Am I Mental?

[Gubb]

I've discovered that someone quite close to me is trying to sell his bike. It's a 1987 Honda CBR1000. 75k Kms, Minor scuffs on the bodywork, what you'd expect for a 21 year old bike.

I think i can buy this for $1500, add on another $500 for a service.

I know it's been looked after pretty well, maintained, had all it's services done etc. But am I mad for considering a 1000cc 4 Cylinder? I know it's got nothing on modern Litre bikes, and in fact, will probably be outperformed by a modern 500cc Crotch-rocket, but is it too big of a jump from a 250?

I've already decided that I would like my next bike to be something with more of an upright riding position, as I know i'm no Rossi, i'd still like a bit of poke in the corners, but also want to do longer distances without cramping up after an hour or so. I figure a Sports-tourer is the best option.

[Swoop]

Be on the safe side and budget 1k for the service. "Just in case".

I would tend to go for a ~600 first.

[xwhatsit]

I know somebody with a CBR1000F, it's late 80s -- same bike? Supposedly 100hp, which is indeed 600cc material these days.

I think the biggest worry would be the extraordinary weight. ~270kg. That would tame the power somewhat, but it's not going to stop or change direction very quickly.

[roadracingoldfart]

80s CBR 1000s were a good bike but not very good to set up well for a novice rider. They have alot of torque but only about 120 HP makin them good for touring.
Keep feeding new cam chains at it and dont ring its neck all the time and it will see you good for many years.
As for is it "suitable "for a 250 rider, well its a heavy beasty with more power than your used to but that only comes in when ya turn the throttle aye .
Take it for a ride and see if its you and then make the final choice based on if it intimidated you or not.

[Mikkel]

How about taking it for a test ride first and see if you like it? That shouldn't be a problem if it's someone pretty close to you I suppose.

As for the jump - going from low power to high power in one step just puts a larger requirement on your self-discipline I believe. Unless you know you're likely to throw caution to the wind and just go for it I think you'll be sweet.

[Madness]

You're mental.

$1500 sounds okay though.

[zeocen]

If you don't have a problem with an old bike then I would look for an old 600, the weight would be more of a problem than the speed with regards to an '87 1000F. They be heavy beyarrtches.

Work your way up, motorcycling is a life hobby, there's no rush! *sheepishly blocks one of his bikes in his description*

[Goblin]

$1500 sounds ok for a bike that old but be prepared for new steering head bearings, wheel bearings, swingarm bushes, brake rotors and master cylinder seals, fork internals, rear shock replacement,.....the list keeps going. But they are still a bloody solid motor. If you buy the parts and do the work yourself it's a hell of a lot cheaper.:done:

[90s]

Its a good bike, although when they came out I remember the reviews pretty much saying their would never be a time pretty much when you wouldn't rather have the CBR600F - lighter, more nimble, much better handling, not a huge power gap, better in traffic but still OK 2-up.
I was looking at several 18 mnths ago and $1,500 seems very cheap to me. Make sure it all OK before you buy at that price, and $1000 seems sensible to budget for service etc. Its not a racer but if you want a commuter maybe a 600 would be easier.
Still, if you get it good luck - its a really nice bike still. I love those 80's plastic fantastics.

[Conquiztador]

Buy her and keep taking your meds. You be fine. And look at it this way: If she is not for you, you will always get your $$'s back. Easily.

[Headbanger]

buy it.

Ride it into the ground.

Throw it away.( or sell it for whatever you can get)

Thats all cheap old bikes are good for, Unless you do the spanner work yourself (and know your stuff)

Once you start spending money on them you are going backwards, real fast.

[TOTO]

You are mental in MHO :)

Get a 6 hundy first.

[Gubb]

Some good advice there. As for the price, i'm pretty sure that's a special deal. I'd say he'd get a bit more by putting it on the market. Will keep at least $1000 aside for maintenance. Only downside is that the bike is in Wellington, and I won't be back there till the end of May to test ride it. Maybe i'll try and find an equivalent up here to have a go on.

Gnah. Thinking about it makes me want it even more. How different is it to ride a bike that is much heavier. I am a big lad, but how much is too much?


As for the jump - going from low power to high power in one step just puts a larger requirement on your self-discipline I believe. Unless you know you're likely to throw caution to the wind and just go for it I think you'll be sweet.

I'm pretty disciplined, no real interest in high speed runs or spastic road riding. Would be taking it real easy until I was comfortable. Many car park braking practice sessions and the like.

[The Pastor]

I bought an 86 gpz 1000 as my first big bike, The power is not too huge to step up on. The weight is somthing you will have to learn (expect to drop it, alot).

You will have fun, just don't get it expecting to be fast, straight line sure, round a corner? hell no. (realitivly speaking).

One thing to check is the waterpump and when the last time the coolant had been changed, if he can't tell / dosent remember step away, the coolant turns to acid and the entire water way aound the engine will be destroyed.

[Goblin]

How different is it to ride a bike that is much heavier. I am a big lad, but how much is too much?It's not really different at all. If I can ride one, so can you. It's all in the head. The only difference is the pushing around is a bit heavier but you get used to it pretty quick. Then there's the power but if you're responsible with it you'll be fine.

I went from my wee 600 to a ZZR1100 for about 4 months, no problem at all. Got back on my 600 and nearly pushed it out the shed door! Had to ring her little neck and she felt really gutless. Got used to the lack of power again tho.

[CookMySock]

IMO, if you want a poke at a corner here and there, you will find such a large older bike a little more cumbersome. Most 650's will give you all the stoke you need. Wander up my way sometime, and we can ride/compare.

Tempting tho innit - I'm considering an R1 in December. This bike WILL BE well beyond (by several orders of magnitude) my means, ability, skill level, and everything else, and I have had more than a few concerned glances and lectures regarding this.

DB

[Ixion]

In general I deprecate inexperienced riders who want to buy large and powerful bikes before they have "served their time".

However, there are exceptions.

I normally consider it undesireable not because of any issues with the bikes per se, but because of the mind set which the wish to avoid the GDLS illustrates. Either "I want to go real real real fast all the time, motorcycling is all about top speed and nothing else". Which usually quickly leads to (at best) the hospital. Or, "This learning to ride properly is too hard, I want a big bike so I can use the throttle to compensate for my incompetence". A very frequent reason for the purchase of large crusiers. Or, "I am a shit hot boi racer with l33t skillz and no way am I going to be treated like inferior people". Not really the sort we want as motorcyclists

But there are sometimes other reaosns for 'novice on big bike'. One is the novice who genuinely needs to do long distances. The other,as here, is when the big bike 'just happens along'. Since the bike choice is driven by outside factors (inherited the bike, picked it up real cheap for some reason etc), rather than ego, the ego-driven factors usually present may not apply (may not, not will not).

So if you really want a big old tourer, go for it. But those old thous are not really 'fun' bikes. Good for long distance touring. But harder to ride than a modern bike and , compared to a modern one, brakes and handling will be mediocre at best. I ride bikes of that era , and earlier. I grew up with them, I'm used to them, and just compensate. Go slower. Brake earlier. Younger riders may not wish to accept such sacrifices.

[90s]

It's not really different at all. If I can ride one, so can you. It's all in the head. The only difference is the pushing around is a bit heavier but you get used to it pretty quick. Then there's the power but if you're responsible with it you'll be fine.

I went from my wee 600 to a ZZR1100 for about 4 months, no problem at all. Got back on my 600 and nearly pushed it out the shed door! Had to ring her little neck and she felt really gutless. Got used to the lack of power again tho.

I guess my advice on this to hubba gubba concerns riding needs and location. I live in West Auckland - its pretty hilly and uneven. I use it mainly for commuting. A CBR1000F would be a nightmare for me in many ways because:

1) you get used to heavy, but parking choice really narrows down. You need real flat areas to park beasts like that.
2) commuting a bike like that would not be great fun. Heavy, bulky.

If that applies to HG then this is probably not the best option.

But if you are doing mostly open road riding and maybe even a little touring this could be a great bargain. I agree with you that you adapt to the weight pretty easily in open riding.

[DarkLord]

First of all dude - yes you are mental. Sorry, couldn't resist :bleh:

In all honesty man I wouldn't really be looking at a bike that old, true, a thou might suit you a bit more but I think '87 is a bit too old.

I know this cos of all of the horror stories Gordy has told me about his old Kawasaki GTR-1000, which was either an '87 or an '89, he said that things often broke down and that because the bike was so old it was hard to get the replacement parts for it when he needed them. He actually ended up making his own parts!! To most people that would be madness but this is Gordy however, as you well know.

He said that was a big lesson for him - buy newer. And I think he's right. However dude it's your call, we'll still be up for rides and beers anytime whether you decide to get it or not.

:Punk:

[celticbhoy]

I have just gone from a zzr 250 up to an old CBr750 and the weight difference is big and the power even with that jump very noticable. However after only a week got used to it and adjust accordingly. Corner a little differently with more steering/counter steering instead of just leaning the little one over. Did cost a grand to get back to fitness after having been garaged for some time. Loving it and now when jump back on the baby it is like a moped!!

[Gubb]

It's already WOF'd and Cert'd, so it's in pretty good knick. It would be mainly used for longer distance riding, as i'm not selling the 250. Plan on keeping that as the commuter (and ironically, by the sounds of it, the faster bike). It certainly doesn't seem like a fast bike per se, it's back wheel is pretty much the same size as the one on my Hyo.

Some awesome advice here, at that price, it seems so hard to pass up a good opportunity. I really couldn't give a toss about going really fast, and have already accepted that I am a pretty cautious rider, and don't take stupid risks. I think this could be a goer.

Am just about to sit down and flick off an email to the owner.

[90s]

and ironically, by the sounds of it, the faster bike

Hmmm, your bike is about 1/2 the weight of the CBR but if you think apart from ultra-low speed chicanes the CBR will not eat up the GT get ready for a shock. You might find the 132hp gives the 260kph top speed a little faster than your 140kph top.
I think you'll be fine with this bike - but make no mistake this is power and performance beyond what you can imagine off a 250.

I would discount totally the above post warning you against the age. Age is no criteria - condition is. Parts for CBR1000Fs are not rare, they are solid as, and this type of bike has generally more likely to have been pampered than thrashed.
All the usual servicing costs for an older bike will apply, but make sure you have it thoroughly checked over and you'll be OK.

Good luck!