Getting back into it after many years - old but not wise

[ranger l]

Hi. I'm 60 and want to get back to riding recreationally - back country roads, NOT during commuting, cottage rush times etc.
The bike I sold when I stopped riding was a 1973 Kawasaki S1A 250 (triple) which, it turns out from what I read now, was something I should have kept (older now and wiser).

From selling a couple of used cars, I have learned that, contrary to the way I looked at the world when I was a young poor person, these days people will pay more for a car that is about to blow up but looks good all shiny in the parking lot than they will for one which is mechanically perfect but has a bit of road and salt rash. My old Morris got me through 4 years of school with only routine maintenance but every spring it needed a half can of Bondo and a can of Motomaster touch-up paint to keep the cops happy that there were no gaping holes.

I, on the other hand (being 60) favour mechanics and reliability and would like to find a small touring bike that can do 2-3000 kms a year for 3 years - with a realistic hope of me having to do nothing more than change the oil 6 times and replace plugs once. Then, I can either keep it forever or sell it and still get $8-900. That's WAY more important than having it looking like it came out of a showroom, but with 40,000+ kms.

Most of the articles talk about Rebels, Marauders and Viragos - no mention of Kawasakis. I even looked at an '82 Twinstar (200cc) and was very pleasantly surprised - but, it was so lightly used and well looked after, it still had 29 year old original tires. How good could they be?
So, if I could live with a 29 yr. old 200cc. Honda, how about a much newer Kawasaki Eliminator 125 (the cost is similar and the tires newer)? But could that be dangerous? Would it just make me want to move up to a Kawasaki 250 (EL250 or VN250)? PS - Why are those two K-250s never included in any comparison starter articles - yet Hyosungs and KYMCOs are?

While old, I am not as wise as I need be in these ways. If anyone wants to take me under their wing (doesn't have to be a Gold or Silver) with some good advice, I'll be grateful.

With thanks,
Gord

[totalmotorcycle]

Gord to the community! You will find we are really helpful and friendly here.

I put together a Reliable Used Motorcycle Buyers Guide a bit back here that will help you out: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide.htm

For overall reliablility, nothing in the 80's really beat a Honda. The CB series was excellent.

If you are looking for a new bike today then you really have not much to worry about, today's bikes are super reliable vs bikes of the 80's and even 90's. You want something SIMPLE to work on, less cylinders, less plastic, less parts the better. A GS500E fits that as well as a Honda Rebel 250 or a Kawaski Vulcan 500. Suzuki even has a new TU250 out that looks like a 70's bike you might be interested in too:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... -TU250.htm



No matter what you ride, motorcycling is still as fun as you remember it to be.

Welcome back!

Mike

[ranger l]

Thanks for the guide. I will study hard.
I don't care for the look or feel of the supersport or street-sport style of bikes. I'm too old for off road - not even sure of off-pavement. Definitely don't want to ride on freeways, in traffic (not on purpose anyway) or when pressed to get somewhere "on time". I would like a forgiving and light "cruiser" style bike. From what I am reading, among older used stuff, the Virago is favoured because it is a V-Twin and sounds the best. Honda is best for reliability and parts, Hyosung Aquila and KYMCO Venox are getting great reviews even from Harley fans, but are too expensive to start on (used ones are too new) and too powerful. Don't think I should even consider anything bigger than a 250 for the uses noted above. And, if it turns out to be a bad idea and I want to bail, it would be nice if it were easy to resell without losing much money - so maybe Honda again as long as the tires are newer than 29 years.

Does anyone know about the Kawasaki Eliminator 125? The write-ups say it is designed to deliver a lot of its torque at the low end so that it is a nice bike in town and on country lanes - sacrificing performance on highways where I don't think I want to ride anyway.

Thanks folks,

Gord

[sapaul]

I hear you man and my 2 recommends are

Suzuki GN 250

Yamaha SR 250

Both bullet proof, light and easy to ride and maintain

[ranger l]

Thanks SAPAUL. Love the look of the Yamaha.
A number of articles kind of turn their nose up at the Suzuki because of it being only a one-lunger, but yesterday I was talking to a Royal Enfield guy about that very topic and he almost had me convinced that one cylinder is the only true way. So, maybe I should go look at a Suzuki or two.
Still kind of liked that '82 Twinstar though - maybe with a set of recently manufactured used tires.
Would I have to worry about parts for any of the machines of the '80s?

[ranger l]

Saw a beautiful Yamaha Virago today. WOW. Memories of Twinstar fading fast. What to do now? May not be time to check out the 2 singles....
Gord