looking to buy first bike. what to look for?

[mk3junk]

for my 24th birthday next month I decided my gift to myself will be my motorcycle licence and obviously a bike and the safety course.

i can easily say i pretty much dont know where to start in when it comes to bikes so im pretty unsure of what i should be looking for.

through my searches ive been really interested in the older honda makes 70's and 80's cb350-750

if anyone in here has any info on details i should be looking into, example: certain wear and tear, mileage, cost wise. that such.


thanks!

[VWCoop]

for my 24th birthday next month I decided my gift to myself will be my motorcycle licence and obviously a bike and the safety course.

i can easily say i pretty much dont know where to start in when it comes to bikes so im pretty unsure of what i should be looking for.

through my searches ive been really interested in the older honda makes 70's and 80's cb350-750

if anyone in here has any info on details i should be looking into, example: certain wear and tear, mileage, cost wise. that such.


thanks!

I started on a 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special when I was 15. Great bike to start on and plenty of parts available. I was going to turn it into a cafe racer but I ended up buying a Speed Triple when I was 17. I am now 24 and still would have fun riding a XS650. Honda CBs are also great and should have a lot available for them as well. The XS650 was designed after old British bikes but have better electronics. Try looking at MikesXS.com for parts to give you an idea of what is available and the cost of stuff.

[mk3junk]

I started on a 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special when I was 15. Great bike to start on and plenty of parts available. I was going to turn it into a cafe racer but I ended up buying a Speed Triple when I was 17. I am now 24 and still would have fun riding a XS650. Honda CBs are also great and should have a lot available for them as well. The XS650 was designed after old British bikes but have better electronics. Try looking at MikesXS.com for parts to give you an idea of what is available and the cost of stuff.

thank you!

i wasnt sure what size bike would be a good choice for a start.
i really dig the cafe style look. and i figure would be a good way to go since i dont actually need a bike for long distances but just for local travel.

[VWCoop]

thank you!

i wasnt sure what size bike would be a good choice for a start.
i really dig the cafe style look. and i figure would be a good way to go since i dont actually need a bike for long distances but just for local travel.

No problem. They are great bikes and loads of fun. Parts are plentiful and cheap too. I am hoping my dad has his XS650 street tracker complete by the time I return home from Korea. I miss riding old bikes like that sometimes.

[pknopp]

We just had this conversation not long ago with most people trying to talk the OP out of these bikes. They are a great first choice.

1. There are a ton of them out there.
2. Most are relatively inexpensive.
3. Very easy to work on
4. You can get your money back out of them if you decide riding is not for you.
5. Classic styling.
6. They have a kick start. IMO no bike should ever be built without one.

That said, the obvious is noted. Find one that has been well maintained. You could abuse these things for years and they would still run but after 30-40 years you don't want one with seals leaking everywhere and a bunch of rust.

Take someone with you that actually knows bikes. Not those who just think they do. Anything from a 350 on up will keep up with traffic in town. If you are going to interstate ride at all I wouldn't recommend anything under a 500. Back in the day people would cross country all the time on a 305 but I'll tell you, it's no fun to have a semi pass you at 75 when you are on a light small bike.

CB750's are getting pricey. To me they might be the pinnacle of an everyday bike. That is, up to 1975. You can find late 70's 750's pretty cheap. I have no idea how tall you are or heavy but for a first bike make sure you get one you can handle easily. CB's were upright bikes and the 750's are pretty tall and heavy.

They do make great cafe bikes.

[mk3junk]

hmm figure i should post that. im 6'2 170 pounds.

for 750's ive found a few in my area ranging from 500-1500 with the one for 500 being on the road regularly while "project" bikes are ranging higher in price.

my ultimate goal would be to go in the more cafe racer route. like i said just need something for local travel.

checking out a bike this weekend. will post pics depending on the outcome.