Requesting advice on purchasing a used motorbike

[Cronus Protagonist]

What's a good brand and model to get used? I only need a commuter bike... not munch touring and I don't care much about keeping up with teh Jones's. I've ridden before, so size isn't an issue, but I don't think I need anything bigger than a 250-750cc.

I have a 1985 Honda Rebel in my sights for $1600 - only 3000 miles on it, which seems like a good deal. Is it? Is this a girl's bike? I'm 6 feet tall, built like a tank. Would this bike be too small for me?

I have to borrow some of the money, and I can't spend much on maintenance either. Can anyone give me some good advice so I don't waste my hard earned savings?

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. recommend GS550 or SV650. Both Suzuki.

I would not buy a bike smaller than 400cc.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. I see a few of these for sale

Why not smaller than 400cc? I'll just be traveling within ten miles of home. Do you think I need a bigger bike doe my size (270 lbs)

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. a) Once you have a bike, you'll want to go on longer trips.

b) one of the main safety attributes of a motorcycle is the ability to get away from cages with oblivious operators. That means good brakes and decent power.
c) yes, size is a factor too. 50 hp should be a minimum.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/middleweight_motorcycle_comparison/index.html

Choice of bike is subjective, but If you do buy ANY bike, take the MSF course.
http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

[Gold Metal Flake]

10. "Choice of bike is subjective, but If you do buy ANY bike, take the MSF course."

+1 million.


http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

[handmade34]

3. I am a short woman

(5') and the Honda Rebel is just right for me. I used to drive a Honda CMT 400 and I think something like that would be better for you... and you probably could find a better deal on an older one.

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. Thank you!

I haven't been to test drive it yet, and it's so hard to tell what size a bike is from pics... Almost all the pics I see on the net have female riders (and they look damn good on the Rebel), so I was concerned it might be too little for a man of my *ahem* stature. lol I'll look for the bike you recommended... let's see if I can find one of them in my area. :P

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. Another Suzuki, the VS800 aka S50.

Cruiser styling with sport bike V twin. Close to 50MPG (mine gets 48). Great on the freeway. Handles well when equipeed with Metzler 880s. Your largish frame would look fine on it. In production from 1987 to 2009, there are plenty of parts and aftermarket accessories available. Does mid to low 13s so you will have no problem riding with friends on hogs.

[Cronus Protagonist]

6. That's a beauty!

I like the styling a lot. Awesome bike. Now, if I can find one in my price range.... :P

[Gold Metal Flake]

9. Mine is a '94. I bought it with 8900 miles for $1800 last year.

Since then I have replaced the clutch, the tires and a fuel line and I am close to 16000 miles. Gas & go, gas & go. It's just an epic bike.

The price I paid is not untypical. It's not a Harley so it's not overpriced. A great bargain! Keep an eye out (Craigslist!) and you will surely find a deal on one.

Info: From 1987 to 1991 it was known as the VS750 with a smaller engine. The 800cc engine is the one to have so look for 1992 or newer. In 2005(ish?) the bike got a one-piece seat, drag bars and a new name, S50 Boulevard. Otherwise it's the same as the VS800. The bike is powerful but the power band is higher than an American V twin so it's easy on the throttle and one never feels out of control. It's light at 480 lbs yet I have no problem passing big rigs or riding in the SoCal winds. Certainly the Metzler 880 tires are a huge improvement over the original Bridgestones (I also went up one size in width on both front and rear). It's a great motorcycle for new riders.

Issues: The forward cam chain has a tendency to make noise, a tapping sound. That is across all years and mine has it too. Lean angle clearance is not the greatest but still good (better than my friend's Harleys).

[Dyler Turden]

7. I've been riding A Suzuki Burgman 650 since April

And have been really impressed by it. No clutch, plenty of storage and will leave most Sportsters in the dust. Will cruise all day at 90 and tool about town as well.

[Fumesucker]

11. A Rebel (250?) is going to be small for you and you'll feel cramped..

One of the reasons you see so many Rebels on the used market is that people buy them as learners and then "outgrow" them very quickly.

I personally don't like the "cruiser" seating position, unless you have a windshield the wind blast at any significant speed will have you holding the grips to keep from being blown backward. A slight forward lean of the torso is easiest to ride at freeway speeds without a fairing or windshield.

A standard or "universal Japanese motorcycle" is probably the best all around type of bike.. Most of the Japanese bikes are pretty good and reliable but they almost all have their quirks, I would thoroughly research any potential purchase on the web to see what the likely failure modes are, some are quite expensive and difficult to repair and getting parts for older bikes can be highly problematic, many Honda dealers for instance won't repair any bikes beyond a certain age and your 1985 model is likely past that point. I suspect that other makes are probably the same way, the dealers won't repair them past a certain age.

[Cronus Protagonist]

15. I'm in Southern California, so the weather is nice and the freeways go at about 25 miles an hour

So I hope the wind isn't much of a factor. I remember hanging onto a bike I rode at 75 miles an hour into a windy rainstorm... it was hairy to say the least (not on a Rebel, but on a Honda CB250)!

Good points about the Rebel, which I will take into consideration. I found a Rebel that someone wants $1600 for, which has only 3000 miles original on it. It seems like a good deal due to the cherry condition and the super low mileage. As for the low rider seat, I am a little concerned about it, but not so much because I don't commute and this bike will just be used for running errands locally.

I'm kinda scared to buy a bike, even a newer one, with say 40,000 miles on it (at my budget, circa $1500, we're talking old and very used) because I'm worried that I'll spend all my cash on buying it and might have to come up with expensive repairs very soon and I'll be too broke to fix a bike that needs expensive repairs.

I also see a lot of bikes on the market with fishy titles, "selling it for a friend" and such like, which makes me even more queasy!

[Ganja Ninja]

12. I rode a Rebel when I took my motorcycle safety course.

They are hard to find neutral in. It's a common problem with them. Personally I would look at a new Kymco/Honda/Suzuki scooter if you can finance it. You should get a 250 cc or larger if you want to keep up with traffic easily.

[Cronus Protagonist]

14. Thanks for the info on the gears

I've had that gear problem on a Honda CB250 that I had back in Scotland. However, I can't buy new at this time since my credit is shot with the economy.... this is my recovery plan for transport since I cannot afford a car. My budget is $1500 so a new scooter is out of the question.

[snooper2]

13. Yamaha V-Star 650- 50mpg, low maint., still looks sharp

Don't know where you are in LA but there's a bunch out there...

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1999-Yamaha-V-Star-650-97617268

[Cronus Protagonist]

16. That is a sweet bike too!

It's out of my price range, though. Well, maybe if I borrow some cash from a friend... (eek!)

And thanks for the link to that web site - I'm going to tool around on it today.

[snooper2]

19. Another good one (I was bored on this conf. call :) )

1987 HONDA magna 750 Motorcycle in Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 - $1,699
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1987-Honda-Magna-750-97310727

[Cronus Protagonist]

20. Damn! That's a nice bike too!

And close to my price range! I'm going to call on that one.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

17. Can you find a Honda Rebel 450?

Honda only made them for a year or so, around 1986. It would have enough power to haul you around.

[Cronus Protagonist]

18. I wish!

I would love to see one for sale. I've been looking at bikes for a week now, several times a day. Haven't seen one. I think the 250 should be ok for me for now. It's my first bike after a 25 year hiatus, and all my earlier bikes were 250cc or less - of course that was in Britain where the power levels of motor vehicles are held to a different standard!

I did find a Rebel 250, cherry, with only 3000 original miles on it for $1600. High price, but man, it's totally cherry. I'm so leaning towards that bike it's feeling like the beginning of a love affair!! lol