Need advice for next bike

[colpumpkinnuts]

Well, as I'm winding down my CM400 project, I think it's time to begin thinking about my next project. I had too much fun with the Honda to not build another bike. I also want the opprotunity to do a few things different on the next bike. I'd like everybody's ideas on what would be a good candidate for my next project. I was originally thinking of building a somewhat modern street fighter but now I'm thinking that it doesn't really fit my style.

Here's my requirements for the next bike:
It has to be cheap, like $500 dollars cheap. This price is before putting work into it, of course.
I'd like a fairly lightweight bike, preferably a twin.
I also want it to be considerably faster than my Honda.
It needs to have spoked wheels and handle well.

Is that too picky? Currently, I'm leaning towards an XS650.
What do you guys think?

 

[Mortikan]

I like the idea of an xs since I own one. having said that they are starting to catch like wildfire so getting one not junk under 500 is getting less of a prospect than it was even last year this is not saying it can't be done you just have to be patient. if you are looking for something with raw power try a kaw. maybe a kz650 or kz750. thought I am not sure if it meets spoke requirements.
let me suggest something I am seeing more and more of. take an enduro. anything and turn it into a cafe. you have the spokes you get plenty of ground clearance which means you can work the fork tubes down a little and give it a tough look. lots of aftermarket parts fit cause usually a smaller frame style. they are always light.

just might be the ticket. especially cause you can always find them for low dough.

good luck

 

[colpumpkinnuts]

I've seen a couple of XS650's in the area for not too much cash, so I should be able to get one in my price range. An enduro is an interesting idea. I don't know anything about them, though. If I ride in the dirt it's on mountain bike, nothing motorized. It's definitely something I'll look into. I'll also look up those kz's.

 

[JRK5892]

man you have the cafe... build somehting diff! how about a little bobber or a rat ride... maybe even brat style... man i love all bikes...

 

[colpumpkinnuts]

man you have the cafe... build somehting diff! how about a little bobber or a rat ride... maybe even brat style... man i love all bikes...

I wasn't thinking cafe necessarily, just old and lighter and faster than my honda. I did some research on enduros, it looks like they'd be a real PITA to get looking good and I have feeling that they would be terrible on the highway. That's one of the reasons I want a larger bike. My 400 will run at highway speeds but it absolutely screams. I can only imagine how high it's going to be revving now that it has a larger sprocket on it.