Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Oil change about to happen on my Z125. Look how small the oil filter is! @DoubleRGirl

 

At least those came with one. The grom doesn't have a real filter

 

Short version: Anybody got a link to what to look for when buying a used first bike?

Long version: I've been looking to get a bike for a while now and have come to a point where I'm either going to buy a bike or drop it on a new rifle or something. If I get a sport bike, I'm open to a 1000cc sport bikes or cruisers. Anyways, I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I'm willing to do any work short of serious engine work. I can adjust valves, timing etc. So I'm looking at bikes, I'd love to have a sport bike, but also love the look and sound of something like an Indian Scout.

Do y'all have any suggestions on what other bikes to look at, what to look for when buying used, what kind of maintenance needed at what interval, etc. I obviously have a taco that gets used as it should, but also gets the best fluids and parts when it's needed. I also have an abused S2000 that's definitely more maintenance intensive, so I'm no stranger to doing work to keep things on the road. I'd like to keep my budget around 5-6k. It obviously wouldn't get ridden much, I'm more curious about the cost to keep a bike in this price range rideable and whether or not I should abandon that idea. Thanks in advance!

 

So you don't know what to look for I'm buying a used bike, but are comfortable starting on a liter bike?

 

Bro. Dude. Don't think cc's. Look at power. Cc's mean nothing anymore, the disparity is stupid from one bike to another. For a first bike 70hp max is about what I'd consider, it'll scoot you real quick, feel fast, and you'd still be able to get into felony speeds real quick. From there buy what you want. Lots to be had at your price range. I'd drop 4k on a clean SV650S, keep the rest for maintenance and parts, then just ride the tits off of it. My first was a 60hp Ninja 500 I still haven't outgrown. Good luck in your search, and remember that a slow bike ridden fast is much more fun than a fast bike ridden slow.

Here's a good list if you want to look into other factors and bikes. http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/ne...cle-mind-check-list-first.html#/topics/421526

 

Dad mode aside, have fun and good luck, it's a wonderful world, motorcycling.

 

I side with these guys. Get a gutless bike first for like a year. Way more fun ringing the piss out of a little bike. You'll learn a lot from a sketchy smaller bike.

 

Supermoto and don't look back. Ride the piss out of it, drop it, jump it.

But I'm biased.

 

To me super moto with the ability to curb hop without the worry of scratching paint is pretty nice and a lot less to worry about.

 

Matt

 

I think this will be my next helmet:

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport/motorcycle+helmets/shoei_rf-1200+helmet+-+dominance+black

 

Good choice. That store is local to me too

 

My birthday was yesterday and seeing as how you didn't get me anything....you can go pick it up for me

 

Sure I'll use it for a while too till you come get it

 

Eww....

 

So my solenoid started clicking again earlier this week again (just bought a new one a few months ago). I hit it with a hammer and that got it start.

So I thought that solenoid went bad and just got a new one in the mail. Put the new one on and it still clicks. wtf.

Battery is charged, charging up my spare one and will replace that when it is ready. I feel like it wouldn't be the battery though because it would make a different sound rather than the single click? I dunno what's going on and ex500 forums aren't that helpful haha

 

Same way like a car. Make sure both ends of your connections are clean. Positive and negative. Maybe try your truck battery to start it with some jumper cables. A lot of my stuff has those issues because of loose or dirty connections.

 

Thanks, I'll check all my connections and clean them. It might be my battery because maybe if there isn't enough voltage it won't get the starter solenoid going? Read something like that. But usually when my battery is low it makes a buzzing sound rather than a single click from the solenoid.

If it is the battery (will find out tomorrow when I put the other one in) what would cause it to die so fast? Just bought it new in November. Same question with solenoid, bought it new in November. Bad grounding maybe? Cheap quality parts?

 

Dirty connections also plays the other way too. Makes it harder for the alternator to charge the battery. It will typically lug on a weak battery. Get that battery on the charger too. I have these issues with my truck with all the off-roading I do.

If it is a solid strong single click its usually wire issues in my experience.

 

I'd check all grounds as well. I've not seen so many bad wires as corroded connections/grounds