A Bike Thread

[Simpler=Better]

Seriously though, an 80s liter bike will be cheap to insure and plenty fast. If you want better handling swap on modern forks and brakes.

My 1990 ninja was around $150-200/yr to insure.

My 81 440 was around $100/yr to insure.

[jcyuhn]

Originally Posted by Skippy

I know the old CBR600F4i reviewed very well and fit most of what I'm looking for quite well. However, they quit selling those a while ago, so the newest ones are already old-ish and carbureted. I have a co-worker who has a 2000 GSXF 600 that I thought was a GSXR until he set me straight. He likes it. I found a CBR650F at the Honda dealer. The ergos weren't any better for me than a GSXR, and they detuned the engine on that one rather a lot. Do you know some other model names to look for? This seems like another good possibility.

Actually, I used to have an F4i. It was a 2001 model that my wife mostly rode as a sport touring mount. Fantastic bike and a very good all arounder. With bar risers and a Corbin saddle it was passably comfortable, especially for not-large folks. I really wish she had kept it, but she really wanted something with locking hard bags.

The F4i is injected, the earlier F4 is not.

But you are right, they are getting old and difficult to find. That's compounded because they are a favorite of stunters everywhere. So many are hacked up and destroyed, and yet they fetch a premium. Gotta love Honda economics though. We bought it 9 years old with 2k miles on a snowy rotten March day for $3500. Still had the factory tires on it with 2001 date codes. Unbelievably pristine. Put nearly 10k miles on it over 2 years, and then sold it for $3600.

I'm not coming up with too many other options. In theory I like the GSX650 and similar bikes, but in practice they are hard to find and not well supported for farkling.

What about a Honda VFR? Everybody that owns one loves it. Comfy, fun ,fast enough, factory hard bags, super reliable. What's not to like?

[iwrock]

Skippy - my bro in law is selling his 04 Ninja 636, if you're interested in a supersport.

IIRC he's the second owner, and it has less than 5k miles. Think he was going to ask like 3500 for it.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

Actually, I used to have an F4i. It was a 2001 model that my wife mostly rode as a sport touring mount. Fantastic bike and a very good all arounder. With bar risers and a Corbin saddle it was passably comfortable, especially for not-large folks. I really wish she had kept it, but she really wanted something with locking hard bags.

The F4i is injected, the earlier F4 is not.

So I got bad info about a Honda model from the Kawasaki forum. Shocking

But you are right, they are getting old and difficult to find. That's compounded because they are a favorite of stunters everywhere. So many are hacked up and destroyed, and yet they fetch a premium. Gotta love Honda economics though. We bought it 9 years old with 2k miles on a snowy rotten March day for $3500. Still had the factory tires on it with 2001 date codes. Unbelievably pristine. Put nearly 10k miles on it over 2 years, and then sold it for $3600.

I'm not coming up with too many other options. In theory I like the GSX650 and similar bikes, but in practice they are hard to find and not well supported for farkling.

You just made me google farkling.

What about a Honda VFR? Everybody that owns one loves it. Comfy, fun ,fast enough, factory hard bags, super reliable. What's not to like?

One of my Navy buddies had one and loved it. I thought the V-4 sounded weird.

Originally Posted by iwrock

Skippy - my bro in law is selling his 04 Ninja 636, if you're interested in a supersport.

IIRC he's the second owner, and it has less than 5k miles. Think he was going to ask like 3500 for it.

I tried two newer ZX6's and they were a smidge tall for me. If this one is fairly local to me, then it might be worth at least a look and test sit. Where's it located?

I've noticed that 10-15 year old liter bikes are plentiful on CL at reasonable prices. Should I?

[Simpler=Better]

On a side note, have you tried adjusting the seat? I lifted my ninja's seat 2" and it made a world of difference. Was comfortable for hours at a time.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Skippy

I tried two newer ZX6's and they were a smidge tall for me. If this one is fairly local to me, then it might be worth at least a look and test sit. Where's it located?

I've noticed that 10-15 year old liter bikes are plentiful on CL at reasonable prices. Should I?

Down here in Sacramento.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

On a side note, have you tried adjusting the seat? I lifted my ninja's seat 2" and it made a world of difference. Was comfortable for hours at a time.

A taller seat is about the last thing I need. Kawasaki makes a lower seat that fits my bike, but I've gotten along with the regular one for years now. While the stock seat isn't the greatest, I'm still good on it for about three hours.

[BAVBMW]

Originally Posted by Skippy

A taller seat is about the last thing I need. Kawasaki makes a lower seat that fits my bike, but I've gotten along with the regular one for years now. While the stock seat isn't the greatest, I'm still good on it for about three hours.

Three hours? But what are you going to do after breakfast?

MV

[Skippy]

I'm going to look at a Striple today. Low mile 2012 with flycatcher and belly pan already installed, and it's purple.

Linky: Trimph Street Triple 2012

Triumph makes a low seat for it that I'll probably be getting if I pick this bike up.

Update: Seller is a small business owner and has had to postpone due to business needs.

[Skippy]

Update: The 2012 didn't work out. Seller and I never managed to meet up and then she never returned my phone calls. Going to look at and probably buy a 2008 Striple on Wednesday.

[jcyuhn]

Originally Posted by Skippy

Update: The 2012 didn't work out. Seller and I never managed to meet up and then she never returned my phone calls. Going to look at and probably buy a 2008 Striple on Wednesday.

Good luck. I think that first triple was rather badly overpriced, so no great loss. For reference, this one was recently for sale in Texas: *SOLD** '12 Triumph Street Triple R $5,500 - TWT Forums. Same year, a few more miles (but not enough to matter), it's the higher spec R version, and a whole lot less money. I was seriously tempted, but too booked up to make down to the Houston area.

[Skippy]

Bought the Striple. Here's the sellers ad for as long as it stays up:

2008 Triumph Street Triple - 675

By the numbers it's not all that different from my Ninja 650, about 37 pounds and 44 horsepower. Subjectively, it's like the difference a 240D and a 911. It feels as light and tossable as my old Ninja 250, but with vastly more power, and much stronger brakes. I haven't run it flat out yet, but it pulls way hard. And you can cruise at 35 in sixth gear.

I wanted "LIMEY" for a personalized plate, but it's not available. I think I'll go with a standard numbered Navy vet plate unless someone here has a better suggestion.

[dynalow]

Originally Posted by Skippy

Bought the Striple. Here's the sellers ad for as long as it stays up:

2008 Triumph Street Triple - 675

By the numbers it's not all that different from my Ninja 650, about 37 pounds and 44 horsepower. Subjectively, it's like the difference a 240D and a 911. It feels as light and tossable as my old Ninja 250, but with vastly more power, and much stronger brakes. I haven't run it flat out yet, but it pulls way hard. And you can cruise at 35 in sixth gear.

I wanted "LIMEY" for a personalized plate, but it's not available. I think I'll go with a standard numbered Navy vet plate unless someone here has a better suggestion.

"SEE YA"
or CEE Ya
or "SEA YA"
Guy in our club has SEA YA on his here (NJ coastline).
Saw a good one in Maine 20 yr ago on a nice custom Harley : "LYTNUP"

...otoh, I actually passed a crotch rocket yesterday. First for me. He was holding up traffic in the left lane. I think 70 must have been his limit. Cars were rolling along at 75-80.