Should 1999 and 70,000km mean stay away?

[shafty]

Good advice all round

Just also consider what your bike will be worth with another 10 or 20 thousand clicks on it

It may be running like a clock, but people are rightly or wrongly suspicious at higher miles, as you are with the bike now....

Don't let this stop you, just take it in to account

Have fun

[The End]

I am now considering having to raise my budget.

I was looking into a 2009 Hyosung GT650r with 27,000 on the clock - Mint condition, service history etc. The bike looks great and would suit my needs.
However the reliability history of them is putting me off. I need a bike to commute to work on every day, if I cannot ride (don't have other transport) then I cannot work.

Which is why I am now looking at some used 20-40,000kms on the clock Honda CB900s. They have the reliability of a Jap bike and much lower KMs than what I was previously looking at (70,000+). Plus I'm a total pushover for naked bikes

Only problem is getting the money for it!

[GrayWolf]

I am now considering having to raise my budget.

I was looking into a 2009 Hyosung GT650r with 27,000 on the clock - Mint condition, service history etc. The bike looks great and would suit my needs.
However the reliability history of them is putting me off. I need a bike to commute to work on every day, if I cannot ride (don't have other transport) then I cannot work.

Which is why I am now looking at some used 20-40,000kms on the clock Honda CB900s. They have the reliability of a Jap bike and much lower KMs than what I was previously looking at (70,000+). Plus I'm a total pushover for naked bikes

Only problem is getting the money for it!

May I make another suggestion? The CB900 Hornet is a great bike, there's no question, your budget is your limiting factor.

However, like yourself, I am a one vehicle (bike) household and work shifts, so reliability is paramount. Research your bikes, example. the old and venerable FJ1200 Yamaha, these can be picked up for good prices with 40,000km or less. They in all practicality are bullet proof motors, and were in production as the FJ and later the XJR till the early 2000's.
The Suzuki VX800... damn good machine, just wasnt popular. There are several 'oddball' machines that are excellent and you could pick up a real 'bargain' by spending some time reading up.....

ZZR1100, GS1100, the early Bandits, the 'replica' GS1100S (the black GSX1100 replica that used a bandit motor).... ZRX11/1200, these all have excellent motors.

[Gremlin]

Which is why I am now looking at some used 20-40,000kms on the clock Honda CB900s. They have the reliability of a Jap bike and much lower KMs than what I was previously looking at (70,000+). Plus I'm a total pushover for naked bikes

I errr... might be slightly biased, but yes, the CB900 is an excellent bike. I'm assuming this is your first big bike? The CB900 is one of the very few larger capacity bikes I'd suggest as a first big bike, normally it's better to start with something mid capacity. The CB900 is a heavier bike, in line with it's capacity, so if you're tiny it might not be a good idea. Otherwise, I liken it to a puppy. It's happy doing whatever you want. Want to go slow and easy, no problem. Ride the torque and trundle along, no problem (even skip gears if you really want. I can pull away in 2nd, ride it a bit then change to 6th ). Give it gas and pull wheelies... no problem. So, it's got a really nice gentle response, very smooth, but don't be fooled. Crack that throttle hard and let the 100 ponies out, and she'll fly.

Typical Honda, it's not amazing at anything, but it's good at everything, which kinda makes it amazing. I think I've already detailed servicing for it etc. Service every 6k, add gas in between. The stock handlebars are crap, go for some Renthals or something, I've got wider ones that rule out some splitting, but much more comfy on the bike. Add a top box for lugging stuff around. Better yet, find one with the bits and pieces already on it. They went through a phase of being super popular, but now they're really hard to shift, so you can pick them up for a great price as usually there are several for sale.

My mods:
Renthal MX bars
Givi crash bars
Ohlins rear shock
Givi pannier and top box mounts and top box

[cheshirecat]

My VFR800 2000 model has clocked up 110,000km. At 105,000 I finally had to replace a leaking fork seal. They were the original seals and I replaced the bushes as I had ordered some already - but the originals were barely worn. She uses nil oil between changes and has original clutch plates. I have just replaced the (original) seized rear suspension bearings, there was a bit of slop developing.

I reckon that she is good for at least another 50,000 before getting a refresh, and although she is great as a tourer and keeps up with the Blackbirds and Hayabusas that I ride with, the VFR would probably have a market value of $2,500.

Dont be afraid of higher kms, take the bike for a ride and judge for yourself.

My 94 VFR's done 150,000 and just had to change a front wheel bearing, tail light bulb and sprockets, which is all the non consumable stuff I've had to do since buying it some 8 years ago - oh and helicoil the sump plug. No cam chain stuff either. VRF's regularly do over 250,000 and are cheap to pick up. It tours, commutes, supermarket trips, carries the dog etc and feel barely run in.

[FJRider]

This Dropkick stands chagrined.

Sit down then ...

[FJRider]

The Suzuki VX800... damn good machine, just wasnt popular. There are several 'oddball' machines that are excellent and you could pick up a real 'bargain' by spending some time reading up.....

A VERY under rated bike ... it's only downside is ... it's a Suzuki ..

[DR650gary]

I am now considering having to raise my budget.

Stick to your budget. This will not be your last bike. Buy the best you can currently afford, enjoy it until you want to move on then start all over again.

Many good bikes have been mentioned here and as I have been riding bikes for many years plus having a wife who rides and 3 riding sons we have owned and/or ridden most of them. At one Christmas dinner we had 20 bikes in the shed and they were all great

Take your money for a walk and get yourself a nice bike.

Cheers and enjoy the search.