College Transit: Sprockets forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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

Oct. 11, 2011 10:12 p.m. zachbibb2012 New Reader

Hey everybody, I am 18 and going to college next fall and I'm looking for a fun way to get about my college town.. I own a 94 miata m edition and I am looking for basically the same attributes, in a bike that make the miata so popular nowadays.. especially on this site.

Something from the mid-80s to 90s. Fun to ride, sporting qualities but not burn my balls off fast or a heavy, cumbersome POS. I want to take it on country cruises and light commutes to school/work.

Cheap and Cheerful as Richard and Jeremy would put it..

Looking for something in the $800-1400 range in average condition so it can be a project but not the biggest bitch on my wallet..

Something like a 650cc Nighthawk(naked is preferred to the early street bikes)

What are some good bikes to look for.. for practically no money that will yield great fun??

the triumph street triple or yamaha fz8. just from back in the day to fit the range .

Thanks Zach
Oct. 11, 2011 10:30 p.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

Currently I'm totally, obsolutely, obsessed with the TW200

80mpg, stupid, stupid fun, you can buy a huge rack for it, and $1400 will buy you a cherry one.
Oct. 11, 2011 11:40 p.m. fritzsch Reader

yeah id go with something like osterkraut posted, id probably change the rear though.
or maybe like a klr650? I know its a little older than you specified, and prices seem to be going up. but a 70s honda 550 supersport (there is someone on this board looking for one too) would be good. Just enough power (nothing like a sport bike though) and just light enough. its a great combo.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-HONDA-CB-550-FOUR-/280753691653?pt=US_motorcyc... take off the dumb thing in the back and the side guard things, swap the handle bars with some ones that sit a little loer, and replace the mirrors with a single clipon style one, and you ready to go
Oct. 12, 2011 9:53 a.m. PHeller Dork

I had a Yamaha XT225, and while it was good fun, it was designed for a 5'4 120lb woman. I was way too big for the thing.

If your a bigger dude both in height or weight, I'd look at a XR650L or similar big thumper. Maybe an 80's Enduro like an XT500.
Oct. 12, 2011 10:45 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

Yamaha IT400?
Oct. 12, 2011 5:49 p.m. Whitey New Reader

Suzuki GS. Check out The GS Resources. Looks like there are bikes in the For Sale section in your price range.
Oct. 12, 2011 7:09 p.m. rotard Reader

Save yourself the trouble and buy an SV650.