Used Bike Questions??

 

Hi, I;m considering buying a used bike. This will be my first street bike. I
used to desert race a Yamaha 250 in the mid '70's, as a teenager. I will be
enrolling in a MSF course before I buy a bike. I like the advice I've read
here about buying used, then seeing if I really want to stick with 2
wheeling. I also figure I might beat up my first bike, so this bike will be
a cheapie! I'll be looking at used Japanese bikes. I'll be using this bike
mainly for commuting(40 miles RT on surface streets), and short weekend
rides until I get comfortable on the street.

 Question 1: How old of a bike should I look at?

 I'm concerned that parts might not be available for a used bike. My brother
has a 1975 Kawasaki 900, and he's told me that parts are hard to come by, or
that they are expensive.

Question 2: Do any of you have any recommendations for year and model?
Currently I'm thinking of spending about $2,000.00.

 Thanks for all your help, Mike

 

On Sat, 06 May 2006 18:52:17 GMT, "Mike Jenkins"


I rode a Yamaha 175 in the desert in the '70's.  When I went to the
street, about a year and a half ago, I was looking for thin and light
like a dirt single.  Ended up with a Savage -- 650cc single, only 354
pounds.  If you are of a reasonable size 5'2" to 6', the Savage would
fit your requirements.  And unless you are into breaking the speed
limit there's no need to 'upgrade' later.

I commute 4 miles one way on my Savage, but in nice weather that
sometimes stretches out to 20 miles.  I've taken it over the hill on
the Ortega Highway to Lake Elsinor and halfway along the Angels Crest
(highway closed halfway.)  Held it's own with the other bikes.

Cycletrader.com shows a red '97 with 12K miles just up the hill in
Rancho Santa Margarita for $1950.  Another '97 in Vista, dropped once,
4K miles, $1800.  And a Yellow Y2K in Ramona for $2100.

If you really want a cheapie there's a slightly corroded missing a peg
"runs well"  '87 with  only 11K miles in Gilroy that is only $800
asking and since the dealer has had it taking up room for nearly a
year that I've been tracking he'll likely take $600.  (If I could get
the wife to agree I'd get that one myself and bob it to compliment my
bagger.)

 

Hi, Thanks for the response. I'm in O.C. I know Ortega pretty well. I'm 6'
1" 220 lbs. Do you think the Savage is big enough?

 I'm a little more concerned with the frame size and comfort than power. I
think the 650 should be enough power. Any downside with the Savage being a
single cylinder?

 The $600.00 Gilroy bike sounds promising. "Slightly Corroded" worries me
though. How much $$$ do you think it will take to get it up to par?

 Mike

 

On Sun, 07 May 2006 01:09:48 GMT, "Mike Jenkins"


I'm 5'10" in my boots with their inch and a half heels, I think I'm
down to about 180#.  Savage fits me perfect.

For you, probably not, although some people your size claim the Savage
is physically big enough.    Others extend the footpegs/controls
forward; but unless you just gotta have a Thumper the question is 'why
bother?' You would have to sit on one to see for yourself.

Of course, you can ride what I cannot -- one of the newer dual-purpose
bikes such as the Kawasaki KLR650 with it's 35" seat height.  Probably
a better suggestion.  You could check out a few trails on weekends.
'Cept they tend to be a bit more expensive.


For a give engine size a multi gives higher RPMs and more peak HP, the
single gives more torque across a wider powerband.  As a ex- dirt
rider you can appreciate the torque of a single.  I wouldn't ride
anything but a Thumper.    Your mileage may vary.


Restored?  Looks like just a new peg and a lot of polishing.  The guy
has a high-res photo on line at cycletrader, listed as an LS650, not a
Savage.  But what I would do is lose the windscreen, rear fender,
stock rear lights, seat.  Get a lightweight trailer fender for the
rear, a Sportster saddle to be mounted a couple of inches back from
the stock position.  Make a excelent rat/bobber for under $1000 total.
Lay it down, pick it up.  Like a dirt bike, gouges add 'character'.

Pics of Savage Bobbers:  http://savage.andruschak.net/sluggo9.jpg  --
Also replace sluggo9 with suzyssuzi2 or  gargoyle1 or threezukes2 or
jesse_ray2 or robz1 or  LondonThing3

 

 The only thing I'll add here is stay away from a used sportbike in
that price range....
NightHawk, Savage, both really good choices.

 At 2K you should find something that is perfect for you.

 Stay safe,

 Joe