Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone! I am here for help for looking for a motorcycle.

I prefer the look of the standard bikes from this time line. What models would you recommend for a person looking for his first motorcycle. If it makes any difference i'm a male standing a 5 feet 8 inches weighing in at 155 pounds. I believe i am capable enough to do some work on a motorcycle if i have a owners manual handy.

Also if you know of any standard bikes that are newer and look similar to past styles i'd be interested in those as well.

1980-82 Honda CB650 Custom. Classic, timeless styling with a solid engine, comfortable seating position and good performance. Not too heavy or awkward for a newbie rider and cheap to insure. Lots of them were built and they are still fairly easy to get parts for to this day.

CB's XS's GS's KZ's are all mostly easy to find and work on.

For a bigger part older Japanese motorcycles need oil change, chain adjustment/lube and new tires. Otherwise; they are gas and go for most of a season.

There were some "retro" standard bikes built in the 90s that might fit the bill.

Kawasaki fielded the Zephyr, which came in 550, 750 and 1100 cc models. These were just newer versions of f the old standard KZ bikes of the 70s and 80s. Kawasaki also sold the W650. A copy of the 60s Triumph Bonny parallel twin.

Honda built the Nighthawk series in 250 and 750. The 250 was built until last year and the 750 went away (in the U.S.) in '03. These were standard "CB" models.

The benefit of buying the later versions, as opposed to buying actual bikes from the 70s, is that the technology is more current and you'll probably have fewer problems with a 10 yr. old bike than a 30 yr. old bike.

Banned
Where are you from. I know someone that has a honda 550f for sale it look like it is in good shape , sounded good. Not what year it is I did ask. But it would be a good starter bike. I trying to talk the wife into letting me get it.

I live in Chico, CA about an hour away from sacramento. yea i'm just into the whole standard look and don't really care too much about riding as fast as i can (i like to think i'm past that phase for right now).i'll definitely take a look into newer bikes as i'm sure being a new rider having to work on problems might make riding less enjoyable. one bike that i was looking at was an sv650, but didn't want to get something that powerful yet.

Best bike is an 83-86 Nighthawk. Shaft drive, self adjusting valves. Good handing and bulletproof engine. Normal upright riding position.

I did 25,000 miles on an 84 650 without issues.

How limited is your budget? The Triumph Bonneville line has a retro design. They'd be at the very upper range of a beginner bike, but might work.

I know more about Hondas. The CB line is pretty bulletproof. Pre '80s models had kick start as well.

'80s Honda Shadows are also very bullet proof. The VT500C had a run from '83-'86 so there are lots of spare parts and bikes around. Shaft drive, V-twin, 50HP, 0-60mph in 5.3 secs.

Other Honda Shadows also have a long production run. There's the VT600 VLX as well. You didn't say how large a bike you want.

Change the oil, do your liquid matinenance, add gas and the Shadow line is pretty reliable. There is also awesome forum support for most bikes.