Tossing the cruiser

[Jalen]

kyzrex thank you for the reply. I've been told to wait till winter and late fall to buy a bike as it is cheaper to buy then. I am eager to get off this cruiser and also i will be leaving for army basic training sometime in the winter months. I think i will try hard just to find a good deal.

In regards to the nighthawk. I believe i have looked at this bike before. Is this referring to the cb750 or the nighthawk. I was thinking these names are used interchangeably. Also if i'm correct, i thought the bike was discontinued in 2002. I get worried about buying older models because of the difficulty in finding parts for the bike both aftermarket and stock in case something needs replacing. Should i be concerned with this?

[kyzrex]

The last generation nighthawk 750 which did have a model designation of cb750, made from 1996 to 2008, all as the same model.  They were not a big seller because everyone wanted a racer replica bike, so they can be hard to find.  However, when you do find one they usually are low mileage and well taken care of.  Earlier "nighthawks" were a different bike made in 650 and 700cc versions, and maybe even 450 and 550, i forget.

They also had a 250 nighthawk that was a single cyl and used quite a bit by MSF beginner rider courses.  

I bought one new in 1997 ( first new bike I ever had ) and would buy another one, just a great all-rounder IMO.

[Rattlehead]

..... I get worried about buying older models because of the difficulty in finding parts for the bike both aftermarket and stock in case something needs replacing. Should i be concerned with this?

In a word, no.
All of the bike mentioned in this thread have enjoyed LONG production runs and parts are readily available. Between the dealership, online retailers, and e-bay there is an ABUNDANT source of parts for older bikes out there.

Also, the SV650 has a bit of a cult following because it's not only a great streetbike, it's also is widely used in racing. Anything you could ever want is out there for it. It would be an excellent choice for a "next step up" bike. Careful though, twist the grip and it'll make your V-Star feel like it was dragging an anchor in comparison (your dealer was WAY off the mark on this).  

[jesse v]

I'm glad to have found an active forum where members who share a common interest help one another.

I'm a 18 year old rider in Atlanta. I've been on a v-star 650 for 8 months now and am tired of being on a cruiser so i'm getting ready to sell it. The bikes i am currently looking at are the yamaha fz6, suzuki sv650, suzuki gsx650, ninja 650r, or the yzf600(i hope i spelled all those right). I'm pretty low on cash so i'm looking for something 3500 or below after i sell the v-star.

I just have a couple of concerns

I'd like to get a bike that i can learn how to work on. I have very few mechanical skills developed. All i can do is change the oil and filter. But i'm beginning to aquire a few tools(A kobalt wrench set and some allen keys thus far) and hope to be able to save some money by doing my own work. Therefore i'd like the bike i buy to be very user friendly in this regard. I understand most of the bikes with a more recent model are fuel injected so i don't know how easy it is to get in to the engine or add aftermarket parts with this. So i'm hoping some one can enlighten me on if i should go fuel injected or carburated

Also i am wondering since the ninja and sv650 only contain 2 cylinders, if they are simpler to adjust the valves and install new spark plugs. Simple things like this are affecting my decision about a bike. But really it will mostly come down to price.



I'm hoping someone can help me with this.
THanks!

I have a similar "motorcycle testimony" to yours.  My first bike was a Suzuki Marauder 800 (cruiser), which I happily rode for 2.5 years.  But I soon found myself maxed out on the bike's limits, and I began to realize that (for me) motorcycling is a sport, not a "kick back and relax" kinda thing.  (And I'm defiantly not a "sporty" or jocky kinda guy... I'm a church music leader by profession.)

The fun (and art) of motorcycling is in turning, and a sport/naked/standard bike can turn better than a cruiser.

So, just over a year ago, I got an SV1000.  Love it love it love it.

Regarding the comparison between your Vstar 650 and the sv650... When looking at cruisers vs. sport/naked/standard bikes, the measuring stick is totally different.  A 250cc sporty will be far more capable than a 750 (or larger!) cruiser in terms of power, not to mention cornering capability.  That doesn't mean you should be scared of sport bikes, however.  A 650 twin is perfect for a beginner OR experienced rider, and won't get boring if you develop a desire for performance.

Regarding the twin vs I4 issue... This is quite dumbed down, but basically the engine size generates torque (acceleration), and the number of cylinders determines horsepower (top speed).  So, for example, when comparing a 1000cc twin such as my SV1000, with a 600cc I4 such as a GSXR600RR, the SV will accelerate faster but the GSXR will have a higher top speed.  (Over simplified, I know.)

So anyway... Welcome to the "sport" of motorcycling!  Cruisers?  Yeah, they make you look cool...

[Jalen]

Hey jesse man, thanks you explained that well. I havent sold the vstar yet. I guess no one wants a cruiser right now haha. But i've been looking. Here are a couple of ads i've been looking at. Any feedback would be great. I want a carburated bike because of maintenance costs but im open to EFI too.

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcd/3102178684.html

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3101222798.html  Thats a badass looking bike to me. Low mileage too. If i could talk him down to 3200 i'd be good.

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3092532238.html    This bike is like a 487 twin engine. How would it compare in performance with my vstar 650??


Thanks guys.

[Cricket1]

Jalen-

I'd pass on the Ninja 650- the rebuilt title will always haunt it. The SV650 looks to be the best of the three you listed. (ALso, notice the neighborhood its in)

The 500 is a decent bike and the price is reasonable, but the SV650 is much better and with more aftermarket support, it would be worth spending the money on the SV.  Now, if you could get the 500 for say $1,800, then maybe but at $2,400, nah I'd pass.

BTW all three would toast your Vstar, although the 500 would be the slowest of the three.

[jesse v]

I don't know what "rebuilt title" means, but the Ninja 650 and SV650 both look sweet, especially the SV.  The GS500 *MIGHT* get a little boring after a while, but I've never ridden one.  (Well, I test drove a '90 GS500 once, but it was in baaaaad shape.)  Still, you have 3 excellent options here.

[UHOH]

Son started w/ naked SV and became very skillful rider over 30K miles.  
Easy to work on and they don't break.  Post photos when you get one.

If miss one, another w/ pop up in time.

[nater]

Skip the GS500.  I had one as my first bike.  It's a good choice for a first bike--not a second.  

[Jalen]

thanks for the heads up on the gs500 guys. My sister is looking for her first bike, i recommended it to her. I'll let it pass by me though. Im having a tough time selling this 2009 vstar. Can't get a bike till i sell it. I'd hop on any sv650, nighthawk 750, or ninja right now if i had the money.

[ConPilot1]

They also had a 250 nighthawk that was a single cyl and used quite a bit by MSF beginner rider courses.  

Nein. It was a parallel twin. I have a pristine 3k miles '99 sitting 250 NH twin sitting in the C10 house.

[Jalen]

I'm looking at a 1991 Honda Nighthawk. I offered 1400 and he said he'd think about it.

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3116479323.html


I kinda don't like that its shaft driven. Then again less maintenance but more $$ if something goes wrong.

Still havent sold that vstar but my dad would spot me 1400 until i sold it.

Any thoughts?

[Cricket1]

Jalen-

That Nighthawk looks like a great deal. Even at $1,600 or so.  (It is chain drive)

I started on a 1985 Yamaha Maxim 700, which is very similar- except the Maxim was shaft drive. I realize this isn't your first bike, but would be a step up from the V-Star.

[ConPilot1]

I'm looking at a 1991 Honda Nighthawk. I offered 1400 and he said he'd think about it.

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3116479323.html


I kinda don't like that its shaft driven. Then again less maintenance but more $$ if something goes wrong.

Solid bikes. I wouldn't worry about it. That one looks pretty nice. Used, but not abused and obviously garage kept.

[falcofred]

I'm looking at a 1991 Honda Nighthawk. I offered 1400 and he said he'd think about it.

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/3116479323.html

I kinda don't like that its shaft driven.
Any thoughts?

One thought, you should read the ad, it states "new chain and sprockets" that means it is not shaft driven. A second thought, if you thought it was shaft, have you even seen the bike in person prior to making an offer?

[ConPilot1]

Damn it is a chain isn't it.  
Somehow I thought they were shafties too....

[falcofred]

Damn it is a chain isn't it.  
Somehow
 I thought they were shafties too....

I had an 84 Nighthawk "S"  it was shaft, 700cc bike, they manufactured them for three or four years, then dropped them. Early 90s' replaced with Nighthawk 750, chain.
The Nighthawk "S" was a great low maintenance bike, as it had shaft drive, hydraulic lifters, was air cooled. Pretty much just change the oil once and a while and put gas it it.

[Jalen]

Damn it is a chain isn't it.  
Somehow I thought they were shafties too....

Hell i cant believe i totally overlooked that. I had been told by someone else most of them were shaft driven. I didnt even notice he said that in the post. I guess i had been reading over so many of them, i just passed right by it. He said he'd be willing to take 1500 if i came today or tomorrow. I'm going to go check it out. Anything i should be aware of with this model when checking it out?
Posted on: July 03, 2012, 04:48:13 PMwent tonight and test rode the bike. Stalled it about 4 times  . Totally different from the cruiser. I didn't get to take it up to speeds as i was riding around downtown. Everything felt different, from the riding position to the shifting and braking. I noticed the clutch and front brake levers were both much....tighter than my vstar. Had to apply much more pressure. Also the rear brake appeared a little weaker than the vstar. don't know, maybe cause i didn't use the rear brake as much. I didn't really inspect the bike much as it was pretty dark and all i was thinking about was the test ride. I will probably inspect the chain and cables more closely as well as ask a few more questions about his maintenance of the bike. Overall i was impressed but will have to adjust to riding this bike for sure. settled a price at 1500.


Edit...also he said the tachometer would sometimes be a bit...."floppy"..err the dial would move too much or something like that. I didn't pay attention to it as i have never had a tachometer on a bike before. But how difficult/expensive would this be to replace/repair myself?

[Jalen]

  got it. $1500 24k miles. Chain is dirty and there is a bit of rust everywhere but carbs were definitely set right, bike runs like a champ. Well pleased.

[Mrs. DantesDame]