Older cycle for a noob

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yoippari · #1 Unread post by **yoippari** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:22 pm

I found a '77 yamaha 100cc on craigs list. It isn't the only older cycle I've found locally and am wondering if these older bikes would be ok for a noob to really learn on or if more time would be spent on maintenance than the road.

Edit: Something that I've been looking at but don't want to learn on because I will likely drop it is a Royal Enfield Electra X. Its a thumper so a lot of low end acceleration and with a couple of modifications can do 80mph (though 65 is enough I'd rather not run it at it's top speed). The main thing is that insurance for a brand new $5200 bike with $1000 in modifications is in the $700 range if I go to my own insurance. Right now my car is $1140 (per year). That is compared to something under $300 being quoted for a early 80s honda 400cc.

Would a new 412lb 500cc single cylinder be safe/smart/good to learn on?

jonnythan · #2 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:33 am

A 30 year old kick-start 2-stroke?

Pass. Get something a little more modern.

HYPERR · #3 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:38 am

jonnythan wrote:A 30 year old kick-start 2-stroke?

Pass. Get something a little more modern.

All the RDs that I had had both the kick and the electric. I never had a 100 so I'm not sure about that one.

jonnythan · #4 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:15 am

I can't place just what bike it is, but looking at Yamaha parts catalogs, none of their small 2-stroke bikes had electric starts back in '77.