Which one should I get? xj550 or gsx400???

[gamgee]

I have to choice of two bikes the first:
Yamaha XJ550 40000ish k's on it 1982 quite a tidy example for $550
or
Suzuki GSX400 50000ish k's on it 1985(ish) has a few dents on the tank and a little surface rust on the exhaust $400
both have rego on hold, and no current wof, hence why they are so cheap so which would you go for if it was you? photos below

[campbellluke]

Don't get twins get the Yamaha. The puzuki may struggle to even do 100 miles.

[FROSTY]

see my post in your other thread.
The suzuki I'd suggest is the best bet given both bikes are in the same sorta condition tyre/chain etc wise.
for the record the gsx400 was a 180km/h bike

[campbellluke]

for the record the gsx400 was a 180km/h bike

If that's true I take it back. Im pretty sure than suzuki had an early 80s Katana type gsx400f or something? I would believe that would do 180. But that one doesn't look anything like a katana.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX400E.shtml
don't know how accurate that website is but it says 44 crank hp to 177kg dry weight. - Im sorry about what I said about speed. I guess they will pull in 180.

My 250 has got 40 hp to 160kg and it doesn't quite do 180k's.

But. XJ's are cool ;p

[myvice]

I had a 550, good bike too!
Not fast but comfy and 2 up went well, my one cost me $500 so the price is about right, my one had high k's and the carbs needed a rebuild. (not that I bothered) and would consider it a good first bike if not for our stupid rule!

[gamgee]

yeah i'm leaning towards the xj550 just because it's got lower k's and looks tidier, it needs a rego and wof as rego on hold and wof expired also needs new battery as it's been sitting for ages, and i think they said it was running a bit rough because it had old dirty fuel in it, so what should i offer for it, $400? what top speed should i expect and how will it handle compared to my sr250 as it looks a similar riding style, thanks

[gamgee]

what is the xj550 like reliability wise, how high can the k's go before major repairs are needed and what sort of things (and cost) go wrong regularly?

[FROSTY]

great reliability dude--But the bike in question is a custom -
not the best handling bike in the world

[myvice]

My one wasn’t the best example but I had it at 160 where it vibrated all my fillings out!
Handle like a drunken walrus!

[gamgee]

great reliability dude--But the bike in question is a custom -
not the best handling bike in the world
in what way is it a custom?

[FROSTY]

its a xj550 custom. -about early eighties the japs built a bunch of bikes which were "chopped" versions of their standard bikes. I think it was to apeal to the american market.
xj550custom still has the same motor but has a raked out front end and shorter rear shocks
Again dude I'd strongly suggest the suzuki ---my suggestion is based on you previous posts and aparent riding experience.
The suzuki will handle a heap better and will seem a shit load lighter to throw around.

[Coyote]

At those prices, buy both!

I like the XJ. If only I had 550 bucks

[gamgee]

yeah i might go and take them both for a ride, are they each just as reliable as the other? what are the pros and cons of each bike?

[Flyingpony]

Where in NZ is 'Dunnas'?

[gamgee]

dunedin jeez get with the lingo yo :motu:

[gamgee]

so what are the pro's and con's of each bike?

[MSTRS]

Go the Suzuki. Not biased here, but it will be quicker & more nimble than the XJ. Don't think either model have(Had?) significant issues. Look at the k's each have already done afterall - not high considering age., but high enough to suggest they have fairly trouble-free.

[FROSTY]

so what are the pro's and con's of each bike?
I covered off the suzis issue --charging system is gutless and craps out -
But you need to look over both bikes thoughroughly and see what you will have to spend on em--tyres chain,sprockets.brake pads bearings oil/filter etc etc---One may start to look a heap cheaper once youve added in those costs

[gamgee]

right, thanks, will go look at them maybe this weekend

[gamgee]

haha, sorry to dredge up an old thread, but funnily enough, my dad bought the xj, and i'm probably gonna buy the gsx in a couple of weeks

[HenryDorsetCase]

I had a GSX400 and it was my first "Big" road bike. I thought it handled well (I was 19, so what did I know) and it sure was reliable. It rotted out the standard exhausts (oooh, cool I thought, LOUD) but apart from that it was great.

twin vs 4 cyl at that age must be a benefit maintenance wise.

[scracha]

At that age I'd go for the XJ but then I've owned a few XJ's. Reliability wise they're bombproof. Mine had over 140,000 MILES on the clock and sat all day (sometimes literally) at 90mph. Just keep an eye on the oil level (they like to drink). Coils occasionally go haywire but that's just due to their location. Cover in WD40 and forget about it. Sip's go go juice. Tyres, chains and sprockets last for ages. Brakes are OK (single piston but double disks). Handling is $hite (I had the "normal" version so gawd knows how bad the chop was). Mine had a voltmeter thingie which was quite handy.

The 650 version was $hite. The replacement 600 diversions were much much better bikes BTW. If you can find a cheap one of them then go for it.