07-14-2008, 10:30 PM
I've gone through this the past few years, but have finally decided that I'm ready to take the plunge and take on motorcycle ownership. I've already got a spot reserved in the MSF class here in Martinsburg in August...and have started a small fund to dedicate towards buying a somewhat reliable starter bike. Just for kicks and giggles, I'd like to cap the budget at around $1500 just in case (when? 
hock: ) it goes down.
My main goals for the bike are to be able to relax and cruise, have a reasonably reliable budget bike, and be able to get around 40 or so mpg.
A guy I work with pointed me towards his buddy's 1977 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, and I have to say...I'm pretty impressed with it.
It has 16k miles, and has been refurbished by an old Honda tech who has been working on these bikes for about 30+ years. Admittedly, I don't know much about old motorcycles, but it appeared to be in great condition. It had newish tires, no rust, and was dressed up with some blingy chrome pieces and drag pipes, and the tank and front fender were repainted a sort of fire engine red.
The only downside that I could see, was a kind of rough idle...but he attributed this to the carbs either needing synchronizing...or the bike needing just a few good days of riding to clear up. To be fair, he said he hadn't ridden the bike in over 2 years...and it had been nearly 3 months since he had last started it and changed the oil. The owner claims that he just cannot ride the bike anymore at his old age, since he can only balance the bike by standing on tip-toes. He prefers to ride his custom 750 Magna instead. :lol:
I get a pretty good feeling about the seller, as I don't think he's trying to rip anyone off. He has a garage full of 60's and 70's Hondas, and is considering selling the Goldwing just to thin down the herd a bit.
I may end up giving him a call and seeing if I can get a few pictures of the bike tomorrow, but anyway, he's asking $1500...and said he'd knock off a little bit so I could afford to have the carbs sync'ed if necessary.
I'm mainly looking for your guys opinion on such a bike with a newbie rider. I love the fact that the bike is a classic, and feel that I'll be more apt to focus on the basics of safe riding on a cruiser bike, as opposed to something more maneuverable.
Plus, I've never been on a shaft-driven bike before! My experience is all with dirtbikes, so I'm not entirely comfortable with not having a chain. I realize that most people say this setup is superior and less-maintenance prone than chain-driven cycles...I just wonder if they're giving me a completely unbiased opinion.
As always, any opinions are appreciated!
hock: ) it goes down.My main goals for the bike are to be able to relax and cruise, have a reasonably reliable budget bike, and be able to get around 40 or so mpg.
A guy I work with pointed me towards his buddy's 1977 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, and I have to say...I'm pretty impressed with it.
It has 16k miles, and has been refurbished by an old Honda tech who has been working on these bikes for about 30+ years. Admittedly, I don't know much about old motorcycles, but it appeared to be in great condition. It had newish tires, no rust, and was dressed up with some blingy chrome pieces and drag pipes, and the tank and front fender were repainted a sort of fire engine red.
The only downside that I could see, was a kind of rough idle...but he attributed this to the carbs either needing synchronizing...or the bike needing just a few good days of riding to clear up. To be fair, he said he hadn't ridden the bike in over 2 years...and it had been nearly 3 months since he had last started it and changed the oil. The owner claims that he just cannot ride the bike anymore at his old age, since he can only balance the bike by standing on tip-toes. He prefers to ride his custom 750 Magna instead. :lol:
I get a pretty good feeling about the seller, as I don't think he's trying to rip anyone off. He has a garage full of 60's and 70's Hondas, and is considering selling the Goldwing just to thin down the herd a bit.
I may end up giving him a call and seeing if I can get a few pictures of the bike tomorrow, but anyway, he's asking $1500...and said he'd knock off a little bit so I could afford to have the carbs sync'ed if necessary.
I'm mainly looking for your guys opinion on such a bike with a newbie rider. I love the fact that the bike is a classic, and feel that I'll be more apt to focus on the basics of safe riding on a cruiser bike, as opposed to something more maneuverable.
Plus, I've never been on a shaft-driven bike before! My experience is all with dirtbikes, so I'm not entirely comfortable with not having a chain. I realize that most people say this setup is superior and less-maintenance prone than chain-driven cycles...I just wonder if they're giving me a completely unbiased opinion.
As always, any opinions are appreciated!