900cc

[mordantmonkey]

so i'm wanting a new bike, badly. I'm looking at an early 80's honda cb900 ss, but I wanted to get some opinions as to whether I should be looking at smaller bikes.

My previous and only motorbike was a 79 suzuki gs550. I put 7,000 miles on it between november 06 and august of 07 including a 2k solo ride from KC, Missouri to LA, California.

I feel like i'm responsible enough that I wouldn't screw myself. but thought i'd ask some veterans here. How long before you were riding bigger bikes?

 

[Arkaign]

What's your size/weight/height? If you're used to a 550, I'd recommend a 600-750 class, unless you're a bigger guy or have an insane thirst for ultimate power.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Heh, I started out on a late 70s CB750. :laugh:

Have you looked at the Suzuki SV650 naked? I'm thinking of that as my next bike. Or, if I can afford it, a Ducati GT1000 Classic Sport.

 

[MiataNC]

Why such an old bike?

Brake, suspension, and engine technology has come so far since the '80s, unless you are want a classic bike, I would recommend something built within the last 1o years.

Plenty of great "naked" bikes, if that is where your taste runs. SV650, SV1000, Z750, Z1000, Bandit 600/650/1200/1250, Ducati Monsters, Honda 599/919, Honda CB750, etc.

 

[mordantmonkey]

definitely not a bigger guy. but the 550 just started to feel kind of weak, especially in highway acceleration. but that was probably a combination of the cc's as well as the age and weight.

i'll check out some of the newer naked bikes you mentioned. but frankly i just like the styling of the old bikes. plus they are usually pretty easy to work on and built like tanks. at least i know the old gs's are.

 

[Arkaign]

Could finance one of these pretty cheap :

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/S50K8/Default.aspx

I tried the S83, and it was a very good bike. Extremely comfortable, and plenty of power. Obviously it's not a sport bike, but it's an outstanding type for city cruising. All the suggestions above are excellent as well.

 

[dpert1]

I'm 6 even and 140 lbs, I started out with a Honda Shadow 500cc and a few months after I got that, my dad got a Harley Sportster 1200cc. I'v been riding that ever since, theres really not a huge difference in riding skill between the two. I think you'd be fine with the 900.

 

[rstrohkirch]

The only thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not you believe you are able to handle the difference in acceleration.
If you think that you'll be able to properly control the throttle in any given situation you may encounter on the street...then there isn't really much more to ask.

 

[Kelvrick]

What type of engine is it?

A 900cc cruiser is different from a 900cc sports bike.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
What type of engine is it?

A 900cc cruiser is different from a 900cc sports bike.

it's a honda cb900 supersport. but it's also one from 1982, so not quite the same as a 900 cc ducati.

95 hp... quite a step up from the 50 hp of my last bike.

i kind of wanted a 750, but this 900 looks like a good deal, old cb750's seem to have become a collectors item recently. plus i'm not exactly bummed about more power.

 

[MixMasterTang]

95 hp for a 900cc is pretty weak, and I wouldn't be too concerned if you have been riding for a while. My 600cc has 95hp, granted it only kicks in at higher rpm's, but I don't think you'd have a problem. But like other people said, why are you looking at such an old bike? Why not look at some newer 600-750cc bikes with the same or more horsepower?

Edit: Also let me know next time you ride out to LA and maybe I'll tag along!

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
definitely not a bigger guy. but the 550 just started to feel kind of weak, especially in highway acceleration. but that was probably a combination of the cc's as well as the age and weight.

i'll check out some of the newer naked bikes you mentioned. but frankly i just like the styling of the old bikes. plus they are usually pretty easy to work on and built like tanks. at least i know the old gs's are.

I went 10 months on an '83 400 (my first bike), then I moved up to a brand-new 650, my current ride. Modern engines are VERY different than old engines. I also tried riding a 1050 Triumph Tiger, which totally outclassed my bike on power, but I never felt like it was dangerous or uncontrollable in any way.

Really the power shouldn't be a problem...it will be MUCH more powerful than you're used to, but you have enough experience to control it easily. After all, the power only comes on when you crank the throttle, it doesn't suddenly spring out of your hands with no warning. The thing I would worry about more is the lousy brakes that 80s bikes have. The brakes on my new bike are about a billion times better than those on my old one. At the time I didn't think that my brakes were all that bad, but now I know better.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to the older bikes, but at least do yourself the favor of test-riding some newer ones before you make your final decision.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
definitely not a bigger guy. but the 550 just started to feel kind of weak, especially in highway acceleration. but that was probably a combination of the cc's as well as the age and weight.

i'll check out some of the newer naked bikes you mentioned. but frankly i just like the styling of the old bikes. plus they are usually pretty easy to work on and built like tanks. at least i know the old gs's are.

I went 10 months on an '83 400 (my first bike), then I moved up to a brand-new 650, my current ride. Modern engines are VERY different than old engines. I also tried riding a 1050 Triumph Tiger, which totally outclassed my bike on power, but I never felt like it was dangerous or uncontrollable in any way.

Really the power shouldn't be a problem...it will be MUCH more powerful than you're used to, but you have enough experience to control it easily. After all, the power only comes on when you crank the throttle, it doesn't suddenly spring out of your hands with no warning. The thing I would worry about more is the lousy brakes that 80s bikes have. The brakes on my new bike are about a billion times better than those on my old one. At the time I didn't think that my brakes were all that bad, but now I know better.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to the older bikes, but at least do yourself the favor of test-riding some newer ones before you make your final decision.

points heeded.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
definitely not a bigger guy. but the 550 just started to feel kind of weak, especially in highway acceleration. but that was probably a combination of the cc's as well as the age and weight.

i'll check out some of the newer naked bikes you mentioned. but frankly i just like the styling of the old bikes. plus they are usually pretty easy to work on and built like tanks. at least i know the old gs's are.

I went 10 months on an '83 400 (my first bike), then I moved up to a brand-new 650, my current ride. Modern engines are VERY different than old engines. I also tried riding a 1050 Triumph Tiger, which totally outclassed my bike on power, but I never felt like it was dangerous or uncontrollable in any way.

Really the power shouldn't be a problem...it will be MUCH more powerful than you're used to, but you have enough experience to control it easily. After all, the power only comes on when you crank the throttle, it doesn't suddenly spring out of your hands with no warning. The thing I would worry about more is the lousy brakes that 80s bikes have. The brakes on my new bike are about a billion times better than those on my old one. At the time I didn't think that my brakes were all that bad, but now I know better.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to the older bikes, but at least do yourself the favor of test-riding some newer ones before you make your final decision.

Agreed. I've been riding an old Honda CB750 and have ridden a few new bikes recently to see what I want (I'm ready for a more modern machine-but I'll keep my old Honda) and the thing that impresses me most about the newer bikes is the brakes. Power is secondary but still very impressive.

 

[M2008S]

im 17, almost 18. im 5'10 170 lbs and i ride a 1980 honda CB750C

i think youll be fine. its quite a bit of a weight difference. mine weighs over 500lbs

but if you want fast and old.. 1985 yamaha vmax- 1200CC water cooled. almost 100mph in 1/8 mile 11.4sec qtr mile. AND its a cruiser built smaller. 140 horse although it weighs 617 full of fluids...

pic

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: M2008S
im 17, almost 18. im 5'10 170 lbs and i ride a 1980 honda CB750C

i think youll be fine. its quite a bit of a weight difference. mine weighs over 500lbs

but if you want fast and old.. 1985 yamaha vmax- 1200CC water cooled. almost 100mph in 1/8 mile 11.4sec qtr mile. AND its a cruiser built smaller. 140 horse although it weighs 617 full of fluids...

pic

Vmax is pretty damn wicked any way you look at it. It will still give many modern sport bikes fits on the straights. Watch out on the curves though, the soft stock suspension and setup make it so that it's best to really plan nice and easy turns.

MADMAX FTW

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: M2008S

but if you want fast and old.. 1985 yamaha vmax- 1200CC water cooled. almost 100mph in 1/8 mile 11.4sec qtr mile. AND its a cruiser built smaller. 140 horse although it weighs 617 full of fluids...

pic

bah the vmax came from my bike. I have the 79 Yamaha XS1100 inline 4, the Vmax is the redesign of the XS series. The XS came factory then as 11 second 1/4 miler, top bike then and still keeps up with crotch rockets. It's going to do even better once I finish the turbo project on it.

If you went to a Vmax mid 90's are the best bet, newer ones seem to have lost their power, don't feel as hungry as the others.

 

[mordantmonkey]

test drove the bike. bike needed a bit of work. but man that thing could haul. nothing i couldn't handle, but jeez! 55 in second without trying too hard.

i'll take the advice and test drive some newer machines. any recommendations on something that is easier to work on? I like the look of the naked ducati's, but i hear they are murder to wrench yourself. hard to find newer bikes that i like the look of though. i dislike the look of the upswept tail of most newer bikes and i'm not really into cruisers. i'm a picky bastard i know.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
test drove the bike. bike needed a bit of work. but man that thing could haul. nothing i couldn't handle, but jeez! 55 in second without trying too hard.

i'll take the advice and test drive some newer machines. any recommendations on something that is easier to work on? I like the look of the naked ducati's, but i hear they are murder to wrench yourself. hard to find newer bikes that i like the look of though. i dislike the look of the upswept tail of most newer bikes and i'm not really into cruisers. i'm a picky bastard i know.

Heh, you should try the Triumph 1050. I cranked it open for a quick burst on an empty stretch of straightaway, and when I looked down I was going 120. I shut it down REALLY fast when I saw that!

You want easy to wrench, get something air-cooled like a DR650. Probably not what you're looking for, though. Honestly, few of the modern Jap bikes need a whole lot of wrenching. My personal experience is with the Suzuki DL650 (it's a retuned SV650 motor), and honestly the only problem I've had with it is that it must have some kind of fuel leak..I have to pull over and top off the tank every 300 miles or so.:laugh: Other than that I've just changed the oil and lubed the chain. I'm due for a valve inspection, which I plan on doing myself. Other owners' experiences indicate that they'll probably all be in spec.

So, depending on what you want out of a bike, some bikes worth looking at are the SV650 (DL650 if you want the extra height, range, and don't mind the ugly), Ninja (a bit more sporty-looking, but with more comfortable seating than full sportbikes), Versys (again, ugly to some), Triumph Tiger or Thruxton (reliability probably not be as high as the Japanese). You could also check out the BMWs, although like Triumph they'll be a bit more pricey. But walk into a few dealerships, see what grabs your fancy...

 

[MiataNC]

I sold my '04 SV650S last September.

I rode the V-Strom (Wee-Strom) DL650 ABS at Bike Week in Daytona last Friday. It's on my short list for my next bike.

I have never been on a more comfortable or user friendly bike. It was like putting on your favorite pair of jeans or tennis shoes. My only complaint is that it didn't feel like it had enough "oomph" for 2-up touring with a full set of hard luggage for my tastes (though many owners do just that).

If you are looking for the perfect commuter with all day comfort, you owe it to yourself to take a long hard look at the DL650 V-Strom.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MiataNC
I have never been on a more comfortable or user friendly bike. It was like putting on your favorite pair of jeans or tennis shoes. My only complaint is that it didn't feel like it had enough "oomph" for 2-up touring with a full set of hard luggage for my tastes (though many owners do just that).

That's why they make the DL1000.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MiataNC
I have never been on a more comfortable or user friendly bike. It was like putting on your favorite pair of jeans or tennis shoes. My only complaint is that it didn't feel like it had enough "oomph" for 2-up touring with a full set of hard luggage for my tastes (though many owners do just that).

That's why they make the DL1000.

No ABS on the 1K.

Maybe for '09, but who knows. Going to look at and prob pick up a used bike this week, and wait for next year

 

[M2008S]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: M2008S

but if you want fast and old.. 1985 yamaha vmax- 1200CC water cooled. almost 100mph in 1/8 mile 11.4sec qtr mile. AND its a cruiser built smaller. 140 horse although it weighs 617 full of fluids...

pic

bah the vmax came from my bike. I have the 79 Yamaha XS1100 inline 4, the Vmax is the redesign of the XS series.

muh dad had an xs1100, he was saying how a guy with a honda cbx beat him and he got pissed.

the bike scared him but he kept it till the end. ended up riding no more because a truck pulled out in front of his best friend, he hit the bed went over it and head first into a curb. helmet sheared in 2 hospitalized for a month and didnt know who he was or what happened for 2 weeks. thats why he doesnt let me

yet i want to ride

 

[mordantmonkey]

yeah that thruxton looks plenty nice. but then I made the mistake of looking at the Ducati GT 1000 . OMG, I want. I just can't seem to justify $8K for a motorcycle, no matter how sexy. I'm a cheap bastard i know.