$4k to spend on a bike. What do you get? (Harley, ride)
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I just sold my last bike (a K3 CB750) and have an itch to get back on two wheels. I'm looking for something cheap that I can take for little joyrides here and there. No commuting and likely no touring. I'm not really into sport bikes but am open to anything. I've had everything from Harleys to vintage Hondas to a Ninja so my options are wide open.
Ideally I'd pick up a 2005ish Triumph Bonneville, but most around here are newer and going for far more than I want to spend on what is essentially a toy. I'm also somewhat drawn to the 90s Honda Nighthawks. If you had $4k to spend on a bike what would you get?
personally, I really like Guzzi's and have been riding and working on them since the first V700's came to the USA in the late 1960's. IF I was heading out for touring or longer road rides, they're my first choice.
However, I don't believe that their bikes are in line with what you've set out for a "toy" infrequent recreational ride and no touring. Even a 1100 Stone would be a lot of excess bike for your purposes.
I'd be looking at something on the order of a 500cc single dual-sport type bike. Enough power to get down the road, lots of in-town or modest road riding capability. Agility, nimble, decent brakes and suspension, easy maintenance, good durability ... a ride hard and forget it type of bike. Perhaps even a KLR 650 or similar ... and available in your price range for a not-too high mileage or age bike.
you can pick up nice low millage mid to late 2000's hondas for 4k or less. i got me a 05 honda aero 750 with 2200 miles on it for 2500.00. just search around. bikes are going cheap.
KLR 650s are sweet! I actually considered that. Most (maybe all) of my riding will be on the desert/mountain roads near me (Phoenix) and I just thought it may be a bit under-powered on the road.
Not sure that I'm a huge fan of the metric cruisers. They look like wanna-be Harleys to me. Sorry, flame on.
Last edited by DetroitN8V; 08-26-2014 at 11:53 AM..
IMO, the 650 singles deliver more than adequate road performance ... will readily cruise at highway speeds and maintain road speed on grades even when loaded with modest baggage and rider.
of course, they don't have the excess HP of the larger displacement road bikes, but they aren't intended to be 100mph road burners with two-up riders and week's worth of travel baggage.
What they do have is more than adequate HP for the job and a sizable fun factor for many riding applications.
You can probably find a 1st gen V-Strom (2004-11) in that price range. It's pretty much the "Swiss army knife" of bikes -- plenty of fun in the twisties, but also good for all-day rides, should you ever change your mind about those.
And it's extremely comfortable, assuming you're tall enough (5-10 or more).
I don't like common bikes, so I'd just troll craigslist and look for something oddball/unique. There's a Honda CB-1 near me currently that would probably be a first purchase (inline 4, 400cc, gear driven cams, sporty naked). But Guzzis, Triumphs, I've seen a few 90's Ducati SS/SP bikes for around that $4k mark, I'd love to have another Honda CB1100F, or the 90's version CB1000, maybe one of the Kawi Zephyr line (ZR550/750/1100). Doesn't really matter, I rarely keep bikes more than a year or two now (only the Ninja 250 gets to stay, I've had one for 12 years running now because it's simply the most fun I've had on public roads)
Owned a BMW GS, never again (BM TroubleU ~ and I'm an experienced/accomplished mechanic), and KLR650. The KLR will do all the road riding you could ever want to do, but it's a fairly boring bike to ride. Built like a tank and you can fix it with duct tape and bailing twine, it'll get you "there", no matter where that might be.
I don't like common bikes, so I'd just troll craigslist and look for something oddball/unique. There's a Honda CB-1 near me currently that would probably be a first purchase (inline 4, 400cc, gear driven cams, sporty naked). But Guzzis, Triumphs, I've seen a few 90's Ducati SS/SP bikes for around that $4k mark, I'd love to have another Honda CB1100F, or the 90's version CB1000, maybe one of the Kawi Zephyr line (ZR550/750/1100). Doesn't really matter, I rarely keep bikes more than a year or two now (only the Ninja 250 gets to stay, I've had one for 12 years running now because it's simply the most fun I've had on public roads)
Owned a BMW GS, never again (BM TroubleU ~ and I'm an experienced/accomplished mechanic), and KLR650. The KLR will do all the road riding you could ever want to do, but it's a fairly boring bike to ride. Built like a tank and you can fix it with duct tape and bailing twine, it'll get you "there", no matter where that might be.
That's exactly it; I want something different and because I sell often, I want to make sure I get a good deal. I could easily find a decent SV650 and have a great bike, but I want something fun and unique. I just found a Hawk GT near me(!!). That might fit the bill.
Phoenix seems to be the mecca for boring, overpriced bikes. The 80s-90s stuff is way overpriced here.
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