Motorcycle Opinions

[intakexhaust]

Ironic thoughts of the Nighthawk as a first bike. Had me thinking of way back when.

My buddy who had the early Nighthawk with brilliant blue metalflake / decal chrome accents. It was his very first ever bike - of any kind! He purchased it brand new and one day just rolled up the drive with it. Plenty quick but slow by todays standards. Must have been around 1982 similar to this one: Honda Nighthawk | eBay

The '82 color scheme were flashy for the era. Would tease him if that was 'disco' edition. I don't recollect him ever having an issue handling it or problem mechanically. Solid first ride.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Pick a flavor you like and get going. But please, get the gear first. And don't scrimp.

I'd change "don't scrimp" to "buy smart." A newbie can buy a full complement of gear for what some guys would have you spend on a helmet. RideApart had an article on motorcycle gear at various price levels, insisting you needed to spend at least a grand. I wrote a post meeting the same requirements costing $600 and got a response saying the gear was crap - after which I pointed out it was all gear recommended by them, just last season's stuff. (My post was removed "for moderation." )

So, fitting gear into your budget here are my picks from CL Washington:

Honda CB400F, $1200: 1975 honda cb 400 f



Underpriced, as this is a burgeoning collectible. It's the 70s Honda equivalent of a 968CS.

Kawasaki KZ550, $600: 1981 kz 550 kawasaki



Solid bike with what looks to be current maintenance rather than deferred.

Kawasaki KZ400, $300: 1978 kawasaki kz 400

[Schumi]

Speaking of classic color schemes on bikes... I had a friend with an early 90's ZX-7R Ninja. I'm pretty sure the actual graphic package name was 'Miami Vice'.



Fun bike.. but a heavy beast.

[ledhedsymbols]

Sooooo... I bought the Nighthawk. I looked at more motorcycles and in the end decided that this was the right one for me. I worked a deal out that was OK with both of us, and just ordered new skins for it. I chose these Pirelli Sport Demon tires.
SPORT DEMON , Motorcycle Tires - PIRELLI US

Here is a photo of it in my truck bed. More photos to follow as soon as I get some time.

[Eric 951]

Congrats on the buy. Very classic bike.

[HardDrive]

Congrats! Keep the shiney side up!

[creaturecat]

nice bike.
enjoy.

[LakeCleElum]

That will suit you fine.......Take a spin thru the Tulip Fields in your area while the sun is out...

[Arizona_928]

I've never ran sport demon's, but I have ran multiple sets of the angle/angle gt/Rosso 2's, and the old style corsa. If you end up looking for something stickier, and good mileage. The angle's are really good and last 6-8k. The rosso 2's last about 4k miles, but even cold they are a good tire.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm kind of jealous as this was a contemporary bike when I was into motorcycles. Always liked the looks of them and thought they'd be a fun ride. Hope you enjoy that one as it looks like a very well kept example.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

I've never ran sport demon's, but I have ran multiple sets of the angle/angle gt/Rosso 2's, and the old style corsa. If you end up looking for something stickier, and good mileage. The angle's are really good and last 6-8k. The rosso 2's last about 4k miles, but even cold they are a good tire.

I really appreciate your input. Unfortunately I am hamstrung by an oddball tire size on this bike. There were only about 6 or 8 different choices that I could make. I'll keep my eyes open, maybe I missed the tires you suggest in my size.

I only had time to get it out of the truck-bed and warm it up for a quick run around the block yesterday. I didn't get out of second gear. The good news is that I am without obligation this afternoon and the forecast is 60 degrees and sunny. I've got some time to kill and I have a plan for its demise!

Thanks for the good words guys, and all the good advice throughout this thread. Even if I didn't answer back on every post, rest assured I read it and considered all the options before I made the choice. I'm very happy thus far, and look forward to a great summer.

[Scott Douglas]

You're gonna love that shaft drive and the hydraulic valves.
My last bike was a Sabre V-45 and it was great for long trips.

[cstreit]

I guess if thats your thing. Im not a big fan of the 80s street bikes. They just seem too Tom Cruise to me. Lots o cheap and easy to ride, chezper to maintain sport bikes out there from this decade....

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I guess if thats your thing. Im not a big fan of the 80s street bikes. They just seem too Tom Cruise to me. Lots o cheap and easy to ride, chezper to maintain sport bikes out there from this decade....

That was kind of my take also. I have both an 80's sportbike and a 2009 model. Night and day difference in both ride quality and handling.

ledhedsymbols seemed to really want this bike and I feel was more looking for affirmation then options (which is ok.) There is nothing basically wrong with his choice. The Nighthawk was a good motorcycle in its day. I hope he gets an opportunity to ride a more recent motorcycle though to see what a few of the posters on here were getting at.

In the meantime, I hope he has as much fun with the Nighthawk as I did on my first street bike (Honda XL250R.)

[Schumi]

Well be safe and keep the rubber bits down and have a fun time.

We will be interested in seeing how long before you want to upgrade. Bikes are cheap compared to cars, I find myself looking for new-to-me bikes all the time.

[sammyg2]

Here's my vote........ whatta ya mean I'm too late!? dab nabbit. Love them bikes.

[sammyg2]

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Here's my vote........ whatta ya mean I'm too late!? dab nabbit. Love them bikes.

The CB750 depends. My CB400T is appealing because it's cheap, easy to ride/fix/insure, and offers more bang for the buck than I could get with anything modern (even Ninja 250s, CBR250Rs, and TU250X).

The early CB750s are enough to make me consider just spending the money on something recent with fuel injection and other modern tech - some models are more than a recent CB1100. The late SOHC models still tempt me when I'm thinking on getting a bigger "one bike for everything" bike, as they kinda make a decent trade-off against a modern Bonnie, W650 or Sportster (if I can get past my preference for twins).

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

That was kind of my take also. I have both an 80's sportbike and a 2009 model. Night and day difference in both ride quality and handling.

ledhedsymbols seemed to really want this bike and I feel was more looking for affirmation then options (which is ok.) There is nothing basically wrong with his choice. The Nighthawk was a good motorcycle in its day. I hope he gets an opportunity to ride a more recent motorcycle though to see what a few of the posters on here were getting at.

In the meantime, I hope he has as much fun with the Nighthawk as I did on my first street bike (Honda XL250R.)

The OP found himself a 'cherry' 80's ride and a 'first timer'. You go Led and enjoy!

Anyhow, I don't get the neg replies. Its like saying a 50's Vincent or a 60's Bonneville are no good and useless first bikes. Seriously? Somebody had them as first bikes and probably wish they could reverse the clock and do it all over again. Of course evolution has produced better bikes but does it really matter?

Back to the 80's. One of my faves was a Yamaha RZ350 with the K. Roberts replica scheme. Two stroke ball of fun. Before I left the dealer with it, fresh spankin' new the stock exhaust, cat. convert., intake box were removed and installed Toomies and rejetted. All day long that little yellow scooter would beat many larger 4 strokes of the day such as Suzuki GS850! The kick starter is nostalgic and I could fire it up by hand (I rode with a leg cast for awhile...). Good days.

[Rot 911]

I think the Nighthawk is a great choice for a first bike. Looks good, easy to maintain and big enough to ride at highway speeds if you so desire. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but perhaps that is why there are so many different bikes out there. And who says you have to own only one bike?