Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Sprockets » About time for a what bike for $1k thread

July 15, 2011 10:36 p.m. Lugnut Dork

I have a grand or two to drop on scratching this major itch I have for a motorcycle. I have been riding on and off for 17 years, but haven't been regularly on two wheels for the last four.

I have had a turbo Yamaha Seca, which I adored, an Sv650 and an sv650s, both of which I hated, and a Buell Blast that I really enjoyed.

I would love a Ducati super sport or ST but neither of those is in the price range. The only Harley I enjoyed at all is a softtail Springer, also certainly not available in my budget.

I have been considering a range of bikes, from big naked Goodwings or CX500s, a Concours, a CB750, V65 Sabre, a little 250 Ninja or Interceptor...

There is a 94 Concours that looks wonderful, pushes the budget just a bit but looks like a good compromise for not being able to afford an ST4 or an R1100RT or Sprint or something like that.

What say you, enablers?
July 16, 2011 8:07 a.m. bastomatic Dork

One grand or two is a big difference in bike. I'd say just keep your options open and buy the nicest example of a bike that does what you want at the price you're willing to pay. Concours are great bikes for a long ride.
July 16, 2011 8:53 a.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

Look for a Suzuki Bandit 400. It is like the inverse of an SV650. Small displacement four with EXPLOSIVE high end power. If a SV650 is the Miata of sportbikes, than a B400 is the S2000.
July 16, 2011 9:12 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

Dual sport!

If we're talking budget sportbikes, the FZR400 is the S2000. Plus you can shoehorn the FZR600 engine in there for a nice little bike.
July 16, 2011 10:24 a.m. Lugnut Dork

There is a KLR650 nearby, $1800. I have never had a dual sport or anything dirt-related.

So far I think my wife likes the Concours the best.

There is a turbo Seca for sale... but I have already done that.

Here are some CL ads I keep coming back to.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2493283930.html http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2481667026.html http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2473233735.html http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/mcy/2487139008.html http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2436683938.html http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/2495506429.html
July 16, 2011 11:05 a.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

I would look at a CBR/VTR250 before a Ninja 250, just my opinion, but the Ninja 250 is an incredibly basic, unsophisticated bike. It also sounds like you've never ridden a parallel twin. I HATE parallel twins, too much vibration, make sure you can deal with that before you buy. The Concours looks nice. That is a STEAL for that R100. The VT500 is very UJM-ish, not a bad bike but nothing special. A buddy of mine has one.

There were a couple nice, cheap 500 Interceptors on the Milwaukee craigslist a week ago. Might be worth looking into.

http://racine.craigslist.org/mcy/2470758370.html

You could also buy my old motorcycle! The guy doesn't say it in the ad but I put a real nice Showa shock on it along with sticky BT45s and the (RARE) Yoshimura pipe. With a proper jetting and the Civic air filter mod there are guys touching 40HP with these.
July 16, 2011 11:15 a.m. Lugnut Dork

I was looking at that one!
July 16, 2011 1:26 p.m. townsend7 Reader

Lugnut wrote:

There is a KLR650 nearby, $1800. I have never had a dual sport or anything dirt-related.

So far I think my wife likes the Concours the best.

There is a turbo Seca for sale... but I have already done that.

I've got a 86 Concours I've had since new. Big, heavy fun. Great online following. I've quite a few examples for less than $1K. I've also got a 2001 KLR650 that I've had for about a year now. Love that one too. Reminds me of the low power bikes of my youth. Also a great online following. Suzuki Bandits are also great choices. I've got a 2005 Bandit 1200S too.

My ex rode a SV650. Miss the bike more than her.

Would love to add a VT 500 Ascot or CX500 to the stable. I'm out of room to store bikes though.
July 17, 2011 7:01 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Lugnut wrote:

There is a KLR650 nearby, $1800. I have never had a dual sport or anything dirt-related.

I can't say a dual sport is right for you, but that KLR is easily worth that plus some. I'd peg it at closer to $2200-$2500 if it's in nice shape. Center stand is worth $100, skid plate about the same, another $100-$200 if the doohickey has been replaced (if not, it's an easy enough job if you can borrow the two tools you need). It will go 65-70 on the highway fine and gets about 50 mpg.
July 17, 2011 10:44 p.m. stroker HalfDork

I've got all the GS1000 you can use for $1000.
July 17, 2011 11:10 p.m. benzbaron Dork

A naked wing is a really cool bike and I'd like one myself. I'd find an ugly turd of a gl1000 then sell the fairing and bloat and make it into a naked wing. The wingers are seriously like turning a worm into a butterfly, absolutely ugly stock but once stripped they look great and the flat four sounds nice. Only issue is they look like they weigh a bit.

I really like my buell blast because it is ugly enough no one will steal it and if I crash it I won't ruin any good looks. Also in the city you won't really be able to use much power so maneuverability is a great thing to have. Even some of the sport bikes which could eat my bike alive on the open road have a tough time riding through the city cutting lanes and dodging cops.

Good luck and hopefully you find something bitchin!
July 18, 2011 8:58 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

I rode a CX500 for years and loved it. It puts out 50hp and 50 ft/lb which is a lot for a 30+ year old bike. They are also as reliable as bricks, so you can actually enjoy riding something for $1000 instead of working on it. Not sexy or sporty, but it will start every time you want to ride.
Aug. 2, 2011 10:07 a.m. Lugnut Dork

Bringing this to life again... I haven't bought anything yet. What do we think about V65 Sabres?
Aug. 2, 2011 11:16 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

Lugnut wrote:

Bringing this to life again... I haven't bought anything yet. What do we think about V65 Sabres?

Not a fan of the style, but incredible motor.

You'll need to log in to post.