May 19-30 I am going out to the Dallas area from Ohio for my cousin's wedding then I plan on roadtripping around the west a bit before heading back. I would like to get a motorcycle to ride since my current options (Grom and CT90) aren't entirely suitable.
Does anyone have a lead on something close to Ohio or on the way to Dallas for cheap? ~$500 beater bike is the budget I am working with.
KLR
KLR, GL1000 Goldwing, or if you up your budget a little, possibly an ST1100 Honda which is one of the best road tripper bikes ever made if you stick to pavement/highways.
With a $500 limit don't worry about make or model, just get the best example you can find.
Unfortunately the budget isn't going up unless I can sell something.
Yeah, $500 gets you very little around here and nothing that is running usually. I would look for anything in good shape. I really doubt you will get any of the bikes mentioned in good enough shape to run for $500.
stuart in mn wrote: With a $500 limit don't worry about make or model, just get the best example you can find.
Yea, this is more of a "does anyone have something laying around or like posting bad ideas from CL" thread.
singleslammer wrote: Yeah, $500 gets you very little around here and nothing that is running usually. I would look for anything in good shape. I really doubt you will get any of the bikes mentioned in good enough shape to run for $500.
Let alone something I'd feel comfortable (read reliable) being on a road trip, several states away from my toolbox. 
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/i-believe-there-are-gold-wing-fans-here/117797/page1/
The tires that must be on a $500 bike gives me the heebie jeebies. How about a beater Miata? 
I've got plenty of beater cars to drive. Just wanted to see if there was any way to make my roadtrip more interesting (miserable).
You have a CT90, which if it's in good running shape is perfectly capable of making the trip. Many have.
Just give yourself 2-3 days to do it in, stay on back roads to respect the basic speed of the bike, and you should arrive there just fine and have a perfectly pleasant trip doing it.
foxtrapper wrote: You have a CT90, which if it's in good running shape is perfectly capable of making the trip. Many have. Just give yourself 2-3 days to do it in, stay on back roads to respect the basic speed of the bike, and you should arrive there just fine and have a perfectly pleasant trip doing it.
this. there is an ADVrider thread about a guy that did Europe on little scooter while his son was backbacking with friends. Europe at 37mph
Also, I'm hugely jelly of the Grom. Every time I see one the rider has a giant E36 M3 eating grin on his/her face.
Grtechguy wrote:foxtrapper wrote: You have a CT90, which if it's in good running shape is perfectly capable of making the trip. Many have. Just give yourself 2-3 days to do it in, stay on back roads to respect the basic speed of the bike, and you should arrive there just fine and have a perfectly pleasant trip doing it.this. there is an ADVrider thread about a guy that did Europe on little scooter while his son was backbacking with friends. Europe at 37mph
It's in "running" shape. I suppose I could use the money I would spend on a beater bike for a Lifan engine swap. I don't think I would be comfortable doing it as-is.
I have seen ride-able ST1100's for $800. Not pretty but ride-able. Same with Pacific Coasts
Honda cb650 custom. 500$ OBO! - $500 (LOVELAND)
This would definitely make the trip "interesting"
Might need a bit of work, but it'd be pretty comfy: yamaha venture royale - $650 (Bartlett)
EvanB wrote:Grtechguy wrote:It's in "running" shape. I suppose I could use the money I would spend on a beater bike for a Lifan engine swap. I don't think I would be comfortable doing it as-is.foxtrapper wrote: You have a CT90, which if it's in good running shape is perfectly capable of making the trip. Many have. Just give yourself 2-3 days to do it in, stay on back roads to respect the basic speed of the bike, and you should arrive there just fine and have a perfectly pleasant trip doing it.this. there is an ADVrider thread about a guy that did Europe on little scooter while his son was backbacking with friends. Europe at 37mph
OK. You've also a Grom. While not a bike I'd want to ride that far because of the ergonomics, it's also perfectly capable of the trip under the same limitations and parameters as the CT90.
Either would be far preferable to me than some unknown cheap heap I picked up off Craigslist a few days prior to taking off on a cross country jaunt. Especially if money was such a factor.
EvanB wrote: It's in "running" shape. I suppose I could use the money I would spend on a beater bike for a Lifan engine swap. I don't think I would be comfortable doing it as-is.
This is my vote. Get on it though as it is getting a little late in the game for a swap, isn't it?
Long shot but go onto advrider.com and offer to move someone's bike from Texas to Ohio/Midwest.
Fly in, ride out.
Sell me the CT90 so you've got a little extra room in the budget :)
Grtechguy wrote:foxtrapper wrote: You have a CT90, which if it's in good running shape is perfectly capable of making the trip. Many have. Just give yourself 2-3 days to do it in, stay on back roads to respect the basic speed of the bike, and you should arrive there just fine and have a perfectly pleasant trip doing it.this. there is an ADVrider thread about a guy that did Europe on little scooter while his son was backbacking with friends. Europe at 37mph
Or that kid that spent his summer going from California to New York on a clapped out Honda Cub.
Having been border to border and coast to coast on two wheels, here's my $.02:
If you're going to take a road trip on a $500 bike you just bought, you'd better have at least another $500 stashed to get you home... 
gearheadE30 wrote: KLR, GL1000 Goldwing, or if you up your budget a little, possibly an ST1100 Honda which is one of the best road tripper bikes ever made if you stick to pavement/highways.
Good list, I'm going to add the original Kawasaki Concours. Reliable and made with basically no changes for like 100 years (technically 1986-2006 but it seems like 100 years). I would rate it below the ST1100, but still a good bike and easily findable in the sub $1500 range.
Could it fit in your budget if you spend $1500 to buy and sell it as soon as you get home for $1000?
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