Cleveland CycleWerks?

Disclaimer: I am a total bike noob and wannabe owner, just haven't pulled the trigger yet so bear with my ignorance.

Is this company's offerings any good? Good for a first-time owner? Doesn't look like they have any dealers in Georgia at all. I'd have to travel to Tennessee to pick one up (new), so should I worry about parts availability/serviceability? All they're designs are fairly throwback and therefore simple. I'm fairly confident I can do the work myself, but I don't want to be in parts limbo.

In particular, I'm drawn to the Misfit model for the styling, lightweight, and reasonable price (230cc 300lbs $3200). Seems like a cool alternative to the Japanese 250's. Probably not as good of a bike overall, but at this point top performance isn't really a concern.

http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com/bikes/tha-misfit-by-cleveland-cyclewerks/

They have been mentioned here several times. Basically, they are Chinese bikes with goodies added on.

Bike newbie? Look for the best 70's-80's UJM Bike in your price range. They will be cheaper, more reliable, and parts will be pennies on the dollar. Also, they are fixable with duct tape and vice grips. .....and you won't feel as bad when you drop it.

Think CB450, CB750, KZ440, etc

Example: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/3795747675.html

Heck. $2500-$3500 is early '00s SV650 territory there.

Thanks for the info. Too bad it's a Chinese engine.

Also, I'm know that you can get a lot more serious machinery for the same price. Most of those are nearing 10yrs old though and I'm not really concerned with going fast at this point. Probably would be a better idea to buy an-already-depreciated bike though.

I guess I'll keep looking at half-completed cafe projects and Ninja 250's.

Ok Grtechguy, you may be right.

Found this, looks complete to me. Drool.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/3801893549.html

Looking through the ATL CL quickly, here's some thoughts;

If you want old, I'd go with something like this instead of a 350;

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/3768616830.html

If you want a decent all-arounder, something like this makes a lot of sense;

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/3765958958.html

However, I would really be interested in taking a look at this;

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/mcy/3795210516.html

Bandit 1200's are apparently pretty cheap! Or at least this one is. Kind of a king-hell ride for first bike but if a 454 Chevelle has more appeal than a 302 powered Camaro, this is worth a look.

In reply to pres589: Are you seriously recommending a Bandit 1200 as a novice bike?

Mat B, you better check and make sure he hasn't taken out a life insurance policy on you.

I'll agree, I ride a 600 bandit and it's plenty quick. the 1200 is known as a tractor and will wheelie in any gear.

That CB350 is about $2000 over priced.

Have you actually priced CB 350s that are that clean lately?

I thought the engine was Taiwanese, and the frame made in the US? Taiwan > China . . .

You can buy a lightly used Suzuki TU250X for the same money, get the same look, have a better bike, and be able to sell it pretty easily once you outgrow it.

Got a Royal Enfield dealer near you? Low price, coming from India. Cheap parts. Quality pretty decent now that they upgraded the engine.

What about the newer 125cc Grom.

In reply to HappyAndy:

No, I was more just surprised it could be had for such low pricing, I wouldn't have a problem recommending it as a second bike should he spend a real amount of time on his first.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I hadn't considered a couple of those before. I feel that I should also explain that this bike will be used by my wife as well, so that's part of the reason I'm looking for something lightweight with a reasonable seat height. I'd consider her average-sized at 5'7" so we're not too limited, but she is intimidated by the heavier and higher-seat bikes.

Back to comparison shopping.

That CB500 that needed clutch work looks great, especially for the price. I probably won't feel as bad when I drop it. Outside the realm of financial fantasy, this may be my best route.

Katana - probably a much better bike than the vintage/retro stuff, but I have a hard time getting excited about them.

Bandit 1200 - Uh, no. Looks like a great deal though. Maybe I should expand my search to the 600 model?

Suzuki TU250X & Royal Enfield - Now that's what I'm talking about. I'll look into what's available near me. My only question would be is the Royal Enfield really that much better than the Cleveland Cyclewerks stuff? Engines from India?

Grom - Definitely interesting and I actually sent a link to the Grom thread to Michelle yesterday. That said, I have my reservations about spending $3.2K on a 125cc that will be even more limited in application than the "little" 250's I'm already considering. Dunno, could be the hot ticket for bike noobs. Definitely lighter and lower than anything else on the table.

Yeah, Katana's are hard to get excited about, but they're dirt common which is good for a budget vehicle and I doubt they're a theft target or expensive to insure. Bandit 600 could be really good.

I LOVE my Royal Enfield.

I have what should be far superior machinery, and the little Bullett isn't especially fast, doesn't handle especially well, has low limits, only gets mpg in the 30s (but it's not fully run in yet, I've only put 400 miles on it) but it is BY FAR my favorite motorcycle that I've ever had. I could not recommend one more to you.

Plus, they are well-received by the public at large. Strangers will come up to talk to you, ask you questions about your "restoration." I REALLY want to buy another one, a Military model, and give it the big-bore kit and stroker crank, which, together, are only something like $1040, put slightly knobbier tires on it, and then fearlessly take it places the GS and Tiger people wouldn't go. ;)

In reply to Lugnut: Damn, that's a good looking bike. Thanks for the perspective. They are definitely creeping towards the top of the list. Looks like I may have to search for awhile or get lucky to find the "one" in my price range. Most used models start at $3K around here and average at $4.5K.

When did they upgrade the motors? What year should I cut the search off at?

Check out a Buell Blast also, I like riding mine. You can get a used one for between 1500-2000$ then all you gotta do is jet the carb and add an exhaust and it will be loud and nasty. Don't listen to the internet banter about them, I feel half the people who ratberkeley them either haven't ridden one, didn't ride one hard enough to get a feel, or have some other psychological issue. The only issue with the blast is you really gotta ride at 9/10s to go fast.

Matt B wrote: When did they upgrade the motors? What year should I cut the search off at?

Looks to be 2009: Cycle World review of UCE Royal Enfield

I wouldn't be as afraid of an Indian built motorcycle that has been in production since far before we were born vs a Chinese bike/engine that's a cheap copy of something else that's been out for a few years, and frankly may be gone next week. I have to confess I've not ridden a RE but certainly want to. I suspect it won't be quite enough bike, coming from a 650 Suzuki, but I dig it's simplicity, design and craftsmanship (check out YouTube for "Royal Enfield gas tank pinstriping" or similar. You'll be impressed.).

My personal desire is for a Triumph Bonneville with fuel injection but the price is still above my station in life for a "toy".

I've always thought a bandit would be a fun daily rider, plus they look great with a few minor styling mods. I always suggest sv650 when people ask me first bike recommendations. They are super easy to ride and I still love hopping on my friends sv's and tossing them around. Early 2000's bonneville a are starting to get into your price range, there is one here that is selling for around 3k. I think for a first bike you need to put the image as second, you need something that you will want to actually ride and not just look at. I'll also second the 70's era Japanese bikes, my first bike was a '73 cb350 and it was great. It really made me appreciate modern fuel injected bikes once I started riding them.

Yeah, see, I had two SV650s, a naked and an S. I really hated them. They sound awful, they aren't comfortable, they are absolutely not confidence-inspiring... Couldn't stand either one of them. I FAR preferred my Blast to the SVs.

I love Enfield's and want to make a scrambler out of one badly...

There's a dealer in the woods behind my house (former location of Trail's End BMW in Fairbanks, AK), if it weren't snowing today I'd have to go for a test ride finally.

^Love that, skierd, do it! And I'd like a WR, thanks to your big RRs on ADV.

I'd ride a Misfit over a CBR250/Ninja 300 etc anyday, but the Enfields win over the rest of the slow bikes. HOLYCRAPWANNIT!

I have checked out CCW bikes on two occasions and was impressed. Bikes are designed in the U.S. and most of the production happens overseas. The engine is based on a Honda design. I have exchanged e-mails with founder, Scott Colosimo. He tried to have much of the production done domestically, including components, but most of the firms who could have done so cost effectively did not want to be involved in motorcycles. I give the CCW folks a lot of credit for starting their venture. I was set to buy a Misfit, but am now waiting for the Ace.

Funny, if a foreign company builds a vehicle here, it is considered foreign, but if an American company builds a vehicle overseas, Americans consider it foreign as well. What about components. There are tens of thousands (if not more) Harley's running around with Mikuni carbs and other foreign parts. I have no problem with CCW bikes being made in China or Royal Enfield bikes made in India. In the 1970s and 80s, the U.S. was not exactly a bastion of vehicle manufacturing excellence.