Motorbike checkover

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16-10-2023, 08:42 PM
csmiffy

Motorbike checkover

Hey. Life being life and all that I'm talking myself into buy an older Japanese cruiser motorbike.
Still haven't quite got there head wise but if I start down this path it would be nice if some could have a look at it to make sure it's OK. Plus they can be the voice of reason if it's not right and I'm to silly to see it.
Anybody in Christchurch I could call on or at least recommend someone if it gets that far?
Had one good mate in aussie who would be all over this but sadly no skin in the game here
Cheers
Craig
16-10-2023, 09:07 PM
SAUM

Hi Craig

Give me a shout when you find one you are thinking of.
16-10-2023, 09:21 PM
blip

so your not having a mid life crisis and looking at a pos hd...
17-10-2023, 03:06 AM
timattalon

One suggestion from someone who has a couple.....try to get something pst 2000 if you are wanting to ride more than just summer months....6 month wof get old fast- its ok if you use it for 6 months then store it over winter on hold, but otherwise it feels like you go for a wof very time you fill up.....

What sort of thing do you have in mind? Are you looking at riding it a fair bit or just jaunts on the 'weekends'...?
17-10-2023, 05:22 PM
csmiffy

Well it started when it popped up on Facebook marketplace so I do have a particular one in mind at the moment.
An older one. 92 yamaha venture royale 1300. 37000 miles pics suggest very tidy.
Not stupid money either
I will say getting something like this is put into perspective as we had a good friend of the bro in law die last week from.a surprise heart attack mountan biking after some extremely positive life changing events ( sold business gotblots of money, changed jobs etc).
Life's a bit short.
@blip Nope not a Harley. I have rusty 72 galaxie that I've had since 2008 that I brought back from aussie so it's a long winded mid life crisis.
I liked it back then and sort of got close
17-10-2023, 05:56 PM
norsk

One of the best things I have ever done was buying a motorcycle.
17-10-2023, 06:29 PM
rupert

Hope you have a good back if you are going to the cruisers. Probably better, if you are over 40, to think about a more sit up straight style of m/c like an adventure bike.
17-10-2023, 06:33 PM
csmiffy

@rupert I have a klr650 already. Really need to use that more for what it's designed for. Not really comfy for the missus on the back.
The type I'm look at is a gold wing type bike. If it ain't comfy it's a waste of time.
Missus way more keen on that than the KLR that's for sure
17-10-2023, 06:37 PM
m101a1

Quote:

Originally Posted by norsk

One of the best things I have ever done was buying a motorcycle.

Every man should have a motorbike and least two projects in his shed
17-10-2023, 08:04 PM
Jukes

Quote:

Originally Posted by m101a1

Every man should have a motorbike and least two projects in his shed

My second shed IS my next project!
17-10-2023, 09:10 PM
turtleSO

Nothing wrong with a hardley, it's the reason people buy them that is the problem
17-10-2023, 09:22 PM
csmiffy

Can't afford one for a start.
18-10-2023, 03:01 AM
timattalon

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@rupert I have a klr650 already. Really need to use that more for what it's designed for. Not really comfy for the missus on the back.
The type I'm look at is a gold wing type bike. If it ain't comfy it's a waste of time.
Missus way more keen on that than the KLR that's for sure

Ventures and wings are not what I would call a cruiser- more of a tourer.....there are some good deals to be had in some of those. I had a cruiser set up as a tourer but the cruiser style can get hard on the tailbone after long days in the saddle. What sort of budget? The Honda ST1100 / 1300 pop up quite a bit and I saw this one (more of a sports tourer ) for a pretty good deal. I have the slightly smaller one without the luggage if you want to look at the comfort / ergonomics....

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/m...6?bof=C6uInO6K

Bandits are a good option too.

If the budget can stretch to $11,000 there are a heap of options...but I expect that may be a bit of a chat with the missus....
18-10-2023, 07:51 AM
csmiffy

Yeah my mate on OZ always reckoned they bandits were good value for money.
Yeah probably may have used the wrong term. I'm not after a sports bike, mind you I thought tourer was the big 1200 cc bikes that looked like the 750s.
18-10-2023, 08:07 AM
rugerman

I've got a 1250 Bandit but the seat is a literal pain in the arse. The trouble with most of the sport tourers is they make the seat all styley instead of packing a lot of foam in there. My Grizzly quad seat is sweet ass and I've sat on that for many hours riding around with no issues, whereas after 40mins on the Bandit and I'm ready to get off ( the bike that is ).
18-10-2023, 08:15 AM
Finnwolf

Quote:

Originally Posted by m101a1

Every man should have a motorbike and least two projects in his shed

Only two projects??:o
18-10-2023, 08:59 AM
Ross Nolan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Only two projects??:o

Yes. The current one, and the next one.

You are allowed innumerable pending projects under this system though.
21-10-2023, 11:35 PM
timattalon

I think the bike I mentioned was with this guy...Looks like it has closed / sold the bike ....

https://www.wintonmotorcycles.co.nz/used-bikes
22-10-2023, 02:11 AM
gonetropo

"whereas after 40mins on the Bandit and I'm ready to get off "

must be the cobblestones........................ :P
22-10-2023, 08:03 AM
Growlybear

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert

Hope you have a good back if you are going to the cruisers. Probably better, if you are over 40, to think about a more sit up straight style of m/c like an adventure bike.

Yep. Several mates flagged theirs for the back issues. I ride this 82 XJ750. Very comfortable for an old dude. (68)Attachment 235857
22-10-2023, 08:41 AM
csmiffy

Took a 99 1400cc intruder out yesterday
Pretty comfy really. Forward controls wouldnt want to be any further back. I'm not super tall.
First proper ride of a big v twin.
Went well, bit of vibe through the throttle side of the bars at times. Took the missus for a quick blat around the block and her first impression is it was pretty good and way better than the KLR650.
It only has a short backrest and from her comments could do with bit more height and something she can hang onto if so desired.
22-10-2023, 10:15 AM
timattalon

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Took a 99 1400cc intruder out yesterday
Pretty comfy really. Forward controls wouldnt want to be any further back. I'm not super tall.
First proper ride of a big v twin.
Went well, bit of vibe through the throttle side of the bars at times. Took the missus for a quick blat around the block and her first impression is it was pretty good and way better than the KLR650.
It only has a short backrest and from her comments could do with bit more height and something she can hang onto if so desired.

Extending backrests is relatively east as is adding a top box. Panniers on the side make it feel more 'enclosed' to passengers too..
@Growlybear Those XJs were great. I know of one of the slightly later ones - the square headlight and nose fairing circa 1983 that has been with the current owner since the early 90s about when I got my Virago....

Attachment 235872
22-10-2023, 11:00 AM
csmiffy

The one I took out had saddlebags. I'm sure I could knock up a taller sissy bar out of staino if it came to it.
22-10-2023, 07:44 PM
csmiffy

Had a look at a slightly newer model today.
Bit bigger size and capacity wise
Ran out of time for a blat though.
Better ergonomics and feel. Little bit dearer though. Might be out of my self imposed tight fisted budget