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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:36 am Post subject: Makes, parts availability, and model suggestions
Hi. Potential new rider and official state motorcyle learner's permit holder here
I'm interested in getting a vintage bike for my first bike, probably '70s or early 80s, I'm thinking 125-200cc or so, single cly, 4-stroke, for a few reasons. I'm a good mechanic (cars).
A motorcycle mechanic told me that Honda has the best parts availabiliy, that most parts are still available through Honda. He said also that with other makes, if the bike is more than 20 yrs old, you might be stuck. He said further that Hondas this old generally have better compression than other makes. Are these things true?
Also, could you suggest makes and models to look at? I think an XL175 might be ideal for me, maybe a 125 too, but I've never seen either in person, only photos. I might be surprised (size) if I saw them in person. I'm a guy, 5' 10", 160lbs, new rider, thinking around town riding, mostly two-lane roads. Don't want a 500 pounder that will fracture my leg the first time it falls over on it... Would consider newer bikes around the same size and price, that don't have the X-treme look...
Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 584 Location: LaPorte, Indiana, USA
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:
An XL175 would probably be a poor choice for what you describe. Geared way too low, it will buzz you unrelentingly at any speed over 45 or so.
Listen to steve, can't hardly go wrong with a 350. When you want to move "up", you'll have no problem selling it for a profit.
bill _________________ Bill Lane
"When your only tool is a hammer,
everything starts to look like a nail."
I looked up the CB350 and it weighs in at 375 lbs. This has me a bit concerned about beginner-friendliness. I kind of instinctively want something that will do 45-50mph for in town - but which is more like a bicycle weight-wise... Maybe I misuderstand what I need. I'm signed up for MSF sessions next month where I'll learn a lot and get my first real experience.
BUT - isn't that CB350 a great, classic looking bike! A beauty. Maybe one of those is what I'll try to find.
Joined: May 13, 2008 Posts: 69 Location: Glendale, AZ
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:
I didn't know what I wanted until the MSF course. The Basic Rider class was my first time on a motorcycle, and I got a good feeling for the different bikes they had there. That's when I picked up this 360 for my first bike. I think the 350 is a great size for a beginner. I am 5'9" 160 and it fits me perfectly. _________________ 1975 CB360T
Joined: Nov 24, 2007 Posts: 47 Location: NE Indiana
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:
350s are great - getting a little harder to find. Watch Craigslist. I prefer the 360. At 5'8.75 and 155# I have no problems. It is funny though... I believe 95% of bikes dropped are either while cleaning or moving the things around in the garage.
Hey, gaj I ended up getting an old Yamaha 250 for my first bike. I would have gone for a 350 maybe, but didn't like a CL350 I sat on. Also wanted a single cyl, for ease of working on for a first bike. I might like the CL better now, with more experience. I'd agree about when bikes are dropped, but might include going wide in a curve and hitting somebody who pulled out in front of you...
I also took and passed the MSF course since the original post. If I hadn't taken it, there would be so many things I'd never have picked up anywhere. There were a lot of experienced riders in it too, but it's geared to beginners. Some experienced riders in my class had some problems.
It's fun to watch a rider come up to a stop light and pull out now and see if they do something unstable. You can tell who's had training and who hasn't. Take it!
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 337 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject:
Any of the Japanese twins from 1968 thru 1983 will do you perfectly. In any of the guises they came in: standard, cruiser, economy, sport.
Honda
CB/CM/CL175/200/350/360/400/450 (not counting the late 60's/early 70's CB450 & CB500)
Yamaha
XS360/400
RD200/250350/400 (although the 2-stroke is a bit less 'beginner oriented' than the 4-strokes)
Kawakaki
KZ305/400/440
GPz305 for a sporty flair
KZ200 (single, not a twin)
Suzuki
GS250/300/400/425/450/500
All of them would be perfect for you as a beginner (unless you get one that is used/abused) and would even suit you for quite a while as you mature as a rider. All of them are equally reliable and equally easy to get parts for, particularly from ebay.
The Honda twins and the Kawasaki twins are VERY well supported by internet forums such as this.
Good luck with whatever you choose, Welcome Aboard, and post a picture of whatever you eventually wind up with!
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 40 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:
All the replies about the twins are quite right ...they are all good bikes BUT I felt you were on the right track with your thoughts of an XL175 single.
Riding a single is awesome for learning about all of the elements of motorcycle riding that involve more than just twisting the throttle.
An XL250 Honda is very satisfying as a town bike and out on tight winding seal. You could go up to an XL350 for more stonk. A single will feel more manouverable, will let you play occasionally on loose surfaces should that be your desire, and will teach you loads about momentum and torque.
Joined: Oct 24, 2008 Posts: 27 Location: prescott valley az 86314
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:
these posts are facinating to read. i'm a little guy but dislike small bikes. but i beleave in riding the size you feel most comfortable with. i think the most important point with reguards to tipping over bikes is seat height. a little shaveing and re-covering will bring even a 900 lb bike into the safe handleing range for most people.
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 40 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:
One of the reasons I've come to see relatively light and easily manhandled single cylinders as so much fun is that after nearly 40 years of riding I've realised that in my first years, decades really, acceleration and high speeds dominated my riding. Power was a real 'need'. It was obvious i wasn't alone in this.Then I began to play with trail and enduro bikes and learned that there is much more to riding than just twisting a throttle.
On 2 lane blacktop, which is what most of our kiwi sealed roads are,and on the immense network of loose surface roads that can be found everywhere out of the bigger towns when you slow down enough to look,250/350 singles provide any amount of speed and enormous satisfaction.Big singles too. For a time I was adventure riding our high country on a DR650 and even though the garage has modern multi's in it when it was time for an early evening blast on a week-night(just to clear the work crap you know) I found that the DR650 was the machine I took.
I labour this point a bit because good as the early Japanese twins are over a wide range of usage, a decent single has amazing versatility, and for many potential riders who want to get into this interest, will provide a ready source of reliable, safe and versatile fun. Don't neglect these as a possibility. Of course it has to be admitted that a bigger single with a Super-Trap or other delicious sounding muffler fitted is going to get the 'red-mist' coming down good. Our shed has a single, a twin and two multi's.
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