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Buying a Motorcycle
wombat
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Ok so due to parking reasons, I find myself in need of a motorcycle or scooter. A car is not an option, because there is literally no where to park one where I live, but there are plenty of places available for smaller vehicles.
now because Ive never ridden a motorcycle before, I began looking for a relatively cheap motorcycle or scooter; sub $1000, if possible.
much to my surprise and my luck, I found a motorcycle: a 1979 Yamaha XS1100 for $500.
here's what the ad originally said
upon emailing the seller and inquiring further, he tells me
here is a list of specs for the model motorcycle:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xs_1100_1979.php
I researched it, and the registration, because it has been so overdue, is about $130 bucks.
Now this goes to all the gearheads and stuff out there: would this be a worthy bike for a beginner (who has had no motorcycle experience)? the price seems right, assuming the oil leak isn't that bad/that hard to fix. are there any other questions I should be asking?
I have to admit, I really like the price, even with the registration fee and the oil leak, and so Im tempted to pass on such a deal.
Im going to say this again because sometimes people don't read:
A CAR IS NOT AN OPTION. I AM FULLY AWARE OF AND OPENLY ACCEPTING THE INHERENT RISKS OF RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.
thanks guys!
now because Ive never ridden a motorcycle before, I began looking for a relatively cheap motorcycle or scooter; sub $1000, if possible.
much to my surprise and my luck, I found a motorcycle: a 1979 Yamaha XS1100 for $500.
here's what the ad originally said
XS1100, mileage unknown, new plugs, rebuilt carbs, reupholstered seat, tank needs painting, runs great. Lost Storage, must sell
Randy
upon emailing the seller and inquiring further, he tells me
Bike was last registered in 2003, so there are some fees due to make it
street legal, it's got an oil leak behind the alternator, which may be an O
ring, or the seal, either one can be changed from the outside, no need to
split the cases. 2nd gear is good, it comes with all the parts pictured.
It's rideable as it is, just get the plates paid, and it's good to go
here is a list of specs for the model motorcycle:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xs_1100_1979.php
I researched it, and the registration, because it has been so overdue, is about $130 bucks.
Now this goes to all the gearheads and stuff out there: would this be a worthy bike for a beginner (who has had no motorcycle experience)? the price seems right, assuming the oil leak isn't that bad/that hard to fix. are there any other questions I should be asking?
I have to admit, I really like the price, even with the registration fee and the oil leak, and so Im tempted to pass on such a deal.
Im going to say this again because sometimes people don't read:
A CAR IS NOT AN OPTION. I AM FULLY AWARE OF AND OPENLY ACCEPTING THE INHERENT RISKS OF RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.
thanks guys!
wombat on
0
Posts
Not really, no. The XS1100 is an absolute screamer and was the fastest bike around until the mid 80's (the engine is still used in some drag bikes today). It's also a ginormous 600 lbs. wet. They are nice bikes, but not something I'd recommend to someone with no experience. "Mileage unknown" makes me wary, too.
It shouldn't be hard to find a Yamaha XS400/500/650, a Honda CB400/500/550/650/750 or a Kawasaki Z500/650/750 of similar vintage within your budget. All the late 70's-80's Japanese bikes are reliable and inexpensive to maintain. I just think the 1100 is a bit much for a beginner.
Don't motorcycles have odometers?
how about something more like this:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/mcy/284052515.html
(1981 Yamaha Maxim XJ 550)
the problem is, I can't seem to find any of those beginner bikes for under $1000 (ideally under 700), and besides Craigslist, I don't know where else to check.
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That looks great. It will get much better mileage than the 1100 would, too. I'd try to talk him down a bit on the price, but honestly if it's as clean as it looks it's probably worth $900.
Spring is coming up and you'll see a lot more bikes pop up soon. It never hurts to check the classified ads in the paper, I've had some good luck there.
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You could try www.cycletrader.com
Do you live near a military base? Check their base classifieds if so. I got my bike on Ebay, but shipping gets expensive fast if it's too far away to go get yourself.
Great size to learn skills on and can even go to track days.
New 250s go for 2,999 and used ones can be had for much much less.
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but what about 550cc? is that too much for a beginner? specifically this bike:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xz_550_1982.php
or for that matter any of these bikes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200082494112&rd=1,1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200082855829&rd=1,1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200083513949&rd=1,1
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I think I said this in a different motorcycle thread, but I'm 5'9" 165 lbs, my first bike was (is) an 1100, and I got it maybe 2 years after I took the MSF course with no riding experience in between.
I've been doing fine with it, but everyone's different.
Buy some useless stuff at my Cafepress site!
550cc is great.
I've got a soft spot for old enduros, like your ebay links there. Great fun for tearing around the neighborhood. Their little 100cc engines and short gearing aren't suited for the road, though.
There are always stories like yours, but I just can't recommend an 1100 to a beginner in good conscience. Of course it depends a little on the bike; a V-Star 1100 would be miles better than, say, a CBR1100XX.
The EX-500 is incredibly easy to ride. It was my first bike, and I stalled it maybe 3 times and never laid it down. Only weighs about 275 lbs, too. Easy to pick up. Good acceleration, easy to maneuver, and cheap to maintain.
Another great point that was put forward to me, though this may not be entirely the case in your location, but a lot of insurance companies have a very sizeable difference in premiums for the various engine sizes. Most companies I looked at said that at approximately 600cc+, the rates drastically jumped in price.
Ill be doing it in the next few weeks, but I currently have my permit
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Wombat are you coming to 300 or Disneyland
disneyland is on the 18th right? when is everyone going to 300??
Im not sure if Ill be riding that well by then, I was kind of hoping someone in Santa Monica would be able to give me a ride :oops:
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We're not sure exactly when either will occur, PM me your cell phone number, dogg.