What cheap roadtrip motorcycle?

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5551843745.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5562632900.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5503999125.html

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5558444599.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/5569609424.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/5558615065.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/5566802730.html

http://mansfield.craigslist.org/mcy/5560344740.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/5533164434.html

http://mansfield.craigslist.org/mcy/5513165299.html (This one looks the most straight)

I used to be able to find CX500s for $500-$750 but a quick ebay search shows that has dried up a bit.

You could sell one of your baby bikes - they are somewhat redundant. Both are about $2k to $2.5k. That's a decent bike budget for something that can maintain highway speeds.

I think you can get an actual touring bike sub-$1k as long as it is ugly.

Flight Service wrote: I think you can get an actual touring bike sub-$1k as long as it is ugly.

I should have bought the $1k PC800 that was on CL for a long time.

It isn't $1k but it is a PC800 for not much more $$: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5555146869.html

EvanB wrote:

Flight Service wrote: I think you can get an actual touring bike sub-$1k as long as it is ugly.

I should have bought the $1k PC800 that was on CL for a long time.

Yes. Yes indeed.

Why not spend a similar amount of $ on a rental from EagleRider and eliminate the adventures of wear and maintenance maladies?

Plus no need to deal with selling at the end. Unless you think this could be a longer term purchase.

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/5571694545.html

DanyloS wrote: Why not spend a similar amount of $ on a rental from EagleRider and eliminate the adventures of wear and maintenance maladies? Plus no need to deal with selling at the end. Unless you think this could be a longer term purchase.

I thought about that but it would be around $1k for the time I would want it. Too much for me.

At this point I am thinking about just taking my Miata. It's kinda like a motorcycle with the stripped interior and no HVAC...

Tl1000r, surprisingly comfy and cheap.

EvanB wrote:

DanyloS wrote: Why not spend a similar amount of $ on a rental from EagleRider and eliminate the adventures of wear and maintenance maladies? Plus no need to deal with selling at the end. Unless you think this could be a longer term purchase.

I thought about that but it would be around $1k for the time I would want it. Too much for me. At this point I am thinking about just taking my Miata. It's kinda like a motorcycle with the stripped interior and no HVAC...

...and it's Spring. No telling how much rain you might encounter between here and there (and back again).

Just read this quote on Odd-Bike and thought it was very applicable:

"Every Bike has a rich and sometimes scary history, which you'll inevitably discover when it comes time to buy it or cannibalize it for parts."

Tire comments are dead on. Either get something with good rubber or allow money for it. An older Japanese bike with comon tires should work. Street tires are cheaper than off road capable tites.

A 150cc gy6 powered scooter can be found in half decent condition $500. Look for one with 13" wheels, they are more stable at speed. The last one I had would run 45-50 mph all day long with my fat butt on it. I'm sure if I had kept it long enough to tune it 60+ would have been easy.

Would that be any better than a lifan powered Honda CT? I guess it depends on the ergonomics of the particular scooter, some are good, some aren't. The last one I had had a terrible handlebar bend.

Even on a scooter I'd want to budget for new rubber before heading out into the unknown.

One day I am going to throw a 200cc big bore kit at one and do a cross country trip.

If you only spend $500 on a bike and make a trip from Ohio to Texas and then out west please make a thread on it...

I wonder if you could find a beatrr ninja 250 or 500ex. Reliable and cheap bikes that can do highway speeds

I'd consider loaning you my Katana 750 with saddle bags, trunk, and some touring ergo mods for your $500 spent on new tires, tune up and a chain/sprocket set.

EvanB wrote: At this point I am thinking about just taking my Miata. It's kinda like a motorcycle with the stripped interior and no HVAC...

If it's mechanically good, that's likely the better choice.

Well I am going to look at this tonight:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5572513761.html

not to discourage you from a goldwing, i love them as much as the next guy, but they can be a real pain to work on. Layers and layers of old sunbeaten plastic that loves to break and very tight packaging of engine parts. Pulling the carbs is a nightmare.

Above your price by a bit (and a scooter), but Helixes are generally rock solid, comfortable, and have tons of cargo capacity. May need to stay off the interstates in some of the hillier areas.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/5573206446.html

Man, nothing around here with a title or running for $500.

EvanB wrote: Well I am going to look at this tonight: http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5572513761.html

So, did you foolishly buy it, or did you tragically let it slip through your fingers?

In reply to pinchvalve:

It is the completely wrong time of the year.

foxtrapper wrote:

EvanB wrote: Well I am going to look at this tonight: http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5572513761.html

So, did you foolishly buy it, or did you tragically let it slip through your fingers?

It sold before I could look at it after work. Which is probably a good thing.