[newagetwotone]

So after a long think, i desided that buying a 600CC race bike is a little too... ok way too much for my first road bike, even with riding prior i dont want to kill myself.

Anyways. i figured ill go the resonable route and look at used bikes, went to a used bike shop, talked to them and they tried to convince me to buy a 72 honda CB125, i honestly think they think I'm... stupid.

Anyways.

I have a list of bikes here that this place has, unfortanatly they are the only used bike shop around and have a tiny selection of bikes. BUT, i can afford to buy one, and i guess thats the point. i'd rather ride an old 50cc scooter than nothing.

1972 CB750 Four: $3300
1981 Yamaha Midnight special: $2900
1978 GL1000 (full fairing top box and bags, 38,000 miles): $2700
1986 Honda VFR: $3250
1980 Honda 750F: $1895

There are a couple dirt bikes and what not that I'm really NOT interested in but thats about it otherwise. I'm really partial to the look of the 72 CB750 with its kick start and all but i don't think its worth $1500 for the "look" of the bike and a kick start... atleast not at this point in time (first bike and all) The yamaha is pretty but its a big bike, i believe its a liter cruiser?

The girlfriend likes the GL1000 (Daddy has a GL1500) because of the passenger back rest and what not, though i think its a little well... big, though i could always strip the fairing and bags off of it.

the 86 VFR, while pretty, im afraid is like the 600 race bikes being too much power. though as a couple people said prior experience and keep it in the love RPMs.

The 80 750F is an ok bike, not the prettiest thing in the world but seems functional and the guy raved about how reliable they are (then again he's a sales man) and it has a nice flat seat and seems like it would be an ok thing to have for a while and at $1850 i wouldn't cry as much if i dumped it.

anyways enough ranting, any advice?

 

[sachiwilson]

Where are you located? What shops (dealers) do you have nearby? You might consider buying something on eBay or CraigsList, frankly.

My concern about all those bikes is that they will be heavy and relatively hard to find parts for because of their age. Even for Hondas. (I have an '89 CB-1 and even that "young" a bike has some trouble.)

I think you can do better, to be honest.

 

[newagetwotone]

Your probably right. I'm in Pittsburgh PA. I was thinking about going to the Honda House but its very out of the way and i don't have a car. (girlfriend has one but everywhere i go either the bus goes or is with in walking distance.)

One of the reasons i was thinking about sticking with Honda WAS because i thought there would be lots of parts for things like the VFR or the 750F.

 

[seruzawa]

With the gas crunch the prices of used bikes has gone a bit nuts. Everybody seems to think that his old POS is a "rare, collector's bike".

An '80 Honda 750 is worth more like $850. Many parts are discontinued and you have to hit the junkyards to keep them running. In fact all those prices at that shop are way over book value. Most aren't even listed any more. That dealer is a crook.

Have you tried the private classifieds?

 

[The_AirHawk]

I'm kinda-sorta in agreement with seruzawa here. I mean, Where the HELL did this shop dig these things up, and exactly out of which orifice did they pull the pricetags?

There's like $2000-$2500 worth of bikes there, total. IF they all run well AND have relatively new rubber.

How far are you willing to travel for a bike, how much cash do you have to spend, and how much work are you capable of to get/keep one running?

Did you ever decide on which "type" of bike? (cruiser, standard, sport, etc.)

I wouldn't even walk back into that shop, were I you. It's Insulting how stupid he must think his customer-base to be.

Really.

 

[seruzawa]

The only bike

I'm kinda-sorta in agreement with seruzawa here. I mean, Where the HELL did this shop dig these things up, and exactly out of which orifice did they pull the pricetags?

There's like $2000-$2500 worth of bikes there, total. IF they all run well AND have relatively new rubber.

How far are you willing to travel for a bike, how much cash do you have to spend, and how much work are you capable of to get/keep one running?

Did you ever decide on which "type" of bike? (cruiser, standard, sport, etc.)

I wouldn't even walk back into that shop, were I you. It's Insulting how stupid he must think his customer-base to be.

Really.

even close to fair value is probably the Gold Wing. And that's if it looks really good and has new rubber and it's still about $800 too high IMHO.. I can't complain too much 'cause I paid $2400 for an '81 GL1100 w/32K on the clock.

But the others. An '81 Yamaha (XS650? 1100?) for $2900? It wasn't that much new! LOL!

 

[sarnali2]

.

But the others. An '81 Yamaha (XS650? 1100?) for $2900? It wasn't that much new! LOL!

That's exactly what I was thinking, I didn't pay those prices for my KZ750 or my GPZ750 new LOL,

You can do much better than those prices, I'd hit craigs list or the classified's. Pittsburg is a pretty big city, there must be a butt load of bikes for sale there abouts.

 

[pplassm]

Hmmm. Pickings are pretty slim for beginner bikes on Pittsburgh Craigslist:
pittsburgh motorcycles/scooters classifieds - craigslist

I _did_ find this, though:

1971 BSA Gold Star 500

 

[pplassm]

oops. Missed this one.

1997 SUZUKI DRZ350 DUAL SPORT

I know you don't want a dirt bike, but dual-sports make great first bikes. Why limit your possibilities.

 

[sarnali2]

oops. Missed this one.

1997 SUZUKI DRZ350 DUAL SPORT

(from the ad...) "I understand what book value is and I don't care, the bike is perfect"...

Classic, and exactly why he'll still have the bike when you call LOL

 

[BrowningBAR]

I love the idiots that are trying to sell a used EX250/Ninja250r for $3500-$4000.

Here's also a good on. For $3000 (which is the MSRP) you can get a 2-3 year old ex250 with 5500 miles on it. Jackass.
2005 KAWASAKI EX250 NINJA STREET BIKE 5550mi

 

[seruzawa]

The big bore kit....

(from the ad...) "I understand what book value is and I don't care, the bike is perfect"...

Classic, and exactly why he'll still have the bike when you call LOL

... means that he should be expecting less than book, not more. Who knows how good a job he did with the mods.

 

[sarnali2]

... means that he should be expecting less than book, not more. Who knows how good a job he did with the mods.

That's why when I buy used I buy virgins, I've cleaned up after enough sledgehammer mechanics with used cars. I'm not about to start doing with bikes too.

 

[newagetwotone]

even close to fair value is probably the Gold Wing. And that's if it looks really good and has new rubber and it's still about $800 too high IMHO.. I can't complain too much 'cause I paid $2400 for an '81 GL1100 w/32K on the clock.

But the others. An '81 Yamaha (XS650? 1100?) for $2900? It wasn't that much new! LOL!

Wow, i guess i had a brain fart and didn't look at Blue Book before posting. So the Gold Wings blue book is $1640, the CB750F is $1140 and the VFR is $2075.

Think i might call them and make them an offer. If you honestly look around at our craigs list and classifieds, there is more or less nothing. I'm a little weary about ebay and the whole not seeing it first. Seen a couple buddies of mine get screwed buying cars off of ebay.

I wonder how pissy they would be if i offered them the actually value of one of their bikes. $2050 for the VFR 750 or $1100 for the CB750F? Might just be fun to call and see what they say..

 

[sachiwilson]

Let us know what happens. And offer a bit less! Tell them that you're on to their silly pricing scams too.

 

[bbtowns]

Craigslist or cycle trader are probably your best bets for your location. There ought to be tons of more modern bikes for the prices they are listing. You ought to be able to find a Honda Nighthawk (750) for around $1,250 in pristine condition, or lower with a few more miles. While buying used from a dealer is less of a hassle, there's going to be a premium involved. Whether that premium is really worth is up to you. You probably will want to have a dealer look over any bike you're considering buying, unless you're reasonably mechanically inclinded.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

+1 Cycle Trader - Print or online. In my area, Florida, this is how most of the people I know find their used bikes. They're sorted by mfg. and area code, and you can find a bunch of bikes close by. The photos suck, but you can get an idea and then go look.

 

[pplassm]

You ought to be able to find a Honda Nighthawk (750) for around $1,250 in pristine condition, or lower with a few more miles.

That would be quite a find here in Central VA. Try doubling the asking price.

 

[silentgrayfellow]

Take your time Newagetwotone. You will likely find a good deal if you are patient. Check the classifieds in your local paper, and also if you have a "classifieds only" magazine in your area like the Thrifty Nickel or similar, look there as well. Unless you are a skilled mechanic I would avoid bikes older than about 1990 (ballpark figure there). I have had my share of old Japanese iron, and although some of the parts are available at the dealer, a lot of parts are not available unless you go to a salvage yard and can find another bike of the same model that hasn't already been cannibleized. Many times if you are looking at old bikes, it may have been years since the bike was ridden. They often need tires, chain and sprockets, a tune up, and the carbs need a good cleaning (which can be a pain). It's been my experience that a lot of shops won't want to work on an old bike. At the price levels you mentioned in your original post, you should be able to get something less than 10 years old and in fairly decent condition.

 

[dodogenocide]

Personally, I don't think you can beat eBay. If you know how to spot the scams, you'll find the best deals. I've bought two used cars from eBay and they turned out great ('85 and '87 Porsche 944 = old, risky stuff). Its just as risky and impersonal as a classified ad, but at least you know what the thing looks like.

The bad part is the bikes are scattered around the country, so you'll have to narrow your search. Anyway, good luck dude!