What's a V-Twin wt Shaft drive life expectancy?

**Flyingpony** · 24th August 2005, 09:23

Sometime in my 10yr plan (ha, gotta love or hate them) right after buying protection gear, is the purchase of a 2nd cheap bike as a weekend run about and for local KB/Brass Monkey rides.

I've my heart set on getting a V-Twin of 400-650cc with shaft drive system.

See some selling around for $500-1000, but they all need new tyres/battery/plates/CDI and titbits fixed, plus have clocked 65-85k. Obviously this means they're going to cost at least another $750+P&H to get road worthy if the seller was honest. Alternatively there are those at 2-3grand fully road worthy but again have done 65-85k.

What is deemed high km for a V-Twin of 400-650cc with shaft drive system?
At what km would expensive failures start occurring or expensive servicing?

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th August 2005, 09:28

Well Alex at norwest has done well over 150000km on his xv750 and Ive heard of CX500's doing 300000km with no work except for cam chains.
You get what you pay for.
id suggest you look at the VX800 susuki --quite a pleasant bike to ride --within its limits

**vifferman** · 24th August 2005, 09:32

Originally Posted by Flyingpony

What is deemed high km for a V-Twin of 400-650cc with shaft drive system?
At what km would expensive failures start occurring or expensive servicing?

I don't have specific experience with this type of bike, but for most bikes, mileage over about 60,000 km is quite a bit. Obviously, this depends on how the bike has been treated and maintained, how durable the bike is (f'rinstance, VFR750s and 800s can clock up over 150,000 km without serious issues, wereas some small two-stroke bikes are poked at 30,000 km) and whether the mileage was racked up around town or on the open road. Average mileage should be between 10 and 15K per year.
You'll have to look at each specific example to see what sort of condition it's in, and each model will have its own quirks, foibles or weaknesses. Some shaft-driven bikes need the joints in the driveshaft replaced every 20,000 km, and you would need to check when this was last done, and the availability of parts.

**Motu** · 24th August 2005, 09:36

My XLV750 was 19 yrs old with 90,000km on it when I sold it last year,it was in perfect mechanical condition and the shaft drive had never been looked at,just oil changes.

**vifferman** · 24th August 2005, 09:38

Originally Posted by Motu

My XLV750 was 19 yrs old with 90,000km on it when I sold it last year,it was in perfect mechanical condition and the shaft drive had never been looked at,just oil changes.

You and Frosty both forgot to point out the bikes you talked about were Hondas.

**pete376403** · 24th August 2005, 11:11

Regardless of the drive train, engine maintenance is engine maintenance. Ignore it at your peril. The Suzuki (only one I am familiar with) shaft system on the GS1100 - I believe it was similar for all models - is pretty massively overbuilt, the UJ at the gearbox end wouldn't look out of place in a 6/V8 Aussie car, the pinion in the final drive is supported by three rather than the usual two bearings and the gear sizes themselves are similar to diffs in a medium size car. The only problem I had was with the splined coupling to the wheel, after about 20 years / 85000km the splines were worn enough not to engage. The wear would be due to lack of lubrication (that maintenance thing) A replacement (out of a GS650 Katana) from a wrecker was less than $50 and is well greased with moly based lube. Should last another 20 years easy.

**Paul in NZ** · 24th August 2005, 11:29

I assume you are talking about one of the Honda CX series bikes?

A few well known faults but the basic unit will run for ages and ages AND you should be able to do most of it yourself.

While they are a V twin, they are a bit odd and more like a Guzzi than anything else. They are more reliable but don't have the character.

Most big block Guzzis would expect to run 100,000's of km before major work is required. Some models had dodgy gear box bearings and U/J last 65 / 80000 km but at $350 and an afternoon in the shed it's no biggie.

Most shaft drive splines crap out because they get dry. Impact rust destroys the surfaces and the wear quickly. I disassemble mine and re grease every second tyre change.

Cheers

**zadok** · 24th August 2005, 11:29

Originally Posted by vifferman

You and Frosty both forgot to point out the bikes you talked about were Hondas.

I just sold the Honda NTV650M, which I had nearly 14 years. 119,000km on the clock and still going strong.
I used to have a Yamaha XZ550. It was a good bike when it went ok, but it gets electrical problems, which are costly.

**Flyingpony** · 24th August 2005, 14:25

MMmm, looks like if I buy the right one, then I'll have a nice long life out of it.
It's just a matter of finding and buying the right one.

Most I see on TM are not in Chch, and I'd really want to ride it before purchasing.

**dhunt** · 24th August 2005, 18:39

I use to have a Honda NV400 shaft drive with around 63,000 km on without any problems. Payed $1200 for it but I'm sure I've seen them on trademe for around $500 mark. Unforuntely it met with a car and yeah wasn't so rideable afterwards.

**Rainbow Wizard** · 24th August 2005, 19:43

Originally Posted by dhunt

I use to have a Honda NV400 shaft drive with around 63,000 km on without any problems. Payed $1200 for it but I'm sure I've seen them on trademe for around $500 mark. Unforuntely it met with a car and yeah wasn't so rideable afterwards.

The Honda NTV650 and earlier 600cc Revere were the favoured steed by UK despatch riders for years, but there are only 20 in NZ, but you might find a 400 easier. I think the CX is too old to consider and recommend the Suzuki VX800 as an alternative. The German company Sachs have a license to continue making that so you'd be sure to be able to access parts on a continuing basis should they prove necessary.
The Yamaha models have good cred but like the CX maybe they're getting a bit too long in the tooth unless you find a low mileage one.

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th August 2005, 19:51

Begs the question--why a v twin??
The XJ series 4 cylinder bikes just go and go and go and go and go and---well ya get my point. They aint heavy to toss around -good C of G
Mind you heres a point. Alexes XV750 is CHAIN drive
Over 100000 km and he hasn't replaced his chain and sprockets
Yea 100000 km --the secret is its fully enclosed chain
Makes ya wonder dont it??

**dangerous** · 24th August 2005, 20:32

Originally Posted by Flyingpony

I've my heart set on getting a V-Twin of 400-650cc with shaft drive system.

As far as Honda goes, NV or CX are great fit right in with what you are thinking.
I have had 5 CX's from 2000k to over 100,000k on them..... dosent mater what the milage is they go for ever and are great to tour on done many a Brass on mine.

The prototype (only jap prototype bike to ever be sold with no changes) the 1978 CX500a has a single disc and no fairing screen.

1980 CX500a had twin discs and a fairing screen (pic1) a 5hp higher model was released in black only and called a 'shodow'

1981 CX500b had a extra 5 hp was std and 'shadows' were released in all colours (pic2) pic3 is the 'dangerous performance model'

1982 CX500E (400cc also avaible) was knowen as the Euro sport with differant styling and prolink suspension (pic4)

1982 CX500TC Turbo was just bloody awesome (pic5)

1983 CX650E and 650TC were the same as the 500's but with colour changes and 150cc more.

These bikes are some what bullet profe I rode the 500B with no water in it for 300+ km's at speeds of up to 160k, never died but did warp the pump cover.

500Euro's tend to make there way through cam chains..... but thats bout it :spudflip: