For second bike ,Good cheap older bike , which one

[Roadstar]

Well riding around the back roads with the FJR & always looking for slightly hidden treasures (bikes sitting in back yard or next to sheds) I noticed that the FJR is a little too big to do this & i also own a 76 GL1000 & feel this is still a little too big to do this. Is there something else i could use that will handle 1/2 way good , but not sure if i would want something liquid cooled or oil cooled. I`m 6'1" at 220lbs so i don`t want something too small.

Thanks B)

 

[zzzzip]

My '04 V Strom 650 fits the bill for me.

B)

 

[Roadstar]

My '04 V Strom 650 fits the bill for me.
B)

Great bike you got there (good article in Rider mag on it) Thought about one but a little too rich right now (economy sucks)

 

[gearman]

An older (80's) GS*** Suzuki might be a good choice. As I recall, some are shaft drive too.

 

[Roadstar]

An older (80's) GS*** Suzuki might be a good choice. As I recall, some are shaft drive too.

HMMMM !!!! Now you got me thinking . I`ll throw a couple in , how about a GPZ550, Honda VF500 Interceptor, 80`s FZ600, 80`s 600 Ninja. Back in the day they were the the middle weights that could handle (very flikable & light) & could get out of there own way.

 

[racer]

A KLR650 makes a nice second bike to go with the FJR.

 

[Roadstar]

Makes me wounder what ever happend too the older sport middle weights , i wonder how many are just sitting in the back of garages or sheds just waiting to come back to life once more. (kind of sad really) Like my neighbor with his 88 GSXR750 sitting under a blue tarp & won`t sell it or even work on it. (SHUUUUMUCK)

 

[James]

I like the Yamaha XS650/750/850/1100 bikes. Shaft drive and good email list/forum support.

 

[Roadstar]

I like the Yamaha XS650/750/850/1100 bikes. Shaft drive and good email list/forum support.

I had an 80 XS1100 midnight special that i sold 1 1/2 years ago to buy an 81 wing (sold that too) & just sold an 83 wing (so if you ever need a wing man LOL)

 

[madmike2]

You didn't give a $$$ amount you'd be using as a guideline.

How about an older VFR? I've seen '97s in NorCal for $1500-$2500.

Older Suzuki Bandit? Katana?

 

[FJRBluesman]

An older (80's) GS*** Suzuki might be a good choice. As I recall, some are shaft drive too.

I believe the 850's and 1100 was a shaft drive. Issue with real old bikes is parts. Also if for what ever reason you need to take it in, most dealers won't touch it.
I'd look for something from the late 90's, 750cc or bigger. I really like the twins, fun power and fun bikes.

These are just MO, get what you think will be best for your needs. Good luck.

 

[zzzzip]

A rider who knows more about this stuff than me, cautioned me not to buy older bikes due to the parts availability/price and mechanics issues too.

So I bought the oldest (first year of import) decent Wee Strom I could find. So far, it works for me.

B)

 

[Roadstar]

You didn't give a $$$ amount you'd be using as a guideline.
How about an older VFR? I've seen '97s in NorCal for $1500-$2500.

Older Suzuki Bandit? Katana?

I`m cheap so from $500. - to $1,500 fixeruppers , as i can just about work on any bike engine (single, twin, tripple, inline4 & V-4 & of course 6-cyl any config) I had an 85 interceptor VF700 & loved the way it handled , untill i test rode a VF500 & it out handled the bigger VF , untill i took a VFR750 for a ride & WOW.

 

[zzzzip]

You didn't give a $$$ amount you'd be using as a guideline.
How about an older VFR? I've seen '97s in NorCal for $1500-$2500.

Older Suzuki Bandit? Katana?

I`m cheap so from $500. - to $1,500 fixeruppers , as i can just about work on any bike engine (single, twin, tripple, inline4 & V-4 & of course 6-cyl any config) I had an 85 interceptor VF700 & loved the way it handled , untill i test rode a VF500 & it out handled the bigger VF , untill i took a VFR750 for a ride & WOW.

A guy who can turn his own wrenches..... that's a different story.

Old bikes are cool.

B)

 

[Roadstar]

Well i found it , as i just picked up an 83 Honda CX650 custom , needs work but what the hay LOL

 

[cruiser]

Send us a pic. sweet ride!!

 

[Roadstar]

https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/412/1000683l.jpg