Bike buying help...

[ryanglade]

So I am in the market for a bike. I am new to riding but love it and want to get a bike to commute everyday on. I have a 1980 xs650 that my cousin gave me, the mistake I did was chop it all up before I could ride it. I am in a time consuming apprenticeship and do not have the time presently to finish it.

I am looking for a daily rider that is going to be a zippy fun bike to ride. Also if it is the right bike I will probably hand it off to the wife after I finish my xs. Honestly since I got the xs650 I have done a lot o research into them but I do not know enough about anything else to buy smart.

I was originally looking for a honda cb/cl 350/360 but I don't want to miss out on a good bike because I don't know anything about it. In a different thread Dismo gave me a link to this Kawasaki kz http://bend.craigslist.org/mcy/3025348047.html

I do not know anything about the kawasaki or suzuki bikes. I want to get something with good potential (I, like many of you can not help but tinker with whatever I have), I also want something that is easy to work on/ has available parts.

Any help is appreciated, Thanks!

 

[hillsy]

Buy yourself the KZ to ride around as it is (IE: don't cut it up) and keep the XS650 as your project bike.


There's a gazillion aftermarket parts for XS650's from chopper to cafe / race parts and they are a good platform for a custom bike.


And when you finish the XS, you can give the KZ to your wife. Everyone wins.

 

[DesmoBro]

http://bend.craigslist.org/mcy/2995816391.html (more $$ but what you want...not as fast as the KZ tho lighter and easier to handle)
there are a few decent bikes in the $1300 range I'd check for a week or so you may come across another running driving XS.....Or you could show up and see what parts this guy has you can use for your XS http://bend.craigslist.org/mcy/3001064704.html start at $100 and just see what he says

 

[ryanglade]

Thanks for the responses.

Desmo, i appreciate the links. I have seen the CB360t on there. I don't want to keep any bike stock so I have been hesitant to check out this restored cb360. I actually did not see the xs650 that you posted, I think it didn't make it in my search because it does not have a price listed, I put in 500-2000 for my search.

Swivel, I appreciate your words on the KZ. I really like the old bikes, I understand the issues involved. I am interested in checking out the KZ, but something pulls me into the little cbs. I would like to say its not bandwagon jumping because I am not usually that way, but I cannot say that for sure.

I have always wanted another xs650 to cafe, and I would be into the big bore, rephasing and everything to squeeze anything I can out of it.

I am interested, if someone can point me in the right direction, of finding out the potential of the KZ and other such bikes that are not in "the mainstream".

Thanks again.