i need some tips on motorcycles

[arizona steve]

i really want a harley...but i think thats a little out of my budget. plus, i dont think i really NEED a harley for my first bike.

ive always liked the look of 70s japanese bikes, but wondered about reliability. it seems like milage is always a little higher (30-40k miles on a bike is a lot isnt it?)

ive been coming across some what appear to be good deals...but i dont really know anything about them. any tips on these finds so far?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/684393108.html

little more than i want to spend btu really nice!

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/723487404.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/718998359.html

probably too small, and not street legal? not much info on it, but its right near me and cheap as hell! might just check it out tomorrow if i can..

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/719967776.html

[MYDWAGON]

Try riding them first.Some look cool but maybe uncomfortable for you.A larger cc bike is sometimes better because of a larger frame.

[oneseba]

Starter Cruisers? Used Honda Shadow 750 or 1100 and Yamaha VStar are good options. When you will be ready for your Harley, you might be able to sell these at the same price you bought them.

[bob12312357]

Starter Cruisers? Used Honda Shadow 750 or 1100 and Yamaha VStar are good options. When you will be ready for your Harley, you might be able to sell these at the same price you bought them.

+1 And another good bike and one of the few cruisers I've ridden that I wouldn't mind rockin, the Honda Magna uses the 750cc VFR mill if i'm not mistaken,which is reliable as sunrise. Comfy,quick and relatively agile by cruiser standards. Just rember that those 700-900lb Harleys with their 800-1600cc engines will be slower then a Ninja 250, so if you ever do get that harley don't think a 1000CC sportbike and 1600cc harley take the same twist of the wrist to move.

[dtsRsyx]

if you're looking for a great cruiser, I would say yamaha, suzuki, and honda all produce good ones for less (as well as lower maintainence costs) than a harley, but if you're bent on going with an american bike, i would suggest looking into victory motorcycles, they are designed by Arlen Ness (of harley design fame) and i like the styles they offer a little bit more. but just my two cents...


sorry for any misspellings, it was a scotch night with family and friends

[arizona steve]

i also thought about getting a late 70s early 80s goldwing or police cruiser bike, tearing off all the fairings and covers and junk and blacking it out..it could be a little bit of work but it might be different/interesting.

it seems like the mid-late 70's japanese bikes are cheapest. for a good harley/honda cruiser it looks like im gona spend 3-4 grand and up. hondas/kawasaki/yamaha 70s bikes are running under 2 grand it seems like.

my only gripe with those bikes is the riding style, it doesnt look like you could sit on them for long periods of time like a cruiser. i want to go on bike trips!!

[bob12312357]

Don't be a bitch, I've got no right knee or hip and bad arthritis from all the bones I've broken and done several 1000+ mile on mostly backroads trips on either my TL, Zx-6 or 750. The guys I ride with are all in their 40's- 60's and do it 2. I don't get how anyone can call sitting bolt upright comfortable, especially for long periods of time.