Hi guys !

I just came up on an offer to purchase an '89 CBR 600.
The mike is mint, with low mileage and looks good too.

Is there anything in particular that I should be looking for ?
Any issues ?

What do you guys think of this model ?

Help, please !


I look forward to joining the CBR club here - hope all goes well.

Cheers !

 

pros:

destined to be a classic if not already
excellent beginner bike
cheap insurance (your results may vary)
cheap registration (your results may vary)
all around bike, fast (relatively) yet comfortable (within reason)
great mileage (your results may vary)
if bodywork is in good condition, it is worth more than the bike as a whole

cons:

if bodywork is in good condition, it is worth more than the bike as a whole
very little as far as aftermarket parts are available
if you want to modify or trick it out, you will have to get "creative"
______

i have this particular model as my first bike. i would not give it up.

1. how much is the asking price? i don't know what you mean by mint but if it is well taken care of and low miles, should not be more than $3500.

2. things to look for:
condition of fork seals - is there a thin coat of oil on the tube as it is pushed up and down? if so, seals are leaking.

condition of rear shock - is it saggy or bouncy?

steering locks - located on the bottom triple clamp, are they in good condition. if a bike has been down and the steering bent back the lock will show it.

exhaust color - is there any smoke after bike has warmed up? is it blue, could be burning oil.

engine idle - is it smooth or lumpy?

oil color and viscosity - is it changed regularly, is it brown and watery?

engine detail - any oil leaks, any coolant leaks, any wet and dusty areas around the carbs (could be intake tract leaks)

body panels - in good shape, cracks, gouges, missing tabs color variations?

tires - even wear

chain - tight links, clean, well oiled, or dirty and sagging or loose

maintenance records - are there any?

brakes - ride the bike to see if they work, does the shimmy when you apply the front brakes? could be warped. does it take along time to slow down, could be air in the line.

rotors - any gouges, uneven wear, thin?

battery - does it hold charge?

startup - how many cranks does it take when cold with choke on. how does it startup when engine is warmed up?

lights and signals - do the instrument lights all light up, do the signals work, is the headlight bright, does the rear stop light work when front and rear brakes are applied separately?

steering head - does the steering turn freely, does it bind, does it feel loose (may need new bearings or adjustment)

wiring loom - any splices made into any of the wires, any cracks, any discoloration, any corrosion

coolant bottle - is it clean and green or dirty and brown.

fuel filter - clogged or free flowing

fuel petcock - does it leak, does it flow fuel when turned from "ON" to "Reserve"

fuel tank - does it have rust on the inside?

mirrors - any scuff marks on the mirror housing? could be sign that bike may have been on it's side

kickstand - does kickstand light go on and off when kickstand is down or up? does it shut engine off when it is down and bike is put in gear?

frame - rust anywhere? if alot may have been stored outside

other - any items out of place? everything look okay? how does it ride? do you feel safe riding it? do you trust it mechanically to not break down on you in the middle of the highway?

sounds - does it rattle like a baby toy? does it tick like a bomb? does it make strange unearthly noises? does it snap, crackle, and pop? does it sound like it looks or looks like it sounds? when you hear something out of the ordinary, does the little light in your head come on? does it sound like the world is about to end or does it sound like money being pissed away? if suspension makes sounds, probably not too bad. if the engine make sounds out of the ordinary, it's 50/50.

clutch - does it grab, does it slip, is cable frayed at either end? does it shift smoothly, does it jump out of gear, does it fall into neutral, does it judder when shifting, is upshifting good, is downshifting good. best

 

wow! i have nothing to offer after that....lol.

 

Wa-Wa-WiWa !!!

[sm=jawdrop.gif]

That's more that I would've everhoped for !
Thanks a lot, michigan_313 !

I'll go see the bike tonight. I'll let you guys know.

Many thanks

 

what were you expecting? "kick the tires and see if it leaks"?

btw, i added "sounds" to the original list.

 

+1 Mich.

 

a couple points added to original post.

 

they should make that a sticky

 

thanks for the points to check, im goin to use this listcome spring when i bring my first bike outta storage.

 

How much does he want? I am about to sell my F3 soon. 5k miles. Thats what you need