motorcycle

[russ257]

So i am interested in buying a bike. I have signed up for the motorcycle saftey course and will be taking it in june. i have my eye on a 1994 Yamaha Seca II 600cc it has 23.000 miles on it. it also has a vance and hines exhaust and the carb has been jetted. its 2000 bucks. just looking for any thoughts and ideas on the subject

[Kangaroooski]

Picking up motorcycling was probably one of the best thing I have ever done for myself, its great for releaving stress. I am sure you will enjoy yourself, just be careful. $2,000 is alot of money for a bike with 23,000 miles on it, unless it is in perfect condition that is. How are the tires, brakes, chain, and battery? If any of these are not brand new I would dicker the price down. There is a web site that has a check list of stuff to look at when buying a used bike, I wish I could remember what it is, do a google search. The main things, watch for smoke, look for oil, and any other damage that looks like the bike has been put down (look mostly on the lower areas of the bike).

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by Kangaroooski »$2,000 is alot of money for a bike with 23,000 miles on it, unless it is in perfect condition that is. How are the tires, brakes, chain, and battery? If any of these are not brand new I would dicker the price down. My thoughts also. The Seca II is a nice bike, but that is alot of miles, and it's 10 years old. For a little more, you could pick up a new Kawasaki 250 Ninja. (Don't laugh....ever ride one of those????? They're a blast!)

[MJN2]

Glad to see I'm not the only one bitten by the motorcycle bug this year. Going to get a learner's permit this week. My dad is going to teach me how to ride. He's been riding for 30 years, and now he'll have a riding partner Looking at either a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 or a VTX 1300 myself. Not into sportbikes at all.

[goodvibe]

You live in PA. Ask him how he stored it in winter. A constant use bike would wear better. Vehicle don't like to sit for long periods without being fully warmed up and moved. There's a product called auto-rx that's great for cleaning out engines and freeing up the rings safely.

[russ257]

i went ver today and looked at it a little more closely and decided 2000 is way too much for this bike it did some research on buying a used bike and i can see it has been dropped before, the so the bottum fairing is cracked some, the muffler bracket is rusted, and 23,000 miles is a whole lot. so if i can get him down in price i might consider it. I dunno

[Kangaroooski]

Since your looking for a nice used 1st bike, keep an eye out for a Honda Nighthawk. Very easy to ride, nice seating position, nice power curve, very very reliable, and no intensive maintainence is needed. 1983-1985 nighthawk 650sc (this is what I had)1983-1986 nighthawk 700s (my favorite is the 86 in red, white and blue)1992-2003 nighthawk 750Just an idea from a previous nighthawk owner.

[russ257]

the nighthawks do look nice but i think i am gonna get a new bike because i dont wanna chance being screwed on a used one. ( this is assuming i get a job soon) but anyway i have narrowed it down to a buell blast or a suzuki gs500 there is a dealership that has a 2002 gs500 in stock soon so its priced to move and from looking at other boards this bike seems like it would work for my height and level of riding knowledge

[Mr. Poopypants]

The Seca II is a nice bike, I have a '92 forest green one. BUT, I bought mine with just under 8,000 miles and only paid 1,800USD. Mine doesn't have the custom exhaust or jets on it but that still seems a little steep for a bike with that many miles on it. I would say to keep looking, you can get one cheaper.

[futseal04]

IF you are going for a new bike, I recommend the Suzuki SV650S. I have an '01. It is a V-Twin, so it has good torque and is fast enough to get you in trouble without being really peaky like a 600 racer. Plus, it is capable enough once you get experienced enough that you wont get too tired of it.....(til you want an R1). It isn't too much more than a GS500 and a much better bike. (I used to sell Suzuki's as a side job, and the 650 is worth the extra cash).

[MonotoneSatellite]

Quote, originally posted by MJN2 »Glad to see I'm not the only one bitten by the motorcycle bug this year. Going to get a learner's permit this week.I too am learning to ride. I am picking up my very first bike tonight: A 2003 Buell Blast. I can't wait.

[futseal04]

Does Harley still have the deal where you buy a blast and then get what you paid for it as a trade in on a big twin? If so.....maybe an XB9/12 isnt too far off......

[russ257]

no they got rid of that deal

[savedbyzero]

Only Honda I'd buy...http://powersports.honda.com/m...R8004 "VTEC!"

[ViciousRR]

I recently sold my Honda 954 been riding since I was 6. Before that all I ever had was Honda. When looking for an used bike make sure you check everything. Forks, chain, brakes, lines and all. If you don't know alot about bikes bring someone along who does. It will save you $ and headaches. And never pay what they are asking.

[Fialchar]

Buell's are awesome bikes Anyone ever ridden a Buell Firebolt?

[ViciousRR]

Buell is alright. I never road the firebolt, but I like the engineering they did. They are just too unrealiable if you ask me, and the harley v-twin motor is nothing to be desired. Honda's RC51, Aprilia's RSV, and Ducati all make way better v-twins.

[futseal04]

Buells are pretty reliable bikes......especially with the new Evo-based motors. That is why they have a new longer warranty. They did their testing to 100000 mile durability requirements, versus 50000 of other makes. THey have 2 rev limiters, a soft and a hard, to help engine longevity. The soft one kicks in about 3 seconds into the yellow zone, where the hard one kicks in at the redline.Having owned a Harley Big twin (before i lost it when i divorced Satan), i can say that HD's reliabliity is right up there with the Jap bikes. (And i rode mine...never trailered.) It just depends on what kind of bike you want....a torquer that hits hard at low RPM's, or a high winding screamer that you have to keep the tach above 7000.

[russ257]

well i finished my saftey course and now i really want a bike. all i need is a job first and then i am set.

[Kangaroooski]

Congrats, take your time and enjoy shopping for your cycle. Don't settle, find one that is exactly what you want. Good Luck.Keep the rubber side down!