Beginner bike opinion?

[BlackAndChrome]

I'm 18 years old and graduating high school shortly. With that I'm looking for a bike to learn to ride over the summer and for when I go to Kansas State in the fall. I have little experience with motorcycles, the closest thing I have to experience is riding dirtbikes with my cousins years ago. I'm looking for something with reasonable horsepower, good modern looks, and good rating for reliable, drive comfort, and handling made in the 80s to early 90s. Along with very reasonable insurance rates. I am 6' 2" although lanky at 175lbs

It should be stated that my parents will shoot down anything that is close to a sportbike but not other bikes that have 500cc more  . My dad rode bikes for years until his friend got killed on one so they are a little tender with the subject but have agreed to let me get one.

I found a rider's course at my local community college that I will be taking early June, it provides bikes and helmets. This will be before I get my own bike since my parents won't let me get anything till after graduation anyway and I couldn't find a nice fitting one that quick.

The bike that I've pretty much settled on is an 84-86 Honda nighthawk 700.
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cb_700_sc_nighthawk_s_1984.php

I found one on Craigslist and loved the looks of it so I did more research into it. Several websites with history on the bike give it a lot of kind words in regards to reliability since it has shaft drive and was the first time the started using hydraulic lifters. Bikez.come shows it's specs compared to other sport touring bikes and motorcycles as a whole and it pretty much seems to blow both out of the water for every category other than offroad performance (who woulda guessed?). I haven' really found anything comparable period, yet alone in my price range of $1500 or less.

The bike is rated at 80hp which will without a doubt be the largest concern for a beginner. I've talked to my parents and we've come to the conclusion that it would be acceptable only if the throttle was limited significantly for the first several thousand miles. I don't really have a problem with that and the argument was my idea and it will stay like that for the designated amount of miles. My grandpa is a mechanic and a long time bike rider so it will get done immediately after any proposed purchase.

Thoughts?

PS I did read the "sport bikes are not beginner bikes" article and I promise that I won't be that bull headed. Although positive thoughts are always nice?
-I chose the bike on my interests, proposed use, and riding style. Not others.
-I'm looking for a bike because I want to ride, not look good.
-I don't want big cubes right off but this methods seems like the best of both worlds.

-B&C

[UHOH]

It's a great activity, and you'll do fine.  

I don't know much about that bike, someone will chime in who does.

You could also consider Suzuki SV650 = ~70 HP, but 100 lbs. less weight.  
Bulletproof mechanically, a V-twin, everybody loves them, came in 2 styles:
1 - the more common SV650S, leaned forward sport bike, with a fairing - pass on this 'cuz of your height and being a new rider, and
2 - the unfaired SV650, which has more upright (comfy) seating position.  
Made ~2000 - 2007.  Later ones had fuel injection.  Insurance on either bike is probably similar.
Photo shows a carbureted 2001 year SV650.  


with an added windscreen.

welcome.

[BlackAndChrome]

I do like the looks (although not as much as the nighthawk) and I like the specs even more. I will keep an eye out and add it to the list of possibilities when I actually get the opportunity to start looking for a bike. I did do a quick glance at craigslist though and got several hits for the sv650s but none of the less sporty alternative. All of them were over twice my price range. Will the standard sv650 be significantly cheaper? Now that I look back I never posted a budget... Under $1500 is the goal, I have the money but anything I buy is just more that comes out of student loans.

I'd kinda almost rather find an older bike that has a hopeful small number of miles on it. I saw a 86 750 nighthawk a few days ago with 13,000 miles on it and it sold for $1300 in 2 days. Wish I'd been able to jump on that one...

-B&C

[vanderpm]

For the age/price range you're looking at, I'd suggest taking a look at:

Suzuki GS series (in the 80's the 550 is a good bike, later they switched to a 500 with a bit more of a naked look) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GS500 and http://www.thegsresources.com/

Honda Magnas (which is shaft drive, and I knew a guy that bought one new in 85 and it was still running as of a couple years ago) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Magna

I think Yamaha had a standard-style bike they built in that time period as well.

[BlackAndChrome]

I'll add those to the list as well, does anyone have an opinion on the Nighthawk itself? On the short term another Nighthawk appear on craigslist today. I had under the impression these were somewhat uncommon but here's another...

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/1722205056.html

This has a few more miles than the 750 previously stated (750 is identical to the 700 other than a ~3m longer stroke). The 750 had 500 miles on the tires, this one is 2 years older and has a dented tank. Anyone have an estimation as what to offer? It's more likely that this is a normal deal and the other one was a great deal that I missed. I have tomorrow off of school so I may be able to go look at it (possibly get a bike far sooner then I though?). I doubt my parents will let me ride it before I take the course but this would give me a chance to get it cleaned up a little anyway, as well as get it ensured...

-B&C

[bassjones]

They're great bikes.  Friend of mine had one back in the early 90s and absolutely loved it.  It's a Honda, it'll run forever.  Just make sure all the maintenance was taken care of and you'll be good to go.

[nater]

I'll add those to the list as well, does anyone have an opinion on the Nighthawk itself? On the short term another Nighthawk appear on craigslist today. I had under the impression these were somewhat uncommon but here's another...

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/1722205056.html

This has a few more miles than the 750 previously stated (750 is identical to the 700 other than a ~3m longer stroke). The 750 had 500 miles on the tires, this one is 2 years older and has a dented tank. Anyone have an estimation as what to offer? It's more likely that this is a normal deal and the other one was a great deal that I missed. I have tomorrow off of school so I may be able to go look at it (possibly get a bike far sooner then I though?). I doubt my parents will let me ride it before I take the course but this would give me a chance to get it cleaned up a little anyway, as well as get it ensured...

-B&C

Not too bad of a deal but...  I would try to get the price to $1000.  The bike is 26 years old.  

[Zerosum]

I can appreciate the desire to keep the cost down (my first bike back in '03 cost $900) but keep in mind that any bike from the '80s is entering a pretty maintenance-intensive phase of its life.  Stuff like rubber seals, bearings, gaskets, cables, basiclly anything made of rubber might be worn out and need to be replaced.  

It sucks to have to spend a lot of time wrenching on your first bike, you want a bike to RIDE, not a project.  I'd suggest something a little newer, like a GS500 or EX500.  The Yamaha Seca II is a great stater as well.

[BlackAndChrome]

I can appreciate the desire to keep the cost down (my first bike back in '03 cost $900) but keep in mind that any bike from the '80s is entering a pretty maintenance-intensive phase of its life.  Stuff like rubber seals, bearings, gaskets, cables, basiclly anything made of rubber might be worn out and need to be replaced.  

It sucks to have to spend a lot of time wrenching on your first bike, you want a bike to RIDE, not a project.  I'd suggest something a little newer, like a GS500 or EX500.  The Yamaha Seca II is a great stater as well.

I don't really have a problem having a project bike, I'd actually like to find one that is in great running condition but is cheaper because of the body condition. I like to tinker and I've got connections to get a pretty damn good paint job on a labor exchange basis. I would have wanted that one repainted anyway since it was blue. The red looks a lot better as far as I'm concerned. I looked around and parts seem to be available. My grandpa is a mechanic and works on all of his bikes so the him helping me makes the labor free if I should ever have any major problems (knock on wood).

The bike I found on craigslist doesn't seem to be a possibility anyway. I emailed the guy sine there was no phone number given and never got a reply (assume he checks his mail once per day). I'm kinda getting tired of never getting a reply from anyone, this happened with another guy when I requested pictures... I'm approaching the period where I won't be able to go look at a bike until after graduation anyway now.

-B&C

[nater]

I don't really have a problem having a project bike, I'd actually like to find one that is in great running condition but is cheaper because of the body condition. I like to tinker and I've got connections to get a pretty damn good paint job on a labor exchange basis. I would have wanted that one repainted anyway since it was blue. The red looks a lot better as far as I'm concerned. I looked around and parts seem to be available. My grandpa is a mechanic and works on all of his bikes so the him helping me makes the labor free if I should ever have any major problems (knock on wood).

The bike I found on craigslist doesn't seem to be a possibility anyway. I emailed the guy sine there was no phone number given and never got a reply (assume he checks his mail once per day). I'm kinda getting tired of never getting a reply from anyone, this happened with another guy when I requested pictures... I'm approaching the period where I won't be able to go look at a bike until after graduation anyway now.

-B&C

For $1500 or so you could get a 95 GS500 or an EX500 like someone else mentioned.  All of the rubber seals and hoses would be in better shape.

[FiremanBob]

'Busa.

[Marcster]

I can appreciate the desire to keep the cost down (my first bike back in '03 cost $900) but keep in mind that any bike from the '80s is entering a pretty maintenance-intensive phase of its life.  Stuff like rubber seals, bearings, gaskets, cables, basiclly anything made of rubber might be worn out and need to be replaced.   

It sucks to have to spend a lot of time wrenching on your first bike, you want a bike to RIDE, not a project.  I'd suggest something a little newer, like a GS500 or EX500.  The Yamaha Seca II is a great stater as well.

I can vouch for all of those points...

As I understand it, BlackAndChrome wants to keep the costs down.  Another bike I would suggest would be a dual-sport, such as a KLR650 or DR650, even a DR-Z400s.  Single-cylinder, bullet-proof technology, easy to wrench if you are interested, they're also modestly powered so you shouldn't be able to get too far ahead of your riding ability. 

At 6'2", a KLR should be quite comfortable, size-wise.

Dual-sports and cruisers have the lowest insurance rates of the various styles of motorcycles, which is going to be very important since you are so young.

Now, Kansas doesn't really cry out as a place to do a lot of off-road trail riding so I am guessing that the resale values are going to be lower  than say Colorado or California (better for you as a buyer).

There are a whole host of accessories you can add to a dual-sport to make it a great sport-tourer.

[BlackAndChrome]

'Busa.

lol, That would fall under the, "my parents shoot down anything that looks like a sportbike" category.

I found a gs500 on craigslist. 1990 with 25,000 miles for $1,500. I'll have to ask the insurance company for a quote on that bike.

I guess the reason why I like the Nighthawk so much is because I would like a bike that stands out but still looks good and is hopefully not a high priority bike for thieves.

Not really a big fan of the dual sport. I'd rather stick with a strictly street motorcycle since I have no intention of using it for trails.

-B&C

[Marcster]

I found a gs500 on craigslist. 1990 with 25,000 miles for $1,500. I'll have to ask the insurance company for a quote on that bike.

The GS500 is a good bike...  Simple as a brick, upright riding position, tried and true technology...

Here's a thread for you: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,34215.0.html

The price for that 1990 sounds a bit high though.  That's a $1,000 - $1,200 bike.  

As an example, I paid $1999 for my 2000 Yamaha Diversion (Seca II) with 24K miles on it and that's a 10 year newer bike with more power than the GS500.  Not that I'm saying that the GS500 is underpowered, just giving you a comparison for price.

You could certainly look for a Suzuki Bandit 600 or a Seca II.

[phoenix]

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1691316836.html

1996 suzuki bandit 600, $1700

IMO, you are shopping for bikes that are too old.

[M]

For any bike older then 3-5 years old, you need to keep in mind all the components that wear out due to age. These include tires, all fluids, hoses, brake lines, etc.

On any used bike, assume all need replacement unless the owner can document which ones have been replaced. If you aren't mechanically included, the parts/labor cost can be staggering.


Regards,

Michael
Broken Arrow, OK

[falconati]

IMO, you are shopping for bikes that are too old.

This was my first thought.

[ANZAC]

You can't go wrong with the Nighthawk 700s.  I have a 1986 and love it    The bike is very forgiving and easy to handle but it still has lots of juice if you need it.  It was the hot rod Nighthawk of it's day and it has lots of Interceptor parts on it.

These bike are real tough and can take a beating but shop carefully and check it over well.   Make sure you put on new tires, change all the fluids and you will have a great bike that will last for years.

I still get lots of comments for people that say they had wished they never got rid of their Nighthawk    So, find a good one and hang onto it.

[BlackAndChrome]

Well I'm still in the market as of now. I graduate Friday and soon after I have a national tournament that I will be getting back from on the 28th. After that it's time to start seriously shopping. I still can't help but want the Nighthawk. I'm yet to hear anything bad about them and I think aging rubber is well within my abilities to replace. I''m seriously considering the GS500 as a possibility also so it will probably wind up being which one presents a good opportunity first. I'll get back on and post some pictures of bikes that I'm looking at for a good price quote when the time comes but that will be a few week.

Thanks for the help guys,
-B&C

[Bravo12]

The GS500 is a good bike...  Simple as a brick, upright riding position, tried and true technology...

Here's a thread for you: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,34215.0.html

The price for that 1990 sounds a bit high though.  That's a $1,000 - $1,200 bike.

I paid $1500 for a 1989 GS500E (with 12k on the odo) in 1994.  A 20-year-old model should be closer to $1k.  Great bike, though; all it needed was new fork springs and tires and I was hanging with the noobs on their GSXRs.