Might have found a starter bike

[Alibi]

Hello all. I've been looking for a starter bike for a couple months now rather casually. My plan was to find an older standard/cruiser bike for cheap and then fix it (mainly to learn about bikes in general). A friend of mine happens to have an old bike in his garage. It belongs to his dad but he hasn't touched it in years. Its either a Kawasaki GS 750 or 850 (I haven't been able to tell for sure from the picture he sent me). He's got all the parts but the bike needs to be pulled apart and pretty much rebuilt.

As the weather is nasty right now I'd have all the time in the world to rebuild it, but I was wondering if anyone here knew if this would be a bad bike to use as a starter? I know 850cc is pretty steep for a starter, but thats by todays standards. A friend of mine who rides says that for the early 80's, an 850 cc bike isn't nearly as powerful as a modern 850. Is this true?

Assuming I get the bike (for dirt cheap, I'm hoping), I'll be collecting leathers. I know I'll need boots, a helmet, and a jacket...but are chaps good enough for protecting ones legs?

And yes, I plan on taking a training course in the spring but I just wanted to get a bike ready before then

Thanks for any input!

[jeffcoslacker]

If it's a GS, it's a Suzuki...the GS750 and 850 aren't up to current standards, power output wise, but still a formidable bike, and not really a good beginner bike in my opinion. You gotta remember they were the bad boys in their time, which makes them still a poor pick for a beginner. Plenty of power to get yourself in trouble you can't handle yet....

I had a GS750 a couple of years ago...it had enough power to thrill me, and I've been riding forever...I got rid of it because I found the bike's steering geometry to be such that while great for quick handling, was always "wanting" input from me, couldn't just settle down and ride comfortably (I'm used to cruisers, though)...I just felt unrelaxed on it.

I saw a nice older 450cc Nighthawk for sale here for $600...something like that would be perfect...

[richtazz]

Any bike has enough power to get a newb in trouble, so if you can get that bike cheap enough, and fix it up properly, it should be a good starter bike if you respect it. Chaps are fine for protecting ones legs, as are a good sturdy pair of jeans for all but the high speed crash. A motorcycle specific leather jacket with padded/armored elbows and shoulders is a smart idea also.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Any bike has enough power to get a newb in trouble, so if you can get that bike cheap enough, and fix it up properly, it should be a good starter bike if you respect it. .

Depends. One kid my brother used to hang out with died after going airborne into a tree when he got his three day old GSXR-1000 (first bike; brilliant) up over 80 mph coming through an apartment parking lot (showing off) and couldn't make the turn onto the road...

Now I doubt he could have achieved that on a 450cc bike....you know what I mean? just doesn't have the oomph to do it....

I understand what you mean, but sometimes too much is too much....that GS750 I had was not only pretty fast, but also heavy and lacking in stopping power...not a good combo...

Depends on your maturity and learning curve...I always got ahead of myself, first bike I ever road on the street was a Kawasaki 750 LTD, and it scared the living hell out of me, I'd shake for 10 minutes after getting off the first few times I rode it...it was WAY too much bike for my skill level, and if I'd had a bit more sense it might have scared me away from riding for good, but I stuck with it (that delicious combo of thrill and terror, you know).

I've never wrecked on a bike, and I attribute that to the fact that I've never considered myself an expert, never lost that slight terror when riding, and never let it feel "routine" to be riding...I'm always thrilled with it.

Complacency and cockiness is what gets you killed. Not CC's, you're right there...kinda like saying you're less likely to kill yourself with a .22 than a .45....technically, maybe, but not if you're determined to kill yourself...

[speediva]

I am considering selling my bike (again). I am trying to move out of my parents' house this spring, and in conjunction with trying to take some summertime trips, I could use the cash.

PM if you want some details. Even though it's a 600cc, it's a 94, so it's a little older. Not to mention, the "thrill factor" will be there for a while.

[jeffcoslacker]

Just as a reference...I'm finding non-running but complete GS750 and 850's going for $250 or less....make offer accordingly....

I bought mine for $700 and rode it home, nothing wrong with it...

[richtazz]

We're on the same page Jeff, I agree with you 100%. The bike Alibi is looking at is a way better choice than a Hyabusa or ZX-12 for a first bike. A 450cc Nighthawk is capable of 3rd gear wheelies so it's not idiot proof. Like you stated, a .22 shot right will kill you just as fast as a .45, you just gotta try harder!! It's all about respecting what you ride and riding within your limits.

[Alibi]

So far, this is an interesting discussion. The bike in question isn't running so I don't plan on paying much for it, assuming my friend can talk his dad into selling it...If not then off to the local motorcycle junkyard. Also, I wanted a beat-up bike to start on anyway since I'd just mess it up eventually from dropping it.

I certainly hope that I know myself well enough to not abuse the power of the bike (which isn't too horribly much by todays standards but still plenty to get myself into trouble) as I've been into enough trouble with cars so far. I really dont want something to go really fast on, basically something to run around town for quick errands or around the countryside for fun. My ex's dad built Harleys as a hobby so I guess I kinda got the bug from him.

And if I decide its too much power, then I'll just store it untill I can handle it. Part of the reason I wanted a bike to rebuild to start with was so that I could learn about how it works as I fix it. Plus, it would make me think twice before doing anything stupid while riding.

I figure that if I can learn how to fix a car then I can definately learn how to fix a motorcycle. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Thanks so far

[aussieidiot]

i reckon it comes down to the input of the rider versus the power of the bike.

snap open a throttle on a 250 and it'll do bugger all. no wheelie unless your sitting on the passenger seat and give it a good hard tug. do the same on a modern 600 and your in trouble quickly. the smaller the capacity the more time you have to react to an input error.

i absolutely thrashed my old FZR250RR. throttle held full open all the time and running at 15000rpm-19000rpm. could bearly beat a wrx. i stuffed up plenty of times but wasn't carrying the speed or acceleration of a 750 so i had time to react. lucky for me it had twin discs on the front!

i would consider a good starter to be one that has good brakes, handling and suspension over a bigger motor.

[Alibi]

Originally Posted by aussieidiot

The smaller the capacity the more time you have to react to an input error.

^^Excellent point. I took this into mind when I started looking for a bike again and looked for something with a little bit less power.

Anyway, the deal with the 750 fell through so I checked the web and found a local bike salvage yard to see what they had. I found two good possibilities, neither of which need much work to get running again.

80ish Yamaha 400. It was running when it was brought in for a trade but it looks like it will need a new headgasket. No windshield, tires are good, odo reads 2900 something miles. Seat needs upholstered and a new rear tailight mount but otherwise its in pretty good shape. They're asking $400 for this.

80ish Kawasaki 440 LTD. Ran recently until the starter went out (A rebuilt one is about $150 on ebay). Has windshield, sissy bar, side leather bags, good tires. Has 19,xxx miles. They want $450 for this.

Anyone suggestions as to which one I should lean towards? The 400 will probably be a little bit cheaper to get fixed and it has stupid-low miles on it. But on the other hand I rather like the looks of the 440 and it has three things I was going to buy anyway (the bags, windshield, and sissy bar).

Great information so far guys, thanks

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Alibi

^^Excellent point. I took this into mind when I started looking for a bike again and looked for something with a little bit less power.

Anyway, the deal with the 750 fell through so I checked the web and found a local bike salvage yard to see what they had. I found two good possibilities, neither of which need much work to get running again.

80ish Yamaha 400. It was running when it was brought in for a trade but it looks like it will need a new headgasket. No windshield, tires are good, odo reads 2900 something miles. Seat needs upholstered and a new rear tailight mount but otherwise its in pretty good shape. They're asking $400 for this.

80ish Kawasaki 440 LTD. Ran recently until the starter went out (A rebuilt one is about $150 on ebay). Has windshield, sissy bar, side leather bags, good tires. Has 19,xxx miles. They want $450 for this.

Anyone suggestions as to which one I should lean towards? The 400 will probably be a little bit cheaper to get fixed and it has stupid-low miles on it. But on the other hand I rather like the looks of the 440 and it has three things I was going to buy anyway (the bags, windshield, and sissy bar).

Great information so far guys, thanks

I had a Kaw 440 LTD and liked it a lot. Mine had kick start and electric, the one you found doesn't? If it does, screw fixing the stater kicking's more fun.

Mine hadn't been ridden for two years, the carbs were gunked up and the points were corroded, wouldn't start...bought for $150, sold for $500 running and cleaned up...not bad.

Really liked the bike.

Last time I thought I was gonna have to buy a starter for a bike, it was $225 for used one....Gold Wing....I took it apart, and the armature had welded itself to the rear bushing, so I broke them apart and cleaned up the armature, and I had a guy make me a new bushing on his little metal lathe, and fixed it for the $20 I paid him to make it...

[richtazz]

That Kawi is the better choice for sure. They are decent looking, lightweight and have decent power for their size. The windshield, saddle bags and sissy bar are kinda expensive to buy if you want them. If the Yami doesn't have any of the above an dyou want them, there really is no choice but the Kawi.

[Alibi]

Sounds like I'll get the Kawasaki then. I wish I had thought to check if it was chain or belt driven but I didn't. Is one or the other significantly better? I can find parts to swap if so.

I'm excited though...I've been browsing Ebay for a local bike for quite some time now and to finally find a semi-local junkyard is great. Assuming the starter and some basic maintenance stuff gets the bike up to par, I only want a crash bar to finish it up.

Now I just have to wait for my disbursement check from school to go get it, get my license, take a riding class, fix the bike, and enjoy it

Am I missing any steps anywhere?

[jeffcoslacker]

I think the 440s came with both, so it could be either. Mine was a chain.

I prefer belts a bit over chain, they are cleaner, quieter and transmit less shift shock to the tranny. But either way...you'll never wear a chain out with a 440....

[richtazz]

I think you're making the right choice for sure. I have a friend with a small bike collection, and it includes an 04 Honda Shadow, a Kawi 440LTD, and 2 early 70's Honda's, a CB750 and CB125 (really cool little bike) he picked up cheap. Of the 4, he says the Kawi is the most all-around fun.