ok, so the fantasy of a new 9K Harley Sportster has faded away and reality has sunk in. I bought a 1998 Honda 600 Shadow from a local private party, from Craigslist (yes, I actually showed up this time :)
It's in excellent condition, new tires, new chain, brakes/rotos, etc, lots of extras. 29K miles. I paid 2200 for it. Low price for a starter to learn on.
Here are some pics:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188138598.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188138619.jpg

Perfect. Ride the snot out of it and get your skills up, and then you will have a good idea for the next deal.

Very nice pick-up. Enjoy the ride

Always happy to see reason and logic replace impulse.

Better move IMHO.

Excellent choice! You're going to have a great time on that bike.

Don't forget and/or skimp on the gear - and keep the exhaust stock :)

Nothing sounds worse than a japanese bike with open pipes. I agree....keep em stock.

All it really need from here is a set of drag pipes.;)

+1

Congrats.

Excellent choice for a starter bike.

:)... Great choice for a starter bike imo...ride safe!

Ahmmm, MSF course then ride on back roads during the day for a long time. Helmet, boots and gloves. Spend a lot of time in a parking lot learning how to maneuver at LOW speed then work your way up.

Nice choice for your first bike!

I had an Austin Harley when I was a kid.
That was a long time ago.
Or was that an Aston Healey?
Well, it harley matters now.
It was pretty spritely.
Never two tired.
Good bye.

Jeff, Harley does have ABS, but right now I guess it's only availible on the police models for police use. ABS was mandatory for all of the big agencies down here in California, so H-D cobbled together a system a couple of years ago. It was not very good and didn't cycle very quickly. The ABS module took up almost the entire side bag, so that sucked also. I've heard the new system is better but still not as good as the ones offered by BMW, Honda, Yamaha or Kawasaki in the new Concours. Just checked. It looks like H-D will now be offering ABS on a few 08 civilian models.

But i agree. ABS is still no substitute for the ability to properly stop your motorcycle.


I'm about to take about a 3000 mile trip up your way on the FJR. Heading up north visiting Family and friends in Portland. Then hooking up with a friend in Spokane and riding to Coeur d'Alene, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Salt lake and back down thru Death Valley. As little freeway as possible. I'm ready to go, so no more personal missions for me for the next thirty days. ;)



On-ramp, Congrats on the new ride. Enjoy the ride. That looks really clean. Cant beat that for $2200.

Hey Mike, you are right about the ABS. I just got my new copy of The Enthusiast (H-D's very own bike mag) this last weekend. Lo and behold, there is an article about their new ABS developed in cooporation with Brembo, of all companies. It mentions it will be superior to the ABS systems previously only available on police bikes. I honestly didn't know they had one. Anyway, it sounds like a better one is on the way for '08, and this time they will make it available to the public as well.

Sounds like a fun trip. 30 days??!! You dirty rat... I'm heading out this later week as well, but only for five days. Two of us are heading down to take a quick gander at Bryce Canyon in Utah. Same rules apply; freeways are to be avoided when possible. We'll be living out of the bikes, camping wherever we find ourselves on any given night. Anyway, have fun on your trip, and be safe.

Thanks everybody. Good discussion...

so the guy I bought the bike from delivers it to my house this evening and parks it in the garage. We do all the paper work, he leaves...

so 1/2 hr later, I'm excited to get the thing running... but it doesn't start.
:mad::mad::mad::mad:

that's what I get for buying used.. I should have just forked over the 7K and bought a new one.
sounds like the battery is weak and doesn't have enough power to turn the motor over. Another fuKing thing I have to deal with... great.....for now, it's a very good boat anchor
:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Starting something with "Honda" embossed on the case should be one of the most simple acts imaginable. Charge the battery and go for a ride.

Welcome to the club, onramp. Dead batteries and motorcycles go together like mom and apple pie. Most bikes sit more than they are ridden, which is about the worst treatment a battery can get. Get a new battery, and, while you are at it a "battery tender". This is a nifty little "smart" charger that you can plug the bike into while you are not riding it. Most come with a jack you can add to the bike, so it really is just as easy as plugging it in. This will be especially valuable over the winter months, depending upon where you live. Your new battery will last much longer with proper care and charging, which the tender will provide. Any bike shop will have them.

Please tell me you had the guy start it before you turned over the money!
Only charge a motorcycle battery at 2 amps. Never 10 amps.
If you need a new battery go to Walmart. They sell the same batteries Honda does, just a lot cheaper.

Ditto the above. HF sells a tender thats regularly on sale for 7.99. Equip it and your bikes w/ a 2 pole SAE connector and a pigtail, and plug em in whenever they're going to sit for a while. What kills batteries is long periods of inactivity w/o a voltage source.