Recomend a super cheap and super reliable motorcycle

[scottmandue]

I know "fast, cheap, or reliable... pick two."

Well I have, commuting twenty miles a day each way.

Even with a econo car that is two tanks of gas a month at +$40

Flat relatively straight highway with a HOV lane where motorcycles ride free.

So dull, boring, ugly is OK... just needs to be tough as rocks and reliable as the day is long.

I know this flys in the face of you guys with your uber cool Ducati's and Harley's.

But think of this as an exercise in economy.

Something big enough to putter down the freeway but small enough to get excellent gas mileage... something that just needs gas and regular oil changes.

Something used and under $1000.

I have a snowballs chance in hades of talking my wife into this... but just for giggles though I would see what you folks come up with.

And yes I know "take the safety course" I will be doing that... if I get as far as that.

Carry on!

[BReif61]

I'd say hit the local CL and see what pops up that:
-isn't a crotch rocket
-has a "cruiser" seating position
-is japanese

Reliable is relative at that price point, IMO.

[varmint]

how long a highway ride? at what speeds?

sad to say but you're in honda rebel territory at that price.

[varmint]

p.s.

i think back to highschool and the salesman who sold me my first bike. he described motorcycles as cheap reliable transportation. i dream of finding that guy and hitting him in the dick with a hammer.

[Schumi]

I have a Suzuki DRZ-400S that I commuted on in Los Angeles quite a bit. It did traffic like a champ. It was cheap. Reliable as anything ever (it has 24,000 miles on it, and has zero issues). It gets great mileage since it is a single. I have a Clark desert tank on it that hold around 4 gallons and can get me 200 miles of city riding. It offroads. I have a set of dirt knobbies for desert riding. There is a ton of aftermarket to enhance it's performance and capabilities. In supermoto form with 17" wheels and SM tires it can handle better than you need it to and turns into a real canyon machine. With some airbox mods, a carb kit, and a header pipe and slip on mine makes about 45 HP, which on a 340 lb bike isn't too slow, more than enough to squirt through traffic.
It can cruise at 70 MPH OK, and with a rack on the back can hold cargo.

I have known many people with DRZ400's and none of them have had a different opinion: it is an amazing all-around machine.

[Paco Anton]

I'd recomend a Suzuki GS500F. It was my fist bike back in 1992. Simple two cylinder air cooled engine. Enough power for cruising at 70+ MPH. I think you only got the faired version in the US:



2006 Suzuki GS500F

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Lately I'm seeing a lot of baby Ninjas tooling around here. 250-500cc. If you're not a gorilla like me (6'1", 225 lbs) one of those might be worth looking into.

I like Schumi's dirty bike idea better, though. A thumper (single cylinder) really is the ultimate in simplicity. For some reason (maybe just sheer perversity) I always wanted to get an MZ Skorpion Replica.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by BReif61

Reliable is relative at that price point, IMO.

This. For $1000, the only thing your going to get that fits the bill is a 1980s japanese bike in the 500-750cc range, and its going to have 'issues'.

For $2000-3000 you could get a Suzuki Bandit 1200. Commonly used as an inexpensive commuter.

[bell]

I had an 82 Suzuki gs750 I picked up for $600 on cl, had to reseal the valve Cover......some tires......that was about it......total after tax and title I had around 900 in out......
it was fast to so that helped.....

[HardDrive]

Yep, like BlueSky says, a 500 Ninja would be another good option.

I don't think 250s are enough juice for the highway. To buzzy.

[vash]

suzuku SV650.

i honestly think motorcycles are all pretty reliable. i'd like a narrow twin bike. splitting lanes in a skinny bike is a better time than on a fat bike.

$1000 will be difficult. at least in my neighborhood.

[yazhound]

Suzuki DR650, heavier than DZ400 so not as good off road, but better on road/HWY bike. May be best all around bike ever!

[yel911]

My neighbor rides a 79 Suzuki GS550. It's mint and all stock, got it for $1000.

[LakeCleElum]

Like Bell sez: An early 80's GS Suzook....650-750-850-1000 or 1100.

All others mentioned above can't be had for $1,000.Buy a GS, clean the carbs, check valve clearance and ride it forever....I currently have 4 + 2 parts bikes. One has 108,000 miles on it.

[scottmandue]

As said 20 miles each way... 40 miles a day... 200 miles a week...

Must be able to do 70-80 mph

Absolutely no off road

The 250 Ninja was on my radar

Twin or single prefer for lower maintenance...

HOV lane most of the way so no center lining... too old and heal too slow for any antics...

This would be just a money saving venture only, don't need/want a 'fun' bike... so yes, an ugly underpowered Honda rebel is an option.

(again... big IF I can talk the wife into it... Hey, anyone local wanna let me hide it in their garage?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by vash

suzuku SV650.

i honestly think motorcycles are all pretty reliable. i'd like a narrow twin bike. splitting lanes in a skinny bike is a better time than on a fat bike.

$1000 will be difficult. at least in my neighborhood.

LOVE that bike!!!

But not happening for $1000... in your or my neigborhood

[vash]

i recommend flowers and new shoes for the wife.

then bump up your budget

[Hard-Deck]

This could be like the oil thread.....

[crustychief]

Originally Posted by Schumi

I have a Suzuki DRZ-400S that I commuted on in Los Angeles quite a bit. It did traffic like a champ. It was cheap. Reliable as anything ever (it has 24,000 miles on it, and has zero issues). It gets great mileage since it is a single. I have a Clark desert tank on it that hold around 4 gallons and can get me 200 miles of city riding. It offroads. I have a set of dirt knobbies for desert riding. There is a ton of aftermarket to enhance it's performance and capabilities. In supermoto form with 17" wheels and SM tires it can handle better than you need it to and turns into a real canyon machine. With some airbox mods, a carb kit, and a header pipe and slip on mine makes about 45 HP, which on a 340 lb bike isn't too slow, more than enough to squirt through traffic.
It can cruise at 70 MPH OK, and with a rack on the back can hold cargo.

I have known many people with DRZ400's and none of them have had a different opinion: it is an amazing all-around machine.

I loved mine, owned it for 4 years with no issues. Ditto on the desert tank.

[vash]

DRZ 400S have the electric start?

i cruise craiglist weekly for one.. i learned to wheelie on a similar bike.