O/T Cycle advice to a first timer...

[sentinelT]

Figurin since I don't have a project (or garage even) to play around with, I'm lookin into buyin' my first motorcycle this summer to have some fun toyin with. Don't need much, just something for a round town cruiser with some style. I've checked out a couple, Honda Shadow aero and the Yamaha vstar Classic. Just something for me to have fun on...

Anyone out there who know's better than me got any advice for a first timer?

[burndup]

70's and early 80's yamaha XS 650... paid a LOT for mine at $400. See Hatch's, mines gonna end up similar. Its a poor man's triumph... I dont have a garage either!

[Tman]

Hey little brother, whats funny is mom thinks its ok and dad is against it! That 650 Yamaha is a good bike, lots of hop up parts out there. They turn into Cafe racers pretty well. Thats the same bike dad had a few years ago. What you REALLY should do is go over to Shakopee and visit Sportwheels. Last time I checked he had several Triumphs and BSAs in various conditions. Also keeps a huge stock of Jap stuff.

Hell, I'd sell you my 500Twin even...it does need to be gone through.

[caffeine]

xs650's are nice and cheap and so are beezers. can put something nice together fairly cheap.

[Boyd Who]

The two bikes you listed are newer ones. If that's what you'd like, look for a Kawasaki Vulcan 800. Try to find one 1997 or newer (better gearing). Of the mid-sized v-twin cruisers they have the most power. I have one (a '96) and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[DrDano]

sentinelT, find yourself an old XS650 like Burndup did or a 750 triple/GS1000. I have one too and they positively rock. Tons of power, chopper/bobber frames readily availible and endless possibilities for turning it into bobber/chopper/cafe racer/dumpy bar hopper etc. They are great bikes and I will never part with mine. Always starts, outruns a standard moped and there are still companies making replacement parts for them (Check out Mikes XS - local yamaha dealer wanted $38 for brake pads, MIkes were $8. ok, my one prop on this post). Give the XS/GS models a look. I too paid a grand total of $400 for mine with a rebuilt motor and trans!

[Spitfire1776]

Yamaha all the way. I worked at a Honda dealer once. Parts were way more expensive than Yammi. An acquaintance just got a 97 Shadow though, and he loves it. Bulletproof.

I'll always say go with a Limey first over a Jap though. Look for a Meridian Triumph Legend. Their a little more expensive but you'll be happy.

[sentinelT]

Thanks guys. Really don't know whether i want to go new or work a bit on something older. One of the new ones im lookin at is shaft drive, which just seems like if something went wrong it would suck to fix, anyone know anymore bout these? I would really dig a triumph, but i checked around and there just aren't any available round here. Tman, where's that place in shakopee, im actually headin through there this weekend. Like I said, my only real priority is just to have something fun with some style, that way i look really strange riding with my crotch rocket friends in a college town http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif...

Oh, and what the hell is up with mom diggin the bike idea but dad hatin it, she's gettin cooler with age http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Kerry]

I had a Yamaha 650 vertical twin years ago an the guy are right. Lots of power. The one I had had the most intense head shake I ever experienced right at 100 mph. I didn't have the guts to try and keep going to see if it would get any better at higher speeds. Other than that it was a great bike. I think I had $225 invested in it.

[colorado51]

Maybe look at the Ducati 600 Monster.

[brewsir]

Whatever you get I would highly reccomend a motorcycle training class...I've been riding for about 18 years on the street (many more off) and have taken 3...trust me...you learn a lot about how to save your ass!

[sentinelT]

Yeah, definately gonna cover my bases before i start riding. Only ridden dirt bikes until now, gonna take a class at the end of may, know too many dumbasses who hopped on their new bikes (albeit crotch rockets) and tipped them over in a week because of their stupid pride, its just not cool to take a class to them...

[burndup]

If my old, abused, bitchslapped 24 yr old honda cb900 is good for any sort of example, things DON'T EVER go wrong with shaft drives... Maybe I'll change the 24 yr old oil in the diff(?) this week... naah, it can wait... too busy...

[D Picasso]

what Brewsir said.
go find yourself a few issues of Classic Bike. there's all kinds of different bikes in the world. don't overlook old Honda CB's, specifically CB550/4's. they are a great first bike, and one that you will likely keep because they're so darn good.

[Tman]

Give me a call little bro. Brent is looking at buying my CB500T and his CB550 4 cylinder will be for sale cheap! Also, Tim from Acme has a couple Honda 4s that are for sale.

Thanks for the good input here guys, Todd is my one and only little brother.

[Tman]

Oh yeah, Sportwheels is south of Shakopee on 169. Down by the Rennasaince Festival on the East side of the road. You do know that dad will understand if you buy a Triumph Bonneville? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif He had one in 67?

[sentinelT]

Tman, remember, i am bigger than you... Ill get ahold of you this weekend to check up on those bikes, im waitin to get one til june though. Been thinkin it might be fun to work on a cafe racer of sorts since its just gonna be round town ridin(who needs comfort?), plus that would be an endeavor i could handle, considerin i do have a small garage startin in june, give me a chance to do some work of my own and play around throwin down some paint of my own..

[burndup]

CB 550? aw heck, get the 900 or the 1000! They're so freakin fast, it'll SCARE you into riding responsibly! Cheap too.