Does anyone have any opinions on this?

I'd like to get a motorcycle so I can go out riding with friends and my bro. However, I've got a couple of other project cars and don't want to take too much spare change away from them. Don't have a lot of seat time but have been thru the MSF class and have the class M endorsement already. Would like something that's easy to work on, easy to find parts, and lets face it - easy to modify. I'm leaning towards a Kawasaki KZ. Thoughts?

Thanks!

EX500. Plentiful and dirt cheap.

The deciding factor is your $1k budget. Go to Craigslist, sort out the bikes selling for less than that and see what there is to choose from. I just checked in my area and right now there's not much to choose from in that price range. I did find an '84 Honda 650 Nighthawk and an early 80s GS550 Suzuki, both of which would be decent bikes.

I've ridden my EX500 for 11,000 miles in the last 2 seasons. just put in the back of the Garage last tuesday.

Cheap, plentiful, zippy....40-75mpg depending on how you ride

You can get a decent motorcycle for under 1k but it won't be sexy, speedy, or exceptional. In my area most of the sub $1k bikes are japanese and from the late 70's to early 80's. I'd look for CB500's and CB550's. I like those. The Kawasaki EX series are pretty awesome too. You could find one of those in that range if it were in rough shape.

Last summer I found a 01 Buell S3T for $1200. It wasn't running and had a blown rear shock. I brought it back to life and now have $2500 in it. The point to that story is that you can find deals if you look long enough.

Spend a little more for a 1st Gen SV650.

I got an 86 nighthawk 450 for $650. All I have to do was recover the seat and clean up the carbs. I'm 6' and can ride the thing all day. Pretty ballsy too for a 450, gets 50mpg too.

I always throw the Honda CX500 out there. I got mine from a friend, so I never did any research into the matter, but excellent examples are available for under $1K any day of the week. The general consensus is that they are not too pretty, but I kinda dig it. No doubt that they are reliable as a brick, they will run forever with minimal effort. Only 500cc, but they put out 50hp and 50ft lb of torque...plenty for most things. The GL-650 is similar, only more so.

Osterkraut wrote: Spend a little more for a 1st Gen SV650.

That inexpensive now? I was going to vote for the EX500, too.

pinchvalve wrote: I always throw the Honda CX500 out there. I got mine from a friend, so I never did any research into the matter, but excellent examples are available for under $1K any day of the week. The general consensus is that they are not too pretty, but I kinda dig it. No doubt that they are reliable as a brick, they will run forever with minimal effort. Only 500cc, but they put out 50hp and 50ft lb of torque...plenty for most things. The GL-650 is similar, only more so.

And the CX500 is water cooled, so it should last even longer than most Hondas. It's also shaft drive. It is ugly, though, and it has a bunch of cheesy stamped metal controls, as I recall. I can't imagine that the best one in the world would cost $1000.

Woody wrote:

pinchvalve wrote: I always throw the Honda CX500 out there. I got mine from a friend, so I never did any research into the matter, but excellent examples are available for under $1K any day of the week. The general consensus is that they are not too pretty, but I kinda dig it. No doubt that they are reliable as a brick, they will run forever with minimal effort. Only 500cc, but they put out 50hp and 50ft lb of torque...plenty for most things. The GL-650 is similar, only more so.

And the CX500 is water cooled, so it should last even longer than most Hondas. It's also shaft drive. It is ugly, though, and it has a bunch of cheesy stamped metal controls, as I recall. I can't imagine that the best one in the world would cost $1000.

I would tend to avoid the CX500/GL650 series unless it is a really low mileage example. I have had several of them and really liked them, but there are some service issues that you should be aware of: 1. Fan - attached to the camshaft and the plastic is pressed onto a metal hub that can seperate. 2. Water pump and Carbs - Water pumps do go out and the carbs tend to gum up causing rough running at best. 3. This is the PIA - Camshaft chain and tensioner -these do wear out and the engine must be dropped and cases split to get to these.

Othwise, I put over 105k on one and 65k on another.

XS 650. Can be made into anything from a cafe racer or a clubman to a bobber or a chopper. And they have the classic brit look to them.

ninja 500

racerboy000 wrote: ninja 500

AKA EX500 (it's true name)

captaincog wrote: I would tend to avoid the CX500/GL650 series unless it is a really low mileage example. I have had several of them and really liked them, but there are some service issues that you should be aware of: 1. Fan - attached to the camshaft and the plastic is pressed onto a metal hub that can seperate. 2. Water pump and Carbs - Water pumps do go out and the carbs tend to gum up causing rough running at best. 3. This is the PIA - Camshaft chain and tensioner -these do wear out and the engine must be dropped and cases split to get to these. Othwise, I put over 105k on one and 65k on another.

3 was only an issue on earlier models, and most were repaired under warranty. Look for three dots stamped into the case housing to verify that it was done.

I have never heard of the other two issues, but I will certainly keep an eye on them from now on! Thanks.

Grtechguy wrote:

racerboy000 wrote: ninja 500

AKA EX500 (it's true name)

Yup. But they probably cost twice as much when they're called Ninja 500's. Buy an older EX500 and some Ninja stickers.

David S. Wallens wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: Spend a little more for a 1st Gen SV650.

That inexpensive now? I was going to vote for the EX500, too.

I really like the SV650's and would take one in a heartbeat, but, I have not seen too many for under $2500. I want to stick pretty hard and fast to the sub $1k. I want to make sure that I am going to ride it and the great thing I have seen about the sub $1k bikes is, you can ride them for a year or two and then sell 'em and the only money you might be out is for consumables and insurance.

Besides, if I have a cheap bike, it'll be easier for me to justify keeping it in a few years when I buy a Duc 748

Thanks for the ideas so far.

How far is your commute? If no interstate...

Look for a Honda Helix, they look funny, but ride like a Goldwing. Built in trunk, 1 cylinder, 1 carb, 1 coil, belt drive automatic. Basic, easy to work on and Honda reliable. They top out around 70mph, get 50-70mpg, and were sold nearly unchanged for 20 years.

David S. Wallens wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: Spend a little more for a 1st Gen SV650.

That inexpensive now? I was going to vote for the EX500, too.

When I was looking for mine, I was finding mild project Curvies for around $1k.

I picked up my KZ440 for $700 and love it so far. Just get any 80's UJM that's been on the road for a while and hasn't been sitting in some barn. Unless you want a project....

only thing about some of the older bikes is finding parts

EX500 would be my vote. If you go the 80s UJM route make sure it is a running bike without rust in the tank. The UJMs are great bikes but parts can be high for simple things like carb & fuel tap rebuild kits. Run from non running projects even if the miles are low. I have been down this road before. May be worth spending a little more. Do take the MSF class! RIDE AT YOUR PACE. Have fun & be safe.

Actually did take the MSF's class a few years ago. It was pretty fun. Several people there had been riding for years.

Kawasaki 750 Spectre

Girlfriend & family got it for me for Christmas.

Bought my CB360 for $400 and have been trying to sell for $600