus is that it likely won't be a target for theft. Chances are you can sell it after a couple of years for what you paid. A GS500 or Ninja 500 would work for you too.
 
I feel like if I'm just to get a learner bike for that reason only, I could just scoop a cbr125 for seemingly $1100 on Kijiji at that point. Cheapest option I bet, and hopefully insurance will be at least a tiiiinnnnyyyyy bit less. I imagine that's doubtful though.
 
MaksTO said:
I feel like if I'm just to get a learner bike for that reason only, I could just scoop a cbr125 for seemingly $1100 on Kijiji at that point. Cheapest option I bet, and hopefully insurance will be at least a tiiiinnnnyyyyy bit less. I imagine that's doubtful though.
Click to expand...

IMO the CBR125 is a little lackluster as first bike. If the insurance/price difference isn’t too much you would be better off with a CBR250 or any of the 250cc/300cc options out there. Much more highway capable and has enough power you won’t get bored after a few weeks. The 125cc class is pretty much dead – besides the Grom there is only so much fun to be had with 13hp.

Back to your original points: I would highly suggest reading/watching FortNine’s “The problem with the Café racer craze” which outlines why an older bike/café racer is not an ideal first bike.

As far as parking permanently on Bloor goes I would be more worried about a Friday night drunk than a thief. But if you’re leaving a bike in same place day after day in public you run the risk of someone noticing and making it a target.
 
Thanks for the tips. Maybe I can go for something higher like a 300, yeah. Though I'm not very focused on speed or anything for a learning bike.

I will watch the video you mentioned. There seems to be a very split jury on the topic. I have read so many long and passionate essays from people who absolutely loved their experience of working on and tinkering with an old thing. At the same time I know vintage bikes are surrounded with a shroud of cynicism as well for their impracticality and "hipsterness", whatever that term means to people these days...

Regarding bloor parking, I would definitely have to switch it up location wise. Maybe I will have to shell out for a parking spot underground - but at the same time underground parking seems to be a hotbed for theft, so a private garage might be the best option if I meet someone who has it, and would lend me a corner.
 
If you need the highway don't get a 125, otherwise it's just fine for zipping around city streets.

Resale on 250's may be better though.

I would suggest a Grom but they aren't cheap! ($2,000min)
 
Nothing wrong with tinkering on a project bike and learning. The question is whether you want to be riding or wrenching? I'd rather be riding.
 
@Riceburner fair point. My logic more so is that if, as a new rider, I will be paying upwards of $200/mo for insurance, I want that money to be spent because I ride. Same logic though. Would suck to have to fix a bike for a month knowing $200 is still leaving my bank account.

I'm actually totally cool with the whole wrenching & learning thing, it's part of the reason I want a bike. Just has to be during the winter ideally when I have it in a garage hahaha.

I'm currently basing my bike options off what I am finding on Kijiji, as that seems to be the best source for bikes from my last few weeks of digging.

So far the obvious contenders are:
CBR125
CBR250
Ninja 250
Rebel 250
Virago 250

and the "would be nice" contenders are:
Kawasaki KZ 440 LTD

The Kawasaki is damn tempting. Lurking a bunch of forums seems to, so far, depict them as quite viable newbie bikes with a decent reliability standard. Though the belt drive sourcing seems a bit suspect.

At the end of the day the easiest would be to just get a late 2000's cbr or something... but ah the KZ sounds promising so far.
 
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