What should I buy????

O

oldrider

Active member
Forum Sponsor
OK, I'm returning to riding after a long time. I thought I had narrowed down what I wanted........ but apparently not. I'm not really fussy about what type, or style of bike. I am middle aged now (cheap) and really want the biggest bang for my buck. It seems every time I find what looks like a good deal, another one pops up and I have to start thinking again. I have noticed that many sellers are completely nuts with their prices. I've also noticed that bikes go down in value relatively fast after a few years, but then magically start to rise again.:confused: I'm looking for no larger than 750cc's but other than that I'm wide open. Sport bike , cruiser, whatever. I'm putting a realistic cap of $3000 on my purchase to avoid a divorce. Looking at an f2 cbr 600 tomorrow and then a Savage 650.
Any ideas on what bikes are really undervalued, but are still good bikes?????
 
KLR and SV650 if you want upright riding position. Personally I find ~600 cc cruisers to be balls, I think my diesel car is faster. Why are you limiting yourself to 750cc? 600 cc in a sport bike is plenty to scare you, a cruiser (to me) feels better at 1000+ as it seems to cruise as opposed to winding the poor engine out just to get moving.
 
I would have to vote for my bike. If you look around you can find a Kawi z750s for less than 4000$.
Sportbike engine, upright seating position. Without the sportbike insurance. I find that it does the best of both worlds just fine.
You can tour all day on it, (with a few cheap modifications) or you can blast around town on it.

Happy hunting.
Cheers
 
GreyGhost said:
Why are you limiting yourself to 750cc?
Click to expand...
Have a 16 year old that would like his liscence and my insurance company (State Farm) is all about cc's. Agent said they'd charge the same for an old Goldwing as they would a GSXR 1100. Also said they wouldn't insure a 16 year old on either.
 
I wouldn't let cc's be the defining factor of your choice. I returned to riding after several years and the Sportster 1200 was a pretty good choice. It doesn't have overwhelming power but, enough to keep me smiling. Not sure if it would be the same with a small displacement cruiser.


You've got your budget so, I'd start thinking about what you intend to do. Putt around town or do you have visions of touring the cabot trail or heading south to the dragon? Contact a few insurance companies to determine what you'll pay in insurance. Depending on the company, the cc's arent the only factor in insurance costs as the class of bike may include a sur-charge. So, a 1100 cruiser may cost much less than a 600 ss in a lot of cases. You spend 3 grand on a bike that needs another 3 grand to insure. You might find a nice bike for 4 grand and only need 1k for insurance.

Just something to consider.


Good luck.


Cheers.
 
nakkers said:
I wouldn't let cc's be the defining factor of your choice. I returned to riding after several years and the Sportster 1200 was a pretty good choice. It doesn't have overwhelming power but, enough to keep me smiling. Not sure if it would be the same with a small displacement cruiser.


You've got your budget so, I'd start thinking about what you intend to do. Putt around town or do you have visions of touring the cabot trail or heading south to the dragon? Contact a few insurance companies to determine what you'll pay in insurance. Depending on the company, the cc's arent the only factor in insurance costs as the class of bike may include a sur-charge. So, a 1100 cruiser may cost much less than a 600 ss in a lot of cases. You spend 3 grand on a bike that needs another 3 grand to insure. You might find a nice bike for 4 grand and only need 1k for insurance.

Just something to consider.


Good luck.


Cheers.
Click to expand...
Good points. I really would just like to do some "rural" cruising. Not a big fan of riding in town for fun. I enjoy the back roads. A dual sport would be nice, but it seems impossible to find a cheap one that hasn't been beaten. I may consider throwing on a set of dual sport tires on whatever I end up with, assuming they'll fit. Don't want to do any stunts. Don't want to turn anybodies head. Don't want to get a loan. Just want to ride.
 
How about a KLR? Not an aggressive bike for the son, only 650 cc, great on gas, capable on highway and good on the non paved roads too. A great bike for your son to learn on and often found used in the $3k range... Only thing is that they are one of the few bikes ever made that is actually uglier than a 650 Savage.
 
If your looking at the F2, Why not look for an F4i? Fuel injected, Good seating posistion, good power.
I love mine and right now you could probably find one around the $3500 range and have a much better re-sale then the F2 when you go to sell it.
 
Me again, After some searching it looks like the type of bike I want is called an "adventure bike". Mine will be homemade, as most are. If I can find a later model or good working older model bike with rash that'll safety easily, I'll be able to convert it as time allows. I love this cbr. cbrknobbies.jpg
 
Picked up my 01 Katana 750 for 2500 certified a couple months ago with 30k on it. They seem to be running right around the rage your looking at.

+1 for the VFR and the Z750


Edit: Just seen your last post, I think you would have fun on the Z750 if you like that CBR. I needs to build myself one of them for out here in the country!!!
 
Last edited:
I got back in with a 1200 Sportster and it was a hoot up to 50 MPH and 50 miles from home. Short range tank meant always looking for a gas station. An older Kawi Concours sport tourer, well proven good parts availability is worth a look although a bit top heavy.
Re the 600cc insurance limits, I would look at different insurance companies.
And yes people are asking stupid prices for old bikes. Pay more up front or pay a lot more to fix a junker and it's still a junker. Price replacement plastics if you think otherwise.
Some insurers won't cover older bikes.
 
Just about fed up with looking at bikes. Unless the cbr I looked at today was a diesel, it had a problem. Maybe I need to consider getting a loan and increase my chances of finding a "good" bike. I sat on a HD Sportster at the Harley dealer on the way home. Me like :) . I always thought they'd be too small for me, but apparently most of my 6' is in my torso. We'll see. Thanks for the input.
 
oldrider said:
Just about fed up with looking at bikes. Unless the cbr I looked at today was a diesel, it had a problem. Maybe I need to consider getting a loan and increase my chances of finding a "good" bike. I sat on a HD Sportster at the Harley dealer on the way home. Me like :) . I always thought they'd be too small for me, but apparently most of my 6' is in my torso. We'll see. Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...



When I first began looking, I was drawn to the Triumph Scambler. At 8k plus taxes for a used one, I started looking at different options. (this was over two years ago, haven't looked since) At that time, I picked up my Sportster for 5k and it had under 10,000 kms on the odo and looked and ran great. But, it still need needed some work, nothing major. Rubber was ok but, replaced it anyways. Changed out all fluids including the fork oil etc. Some other minor mods to make it mine. I have the older rigid mount engine and smaller fuel tank. Get's 200 kms before reserve and that works just perfect to stretch the legs, have a smoke (i don't smoke) if needed and then carry on. I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and the forward controls work for me and drag bars which puts me in the biker "C" posture. It works for me and it's not everyone's cup of tea.

I'm not gonna make any money if I sell but, I won't regret what I put into it either. I can ride to dover or the beach but, don't recommend any 400 series highway as a regular thing. Just boring and it's not fun. Rode from London to Ottawa on two lane roads, took my time, no schedule and it was awesome.

Happy hunting man.
 
shanekingsley said:
How about a KLR? Not an aggressive bike for the son, only 650 cc, great on gas, capable on highway and good on the non paved roads too. A great bike for your son to learn on and often found used in the $3k range... Only thing is that they are one of the few bikes ever made that is actually uglier than a 650 Savage.
Click to expand...


Love the KLR as a great beast to blast around on.
 
All good advice in here so far.Just remember Oldrider....you're old as old as the woman you're feeling!
 
katana? http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...kes-2002-Suzuki-GSX-Katana-W0QQAdIdZ329634366
gs500? http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...4-Suzuki-GS-500-NAKED-BIKE-W0QQAdIdZ325089728
sv650? these things are pretty much bullet proof http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...es-2003-Suzuki-SV650s-MINT-W0QQAdIdZ329664953
cbr f4? this one isnt the fuel injected "i" model, they didnt come in until 2001 http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...onda-CBR-F4-3000-OBO-AS-IS-W0QQAdIdZ315222574
cbr f4i!!! now here's where you should be gunning, seat wont be too high, comfortable position to ride (not a full crouch ss bike), fuel injected http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...lines-hindle-pipe-and-more-W0QQAdIdZ328992685

dont be afraid to expand your search outside of the gta, lots of great deals outside the city. i picked my last bike up in london and the dealer tossed in free delivery since they were coming down for the bike show. and dont be afraid to throw offers out to people if their bikes are just outside your price range. hell, maybe they want to sell and will say yes. the worst they can say is no.

honda vfr would also be really nice, but i stopped looking at the f4i...
Forum Sponsor
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom