how old is too old?

nearace said:
when buying a bike that is,is there a time when a bike is just too old?
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Way to many variables to answer that question......

You could get a 1950's bike in better condition then some 2010's
 
Mileage and maintenance are the key factors.

Cheers 8)
Aminal
 
I'm meeting a guy for breakfast tomorrow and he just came up from Memphis on a 25year old bike. On the other hand one loop around a motocross course could destroy a brand new Goldwing.

Newer oils and metalurgy make the new bikes last a long time.
 
jeffjones said:
Way to many variables to answer that question......

You could get a 1950's bike in better condition then some 2010's
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+1 Really depends whats important to you. Example, finding parts for a older bike can get difficult so if parts availability are important to you, you may want to get something more current. if you feel you need the best brakes available older bikes won't cut it...if you want silky smooth sewing machine type motors an old bike won't really give you that. That being said, I actually thoroughly enjoy riding older bikes for some of those very reasons, you really feel like your riding a mechanical machine not a computer....imo
 
Redrock said:
+1 Really depends whats important to you. Example, finding parts for a older bike can get difficult so if parts availability are important to you, you may want to get something more current. if you feel you need the best brakes available older bikes won't cut it...if you want silky smooth sewing machine type motors an old bike won't really give you that. That being said, I actually thoroughly enjoy riding older bikes for some of those very reasons, you really feel like your riding a mechanical machine not a computer....imo
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+1. It really does take more concentration on the workings of the "machine" so that takes your mind off the other hassles of life that don't belong with riding a motorcycle. I used to curse my carburetors and choke at every "cross my fingers" cold start of the 1979 triple but I can't imagine the day a clutch and shifting is not called for.
 
Just answer the guy already, any bike older than 2002 is just too old to even worth buying, in my case I prefer them from 2005+
 
Pegassus said:
Just answer the guy already, any bike older than 2002 is just too old to even worth buying, in my case I prefer them from 2005+
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Your so brilliant...it scares me a lil
 
Pegassus said:
Just answer the guy already, any bike older than 2002 is just too old to even worth buying, in my case I prefer them from 2005+
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Damn I guess I should ride my 01 cbr to the scrapyard even though I bought it with 18,000kms and full service records from one mature owner.
 
jeffjones said:
Damn I guess I should ride my 01 cbr to the scrapyard even though I bought it with 18,000kms and full service records from one mature owner.
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Well the rule of thumb is 10 years for me, I don't care how good maintenance it had, spare parts become scarce and new gadgets coming into the market are not compatible with them.
 
Pegassus said:
Just answer the guy already, any bike older than 2002 is just too old to even worth buying, in my case I prefer them from 2005+
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value is in the eye of the beholder, and very much based on ones own opinion. I have no problem with older bikes.
 
i love my 2000 929,3 up 1 down on the sprockets, full hindle pipe,pc3,and last but not least, the best upgrade of all. ohlins race damper.just turned 50k. is been bullet proof.knock on wood.
 
Pegassus said:
Well the rule of thumb is 10 years for me, I don't care how good maintenance it had, spare parts become scarce and new gadgets coming into the market are not compatible with them.
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And older bikes don't lose there value as fast. I have put 30,000kms on my bike after 2 full years and I can still sell it for more then I paid for it :D
 
I would say it all depends on how knowledgeable you are with fixing motorcycles. The older the bike, the more work it'll need. You may come into a problem with parts and have to retro fit some of your own. Also you'll spend some time digging around scrap yards. If you have no idea how to take apart a bike and put it together, I'd stay away from older bikes
 
jeffjones said:
And older bikes don't lose there value as fast. I have put 30,000kms on my bike after 2 full years and I can still sell it for more then I paid for it :D
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Ditto. I paid 1 measly grand for my 84 magna. The thing is 28 years old and still runs like a charm, and when i sell it i will easily get my money back and then some. There are TONS of bikes from the 80's still on the roads that are running well, and they are always being bought and sold on kijiji. In the two years i've had my Magna i have put close to 15,000kms on it so i've certainly gotten my moneys worth. Trying renting a car or any bike for that long for a grand.. :)
 
Lets see.....29 years old, she is, but, she looks like she was pulled off the showroom floor just yesterday, go figure....

P1090754.jpg
 
Lot's of bikes out there that wil run forever with routine maintainance. Old Honda's (84 magna) are a good example. An ST1100 will run 150,000 - 200,000km+ without any major issues. I've seen them at 400,000km an still running OK. One guy I met has 650,000km on his and the only part worn out were carbs (mechanically worn out) and they were replaced with an e-bay buy at $150 for a set of 4. Do you want a bike that is state of the art or just a bike that runs well and gets you around reliably at a reasonable cost?
 
GateKeeper said:
Lets see.....29 years old, she is, but, she looks like she was pulled off the showroom floor just yesterday, go figure....
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Are you goddamn joking? There's no way that's original, it was probably restored with new paint and parts.
 
Pegassus said:
Are you goddamn joking? There's no way that's original, it was probably restored with new paint and parts.
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Maybe it is original, there are older bikes in beautiful original condition. Even if it is restored it doesn't really matter in relation to the OP's question.

Nevermind ... it's older than 10 years you can't get parts for them.
 
Pegassus said:
Are you goddamn joking? There's no way that's original, it was probably restored with new paint and parts.
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mostly original, a few new items, tires, battery, and seat, of course it was all painted and polished, and back on the road

you can see the build here if you wish

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=184389

or all the pics here

http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l59/GateKeper/1983_GS750E/

and yes one can still get parts.....some even still original from Suzuki

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