I need a bike to learn?

[sackcheck]

How yall doing? First post, an important one for too.

I got a problem I need a bike to learn on and that will last me for a few years? I've looked into GS500's and EX500's but since I'm on a budget of $1200 max, I'm forced to find that craigslist special. I've only ridden a few bikes in my life last one being A Kawi 125 that they had at the MSF class. One of my concerns is that I'm 6'? mostly legs and wondering what bikes are comfy to ride. I've been looking into this radian 600 but never seen it up close so I dont know what I'm in for. Does anybody have any suggestions on any other bike I should be looking for? And I know that theres a lot of classic CB's out there but I need something I'm not going to get bored with down the line.

[hayabusafiend]

Motorcycling isn't a cheap sport:
- bike
- jacket
- gloves
- helmet
- insurance
- tires

With alot of searching you can find a GS500 or EX500 for $1200, but in my experience it will likely need a new air filter ($10), new spark plugs ($10) and new tires ($150).

Take someone with you who is mechanically inclined and preferably who also rides.

I recommend the EX500 since it has a full windscreen, water cooling and stiffer forks and rear shock springs.

[hayabusafiend]

Correction:
A riding buddy has put his completed project bike up for sale. I helped him work on it and can attest to the good running condition.

Note: The valves in this bike are hydraulic and never need adjustment.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/308468975.html

1985 Nighthawk 650 CB650SC for sale - $1500 (sunset / parkside)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: sale-308468975@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-04-08, 9:06PM PDT


The time has come to get rid of the project bike. It is a 1985 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC. Prior to me obtaining it, the bike had not been touched for five years. I have gotten the bike fully running in the past few months and have been using it for a commuter bike this winter. The mileage is a bit over 28,200. It had 27,200 or so when I received the bike. I have put nearly 1000 miles on it since getting it functioning. The gas tank has no dents in it but does have a couple scratches in the paint.
The bike has a side stand and a center stand which lifts the bike perfectly upright and lifts the rear wheel off the ground. It is very useful for maintenance.
It is a shaft drive, lower maintenance than a chain drive. The shaft drive oil needs to be changed every year or other year.

What has been done to it in the past few months...
- Oil change
- Shaft drive oil change
- Carb cleaning
- Spark plug change
- Tire change. The current tires have 1000 miles on them
- Front brake pad change
- Brake fluid change
- Clutch fluid change (the bike has a hydraulic clutch)
- Fork seal and oil replacement
- Replacement of the brushes in the starter motor (one of them had broken apart)
- New battery
- The bike is registered until Feb 2008 and I have the title in hand. The title is clean.

The bad.
- The fuel gauge and the gear indicator LCDs do not work anymore. I do not know why and have not investigated. I do have a packet of information about troubleshooting dashboard problems.
- The paint has faded pretty seriously on the fuel tank
- I replaced the seat with one that was in much better condition than the one that it had one it when I received it. The replacement seat had writing in wax pencil on it. I have been able to remove the majority of the writing but it is still visible on the seat

The bike comes with the Clymers manual (repair manual), shaft drive oil, a replacement clutch lever that is slightly bent, replacement front brake lines (from another bike I owned). It also actually has the original tool kit from Honda which has some random tools in it.

Please contact me at the e-mail above or 510-684-8408. Ask for John.

[YanaBanana]

:newbie

Good luck shopping! If you don't get the above bike, take a day and visit a dozen local dealers/shops to check out their used inventories - many get older trade-ins. ;)

Talk to the locals there or to anyone you find on a parked bike at a coffee shop, etc. - see if they let you sit on it to see how it feels, ask their feedback on it, etc..

You can always get more input here on Barf in the General Forum, or help with tech stuff in the Garage Forum. :)

+1 on the gear & insurance too! :thumbup

Yana:banana

[sackcheck]

I picked up a 1989 Yamaha Radian yesterday, with a few carb problems but is running and registered. Thanks!

[Bootsykay]

:newbie

Congratulations on your new bike. :ride

Ride safe and have fun :barfing

[sackcheck]

Thanks!