First motorcycle

[bilzy7]

Going to check it out tomorrow. Figured it's cheap it's old and for a first bike I don't want super nice. I know sport bikes people say start around 600-750cc but I don't wanna be uncomfortable during my 20 min rides to gym or school. Cheaper then getting a second vehicle. Won't look gay Luke if I was to get a scooter... No I've never ridden a motorcycle or anything besides a bike lol. I am mature so not gonna need a bike for showing off or do stupid crap on it. I'm just worried bout potholes. God I hate MA streets. I don't even have a permit for one yet.

http://www.newenglandpowersports.com/c128/preowned_detail.aspx?VIN=1HFSC1205EA105255

 

[RavoHimself]

dude. nice find. massholes are a pain to avoid. especially on bikes. i'm only 17 and want a bike like that. i know if i got a steet bike i would kill myself so i want a cruiser. my uncle has a late 90's vulcan 750. its so nice. i want it. and be happy when you get 40+ mpg

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

first and only motorcycle i've ever ridden was a 85 honda CB500. handled great! i'll stick to 4 wheels though lol

it was interesting shifting at 8k rpms though

 

[hopster]

mid 80s hondas in general are great bikes until something goes wrong. then theyre a pain in the keester. shadows are my favorite just like that one. looks like a good deal just make sure its in good shape before you buy.

 

[BlackBII]

1100 is pretty big for a first time rider, just don't be stupid and you'll most likely live. It's not so much the power, but the weight of those bikes. They're heavy and take some practice to ride.

Remember, it's not if you crash, but when. Get a quality helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots. And don't forget the kevlar reinforced jeans.

The bike looks clean and is decently priced. Those V4's are a bitch to work on though...I would clean the carbs and make sure the battery and grounds are in good condition, and clean the grounds regardless. Make sure the tires are in good shape with no dry rot.

Riding is fun, but you have to pay 100% of your attention to the road at all times. Most accidents happen close to home, and this is because you are not in 'riding mode' yet and aren't concentrating.

Good luck.

 

[hopster]

that reminds me that i havent changed the oil or tuned the carbs on my bike yet this year. better get on that dont feel like doin engine work on a v4.

 

[fastpakr]

A V65 Magna is an absolutely horrible choice for a first bike. At the time it came out (and for several years afterwards as I recall) it was the fastest production bike in existence. It bears NOTHING in common with a modern cruiser in terms of performance. Imagine performance rivaling a 600 sportbike but without any of the handling benefits. Don't get me wrong - in the right hands they're a wonderful piece of machinery that is absolutely worth owning. It's just the wrong choice for you.

Find something else.

 

[JC 97]

+1 on being a bad first bike,I believe the 1100's had cam chain problems also.They are a pain in the azz to work on.I worked for a couple of honda dealers in the 80's and 90's.Those bikes are not fun to work on.I've been riding for 28 yrs.If you want something sporty and good gas mileage I would look at a kawasaki ninja 500(ex500).A good beginner bike with decent power.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I'd recommend finding an 07 or older Kawasaki Ninja 250..you can pick them up fairly cheaply anymore (under $2,000). Great beginner bike, very light, enough power to have fun with, and 60+ mpg.

 

[fastpakr]

Yep, the 500 in cruiser (Vulcan 500) or sportbike (Ninja 500) form is an excellent choice. Easy to manage for a beginner, and power is not at all lacking. I've put about 15k on my $800 '99 Vulcan 500. A friend of mine has a '94 (first gen) Vulcan 500 and it's a hair quicker than the LTD. The first gen version ran a ~14 second stock quarter mile. At the time it came out, its performance was on par with Kawasaki's 1500cc cruisers because of the Ninja derived engine and extremely low weight. I've put over 600 miles on mine in 24 hours with no problems at all, and there's a member on the Vulcan forum with 128k miles on his '97 that just finished doing a SaddleSore 1000 a couple of days ago.

 

[fastpakr]

Also, a 20 minute ride shouldn't be a problem on -any- type of bike. Even a supersport is plenty comfortable at that distance. I've done that a couple of times today alone on a GSX-R 600.

One more option that's worth checking out is a Yamaha FZ-6. Extremely comfortable, inexpensive to buy, and a great combination of power and relatively easy to learn on. Definitely not slow by any stretch.

 

[fastpakr]

1986 Honda Shadow 700 $1500
1984 Honda Nighthawk $1300
1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD $750
1984 Honda Shadow VT500C $1000

Any of those would be far more practical and infinitely more appropriate for a first bike.

 

[TastySloth]

I have an '82 Kawasaki 440D LTD. It was cheap (free) and all I had to do was clean the tank, clean the carbs and replace the front pulley. Honestly, it was a really good first bike. My dad and I went to get our endorsements together and we both used mine for the ridden (Of course his was a brand new 1100 Shadow). It is nice and nimble (I think it is 400lbs wet) and isn't that slow with the 6 speed (well, I'm 5'10" and 140 so anything would be quick). I would recommend something around that size. Get some flatter, drag-like bars for it though... wayyy more comfortable!

What I was told when I got my first one was that if you can't pick it up after laying it down, you shouldn't ride one that big. I would think that the 1100 would be ridiculous for learning on.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

I'd recommend finding an 07 or older Kawasaki Ninja 250..you can pick them up fairly cheaply anymore (under $2,000). Great beginner bike, very light, enough power to have fun with, and 60+ mpg.

My son just traded his 500 quad for one of those.
I love it, rides great and light as hell,moves pretty good for a 250.

Would be a lot better first bike than a 1100.

 

[84bluebronco2]

A V65 Magna is an absolutely horrible choice for a first bike. At the time it came out (and for several years afterwards as I recall) it was the fastest production bike in existence. It bears NOTHING in common with a modern cruiser in terms of performance. Imagine performance rivaling a 600 sportbike but without any of the handling benefits. Don't get me wrong - in the right hands they're a wonderful piece of machinery that is absolutely worth owning. It's just the wrong choice for you.

Find something else.

I'm looking for a V65 Honda. I'm still scared and I've been moving around on my 650 for almost three years now. Fast is spot on. Those 1100's will give any 600-750 gsxr or something of the sort a run for their money, but with the handling of the cruiser Honda tried to make. Probably my absolute dream bike, not at all a beginner bike. Pick up something like a Yamaha Maxim. That's what I have. They are a dime a dozen for most parts, and are really easy to ride, with kick in the pants power to boot.