MordantMonkey wrote:good to know, Maybe i'll look at 4-500cc instead. How are vintage 75-83 bikes at handling long distance highway riding? specifically one in very good shape with low miles. i'm talking several days to a few weeks.
I once owned an 82 Honda 650 Nighthawk which I thought was a fine bike and was easy to ride - even 2 up. I think you'd be fine on something like that. (Honda also made a 450 Nighthawk but those are rather rare.) A 650 from the early 80s is much slower than one of today's 600cc sport bikes so don't go by CCs alone.
I agree with this statement
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
I'm looking at an '82 GS750T, personally.
I'm planning on the same thing, get familiar with the bike, and comfortable riding (I've completed the MSF and am looking for the first bike), then I plan to ride two-up on at least weekend trips.
I've grown sort of fond of the old UJM's since I've started looking at them!
MordantMonkey wrote:good to know, Maybe i'll look at 4-500cc instead. How are vintage 75-83 bikes at handling long distance highway riding? specifically one in very good shape with low miles. i'm talking several days to a few weeks.
Ive been riding a '78 400cc yamaha with a dry weight of around 350 pounds. Ive taken it on the highway a few times and it felt fine cruising around 65-70. It had some throttle left but I didnt want to take it any faster than that.
It depends where you live, if you live on the flat and level plains, a 125cc street bike will pull you around at any speed limit, but if you live in the mountains you will need a 500cc or bigger bike, if ur planning on long road trips DON'T get a cruiser bike, or a crotch rocket, I would suggest the perfect do anything bike is the Yamaha FZ6, the Honda 599, the Kawasaki 500 or 650 Ninja, or the Suzuki SV650 or DL650 V Strom. Personally I like the Yamaha FZ6 the best.
2011 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, 09 Yamaha Tmax, 08 Suzuki King Quad 750
MordantMonkey wrote:good to know, Maybe i'll look at 4-500cc instead. How are vintage 75-83 bikes at handling long distance highway riding? specifically one in very good shape with low miles. i'm talking several days to a few weeks.
If you're talking road trips of a few weeks, I'd think a UJM in the 550-650 range would work great. Four cylinders are a big plus for a smoother ride and less fatigue. The riding positions on UJMs are basically a standard upright position which I've found works well for long distance riding. Back in the 80s I rode from Southern NM to Montana and back swapping between a 550 and a 650 Kawasaki. Both bikes were more than up to the task.
These bikes are getting a bit long in the tooth (even if they have low miles). You'll have to keep on top of the maintenance issues if you want a dependable long-distance mount of that age.
there are only 2 kinds of bikes: It's a Ninja... look that one's a Harley... oh there's a Ninja... Harley...Ninja...
