Thinkin' about picking up a bike (1991 Honda CBR), help?

[Spyder]

A buddy at my work mentioned selling his bike after I told him I was interested in a cheap one that I could toy around with. I know almost NOTHING when it comes to motorcycles, but tonite I went with my friend that has a 99 CBR, who I trust much more than myself, and had him test drive it.


The body has been repainted all black, it has some dents and scrapes.
My friend said it shifted kind of hard, but didn't know if it was because it's a 1991.
It has ~27,000 miles.
It has a Yoshimura pipe.
My friend pointed out that the chain was a bit rusty and should be changed.
Seems to die if not charged (he said there isn't an alternator, but will do just fine if left on a trickle charger, which he does)
New battery, year old tires, new headlight.


How much would a 1991 Honda CBR F2 like this be worth? I feel confident that I could refresh the body myself, that's not a problem. It's my first bike and I don't want to start with something real pretty anyway. I just want something that will last if maintained. Any known problems or things I should look for?

I feel like I could talk him down to $650 or $700. Would it be worth it? I'm in college, and I would need to get my motorcycle license (heard that's about $300). Maybe I'll just ride with my temps ($30) for a while. I gotta learn to ride first though!

[ragdoll]

First thing. Buy a nice comfy helmet, get a leather jacket, and buy some riding gloves.

Check the tires. Do they look "old", cracked, worn down? Replace them.

Chain can be rusty and still be ok if it's an O-ring or X-ring chain and isn't TOO bad. Clean it up with some WD-40 or something and check for kinks by rolling the bike back/forth with an eye on the rear sprocket, the chain shouldn't "bind" up as it rolls off the sprocket.

Those older bikes shifted hard, that's how it goes. A fresh oil change with some quality synthetic oil may help(Transmission and motor share the same oil so when you change your oil, it's for both from the same drain/fill).

Bikes don't have alternators, it's called a stator, and it could either be bad or damaged. Not horribley expensive/hard to replace. Might just be a bum battery, go test it out at an auto parts store. It's 12V.

It'd be worth about what you're offering, I'd say. If it runs good, maybe a little more. Motorcycle licenses cost a few buck, and registering a motorcycle is dirt cheap.

Wear gear, watch out for everyone else on the road, drive within you comfort zone, don't chase experienced riders. Oh yeah, and don't use the front brake on loose ground(that one usually puts new riders on their butt). :p

Be safe.

[krazyk]

i second him on the gear.. buy protective gear regardless of experience or bike..
motorcycle licence cost nowhere near $300.. when i got mine im pretty sure i spent $50 tops.. i didnt take a riders course though and that costs money ;)

that bike would be a great begginner bike though and listen to what ragdoll said about the rest, i couldnt have said it better myself!

[Spyder]

First thing. Buy a nice comfy helmet, get a leather jacket, and buy some riding gloves.

Check the tires. Do they look "old", cracked, worn down? Replace them.

Chain can be rusty and still be ok if it's an O-ring or X-ring chain and isn't TOO bad. Clean it up with some WD-40 or something and check for kinks by rolling the bike back/forth with an eye on the rear sprocket, the chain shouldn't "bind" up as it rolls off the sprocket.

Those older bikes shifted hard, that's how it goes. A fresh oil change with some quality synthetic oil may help(Transmission and motor share the same oil so when you change your oil, it's for both from the same drain/fill).

Bikes don't have alternators, it's called a stator, and it could either be bad or damaged. Not horribley expensive/hard to replace. Might just be a bum battery, go test it out at an auto parts store. It's 12V.

It'd be worth about what you're offering, I'd say. If it runs good, maybe a little more. Motorcycle licenses cost a few buck, and registering a motorcycle is dirt cheap.

Wear gear, watch out for everyone else on the road, drive within you comfort zone, don't chase experienced riders. Oh yeah, and don't use the front brake on loose ground(that one usually puts new riders on their butt). :p

Be safe.

Thanks for the awesome reply!

He has an old Icon helmet, a jacket, and some glove he said he would include for an extra $200, is that right?

The tires didn't look old, they definitely have some life left. If I end up buying it, I'll get some pictures of the chain and post 'em up here. My friend was going to take it off and soak it for me for a few days if I bought it. Otherwise, I was told there are cheap, good ones on eBay, not sure though.

Thanks for the tip on the oil, I would have it changed right away if I bought it.

The battery was replaced about a week ago, so it's got to be something else in the charging system.

I won't be riding unless I have gear, safety is my first concern. Thanks for the awesome reply and tips!

i second him on the gear.. buy protective gear regardless of experience or bike..
motorcycle licence cost nowhere near $300.. when i got mine im pretty sure i spent $50 tops.. i didnt take a riders course though and that costs money ;)

that bike would be a great begginner bike though and listen to what ragdoll said about the rest, i couldnt have said it better myself!

People have said 600cc is too big, but I'd like to start with something I'll be satisfied with. My car will stomp 250cc's all day long. Thanks guys.

[krazyk]

Thanks for the awesome reply!

He has an old Icon helmet, a jacket, and some glove he said he would include for an extra $200, is that right?

The tires didn't look old, they definitely have some life left. If I end up buying it, I'll get some pictures of the chain and post 'em up here. My friend was going to take it off and soak it for me for a few days if I bought it. Otherwise, I was told there are cheap, good ones on eBay, not sure though.

Thanks for the tip on the oil, I would have it changed right away if I bought it.

The battery was replaced about a week ago, so it's got to be something else in the charging system.

I won't be riding unless I have gear, safety is my first concern. Thanks for the awesome reply and tips!



People have said 600cc is too big, but I'd like to start with something I'll be satisfied with. My car will stomp 250cc's all day long. Thanks guys.

the majority of people learn on a 600cc not knowing any better.. its just like a car or anything else that can kill you.. respect it and know that it can kill you, and you'll be fine with 600 for a first bike.. you prob will realize that a 600 is perfect after you've ridden a while..

[Spyder]

About to go pick this up tomorrow, what should I offer him? He said he'd probably sell it for $700-$800. Not sure.

[ragdoll]

$600(just to be lower than his asking price :))

[xxxfrankensteinxxx]

550 cash or 700 with riding gear if he won't budge. F4is go for 1500 2k

[ragdoll]

Link to multiple f4i's going for $1500, thanks.

[xxxfrankensteinxxx]

Link to multiple f4i's going for $1500, thanks.

Pm me.

[SgtRauksauff]

license is cheap, but the MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) class costs about 230 bucks or so. Cool part about that is, you get to drive their bikes for the class, on a closed course. If you pass successfully (basic common sense is all that's needed, along with basic riding skills), you get a waiver for the DMV riding test. Just go in, show them the waiver, and if you've already got a permit, you get your licesnse. if you don't have your temps, then you have to take the written test of 50 questions. super easy.

I highly recommend the MSF class, I learned a few things, and I've been riding since I was 16. haven't for the last 7-8 years, so I figured I'd brush up on my skills on other people's bikes. plus they'll teach you the right way, so you won't have to break any bad habits, which can get you in the ditch in a hurry.

make sure your helmet fits properly. if it's a little loose, that is a BAD thing, as the wind will catch it, and the buffetting wil make it bounce around on your head. It's annoying, and a PITA, and distracting, which you do NOT want.

Like mentioned, wear your gear, evenn if it's 100 out. (that is NOT so fun, btw, I did it last wednesday).

--sarge

[Spyder]

Heheh.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5989326722_08ac87e523_z.jpg

[xxxfrankensteinxxx]

After you crash it you can make it a stuntbike.

[Spyder]

Everyone is so negative lol.

[Hoot]

That goes perfectly with the Miata! (something positive) ;)

[xxxfrankensteinxxx]

Everyone is so negative lol.

Didn't mean it negatively, lol you should see my bike.

[ragdoll]

Congrats! Looks great!

How's it sound? Think the muffler may need new packing(common on old bikes)?

[Spyder]

That goes perfectly with the Miata! (something positive) ;)

Couldn't agree more :)

Didn't mean it negatively, lol you should see my bike.

Let's see, I'm down for pictures of anyone's bike.

Congrats! Looks great!

How's it sound? Think the muffler may need new packing(common on old bikes)?

Thanks! It sounds a little loud and puffy. Maybe it does, I can take a video and get it up here this weekend if I remember. My friend also brought that up, but it doesn't bother me much. I put a new battery in today and all the charging issues are gone, starts up right away everytime.

[ragdoll]

It's easy to repack them. Cost is very minimal.

[Getsideways]

Yes cotton swabs are cheap ;)

[xxxfrankensteinxxx]

Use ss brillow pads.

[krazyk]

My old 2000 CBR 600 F4
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/150001_468949988305_501493305_5513410_5311774_n.jp g

my new 2008 CBR600RR
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185228_10150276471013306_501493305_7568637_5934130 _n.jpg

[krazyk]

I still love the older cbr like what you purchased.. so fricken comfortable you can ride it for days and not have an issue!