Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Not sure where to post this, but I went through some websites/newspapers and have been writing down all the cruiser style bikes that I see that are typically 650cc and under. Problem is, I am interested in older (particularly 70's) model bikes and it's tricky to find info on them but here's what I have thus far:

Honda:

Rebel 234cc air cooled 306 lbs

Nighthawk 234cc air cooled 287 lbs

Shadow VLX 583cc liquid cooled 452 lbs

Shadow VLX Deluxe 583cc liquid cooled 458 lbs

CL350 scrambler

CL450 scrambler

MT250 Elsinore

CB125S

Hawk400 Four
Suzuki:
S-32-2 150cc

GT380 Sebring 380cc 400 lbs

GS550 550cc

GS400 400cc

GS450L 450cc

GS450T 450cc


Yamaha (Star Motorcycles):
Virago250 249cc air cooled 302 lbs

V-Star Classic 649cc air cooled 544 lbs

V-Star Custom 649cc air cooled 474 lbs.

V-Star Silverado 649cc air cooled 544 lbs.

That's all I got anybody know any other good sub 650's I may be able to look at / get my hands on? Also how hard is it to find parts for some of these old bikes and will i probably need parts? Which need to be replaced relatively often? Also, which bikes tend to be most reliable?
Sorry I have SO many questions! This is like entering a whole new world! It's so exciting!

Yamaha also made a 535 CC Virago, Kawasaki makes a 500 CC Vulcan, Suzuki makes the LS 650 Savage (Single cylinder) . All three are either still in production, or were recently produced and have been for many years, so parts availability is a non-issue.

All of the Japanese companies build good bikes in terms of reliability, Just take care of it, and it should be trouble-free for the most part. Some of them have more frequent maintenance schedules than others. Yamahas tend to go longer between valve adjustments than the others, depending on the model. Honestly, you can't go wrong with a well-maintained Japanese bike, so just pick the one you like, and go for it!

i dont know if your after new or used? the crusier i would buy is a vulcan 750
yeah its a 750 but its cheap. a mere 6099$ msrp. has the cool 80's look and is more technically advanced the the latest crop of crusiers. plenty of go power also.

if your into old. check out Ural,and royal E.

for the cc's you listed the vulcan 500 has the most punch. a 750 magna is tasty fast but no longer made

I'm a fan of the older bikes as well. If you can find one and want a standard style I would suggest the 70's CB series. Just my

Stupid question but have you tried looking on cycletrader.com?

thanks guys for such helpful advice! Yeah, I've been scouting cycletrader like crazy. Unfortunately I've kind of fallen in love with the idea of owning either a:
Honda CB400T Hawk
or the Dream or Super Dream model. Who knows if/when I'll find and/or be able to get one - can't do an MSF class until next summer because they are all filled up in my area - and still working on talking the girlfriend and my mom into allowing the purchase (broke and saving money for engagement ring, still living under parents roof after graduating college - their roof - their rules. I got my degree in communications though so I'm pretty sure I could talk them into it, plus I'm pretty responsible ) Plus I have to find some to "try on" for size before I purchase you know?

Hey, if you're a commuter (or going to be) give 'em the 'gas milleage' talk.

I drive 60 miles to work, and then 60 miles home. Assuming (pfft, right) that, after 13 years, my car gets it's original window-sticker milleage of 30 MPG on the highway, and with gas at $2.50/gal...

I spend about $200 a month on gas going only to work and back in my cage. Redoing the math with my bike, it comes down to just over half that amount.

wow! nevermind all this - I didn't realize we had this resource!
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... cturer.htm
how helpful is that!

Mike's more than just an authoritative voice round here.... he finds some pretty handy info, too.