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TheNothingNew posted:Here's my deal, though: I want a quiet low-maintenance standard, 650cc or less, 65 hp or less, for cheap. Not spending a lot on my first bike. All the bikes you list on your "gently caress it" list are fine starter bikes. Honda CX500s and Buell Blasts are pretty low maintenance standard bikes too. I noticed a few CXs on your craigslist. You're going to have a rough time finding something worthwhile and low-maintenance for under $2000 with a shaft drive that isn't a cruiser though. I'd also bet a beer that just about any 30-year-old bike with four 30-year-old carburetors is going to need more fiddly maintenance than a 15-20 year old twin with a chain. A chain will last like 15,000 miles no problem but I agree they suck (get something with a belt, I am only half-joking). For newbie-style street riding on a newbie-friendly bike, I am not sure how much you need to worry about having two discs up front. Especially when maintenance scales pretty linearly with quantity of brakes - and you're after low-maintenance. With a newer bike like some of the ones you list, they'll also tend to be lighter, mitigating the need for massive braking force; those older ones run two discs because they have to. Basically, I'd look for something a little newer with two cylinders that has been reasonably maintained and worry less about whether it has a chain.
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Apr 23, 2013 19:33
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TheNothingNew posted:Forgot to bookmark this last time, then couldn't find it. Thanks. How about a Buell Blast, they're dirt cheap, have a belt instead of a chain, and should be really easy to find in Wisconsin of all places.
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Apr 23, 2013 20:12
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Pokey Araya posted:It's your first bike, not your last. Valid point. I do have gear, and am budgeting separately for real gloves and boots. Insurance should be next to nothing. Inspection... crap. Always something you forget, right? Snowdens Secret & n8r posted:Chains are easy! I did have the wrong idea, apparently. Just wanted one less thing to worry about, you know? M42 posted:You can't find a ninja 250 for less than 2k in Milwaukee? [...] How long have you spent looking? Since being told that all bikes as old as I am are poo poo. So, maybe 3 hours. M42 posted:Relax a little, you seem really wound up about it. More so than I should be, yeah. I'd go for a walk, but it's pissing down right now. Halo_4am posted:Hello future 80's bike lover with a now $2k budget. Chitown's a bit of a drive from Milwaukee but I still have this bike for sale: http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3119867&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=34#post407378172 Appreciate it, but I don't like v-twins. Luck to you with your sale. clutchpuck posted:All the bikes you list on your "gently caress it" list are fine starter bikes. Honda CX500s and Buell Blasts are pretty low maintenance standard bikes too. I noticed a few CXs on your craigslist. I'd love to add a Honda to the list, but one that ended production in 1983 doesn't quite fit the bill. Pretty, though. The weight-brakes thing makes a serious amount of sense, thanks. Hadn't looked at belt-drive bikes at all. Didn't think they were very common. Anything 1990s beginner-friendly belt drive you can think of? High Protein posted:How about a Buell Blast, they're dirt cheap, have a belt instead of a chain, and should be really easy to find in Wisconsin of all places. Because Harley. Also I've heard nothing but bad things about them, but mainly: gently caress Harley. Wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone. Sometimes I need my head smacked a bit.
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Apr 23, 2013 20:21
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Maybe you'll be able to find a BMW F650CS within your budget? Also, hating Harley doesn't preclude owning a Buell, heck most Buell owners hate Harley for killing the brand.
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Apr 23, 2013 20:28
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Just to be clear, shaft drives aren't maintenance-free, they're just maintenance-less-often. The biggest advantage is that you can ride in the rain without worrying about washing your lube off. On a 30 year old bike there's decent odds the shaft drive will need some maintenance. Same goes for belts.
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Apr 23, 2013 20:41
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TheNothingNew posted:Hadn't looked at belt-drive bikes at all. Didn't think they were very common. Anything 1990s beginner-friendly belt drive you can think of? The Buell Blast and Savage 650/Boulevard S40 pretty much exhaust the list. But "gently caress Harley" and "hell no", respectively. You know for somebody who hasn't even got their first bike and has a tight budget, you have a lot of firm requirements and non-starters. Snowdens Secret posted:Just to be clear, shaft drives aren't maintenance-free, they're just maintenance-less-often. The biggest advantage is that you can ride in the rain without worrying about washing your lube off. On a 30 year old bike there's decent odds the shaft drive will need some maintenance. Same goes for belts. Yep, all bikes no matter what need some maintenance on a regular basis. You can't weasel out of that.
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Apr 23, 2013 20:49
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I"m bothered by a lot of this discussion. Bikes are unfuckingbelievably simple. A 1982 GS650, provided you find an unmolested bike, is going to be really damned reliable. Same for a CB650. Or a GS850. Or a GS1100. Or FJ1200. Or any of a few dozen other bike models. Just do "normal" maintance, and they'll treat you with above normal reliability. Buell Blasts have a very poor reputation for reliability. For a variety of reasons, oil leaks, transmission trouble, electrical issues. They're bad bikes from all reports. The GS650 has closer to 70hp, than 60. Bikes, in general are maintenance heavy machines. Replacing clutch cables, throttle cables, brake pads, fork seals... If you want truly low maintenance, you're looking at scooters.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:10
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Yeah, I have a friend who is bike shopping now and I keep telling him that age and mileage doesn't mean much to a degree, how the bike was kept and used makes a much bigger difference. He was writing off 80s and higher mileage bikes without a second glance and I think it's a mistake. I'm not saying every one is going to be good, but they're at least worth seeing in person. If that guy has been riding and maintaining that GS650 (and it looks good in person obviously) I'd take it over a low mileage mid 90s gs500 that had been sitting for 5 or 10 years.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:18
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The biggest problem is that as a first-time buyer you don't know what looks or sounds wrong at point of sale and you're going to have a harder time noticing or understanding when something does go wrong until you get proficient. This is much less of an issue if you have someone experienced to look at the bike with you and check up on it every now and then after purchase.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:24
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NothingNew has to be either an engineer, programmer, or IT guy.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:27
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Definitely an engineer.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:28
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Here poo poo I would consider after a simple $2000 search, not familiar with the area, so I have no idea on drive times. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3760374097.html Honda Sabre http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3757375681.html Ninja: If you like/dont mind the school bus look  http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3721386524.html Ninja and if you don't have a problem with a 500+ pound, $2500 bike http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3738004367.html Pokey Araya fucked around with this message at 21:37 on Apr 23, 2013 |
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Apr 23, 2013 21:35
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TheNothingNew posted:Valid point. I do have gear, and am budgeting separately for real gloves and boots. So, how about we not play Fido Barks the Numbers? What bike do you want to buy? Buy it. Done.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:56
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^^Thanks for solving the thread there, guy.^^Snowdens Secret posted:The biggest problem is that as a first-time buyer you don't know what looks or sounds wrong at point of sale and you're going to have a harder time noticing or understanding when something does go wrong until you get proficient. This is much less of an issue if you have someone experienced to look at the bike with you and check up on it every now and then after purchase. This right here. New, and no support network. Pokey Araya posted:NothingNew has to be either an engineer, programmer, or IT guy. Former IT. nsaP posted:Definitely an engineer. I wish. I'm a butcher, now. Trying to get into technical writing, which kind of closes that gap with engineering. Pokey Araya posted:Here poo poo I would consider after a simple $2000 search, not familiar with the area, so I have no idea on drive times. Heh. All but the last one came up as links I'd already clicked on. The Sabre is an 1100cc bike with 121 hp. Come on, man; you're just trying to kill me, now. The yellow thing is hideous. The blue/black, assuming it's for sale the next time I have a day off... hmm. Jacket might even fit, as well. Gonna go browse the Ninja 250 thread some more.
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Apr 23, 2013 21:58
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TheNothingNew posted:The yellow thing is hideous. You take that back!
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Apr 23, 2013 22:00
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TheNothingNew posted:^^Thanks for solving the thread there, guy.^^ It's a pretty practical solution. We could do the endless ask/tell/reject loop or you could find and buy something you like. TheNothingNew posted:The Sabre is an 1100cc bike with 121 hp. Come on, man; you're just trying to kill me, now. '80s VFs aren't exactly great bikes to own, too, unless you really like '80s VFs. clutchpuck fucked around with this message at 22:12 on Apr 23, 2013 |
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Apr 23, 2013 22:09
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drat, thought that sabre was smaller than that, still working on a hangover and not thinking too clearly.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:11
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TheNothingNew posted:^^Thanks for solving the thread there, guy.^^ You sit there and bitch enough about every suggestion, that it seems clear that there's a certain bike you really want, and are just waiting for someone to suggest it so you can affirm whatever it is you'd like to get. Just spit out the bike, make it easier. As for the suggested bikes, buy that Sabre. It's pretty much checking off everything you want.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:13
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clutchpuck posted:It's a pretty practical solution. We could do the endless ask/tell/reject loop or you could find and buy something you like. For real. He's even put an SV650 on his list then later rules out v-twins. What bike do you want to buy, TheNothingNew?
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Apr 23, 2013 22:17
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Nerobro posted:I"m bothered by a lot of this discussion. Old bikes in theory are reliable - the problem is they sit and rot and lots of stuff goes bad when they sit and rot.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:21
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We're approaching the "Pissing in the well" point....Some goons from years past posted:OP: "Help! HELP! I'm stuck in a well!!!"
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Apr 23, 2013 22:26
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^^Haven't read that in years. Thank you.^^Safety Dance posted:You take that back! The yellow thing is not to my liking. Apologies. Pokey Araya posted:drat, thought that sabre was smaller than that, still working on a hangover and not thinking too clearly. It's nothing. Rough day all around. nsaP posted:For real. He's even put an SV650 on his list then later rules out v-twins. What bike do you want to buy, TheNothingNew? Like I said, I'm new. The SV650 was on the list because it always gets mentioned in newbie recommendations, that's all. ThatCguy posted:You sit there and bitch enough about every suggestion, that it seems clear that there's a certain bike you really want, and are just waiting for someone to suggest it so you can affirm whatever it is you'd like to get. At first, yeah, that is kind of what I was doing, with the addendum that I was hoping that the bike I was thinking of even existed and I just hadn't heard of it yet. The helpful people in the thread brought me around to the Ninja 250 way of thinking, at least until I have some experience under my belt.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:37
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TheNothingNew posted:Going to look at this tomorrow, weather (and thread advice) pending: Sadly they deleted that post. This isn't your first bike right? 89hp, big, heavy, but reliable like a tank. Will continue to run well with bad carb boots and crap fuel. GS1100GK. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3760662001.html Change the oil, make sure the radiator is never dry. Check the stator every year. Ride till you're 90.Honda GL500 http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcd/3761153077.html Unmolested 1981 GS650GL. If I didn't have a GS650E, I'd be all over this. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3745381469.html Clean, CB650. They have funny charging systems, but there's good aftermarket support. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3757603160.html The key is to buy something after 1980, as everything after 1980 has electronic ignitoin. Points require regular, frequent, maintenance. Throw a bottle of carb cleaner in your tank BEFORE it starts running funny. And change the oil, and any bike above will run until you're ready for your next bike.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:41
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Nerobro posted:This isn't your first bike right? But it is. That's why I asked the thread's advice: I'm spanking new, don't know what I'm doing, and don't have a local support network. I like and appreciate all of your points from the previous post... but not for me. I'm too green. Oh, yeah: Nerobro posted:Unmolested 1981 GS650GL. If I didn't have a GS650E, I'd be all over this. This sonofabitch has re-posted this ad every other day for the past three weeks. He still hasn't figured out that he forgot to list a way to contact him.
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Apr 23, 2013 22:51
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Pokey Araya posted:We're approaching the "Pissing in the well" point.... hahaha, that reminds me of buying the R1. Hey guys, have I told you about the R1 I used to have?
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Apr 23, 2013 23:17
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So it seems like the man with the Buell has been rescheduling on me every single day for the past week and I've started to drift into looking for other bikes. My criterion has actually changed a little bit, my budget raised to the 2000-4000 area so I have more room to work with. Would anyone be willing to take a look in the San Marcos/Austin/San Antonio lists for some good deals? Mind you I don't have ready transportation right now so if something can be found locally (San Marcos) That would be amazing. Edit: I am generally looking for cruisers, 500-800cc range. Low maintenance is a plus but not required. ArbitraryTA fucked around with this message at 23:29 on Apr 23, 2013 |
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Apr 23, 2013 23:26
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TheNothingNew posted:But it is. That's why I asked the thread's advice: I'm spanking new, don't know what I'm doing, and don't have a local support network. It'd probably help if you actually listened to us and didn't shoot down things without knowing anything about them. C'mon man.
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Apr 23, 2013 23:48
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ArbitraryTA posted:So it seems like the man with the Buell has been rescheduling on me every single day for the past week and I've started to drift into looking for other bikes. My criterion has actually changed a little bit, my budget raised to the 2000-4000 area so I have more room to work with. I crawl the Austin CL all day everyday, I'll be on the look out. BA-BAM! http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/3756357280.html You said you're 5'5 right? Should be able to fit on it. 
Pokey Araya fucked around with this message at 23:59 on Apr 23, 2013 |
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Apr 23, 2013 23:50
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TheNothingNew posted:bieks You want a KLR650. Source: Everyone wants a KLR650.  KLR650
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Apr 23, 2013 23:59
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ArbitraryTA posted:So it seems like the man with the Buell has been rescheduling on me every single day for the past week and I've started to drift into looking for other bikes. My criterion has actually changed a little bit, my budget raised to the 2000-4000 area so I have more room to work with. When you posted before, I got in touch with my friend Joel who works at The Motorcycle Shop in San Antonio. He told me they have a Suzuki Intruder 1400 that's worth looking at. It's a big guy though, not what you say you're after. They have a BMW R60/7 that looks like it's in good shape, too. http://themotorcycleshopsa.com/?p=2035 and http://themotorcycleshopsa.com/?p=2090 respectively.
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Apr 24, 2013 00:02
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So I found this http://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/mcy/3759777392.html I normally don't like Harleys, but Sportsters I've always viewed as being pretty ok, though I've never owned one only ridden one on occasion and it was an 883 like this. Any opinions? Edit: Also taking a look at that Marauder. The Intruder is a bit too bulky for what will be a lot of in-town riding imo which is why I have been trying to stay at a lower displacement. ArbitraryTA fucked around with this message at 00:54 on Apr 24, 2013 |
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Apr 24, 2013 00:44
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Sportsters are solid bikes. The 4-cam unit evo motor in it is pretty legendary in its dependability. And for what its worth, a stock 1200 doesn't make much more power than the 883; I wouldn't rule out the bigger one if you can find one you like, they are essentially the same except for the bore. It's like 53 vs. 60 horsepower.
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Apr 24, 2013 00:59
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Safety Dance posted:You want a KLR650. drat... I kinda want a KLR650 now.
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Apr 24, 2013 01:02
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Coredump posted:drat... I kinda want a KLR650 now. Don't you live in Atlanta? It's going up on Craigslist before I move.
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Apr 24, 2013 01:04
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Coredump posted:drat... I kinda want a KLR650 now. I was in a kawi dealer today and I couldn't stop staring at their KLR. I want a KLR and I HAVE a KLR. (just not in kawi green like the one at the dealer oooooo)
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Apr 24, 2013 07:40
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Costco has a KLR650 for sale here. Truly the best store. 
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Apr 24, 2013 07:44
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Man after selling my KLR 650, I now lust over the, KLR Super Sherpa. What's that you say?!?! 249cc of pure gut-wrenching power (14.5hp) mated to a six speed transmission and a featherweight coming in at 281 pounds.
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Apr 24, 2013 07:52
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When I was 16 my buddy got one of those after saving up from his pet store job. It was the poo poo and I was insanely jealous.
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Apr 24, 2013 07:55
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Safety Dance posted:Source: Everyone wants a KLR650.
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Apr 24, 2013 08:39
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Pokey Araya posted:Man after selling my KLR 650, I now lust over the, KLR Super Sherpa. What's that you say?!?! Okay, even I want a Super Sherpa. 14.5hp is more power than my first bike had.
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Apr 24, 2013 11:47
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