First motorcycle suggestions?

[Das Delfin]

Whats up guys

I've always been into cars. Particularly 60's Mopar. When I discover a car I like, I immerse myself in facts and details and random specs of the car and its era.

I don't have the same obsession with bikes, but I've half heartedly wanted to get one for a while. My uncle has a pair of Harleys and now that I live on the same side of the country as him I'm trying to form a bond. He and I share a love of cars (he had a '65 396 Corvette which he did a full frame off restoration for a number of years) and I want another thing we can talk about.

That being said, I'm into cruisers. I don't like dirt bikes or R1's or anything like that. I'm looking at stuff like this, this, this, this, and this (the last one thrown in for good measure). I want something Japanese that has a good aftermarket for around $700 and 500-700cc. Something I can take on a 45mph road but could go on the highway if it had to. I want to buy one bike and keep it for a long time. And I want something lightweight.

Any suggestions? Reliable, cheap etc are paramount. Definitely something I can DIY as easy or easier than the e30. I know close to nothing about bikes so all the kyx btw omg letters are completely foreign to me. :D

Any help would be appreciated!

[Stanley Rockafella]

Lol, all those bikes you posted look like the ones from the early 80's Prince "Purple Rain" etc. videos.

Aside from that, any of those bike are cheap and reliable enough. Sadly, IIRC most if not all are carb'd. And when working on something that old (that's probably had it's fair share of sitting) will need a fair amount of cleaning/rebuilding of fuel system parts.

IMHO, I'd pony up a bit more cash for something that's been ridden recently, FI, and been maintained. Sure it'll cost a bit more, but it'll save you the hassle of annoying breakdowns/maintenance etc.

My first bike has been my 03 Suzuki SV650S with full fairing. It's the first year of fuel injection and the PO had the valves adjusted for it's maintenance. It's been on some LONG rides with me and regardless of how hard I flog it, it keeps starting, running, shifting and accelerating like the first time I rode it. I can honestly say this bike is exactly what I imagined my first bike would be.

Initially I wanted a BMW for the "brand loyalty", then decided against it due to the maintenance required (like all damn BMW's!).

As for the Suzuki, I keep it filled, washed, oil fresh and it just keeps running like a top. A simply stunning machine.

[tim88325is]

That is a hard call. A lot those bikes have nearly zero aftermarket and factory parts supply can be spotty, critical parts may be NLA or expensive. I don't know of any 1980s Japanese motorcycle that will have the amount of aftermarket and factory support as an E30. V4s tend to be considered more complex and hard to work on.

I would pick a few bikes and check for parts availability and forum support. In that price range a lot of the bikes will be projects and need tires, carb cleaning, hydraulic rebuilds, fork seals, at minimum to be road worthy. Adjust your budge accordingly.

Check gas tanks for rust. Carbs aren't the end of the world, I usually immerse them in Pine-Sol cleaner, clean and wash thoroughly, the parts usually don't wear out since motorcycles usually see much less mileage than cars.

I would try to save a bit more and scour CL for an inspected bike that someone has been actively riding. They do pop up and may save a lot of time and headache.

Yeah, those SV650s are awesome, I rode my father's for a little and loved the torque!!

Good luck!

[tim88325is]

In philly area, something like this would maybe more expensive initially but less of a project or money pit hopefully...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5880130814.html

[M-technik-3]

We have had numerous first bike threads. My suggestion Suzuki GS500 is a nice inexpensive semi sport/upright bike.

Many of the riders courses use these if you don't have a bike and need a loaner.