Need input on this motorcycle
- Thread starter SophalotJack
- Start date
thanks.
Also, I am 6'2"... anyone think that this particular bike is enough for my size?
I don't wanna look like I am an off-work circus clown.
Dude , that looks like an ol' V-Max. Correct me if I'm wrong. But to give you my honest opinion of that bike. That's tough.
#1 What kind of bikes do you like? Cruisers or Sport Bikes
Price is good , but that is a lot of miles for any bike. If it is an old V-Max , check to see if it is the original owner. This bike was the powerhouse of it's time..and the fact that it's got "foam filters" and an exhaust on it tells me someone DROVE that thing. If you know what I mean. Check the front forks (shocks) out. See if the bike sits even. Sit on it and check the handlebars , make sure they are straight. Sometimes you'll find that it's been repainted to fix a good accident. And if the front end is tweaked ....well, you don't want to be driving something like that as a learner bike. Steering dynamics will be MESSED UP , and a good chance of causing you to have an accident.
Roll the bike forward , it should roll fairly smoothly , and quickly squeeze the front brake lever. The forks should compress , but it should be fairly tight. Then you want to look around the fork seals to see if they are leaking after this. You will see that they are either cracked or there will be noticible oil to the touch on the shock cylinder.
Other than that. What's it sound like man? It's an inline four. It should idle fairly smooth , but it will probably be loud with that pipe on it.
Get it and pimp it out. Just don't expect a lot of chicks to dig that beast.
#1 What kind of bikes do you like? Cruisers or Sport Bikes
Price is good , but that is a lot of miles for any bike. If it is an old V-Max , check to see if it is the original owner. This bike was the powerhouse of it's time..and the fact that it's got "foam filters" and an exhaust on it tells me someone DROVE that thing. If you know what I mean. Check the front forks (shocks) out. See if the bike sits even. Sit on it and check the handlebars , make sure they are straight. Sometimes you'll find that it's been repainted to fix a good accident. And if the front end is tweaked ....well, you don't want to be driving something like that as a learner bike. Steering dynamics will be MESSED UP , and a good chance of causing you to have an accident.
Roll the bike forward , it should roll fairly smoothly , and quickly squeeze the front brake lever. The forks should compress , but it should be fairly tight. Then you want to look around the fork seals to see if they are leaking after this. You will see that they are either cracked or there will be noticible oil to the touch on the shock cylinder.
Other than that. What's it sound like man? It's an inline four. It should idle fairly smooth , but it will probably be loud with that pipe on it.
Get it and pimp it out. Just don't expect a lot of chicks to dig that beast.
Thanks for the tips Max.
I am into cruisers and thsi bike is in my budget. I have not seen nor ridden it yet. But if everything is good on it when I do see it, I'll be buying it cash from the guy.
I have a strong feeling it's been through alot, but this guy bought it from a kid and put it back into working condition. I have another feeling that this guy takes in broke bikes, rebuilds and sells them as a hobby. He has a lot of bikes in his garage and has been riding for 40+ years (from what he says). He was being as honest as a salesmen can be.
The thing that is shady is that the bike has never had a title or tag under his name... will I run into any trouble at the DMV when I try to register it? This is of course, if all is good on the bike and I buy it.
I am into cruisers and thsi bike is in my budget. I have not seen nor ridden it yet. But if everything is good on it when I do see it, I'll be buying it cash from the guy.
I have a strong feeling it's been through alot, but this guy bought it from a kid and put it back into working condition. I have another feeling that this guy takes in broke bikes, rebuilds and sells them as a hobby. He has a lot of bikes in his garage and has been riding for 40+ years (from what he says). He was being as honest as a salesmen can be.
The thing that is shady is that the bike has never had a title or tag under his name... will I run into any trouble at the DMV when I try to register it? This is of course, if all is good on the bike and I buy it.
looks like I am going to go pick it up on Sunday with my friends truck.
any other advice on what I should be weary of will be greatly appreciated.
any other advice on what I should be weary of will be greatly appreciated.
My advice...
1) Gear, wear it. At least helmet, boots & gloves. Your head is the most important thing to protect but your hands and feet are the most likely to get injured in a 'minor' accident.
2) MSF course. Take it and don't count on friends or family to properly teach you how to ride a motorcycle. We all know people who were self taught and haven't wrecked (yet) but the numbers are against them. The MSF course doesn't make you a qualified rider but it lays the groundwork.
Does he have the title for the bike? That is the first question.
I bought a car once from a buddy who had just bought it , and never had the title switched. I ended up holding onto it for a year before I had it switched to my name.(it sat in the garage getting worked on , not driven) and I had no problems at all.
Check the chain and sprockets. Look for rust on both, check the teeth on the sprocket to make sure they're still straight (It'll look a little curved which is a sign of wear)
Check the fork seals upfront by compressing the front end and seeing if there's an oil ring on the slider. If there are, then new fork seals.
Check the rear shocks for leakages and give the rear end a jolt, if it bounces more than once expect to send the two shocks in for a rebuild.
Make sure all the electrical works (Turn signals, horn, hi-bean, engine kill switch, etc...)
exactly , the main thing is , it's a bike , bike's need maintenance. Use your head to check it out, make sure it's running well , and isn't going to need major work. You can dump a lot of money into a bike's mechanical workings. But if it's been maintained , and you can just step in and continue that , you will be good to go.
I definitely plan on doing the helmet thing and I won't be riding very fast, maybe 50mph tops. This is Gainesville, no place has a speed higher than 45, if even that.
The MSF thing I'll try and do, but will most likely wait until I can drop the money for that.
Not really. Whenever I goto India, I mainly just rode around on a motorcycle from my family. That was two solid months of "india" riding. I feel fairly confident on the road as long as I know there are intelligent drivers on the road. But here in the states I have probably under 20 hours of riding under the belt from my friends' bikes.
I figured it out with him. Apparently I have to get a tag form from the tax collector, take that to the state troopers office, and then bring that to the DMV to register me. So I am thinking it's legit, atm.
It's shaft driven, so I don't believe there is much I can check on the drivetrain.
I'll definitely keep an eye on the shocks and all the items you mentioned.
Thanks again, everyone.
Yeah you're right, I should've looked closer
Since it's shaft driven check seals on the joints on both ends for any leakages. Move the shaft around to see if there's any freeplay as the axle splieens (sp?) may have worn out and be stripped.I'll make sure to do that then.
Man, I sure hope there aren't many "worn" parts that "could" go on the bike.... wish me luck.
Man, I sure hope there aren't many "worn" parts that "could" go on the bike.... wish me luck.
That's a good bike - I bought a '77 Suzuki GS750 a few years back and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Not pretty, but gave me enough experience that I know exactly what my next bike will be!
i will tell you a badass old Yamaha..the fazer. Theyw ere made in 86 and 87 I believe, and they are pretty quick and stylish.
The Viffer doesn't feel too heavy
it's nice and stable on the highway and my wife and I ride in comfort. It also can outrun any car that's out there while giving me 45mpg The CB500T was my baby I always washed it and kept it nice. But the darn thing would do 65mph on a good day. It didn't really handle or stop, it was a good first bike.
Really? I looked up the KBB value and it's just about on the money.
The guy pretty much re-did the whole bike. Put all kinds of replacements on it and did over the paint job. Plus the foam filter and exhaust upgrades.
What state do you live in? Some states subsidize the cost of the course, for example, the state MSF course is $25 in Ohio.
Although from what I've heard about traffic in India, your experience there might put you in practice for anything here in the US. The MSF course is still a good idea, because you could possibly get a discount on your insurance for taking it.
Some states will waive the road test for you to get your motorcycle endorsement too. I know Ohio is like that. I'm going to get my endorsement before I even get my bike.
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