Total Motorcycle Community Forums

About 6 months ago I decided to start looking for an affordable, older, possible fixer-upper bike and a few weeks ago I found it.

Garage sale in the neighborhood and they were selling a 74 Yamaha DR350, no keys, no title, hadn’t been run in 18 years, make offer. I bought it for $20.

Kicked the engine over several times and it has good compression. Take it all apart (Everything off the frame with the intention of cleaning and painting, starting with the frame - left the engine intact) and go get 2 keys made. Go to a bike shop to inquire about tires and the guy (for various reasons) convinces me that I don’t want this bike. After a bunch of online research I now agree with him.

What I should have done is get the keys made first to see if it ran and then decide where to go from there. I could clean and assemble it and get it running and sell as is, take that money and go after what I really want but now that it's in pieces and I can get what I put into it I am going that route.

Here’s what I am looking for and why. I want a good mileage 4 cycle bike in the 250 – 350 range. The Kawasaki gets a mosquito-fogging 30mpg, which is a bit contrary to what I want. The price was very right but the engine condition is an unknown. I found a guy who will take it for what I spent and a case of beer.

So, anyone have a suggestion as to what I might like? A co-worker has a 2003 Honda reflex, 250 cc, which gets great mileage but it’s more than I want to spend. I’m looking for something to ride around town with an occasional short road trip. Another thing I may stear clear of is the older point style type ignition. Any thoughts on electronic ignition VS points??

Thanks in advance!!

Bob

Buy a well-running $1000 motorcycle off of Craigs List that doesn't require any major maintenance. Ride it for six months while you learn how to ride.

You can then learn on a bike that won't cost a mint if you dump it and then spend time looking for the bike that you want. When you find the bike you want, sell the learner bike on Craigs List for the $1000 you paid for it.

I'm getting my brother into biking and after he takes the MSF, I'm going to help him find a $1000 MC to ride for the first six months or so and THEN start looing at what his "real bike" will be.

Get an 80s Honda CB. This one below is a 250cc that has about 28hp and gets around 50 mpg. These are classics and will likely suit your needs.

Bach, that's more or less what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

There is a forseeable problem I am going to figure out - I am 6'7" and have no idea how well i am going to fit on a motorcycle.

A co-worker told me that the only thing I will fit on is a BMW.

I solved the fit-on-a-bicycle issue by having a bicycle frame custom made to fit and am guessing that this isn't an option with a motorcycle. It's definately not an option considering my bank account!

Any thoughts on what may fit a tall rider????

Tall isn't enough... a lot depends on where the height is (legs or torso)... there are tall guys (6'7" and above) riding ninja 250s... and others (the leggier ones I assume) that find them uncomfortable.

Assuming leggy:

Any of the larger dual sports will be good. KLR650 is my recommendation. They are cheap, supposedly great learner bikes, and tall. They've been around forever and there always seem to be a few available on the used market because most people want cruisers or sport bikes...it's a dual sport that looks very offroad/mad max.

The V-Strom is another good choice but they are newer and more expensive.

Older BMWs are around, cheap, reliable, and many consider them good starter bikes.... I'm not sure if they are really that tall though.

A lot of it is just sitting on different bikes and deciding what you like best.

Thanks...