Looking to buy me a motorcycle in the spring...

I got my 91 Honda Nighthawk 750 for under 1500.  The cafe racer style bikes are fine for a beginner.

There are a lot of used mid level (@500cc) bikes out there, the question you must ask is whether the higher maintenence is worth the lower price. A used 'crotch rocket' will be a well used and probably abused engine and clutch. 'Sports bikes' can also fall into that catagory. If you are looking just for a commuter bike a 2011 250cc Honda Rebel is only $3999. I rode one when Troop was looking at it, for his commuting back and forth to work needs, and it has serious potential. Inexpensive Yamaha XT-250's are also an option, used or new, a dual purpose can fit the need for a commuter and the need to let it all hang out bashing the local fireroads and trails.

Things to look for in used bikes. Always check the underneath case seals, most sellers will pretty up what you can see and forgets what you can not. If you can see a defined 'oil' stain or line....its a no go. Check dipstick, if 'clean' oil insist that it is run around the block and then check dipstick, rub a little bit of the oil between fingers, if gritty or you get a metal shaving...no go. Check transmission oil, if has a view glass, and if the appearence is 'grey' means transmission/clutch has overheated at one or more times, also get a sample and rub it between fingers after a short run. Multi plate clutches in smaller bikes seem to overheat more than the heavier clutches in larger cruisers. Too many new riders do not understand how to use a motorcycle clutch properly. Example, rider will hold clutch in at stops instead of going to neutral and shifting into gear at light change. Just that friction heat over time will wear plates, watch any real Harley rider, bike goes into neutral at stop lights or slow traffic stops.

And if in doubt on the owners level of maintenance, a simple check of chain and sprocket wear will tell you, if chain is worn and scuffed the owner did not even lubricate the chain on regular intervals, and if sprockets are 'C'd in that the facings have a distinct 'C' shape to teeth, again abused and not maintained. And if shaft driven oil check will be self explanitory, the oil will be 'sticky' since it probably has never been changed.

You will get what you pay for, and many of my friends have me come over to look at thier kids bike after purchase and an issue arises, good 'deals' are the exception anymore. In the new gas saving high MPG motorcycle/scooter the maintence level of used bikes, not appearence should be the determination. And always ask yourself why is seller selling in todays market.


The $700 KDX 200 I bought for the boy ended up costing twice that in maintence needs before it was a true runner.

It is a skill, I sit at lights in neutral, rightleg on ground, left foot on shifter, I can be gone just as fast, simple toe down into first and gone. 40plus years on bikes, never had an get out of the way fast drill, it is called situational awareness.

Chain wear indicators are fine, but the seller usually ignores chain and sprockets in the overall maintenence needs. O-ringed chain on most street bikes is expensive, almost 3X as much as standard link (check for siezed links).

You will probably find it much easier to work on a bike than a car.  Plus there is an abundance of parts still around for 70's and 80's Hondas

Buy a 250R to learn on. Cheap and very forgiving. Also hold their resale value very well.

The bikes ya looking at are decent but they getting up their in years and thus will not be as reliable as one would want especially when ya new to bikes and not sure whats normal and such.   

I love how everybody gets the idea that if you ride a "crotch rocket" you are some unsafe douche who just speeds and pops wheelies.

SSOK wrote: No, but I dont need a "crotch rocket" because I dont intend on speeing up and popping wheelies. I like the $850 honda I posted.... alot. Thats the kind of bike I want, I dont want to spend a few thousand on some crotch rocket I dont need.

Depending on where you live Enduros are fun and cheap

Dealer prices will be higher, but you know you are getting a new, quality part.  Or, you can go to a motorcycle junk yard or another small cycle repair/custom shop.