Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey guys,
I am looking to buy a cruiser 500-750CC for less than $2000. I have looked on CycleTrader and ebay. Mostly they are all from 1981-1987. These are the models I have come across so far. I wonder if i am missing out on any model.
I'm a newbie and have decided on the 500-750 range cruiser for my first bike. I'll be using it as a primary means of transport year round.
I'll appreciate it if someone would point out a model I have missed out in the list. that is worth considering. Also it'd be great if someone would point out the models to strictly avoid based on handling/maintenance issues.

1) Suzuki Savage 650
2) Honda Magna 500 and 750
3) Yamaha Virago 500, 535 and 750
4) Honda SilverWing 500 and 650
5) Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and 750
6) Honda Shadow 500, 650, 700, 750
7) Suzuki GS 750
8) Suzuki Intruder 700 GL
9) Yamaha Radian 650
10) Honda CX 500 and 650
11) Honda CB 750

Ok ... you will be using a cheap bike as a primary means of transport ... Adventurous!

My top recommendation would probably be the Savage. It's one cyl (Less to go wrong, and less to work on when it does go wrong) and it's still being made, so parts and accessories should be easy to find.

I would stay away from the v4 bikes ... they are expensive parts and to get worked on

TechBMW wrote:Ok ... you will be using a cheap bike as a primary means of transport ... Adventurous!

Thanks a bunch for the input!! I really appreciate it.

I'm a graduate student and didn't want to be tied down with loans and interest rate and stuff. So thought I'll use an old motorcycle by just making sure it is in a good condition when buying and then maintaining it religously . Sell it off when maintenance becomes an issue. The philosophy might just work. On the other hand, I might as well get a newer cycle at higher price and hopefully the avoid the maintenance issues. Still pondering on the safety issues. I have some time to make up my mind.
Then there is the fact that I might drop my cycle and if it is new .......

Is it really THAT adventurous to use a cheap bike as a primary vehicle (safety-wise)??

einjun wrote: Is it really THAT adventurous to use a cheap bike as a primary vehicle (safety-wise)??

That depends entirely on the bike. Your biggest concern isn't really a safety one per se - plenty of us (including myself) use 20+ year old bikes day in and day out. Your biggest adventure would be maintenance and repair. The LS650 would probably be the 'least' adventurous for the reasons stated. Especially since you can walk into a suzuki dealer today and still get parts for the LS650 (savage/s40) ... Try doing that w/ a silverwing/cx and see what kind of funny looks you get.

TechBMW wrote: Your biggest adventure would be maintenance and repair.

Point noted !!

TechBMW wrote:The LS650 would probably be the 'least' adventurous for the reasons stated. Especially since you can walk into a suzuki dealer today and still get parts for the LS650 (savage/s40) ... Try doing that w/ a silverwing/cx and see what kind of funny looks you get.

This is exactly the kind of advice I wanted. Thanks a lot again!!! Will look out for savage ads.

The en 500 vulcan is the same bike as the 454 ltd, up until 1996, i think. There is good website and parts support for these bikes. My son has a 94 en500, and it has been 100% trouble free for the nearly year he's owned it. He rides in all weather, and it's his primary mode of transport except in ice. All he's done is change the oil and tires. He hasn't even changed the plugs yet! It almost seems like this bike would thrive on neglect.

The yamaha Virago 535 was proof to be one of reliable bikes too. I believe Yamaha don't make Virago anymore but this is the same engine in V-star 650.

If your budget is 2000 and the year of the bike will be 1981-1987, I believe if you add a bit more around 1K (total 3K) you should be able to find nice cruiser in the year of 1998-2002 and that you have a lot less maintenance to do.

@ 3K you can get
The vulcan EN500 around year 2002
Yamaha V-Star would be around 1999

ronboskz650sr wrote:The en 500 vulcan is the same bike as the 454 ltd, up until 1996, i think. There is good website and parts support for these bikes. My son has a 94 en500, and it has been 100% trouble free for the nearly year he's owned it. He rides in all weather, and it's his primary mode of transport except in ice. All he's done is change the oil and tires. He hasn't even changed the plugs yet! It almost seems like this bike would thrive on neglect.

Thanks for the input!! That's awesome. In Austin I don't have to worry about snow and ice. Only the rain could be a problem occasionally.

I see you ride a late 70s Kawasaki. How is it holding up?

After TechBMW's suggestions, I've been looking at cycles in my list which are still in production and have general good reviews. There are a lot of people who swear by the Vulcan. My choices have now narrowed down to

1) Suzuki Savage - Cheap, low maintenance, great reliability, looks great , easy handling because of light weight but engine not too powerful
2) Honda Shadow - Many people have recommended this one. better engine performance than savage but it can't beat savage in maintenance
3) Vulcan - Comes recommended too
4) Virago 535 - great engine performance and reliability / produced till 2000, so parts should not be a big deal

KON DEE wrote:@ 3K you can get
The vulcan EN500 around year 2002
Yamaha V-Star would be around 1999

Hmm..........what you say makes a lot of sense. You are are spot on with your estimates. I just checked the prices and they are exactly 3K for the models you mention.

Since I'm going to be using it as primary transport, I might as well put in a $1000 bucks more. Honestly I've bben a little annoyed at the idea of having to pay 2K for 23 yr old bikes. There are a couple of ads listed in CycleTrader for Honda Rebel 250 for $2500 and they are from 1985!!!!!! 15 yrs and price doesn't change or what?

Time to go see the loan officer The least my bank can do for me is lend me a couple of thousands

Now I've started wondering if I can add some CCs to my models


Thanks for suggestions. They are helping me out!!

Here's what I've needed in 8000 miles since September:

New plugs $10, new plug wire end caps to replace very old ones $15 (I needed 2, but replaced them all), regular oil and filter changes (3), 2 air filters $10 total, new tires when purchased (your choice here), new battery when purchased $35. I also modified my cam chain tensioner, but not all bikes need this done. Mine had almost 40,000 miles on it. Chris's bike had 13,000 on .

My bike has proven very reliable, as well. I just needed more to get it that way up front (about $70 in parts not counting tires). No big deal, just part of what I bought