NOT A CAR: 2 Wheels good edition

"71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors" (adamprotter)
07/15/2015 at 23:53 • Filed to: None

I’m looking into getting a motorcycle, and I’m looking for something fun, cheap and classic with some soul. Any ideas or advice?

DISCUSSION (28)

46and2aheadofme > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 00:04

Pick a budget, buy a cycle trader and go sit on about a dozen very different models in your price range. One will speak to you. That one is your starting point. Report back and we’ll tackle the next step.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > 46and2aheadofme
07/16/2015 at 00:07

This might take a while, but I’ll report back when I have something. I like the idea of an old 1974 Yamaha RD350 like the kind my mom had back in college, but that’s just a my first thought.

DrJohannVegas > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 00:12

Lanesplitter is a good start, and a few folks have written up good articles on starter bikes over here on Oppo. (Basically, look up Peter Black’s stuff.)

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-a-cafe-rac…

46and2aheadofme > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 00:14

Great! It SHOULD take a while. You’ll only have one first! Mine was a ‘94 FZR600 by the way. Unintentionally wheelied it through an intersection on the way home from buying it (with my scholarship check in college).

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 01:06

Kinja'd!!!

1998 Ducati Monster 900!

This WILL BE A FUTURE CLASSIC! Carb’d and air cooled monsters are holding their value due to the new one being water cooled.

Plus it’s under 5 grand: http://www.search-motorcycles.com/detail/monster…

Berang > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 01:08

Honda P50.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/16/2015 at 01:43

This would also be my first bike. I don’t think starting off with anything that fast would be a good idea

CRider > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 02:30

Every motorcycle has “soul” so just worry about buying something that you like and that is in good condition. The newer the bike is the better, usually. Classic looks and feel are easy to come by in a modern, affordable package but with better brakes, more power, and better ride characteristics overall. It all depends on your budget, though, and make sure to set aside around $500 for good gear.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > 46and2aheadofme
07/16/2015 at 02:31

So if I was interested in something like this, a 1983 BMW R65, would I be insane?

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1983-B…

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > CRider
07/16/2015 at 02:33

Thanks for the imput, will do

Tohru > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 02:47

Don’t listen to the “all the gear all the time” overreactionaries that insist you need a $1000 Aerostitch and a $500 Arai and a hi-viz vest to be safe on a bike.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Tohru
07/16/2015 at 02:50

I think I’ll probably go a little overboard on the safety gear considering I’m young and stupid and don’t want to end up as a stain.

KatzManDu > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 06:53

Per some of the articles out there, yes.

BloodlessWeevil > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 08:12

That’s a great attitude to have going into this. My advice: don’t worry about the bike. The average motorcyclist gets a new bike every two years. Get a cheap, used 250 that is not very old. If you want something else in a year, or even six months, they are easy to sell for almost what you bought them for. At that point you will have some basic riding skills and know more about what sort of bike you really what and the features you really need.

Peter Black mentions it in a few of his posts, but his opinion is that classic bikes are not very forgiving if you make a mistake (I cannot recommend his work enough, he has written the best gear and bike guides for beginner motorcyclists in existence.)

Links:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/motorcycle-gea…

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/what-makes-a-g…

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-a-cafe-rac…

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-a-sportbik…

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-a-big-adve…

BobintheMtns > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 08:35

Bmw airhead are great bikes.. Pretty robust (I know some guys that have 400k+ miles on their airheads), fairly simple to work on.. A good condition r65 would be a great choice.

bob and john > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 08:48

Tthhaatssss not really first bike material...

bob and john > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 08:49

Remind me to make a post where I have links to everthing i wrote

Mmmmm > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 09:49

Good on you, heads are hard to fix and easy to break... I’ll say I’ve slammed my head HARD (3 times, I was doing my best rag doll impression) in a $500 helmet and got up and walked away with a very mild concussion. I was very happy with my helmet purchase that day. Just make sure to get one that fits right. People almost always buy one size bigger than they should. Helmets should be a little tight at first and have to break in. Manufacturers will have guidelines on how to see if a helmet fits or not on their website.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 10:21

WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WANT A CLASSIC BIKE TO BE YOUR FIRST ONE?!!

No ABS, piss poor braking, lol no power.

You should buy a CBR250 instead

46and2aheadofme > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 10:31

Heck no. That’s a gorgeous, unique bike with tons of character. Never ridden though. And lately I’ve really started to appreciate some of the 80s bikes styling much more than back then.

ceanderson920 > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 10:42

I have a Triumph Daytona for sale, http://www.powerbrokersinc.com/Preowned-Used/… This will be a future classic!

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/16/2015 at 12:08

Because I make poor life choices and my first car was an MGB and that seemed to work out.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 12:27

Since it was a GT and a 71, does it have the V8?

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/16/2015 at 12:33

Nope, 1.8L 4 cylinder advertised as having 94.5hp new.

Kinja'd!!!

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 14:50

What carbs? Solex or Stromberg

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/16/2015 at 16:16

I don’t actually remember, probably whichever ones were stock when the car was new.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
07/16/2015 at 18:36

Strombergs then. 4V?

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/16/2015 at 18:49

I assume so. Why do you ask, did you have one?