Older bikes

[cv01jw]

As an alternative to having a CB500 or similar as a first big bike, I have been looking at spending less and goind older, possibly something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Is this a foolish thing to do? I am guessing it will be a bit heavier than a more modern 500-600, but other than that, would it be too bad as a first bike? At £500 I wouldn't be too upset dropping it, and I can insure it TPFT as a completely new rider for £85.

[Ruttager]

well I'm going down the old bike route as well. Cheap, fun bike that I can take to track days, blat around on without worrying about dropping, damaging or really anything about it. It may be heavier and slower than newer bikes but you'll have a load more fun on it as you won't be so paranoid about messing it up.

It's also a way for me to brush up on my spannering skills and learn more about mechanics.

unfortunately I can't see the bike your looking at as ebay is blocked from here... (i'm on a training course)

[untruth]

Nothing wrong with old bikes as long as they have a sound history. As long as you get a brand you either know or are known to be reliable, you can't get too many issues. You do have to remember that they are far more likely to have the engine blow up, though.

I love the late 80s early 90s racer looks so I think it'll take a good salesman to get me on a newer bike.

[KennV6]

Hi Mate

Nothing wrong with an older bike if you pick wisely!!!

I went for and have a 1994 RF600 and its the best thing I have done. bikes in great shape, cost me nothing, and I have no problem on rides with other newer stuff.

theres some nice well looked after bikes out there, just take your time, and dont jump at the first one! Head to rule the heart.

If you like a specific make, go on their dedicated website for sales,and find bikes looked after by loving owners.

Ken

[RizzoTheRat]

Worth finding an owners forum they'll be able to tell you what are the common problems so you can look out for them when buying. If you're happy to do a bit of spannering an old bike is great idea, new bikes still break, they're just a lot harder to fix yourself. My '92 TDM is on over 60,000 mniles and still going strong and I now do all my own maintenance on it with a bit of help from some mates on the owners forum.

True older does mean a bit less powerfull and heavier, but be honest, very few people on here are capable of using thier bike to it's full potential anyway (if anyone claims they can they're either lying or have some strange reason not to want to be making a fortune riding a WSB).

[King Herald]

I just bought a 1990 Harley. I don't see a problem with spares, as the design hasn't changed since 1906, I'll wager.

I did originally scour Ebay for an older 'superbike', as you can get some fairly quick machinery for less than £1000, but I made a daft bid on the Harley and actually won the auction, totally unintentionally. (or so I tell the wife)

[steven182]

just got a 91 cbr600 f as a first bike bloody love it and will be gutted when I drop it regardless of it being old, makes insurance about half the price i was expecting though xD

[AndyDRZ]

I think that looks good! Go for it. Better to have a bike like that then a CB500

[vrod]

My old bike is a 1989 Kawasaki ZXR 750, with 33K, yes thats 19 years old. The bad thing is that they need alot more TLC, manual choke, carbs means starting can be harder but get a good battery and optimate and its OK. Things start to wear, the levers, the fixings from taking on/off, some of the seals can go brittle and if you get a dog of an engine the price of major repairs make the bike a right off. The good thing is that loads of people breaking then down, you can often get the bits on e-bay so as long as you competent with a spanner you can keep them running really cheap. Tyre's can be expensive and their the same cost irrespective of the age. Older means they are cheaper to insure so you can go for a bigger bike such as a 750 rather than a newer 500. They are generally slightly heavier and not quite as fast but my ZXR as an example will still out handle anything other than the latest race bikes and still pull 150. Most riders won't need any more. I'd say go for old bikes if they are cheap toys, but get one that looks like it been well maintained.

[mark3925]

iv got a c reg GPZ600R i think its a great bike i only paid £400 with a load of spares and the bikes been rebuilt and sprayed, bargain!

[Fire99]

AndyDRZ said:

I think that looks good! Go for it. Better to have a bike like that then a CB500

I've got a CB500!!!! (the 90's twin version) Ok its not my only bike but its actually a cracking ride... and for £600 i thought it would be a bike i could ride and forget about.(virtually)

Depends on your budget but at the time it was the best bike i could find for the money...

But if you find a decent 600-1200 bike for similar money, let me know. Can't resist a bargain

Edited by Fire99 on Saturday 16th August 22:29