if thats what you want, go for it. sounds like it needs the carbs cleaned, replace the fuel, and that tank probably has some rust as well.

 

Looks Ok, but it was sitting for 5 yrs. Not only will you need to clean the carbs and tank but you will need change all fluids and get new tires. I'd start low and offer $800 just to offset the additional costs to get it operational. Just my opinion....

 

I also forgot a full tuneup. Plugs, filters, etc... Just take into consideration all that needs to be done and ask yourself if thats what you want. If your mechanically inclined and willing to do the work yourself then go for it

 

good bike once it is tuned up.

however... you need to see what the availability of parts is and price.

next point, your riding ability. i highly suggest you take a riding course or motorcycle safety course. it not about what you know but what you don't know that could put you in a bad situation. also, bad habits that you develop on your own are hard to break. you can further your riding skills greatly if you took a course.

no bike is *****. it just depends on your skills and attitude. europeans ride scooters...everywhere. and they can outride the bikebikes anywhere except on open road any day of the week with a well dressed lady in heels at the controls.

you can start on any bike, cbr or otherwise in any model year. it's all up to you. i've known guys who started out on the bigger bikes, no big deal. but personally i think 500-600 cc is a good starting point. older bike will definitely keep you out of more trouble, mainly speed. but that is not all.

an older bike even if it looks like crap is good so long as it runs. reason being is that if you dump it, you wouldn't have hurt the bike cosmetically anymore than it is now. if you get a new(er) bike, say a really nice one, you dump it on it's side, the fairing is tweaked, hell, any piece of plastic for that matter, that's about $300... for one piece...ouch!!!!

insurance. are you young? under 25? wanting that new(er) bike? just bend over now and hand the insurance man a bag of sand. older bike, nobody cares too much about the older bikes. insurance is cheaper. and if you take a motorcycle safety course, you get an additional discount, well, at least in california we do.

i thought just like you when i went to go buy a bike. there were alot of things i thought i knew that i didn't know, a lot of things that i didn't consider. i would have gotten the same bike, but i would have been "smarter" about getting it. you'll learn a lot from just getting your first bike. if you know anyone who is mechanically inclined or knows a thing or two about motorcycles, then you should take them with you to check the bike out. if not, make a checklist of things to look at and look out for. this will help you negotiate price if it is really what you want to buy.

 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/213652110.html


Whoa!!

'Cane with RR tail and lights for $1400 in Seattle!

Wish I could afford rent, let alone another bike.

 

you can see more of this bike here:

http://cbrworld.net/forums/thread/243250.aspx

 

How about a ex500/500r Kawasaki?

 

This is reallyl get off topic huh? (perhaps if an admin would like to move it? or shall I start a new topic.... Just if people keep on responding I keep learning more)

But what about other 500cc sportbikes? or other entry lvl through away bikes?

from the tech specs I read
12.8 quarter miles times. seems faster than any car I will ever drive in my life time, which seems fast. Which I have been in a few sports cars. Porsches and Vettes and what not.

is that going to keep a true beginner, with only 2 hours riding time ever, happy?

 

Suzuki GS500?

 

I had an '83 nighthawk 650 as my first bike. Great starter bike and pretty easy to work on and drive safely.

However if your looking for a more sportier bike, the GS500 is a good median between a nighthawk and a CBR, even though it's not a Honda.

Any older bike that isn't currently running probably isn't your best bet as a starter bike, especially if it's been sitting for 5 years. Not only is it going to take a good weekend or more to get it back up to shape, but it was probably sitting for a reason, so who knows what else could be wrong with it.

I'd keep checkin craig's list, this is the time of the year for great bike deals, especially up north.