Z6CRX

It seems I'm never quiet happy with the car/bike I pickup. I always seem to want it to be more efficient and/or faster. Then again don't we all do things like this anyway?

Any suggestions for cheap bike, preferably under or around 3000 and somewhere in the realm of 600cc+ bigger the better, either naked bike or crotch rocket? I'm just looking for recommendations at this point. That too I'm clearing the space ahead of time.

George777

That's a broad question. What have you already ridden? What is your riding style? Do you ride for fun or is it going to be a main mode of transportation once the weather is nicer?

$3,000 and 600+cc's leaves your options pretty open. I have ridden both, and own both, crotch rockets and cruisers, and I wouldn't give either one up for the other because of the differences they give me. One is great for certain riding, and the other makes up for it in another style of riding.

Z6CRX

An early 90's GSX 1100 would be right up my alley considering i keep finding them, just not sure on rideability, but that can be sacrificed if other aspects outweigh.. Pretty much looking at older crotch rockets. I've gotten extremely comfortable with my GS500 in almost any riding condition, and for me its kind of eliminates the fun. I tend to try to explore the limits of the bike. I'm starting to drag my foot pegs and wanting more power out of corners and straights.

Pretty much the GS barely lifts the front tire and you really have to try to do it. Not that I like to have the front wheel off the ground, just want the rush from the acceleration. It's both for fun and transportation, i don't have an issue with long rides with the GS500 which has similar seating to a crotch rocket.

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phyregod

Bite the bullet and get a new literbike. any of 'em. You'll be 100% pleased.

get_nick

use your tax refund and put a good chunk down.

Z6CRX

I would do that, but I'm just trying to keep myself with a little bit of buffer when it comes to funds . Paying over 8,000 for something i can only ride half the year and depreciates quickly, not quite where I want to sink my money. Paying more for the bike than my car. I like something that requires some of work, keeps my respect for the machine, that I tend to void warranties. I don't like new because I tend to have to work out the kinks and have to be in shops every other day because something went out that I'm not allowed to fix unless I void the warranty. I do this with any electronics and sometimes even cars. Got a BMW, and the next day the electric tilt function on the seat goes out so it only goes forward.

Also I'll be 100% pleased with the bike all the way to Mexico when they find out I cant keep up the insurance with the loan. Already paying a ridiculous amount for the GS. something like +$70 a month without a loan out on it and on top of car insurance.

I've checked with other companies and they all are about the same for some reason. Probably due to my age, 22. Either that the bike is bright orange, and me just recently getting the permit. Yes I said permit because I'm waiting for warmer months to get the full license.

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austin20110

if your new to riding a sv650 would be a good route to go... and if you dont like naked a sv650s looks a little bit better

ntenc1

I have 2003 636 I'm selling. I guy will be out today to look at it. If he is not interested I'll shoot you some pics if you're interested.

$2500

Kanned

Have you gone to dealers to sit on and check out all sorts of bikes? If you have 3k, have a few people go with you to see one of those bikes you keep finding and see if they'll let you test drive it if you let them hold onto the money. If you're confident and the person seems respectful enough, that is.

NissanNiNjA2nd

Here is the truth.

Z6CRX

I should probably just stop by a dealership as you said and sit on some random bikes. I probably wont be making the purchase until just before it starts warming up around here. I'll just sit on the cash and earn $3 while I wait, or whatever the interest is. i wont have the 3k until I sell the rex though..

phyregod

Now is a great time to buy bikes! Bike dealers are ravenously hungry in the winter, and even more so during January, because everyone is recovering from christmas. Great time to get a deal. Even private sellers. Noone wakes up on a shitty cold morning and thinks "I'm going to buy a motorcycle today!".

jeffie7

Sv650

Done.

get a 1000 and odds are you'll be dead.

very few people can jump on a 1000 from the get go and stay alive, it takes a very careful rider who isn't stupid. a 1000SS bike to a new rider is like giving a 16 year old an enzo for a first car with ZERO driving aids.

It can be done, but the odds are VERY bad.

Again SV650 is a great bike plus insurance will be TONS cheaper.

George777

Not to mention the SV650 is a comfy bike to ride and still has the sporty feel to it for an extremely reasonable price.

IIRC, an SV650, brand new, is only around the $6k mark...

I happen to be a big fan of the Katana 750. That bike almost has a perfect balance between comfort and sport, and used ones can be had for pretty cheap, since most people opt for the 600 or 1000cc bikes instead of going right in the middle.

phyregod

A 650 is an irritatingly small step up from 500. He'll be bike shopping again in 2 months.

Anyway, hit ebay, there are tons of used crotch rockets to choose from. Craigslist, etc..

Celerity

I can't tell you what to buy - Because it's such a personal decision that even I have mixed feelings on just about anything.

But did you know that Buell has doubled their line-up of bikes ? The lower seat height 1200 naked is a work of art, reliable, strong and VERY easy to control.

Moving a 250 to a 600 isn't that much of a jump, honestly. They are right - for a significant expansion of capabilities, you should go with a liter plus machine.

That said, don't rule out other designs. The GS500 is an old design, with a heavy frame and traditional peg / seat / bar positioning. the newest Ninja 250 also whips the 500 in all categories, except it's a tiny, spindly little wasp of a bike. (Which I personally don't dig after my time with the 1200)

The SV lineup is one of the highest rated production lines in history. Everyone I know who has one loves theirs. The 650 Ninja is similar, everyone loves riding it.

But your first attraction to the GS500 tells me you like full fairing bikes (Which is why I won't buy an SV) or you'll like a smartly designed, compact dimension Naked bike. Again, check out the new Buell offerings, because Harley is opening the flood gates on financing and trade options to get people on them. Really amazing deals.

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Celerity

It has tinted plastics, lots of wheel color combos and those amazing Buell brakes. It's currently at the top of my new bike love-list.

phyregod

Buells are garbage. garbage. Harley is a shit company that refuses to evolve. Ever heard of a harley/buell coming out with the latest technology.. A breakthrough that will forever change they way bikes are made.. Hondas, yammys, zukis, kawis.. Very tight, light weight, finely tuned examples of the forefront of technology. Buell = 10 year old technology bolted together well enough to make it down the road in a somewhat acceptable manor.

Just thinking of owning one gives me the heebie geebies.

Celerity

Just go look at them. that's all I suggest. I know the Blast has the worst resale value equation on the market (You can't trade one in) and the 1200 is just an evolution, but the new 1200 advanced valve motor is beautiful.

It's like me saying that Ford is shit because of my 78 Fairmont. New fords are really nice.

jeffie7

The new buells are very good bikes, IMO they look like shit, but for once they were done right, only thing left harly about them is the dealerships theyre sold at, with that being said, while they're great bikes, for less you can get more with the Japanese.

Yes going from a 500 to a 650 isn't that big of a jump but going from a 500 to a 1000 is just crazy, the jump from a 500 to a 600 super sport is big enough let alone 1000...

I don't know a single person who rides a 600 on the street that can push it to its limits, its a lot more forgiving then a 1000, however I do love the 1000s because of their low torque and ease of riding when it comes to basic riding, however when they're pushed, they bite HARD. a 1000 at 10K rpm is a loaded gun at your head.

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phyregod

Fixed it for you.

Z6CRX

thanks for all the inputs on opinions for this. going to take it all into consideration. going to miss my GS500E since it already sold :-(. Beautiful orange bike. Can't complain sold within 2 days of posting and for only a margin less than what I bought it for. At that in the middle of winter and double the miles pf when i first got it.










I may settle for the 750 range, but that all depends on what I can find.

E_SolSi

just a heads up about the 750s
they tend to be a bit harder to sell (at least around here)

most new riders want to start out on a 600
and most riders who are moving up want to go 900+ and dont think a 750 will be enough of a jump

i see a lot of 750s sitting around up for sale for a long time
several dealerships around me wont take them in as trades because of the poor resale

just something to keep in mind (you sound like you are more working your way through bikes than looking for something to keep)

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МОΛΏΝ ΛΑΒΈ

Calesta

Buell reverse trike.

Honda Metropolitan with 450cc engine swap.

Calesta

Harley Davidson Leaning Trike Patent Application