Wanted: A bike, cheap ;)

[Drunken Monkey]

I assume you already have gear? If not, on that kind of shoe-string budget I hope you're not planning on buying a 2nd hand ffm helmet and start riding in jeans, work shoes and your unworn for several years "omfg I can't beleive I used to like Michael Jackson" leather jacket.
Best advice dished out from this site = don't even think about getting bike unless you can afford proper gear.

(Actually I think the best advice dished out from this site was:
"Resist the urge to open the oven door and peek for at least the first 25 minutes of the baking time for a full-sized souffle." )

[Jase W]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :P

[vifferman]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :P

My cheapest bike was free (FREE! Nada! Zip! Zero! etc etc...)
However, I spent days stripping it down, rebuilding and painting it, and the few parts I bought (tyres, spraycans of paint, sandpaper, etc.) cost me $600. I also got some critical engine work (valve grind) done for free. That was over 10 years ago, and didn't include buying any gear, registration ($280?), insurance, WOF, etc etc.
Decent gear on its own will run to in excess of $500, so I'd budget on having $1000 plus the cost of a road-worthy AND reliable bike, unless you're a competent mechanic / DIYer.

[Blakamin]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :P

Do a search for financing in the forum.... unless you are getting a big, fancy bike... not worth the stress

[liferocks]

Well its not impossible. I got my first bike, a gn250 about an '86 i think, for only $600, and it was a great bike, but then come to think of it I sold it for $900. So I must have got a bargin. But just keep looking.

[Posh Tourer :P]

No the're a proper bike, two smoke with a 4 speed gear box If I remeber right and can do 100km/h

Yep, aware of what they are. Still an incredibly small bike, like the CB125. Both do 100kmh screaming along in top gear. The CB is a four stroke, 130 is quite an achievement for a 1980 125cc four-stroke twin It does it downhill, topping out.

Neither of them is any good if you want to get out of the city. I took the CB from Hillsborough down to Karaka, and it screamed along the motorway at 10,500 rpm at 110. Amazingly it didnt sound rough when it got there, sat back and idled perfectly. I wouldnt want to take it ANY further than that....

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well its not impossible. I got my first bike, a gn250 about an '86 i think, for only $600, and it was a great bike, but then come to think of it I sold it for $900. So I must have got a bargin. But just keep looking.

True, they are out there. Gotta be VERY careful about what you buy though, and it sounds like you were lucky....