Nineball posted:

I want to get a scooter fairly soon (as in within the next few months) for my own personal transportation for when I don't need to do anything particularly intense or go too far, and I've been interested in the Honda Metropolitan. I found what I think is a deal on craigslist (http://houston.craigslist.org/mcd/2803088048.html) and I contacted the dealer about it and he said that it the original owner brought it in for a tune up but sold it back to them instead, so they're selling it with warranty and it's more or less new.

I'm fairly new to this and want to avoid making any sort of dumb mistakes if I can help it, so I was wondering if there's any advice to be given?

Endless Mike posted:

I was considering a Triumph for my next bike (not a Daytona) but mootmoot is turning me off the whole brand

Crazy Banter posted:

I feel like a dick for dropping in 200 pages into this, but I am looking at Honda Shadows these days and want some opinions

...

I did find a 2000 Shadow Sabre 1100 for $2500, which seems to put it within what I would consider the right price, and it is the best priced by at least 1000 bucks for the same year when compared to everything else.

What should I look out for when I go to check this out? And what other cruisers should I be looking at? I don't know other models very well, coming from sportbikes. I like the cruiser, but if it gets too heavy or looks like a huge tourer bike with the large fairings, I don't like it.

Zubumafoo posted:

He's looking at an old cruiser/standard and you recommend a Daytona? And as a (I'm assuming) first bike?

Jesus Christ.

Gnaghi posted:

Ducati Panigale.

Zubumafoo posted:

Holy hell, I was just checking out the specs for that bike. 195 hp? I can't even comprehend that.

Snowdens Secret posted:

Don't be turned off, the Bonneville is a great retro bike, the Street/Speed Triples are a ton of fun at reasonable prices, the aftermarket and rider mod communities are solid, even the Daytona's top notch for its crotch rockety class. Not all of us Triumph riders are raging asshats.

Crazy Banter posted:

I feel like a dick for dropping in 200 pages into this, but I am looking at Honda Shadows these days and want some opinions

After looking around I decided I wanted the bigger motor, either a 750 or 1100, because I am a fat rear end and would be doing a lot of highways miles. I've ridden for about 5 years now, though since I sold my bike and moved its been much rarer. Started on a Yamaha Seca II for 2.5 years, then semi shared a CBR600RR with my brother. It seems though, that in my area people really over value these bikes, just based on kbb/nada prices, although I know those aren't always exact.

I did find a 2000 Shadow Sabre 1100 for $2500, which seems to put it within what I would consider the right price, and it is the best priced by at least 1000 bucks for the same year when compared to everything else.

What should I look out for when I go to check this out? And what other cruisers should I be looking at? I don't know other models very well, coming from sportbikes. I like the cruiser, but if it gets too heavy or looks like a huge tourer bike with the large fairings, I don't like it.

americanzero4128 posted:

Just curious, where are you located it? I just bought a 1999 shadow spirit 1100 for $2750 with 15k miles which was, for central IL, pretty cheap. Weight wise, I didn't think it was much heavier than the shadow vlx 600 I owned previous.

As for what to look for, besides what was mentioned previously, see if it comes with a windshield or not. The one I bought came with a Memphis fat windshield that is easily removeable, which is roughly $300 extra. I really like the removeable windshield. I don't use it when I'm cruising around town, but if I'm on the interstate, its great.

This is all posted from my phone so its kind of short, I'll try to think of some other things and post them tonight.

Zubumafoo posted:

I'm curious, what's CA's opinion of the Street Triple? I'm definitely not looking to buy anything new this year, or maybe not even next year, but I like to plan ahead. This would be my second bike, coming from a CB650 Nighthawk. I was kind of looking for something with more power, but still keeping a semi naked/standard aesthetic.

I realize it's a whole different animal than what I'm riding now, but I feel like it's a good upgrade in power, agility, etc without going too overboard.

Zubumafoo posted:

I'm curious, what's CA's opinion of the Street Triple? I'm definitely not looking to buy anything new this year, or maybe not even next year, but I like to plan ahead. This would be my second bike, coming from a CB650 Nighthawk. I was kind of looking for something with more power, but still keeping a semi naked/standard aesthetic.

I realize it's a whole different animal than what I'm riding now, but I feel like it's a good upgrade in power, agility, etc without going too overboard.

FileNotFound posted:

I own a 2009 Triumph Sprint ST ABS.

Here are 10 things you need to know before you buy a Sprint:

1. They depreciate worse than any other major brand. I paid $6,700 for a 2009 with 6k miles on it this spring. Do not buy a new Triumph, it will be worth half in 2 years.
2. Build Quality is iffy. You will have stupid issues like bolts that are cross-threaded from the factory, wires that are stripped too far and stick out of connectors, bearings that are not greased and hoses that are not clamped down tightly.
3. Any part you want no mater how seemingly common it ought to be will require a 2-5 week wait and parts are not cheap.
4. There is virtually zero aftermarket support for Sprints, be it seats or exhausts, your choices are limited and expensive.
5. Triumph loves Special Triumph Tools. You'll have to deal with 46mm sockets, massive snap rings, and giant torx screws. Expect lots of show stoppers the first time if you do your own repairs/service.
6. Triumph service procedures require replacing tons of reusable parts like said snap rings, screws, seals etc. Those parts are stupidly expensive and your dealer will happily perform all service by the book.
7. As a result of the above your 12k mile service will cost $800 at a dealer.
8. There are no truly good maintenance manuals. The Haynes is terrible. The online community doesn't have many how-to guides.
9. Sprint instrument panel sucks. Your speed display is analog with impossible to read numbers, your digital display is worthless and can only display one thing at a time (IE: Time, Distance to Empty, AVG MPG, etc).
10. The Sprint online community is awful. Seriously - it's a bunch of old guys circle-jerking each other and squelching any discussion they don't like because one of them is a mod. You'll see the same 5-7 guys posting over and over and over and dog piling anyone else.

With that said, the Sprint is a fantastic bike and by far the sportiest sport touring bike you can get. It's cheap compared to other bikes and if you do the maintenance yourself it's not expensive to own. It was half as expensive as any other bike that I was excited about. I absolutely love the bike, I just wish it didn't spend 4 weeks of the summer waiting for replacement parts.

Snowdens Secret posted:

That does mean that community will be full of bros telling you to throw on some spikes and chrome rimmz, but that's how most sportbike-specific forums are.

Zubumafoo posted:

Sorry, mootmoot has fallen sideways into the well.

Snowdens Secret posted:

I recently got in an argument with some dude on the TriumphRAT Speed Triple forum where he was trying to convince people to darkside their literbike nakeds to save on tire costs. Sometimes you just want to scream and cover your eyes and hustle back to the relative sanity of CA

thylacine posted:

I'm knew to all this.. what does "darkside" mean?

Splizwarf posted:

Looks like it's about running car tires on motorcycles.

Gay Nudist Dad posted:

Korwen posted:

Is there any reason you're not looking for a Kawi Ninja 250 or a SV650?

Gay Nudist Dad posted:

I cringe every time I hear someone else say it, but I want something bigger than a 250. I am keeping my eyes open for SV650s, but most that turn up are just a bit more than I want to spend.

Ziploc posted:

What are the price of Bandits where you are? They might not be as sought after as SV650s. But their semi-rarity causes weird prices.

Gay Nudist Dad posted:

I guess basically what I'm asking is:
-How justified are my concerns about 30-year-old bikes w/r/t brakes, suspension, etc.?

Hypnolobster posted:

I personally want to move into doing fire roads and other dual sport types of things while doing 75% road. The other two people both share this opinion but are considering getting Ninja 250's for the time being. I'm fairly okay with that idea. A nice little acceptably powered street bike would be fantastic. I don't know how well a Ninja would respond to 2 month trip level of packing (lightweight backpacking gear included) with 6' tall 160-180lb guys, though. Both in weight and in gear existing that will hold that on a Ninja.

Hypnolobster posted:

I'm sort of drawn to a KLR650. As far as I can tell, it's perfect for the kind of riding I'd like to eventually do. Does great on the highway (as far as I've read, anyway) and will happily handle boring offroad, not very muddy at all stuff.
It's also really tall and fairly heavy (and expensive compared to a Ninja), and the absolute last thing I want to do is gently caress up my learning experience. I don't know how idiotic a 2" drop and street oriented tires would improve that.

Hypnolobster posted:

I honestly don't know what else to look at. I've thought about the KLX250SF, WR250X, CRF230M, DRZ400SM and probably a few more I'm forgetting. All sort of discounted for reasons like highway stability (or ability to actually go highway speeds without worrying), tiny fuel tank, hard to find/expensive or something else similar

Hypnolobster posted:

I think I want something that will handle the gear for long trips, be totally stable and happy at highway speeds and preferably be able to do some light offroad. A decent range is pretty important, although I keep telling myself that a 2.5 gallon aux tank on the tail of the bike makes supermoto's a viable option.

I'm also terrified of power and don't know if I could possibly trust myself with any kind of real power/weight ratio. The KLR seems fine, but it's also a big heavy thumper. Something like a DRZ400SM seems terrifying.

Hypnolobster posted:

I keep coming back to either a KLR650, or just buying a Ninja 250, learning how to ride and then selling it in favor of something I can go ride around in Alaska with.

Hypnolobster posted:

So, myself, little brother and best friend want to get into motorcycles, and more specifically into riding really really long distances to places that are not Ohio.

I personally want to move into doing fire roads and other dual sport types of things while doing 75% road. The other two people both share this opinion but are considering getting Ninja 250's for the time being. I'm fairly okay with that idea. A nice little acceptably powered street bike would be fantastic. I don't know how well a Ninja would respond to 2 month trip level of packing (lightweight backpacking gear included) with 6' tall 160-180lb guys, though. Both in weight and in gear existing that will hold that on a Ninja.

I'm sort of drawn to a KLR650. As far as I can tell, it's perfect for the kind of riding I'd like to eventually do. Does great on the highway (as far as I've read, anyway) and will happily handle boring offroad, not very muddy at all stuff.
It's also really tall and fairly heavy (and expensive compared to a Ninja), and the absolute last thing I want to do is gently caress up my learning experience. I don't know how idiotic a 2" drop and street oriented tires would improve that.

I honestly don't know what else to look at. I've thought about the KLX250SF, WR250X, CRF230M, DRZ400SM and probably a few more I'm forgetting. All sort of discounted for reasons like highway stability (or ability to actually go highway speeds without worrying), tiny fuel tank, hard to find/expensive or something else similar.

I think I want something that will handle the gear for long trips, be totally stable and happy at highway speeds and preferably be able to do some light offroad. A decent range is pretty important, although I keep telling myself that a 2.5 gallon aux tank on the tail of the bike makes supermoto's a viable option.

I'm also terrified of power and don't know if I could possibly trust myself with any kind of real power/weight ratio. The KLR seems fine, but it's also a big heavy thumper. Something like a DRZ400SM seems terrifying.

I keep coming back to either a KLR650, or just buying a Ninja 250, learning how to ride and then selling it in favor of something I can go ride around in Alaska with.

Long winded post.

e: Another retarded part of me wants to go find a $1000 XT225 or something similar and just learn/commute on it for a while. This seems dumb too.

Ryen Deckard posted:

Pretty much a complete newbie when it comes to riding and scooters, so I'm hoping for some decent advice here.

I've heard the Honda Elite is a great scooter without needing a motorcycle license, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I had to sell my car a few months ago, and the bus routes in Orlando are not good at all, so I'm looking for something that's cheap, that I can drive around for very little, etc.

Anyway, this just popped up on my local craigslist - http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/2774063193.html and to me it looks pretty good, but again I'm not at all knowledgeable on what to look for or to expect with a scooter.

Only thing I'm concerned about is rain, but I'm assuming with proper equipment and a poncho I should be alright, rain gets pretty vicious in florida.

But any advice, suggestions, etc would be fantastic. Just know I'm most likely going to be getting a scooter in the next month or so, so if anybody wants to suggest their favorite scooter please do.

I'm sure this doesn't need to be said, but just oh god no Chinese shits.

Gay Nudist Dad posted:

First, let me plug The Scooter Megathread. It fell onto the second page

Second, I'm really suspicious of not needing a motorcycle endorsement/license for an 80cc. In every state I've heard info for, the cutoff is 50cc (usually with other limits, too, like 30mph). That CL listing says the Elite 80 is the only 80cc bike that can be ridden without an endorsement? Is there something special about it?

Third, $1,200 is a lot of money for a 12 year old 80cc scooter. Honda Elites are good, and reliable, and there are tons of parts because they made them for like 25 years.

The 107 miles thing is actually a potential problem. Of course, it will need new oil (engine + final drive, $10 DIY). With all that time of disuse, the gas will have turned to poo poo and possibly hosed up the tank or other parts of the fuel system. The tires will need to be replaced, because 12-year-old rubber is worthless ($35/ea + labor). Other rubber bits in the engine and elsewhere may have dried out from disuse as well. And once you get it on the road you'll have to baby it while it breaks in, probably for ~500 more miles. The tires and oil are guarantees, the rest of this is just likely.

I'd pass. $1,200 can probably find you a newer 50cc that is as fast or maybe even faster - particularly if its 2-stroke - and will likely need less.

Ryen Deckard posted:

Thanks a ton for the prompt response, and I've been checking out the scooter megathread. Can you suggest anything decent then? I would love to get a motorcycle endorsement, but this scooter is going to be for my girlfriend and myself to use as transportation, and 380$ for two motorcycle endorsements is a bit more than we can spend right now (on top of a vehicle).

It's not out of the realm of possibility, especially since my parents are talking about co-signing a loan for this purchase, but it's not in the cards right now.