My 2 favorite bikes of all time!

[72cutlassdude]

Was going thru some old pics today and ran across a couple of my 1987 VFR Interceptor. This was the first bike I bought new! That bike was a pure joy to carve twisties with, something about that V4, it had a power band that didn't stop. Rode that bike for 13 years until the old wrists and back couldn't take it any more! Just wondered what that bike would look like sitting next the Dragon, pretty nice I think. I've ridden a bunch of bikes in my life but none that put a smile on my face quite like these 2 have! Gotta love my Hondas!

[cookiedough]

Yep, me too.  Had a 1984 honda magna (non crotch rocket) from 1988-1998 and my current Valk I/S from around 2008ish thru current.

Not to change subject, but my 16 year old is looking at cycles.  2 interested in sold ASAP for a good price for a starter bike.  suzuki GZ250 for 850 bucks and just today a 2006 kawasaki vulcan 500cc for 1500 being my spending limit.  Just do not feel comfy on him age 16 to get a 700cc on up cycle for a beginner rider like I did age 18 (and I was bigger) getting a 700cc honda magna.

Been looking and seen same 1984 honda magna for 950 bucks on line today, but thinking over 30 years old is iffy at best, right????????????????  Not so sure a 550lb. bike mid-range somewhat fast cruiser would be a good bike to learn how to ride on?

Just wish an old 1985ish styling honda V30 500cc magna were still made today ONLY 10 years old vs. 30+ years old for 1500 bucks or less? 

I hear one of the best 250cc cruisers is the suzuki TU250x being fuel injected and tad bit bigger since saw a honda rebel 250cc and was WAY too small of a frame for someone 5'10" tall.  How anyone that height can ride one is beyond me, so, so tiny framed knees hitting arms while driving it.

[98valk]

saw this on CL the other day, little high on price but he has a lot done and it looks real good.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/6022916722.html

[cookiedough]

saw this on CL the other day, little high on price but he has a lot done and it looks real good.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/6022916722.html

yep, nice but back in 1988 I could have gotten a nice near new 1986 V65 red magna with 800miles on it for 3800 out the door pricing was a leftover crate model basically. 

I just saw tonight a 1997 chain drive nicely equipped honda 750cc magna for 1900, but for me, do not think my 16 year old needs a 70+ hp first time bike never ridden before.   Problem is went to look at the 250cc lineup and all for him even to small being 5'10" do not want him to outgrow it before he turns 18, yet a 750cc is a tad bit too much out of the gate.  Been trying to find a 450-500cc mid-range weighing around 450lbs. vs. the 750cc range around 550lbs.  Saw a very nice 2006 kawi vulcan 500cc nicely equipped locally but sold it yesterday for 1500 bucks.    Like the retro looks of the suzuki tu250x fuel injected newer cycles similar engine as the carb 249cc suzuki GZ250, but fuel injected with more pep and better fuel efficiency as well, but the price is over 2 grand still being so new. 

Seen a few older 80s honda v30 500cc magnas but SO OLD as well as 90s suzuki GS500s but not sure about going that old yet for 1200-1500 bucks tops??  Shoot, back in hey day of the 80s one could get a honda magna 500cc or honda shadow similar size for 1500 easy enough, even a 700cc shadow or magna.  Shoot, now they still command some 30 years later for the same fricking bike near 1500 bucks in good shape.  I really do not get that at all, do you??

Not much out there in that 450-500cc range for 1500 bucks used made 2000 year and newer?  I looked at the nice honda shadow 600cc so might go that route since are newer but have not found one yet for under 2K.   Shoot, even a 10 year old Kawasaki ninja 250cc is fetching 1800 bucks or more-NUTS. 

something must be out there right, just gotta keep looking??

[98valk]

saw this on CL the other day, little high on price but he has a lot done and it looks real good.

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/6022916722.html

yep, nice but back in 1988 I could have gotten a nice near new 1986 V65 red magna with 800miles on it for 3800 out the door pricing was a leftover crate model basically. 

I just saw tonight a 1997 chain drive nicely equipped honda 750cc magna for 1900, but for me, do not think my 16 year old needs a 70+ hp first time bike never ridden before.   Problem is went to look at the 250cc lineup and all for him even to small being 5'10" do not want him to outgrow it before he turns 18, yet a 750cc is a tad bit too much out of the gate.  Been trying to find a 450-500cc mid-range weighing around 450lbs. vs. the 750cc range around 550lbs.  Saw a very nice 2006 kawi vulcan 500cc nicely equipped locally but sold it yesterday for 1500 bucks.    Like the retro looks of the suzuki tu250x fuel injected newer cycles similar engine as the carb 249cc suzuki GZ250, but fuel injected with more pep and better fuel efficiency as well, but the price is over 2 grand still being so new. 

Seen a few older 80s honda v30 500cc magnas but SO OLD as well as 90s suzuki GS500s but not sure about going that old yet for 1200-1500 bucks tops??  Shoot, back in hey day of the 80s one could get a honda magna 500cc or honda shadow similar size for 1500 easy enough, even a 700cc shadow or magna.  Shoot, now they still command some 30 years later for the same fricking bike near 1500 bucks in good shape.  I really do not get that at all, do you??

Not much out there in that 450-500cc range for 1500 bucks used made 2000 year and newer?  I looked at the nice honda shadow 600cc so might go that route since are newer but have not found one yet for under 2K.   Shoot, even a 10 year old Kawasaki ninja 250cc is fetching 1800 bucks or more-NUTS. 

something must be out there right, just gotta keep looking??

check out dual sport bikes 200-450cc for a first time rider. they will fit his body size no problem and he will grow into them. The Suzuki DR200SE is used a lot by training schools and MSF schools.

[Gryphon Rider]

One day I'd like to get my hands on a 1988 VF750C V45 "Super" Magna.

[Reb]

One day I'd like to get my hands on a 1988 VF750C V45 "Super" Magna.

https://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/6008738092.html

 


 

[Gryphon Rider]

https://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/6008738092.html

That's an '87 700cc.  I'll hold out for the '88 750, not that I have the means to buy this year, anyway.

[cookiedough]

One day I'd like to get my hands on a 1988 VF750C V45 "Super" Magna.

https://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/6008738092.html

 


 

that is what I do not get,  some 30 years later these magnas are demanding 3500 still when in 1990 a gently used one could be had as well for 3800 or so, almost same price.  By the way,  I think they detuned the 87 and 88 magna engine vs. my 1984 honda magna 700cc, but still looks cool though. 

I wll check into that dual sport 200 bikes but really want him a cruiser style vs. on-off road dual sport.  Will keep looking.  3 bikes interested in have sold before I got a chance to look at them 1-2 days before asking to go look at them.  2000 suzuki GZ250 for $850,  2006 vulcan 500 for 1600 top of my price range REALLY nice shape though tons of extras,  and an old 1984 honda v30 magna 500cc for 1100.  I got my eyes on a 1997-2001 honda magna 750cc for  $1900, but thinking since these bikes are darn near as fast as our Valks,  not sure a good beginner bike for a 16-17 year old.  I would hate to see him spank me on my Valk I/S when age 16 - just kidding..   

If I could find a 2009 or so year suzuki TU250x retro style under 2K with fuel injection I would highly consider it.

[cookiedough]

got leads on all 3 bikes here:

1997 suzuki GS500 black for 1500 looks near new but never know with 20K miles

2006 vulcan 500 for 1900 no extras looks nice maroon red 10K miles

2011 yamaha star 250 dark red/almost black looking ONLY 3000 miles backrest is all for 2200

Reading reviews the yamaha 250 virago/vstar chopper look is one of the best V-twin 2 cylinders in the 250cc range holds value best and fastest (if you can call any 250cc fast), just thinking still to small for someone 5'10" tall with not liking forward footpeg placement

suzuki GS500 is biggest frame which my son would like better with footpegs right below seat like our Valks but is pretty old with higher mileage but looks in pics MINT

vulcan 500cc gets good reviews as well is the ninja 500 parallel twin engine pretty snappy and somewhat bigger not as big as the suzuki gs500 but much bigger and faster than the yamaha 250, but still has the forward upfront footpegs not liking.

why can't Honda still make the 1984 design v30 magna 500cc is perfect mid-sized not too big with decent power and reliability with footpegs right below seat almost?   Yah,  they make a fancy CB500 sort of crotch rocket type but also cost is 4K used - NUTS.  limit is $1500 or tad more used. 

Only thing I am thinking besides it fitting my son age 16 first time bike is the yamaha if can find one for say 1700 near new low miles say 6-7 years old can easier turn around and sell it next spring if too small for him and outgrows it for 1600 no problems not out much plus since newer with less miles.  Then go about doing this all over again looking for a bigger 500-750cc in 1-2 years not liking that.  If it was me, I would want age 16 even a beginner a used 2000 honda 750cc magna for 2 grand and just grow into it in a few months and never want another faster or bigger bike for a long while. 

Anyone on here have one of those 3 bikes I am interested in and comments/suggestions?  I missed out on an older 2000 suzuki GZ250 with 10K miles very similar to the yamaha 250 but was ONLY 850 bucks sold ASAP.  For 850 bucks I would have kept it and if not liked it too small,  easily turn around cleaning it up sell it for 1100 or so next spring.  I also missed out this weekend by one day a 2006 kawi vulcan 500cc fully loaded had it all with 14K miles for 1700 bucks being my limit top end in price for sure.

[Gental Gaint]

got leads on all 3 bikes here:


why can't Honda still make the 1984 design v30 magna 500cc is perfect mid-sized not too big with decent power and reliability with footpegs right below seat almost?    

You need to start looking for Sabre's............... No 500cc Sabre's, but 700 (v43.5), 750 (v45) and the Sabre 1100 (V-65)........... I have had a V65 for over 15 years now (I also make replacement rear shocks for the V65's....)... the mid-80 V4's from Honda were WAY ahead of there time.......



) and

[98valk]

got leads on all 3 bikes here:


why can't Honda still make the 1984 design v30 magna 500cc is perfect mid-sized not too big with decent power and reliability with footpegs right below seat almost?    

You need to start looking for Sabre's............... No 500cc Sabre's, but 700 (v43.5), 750 (v45) and the Sabre 1100 (V-65)........... I have had a V65 for over 15 years now (I also make replacement rear shocks for the V65's....)... the mid-80 V4's from Honda were WAY ahead of there time.......


) and

Nice!  always liked the Sabre. They are bought up really fast in my area when on CL, I've missed out on two since last yr.

[3fan4life]

I put my son on a Honda 450 Nighthawk for a starter bike.

Replaced that one with a V30 Magna.

That Magna is the fastest 500cc bike that I have ever ridden.

He also spent some time on a Yamaha 650 V-Star which is as about as good of a starter bike that there is these days.


The Honda 750 Shadows are pretty tame bikes.

There are a few 500cc Shadows still around as well.

[Savago]

@cookiedough

The issue I see with a too tiny bike is that your son will outgrow it too fast (e.g. in 6 months to 1 year).

Why not a weestrom (Suzuki Vstrom DL650)?

It is a sports enduro bike, handles really well and it is light weighted. It has 64hp, which is plenty but not too risky and he will be able to enjoy it for a longer period.

This bikes are bullet proof and can be found relatively cheap, loaded with accessories:
https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/mcy/6021425560.html

[Dave Ritsema]

I always liked the way the Interceptors looked. In late 87 I got a wild hair and had to have something fast. I went with the 1000 Hurricane. Man that bike was fast! (At least for the time.)



When I saw the commercial for them I just had to get one.   

 https://youtu.be/q0pnxAg8f-I

[cookiedough]

yah, saw a used Vstar 650 for 1900 with 20K or more miles on it being an older 2006 or something like that seemed decent priced, air cooled Vtwin.

Just think he would prefer the 97 honda magna 750cc better ONLY if he can handle it which he should after some practice.  Just worried a tad about that but if driven sensible, I know the magna 750 is easier to drive and clutch/shifter/gears are more manageable and forgiving than most 250-750cc bikes on the road not requiring to be in the RIGHT gear all the time, much like our valkyries able to be in 30 mph in 5th gear.

Yah,  250cc cycles in the cruiser category are DINKY and overpriced for what you get all are around 1900 as well same price as an older cruiser like the vstar or magna.  Best bang for the buck is 500-750cc range something he will not outgrow soon or probably ever. 

Question:  for all those who have had kids under say age 18 insured on a cycle,  did the insurance go up a TON just to add him on ONLY one of the bikes since he will never drive my BIG 1520cc Valk too heavy.  I could fib on insurance just having ME on the policies for all 3 of my bikes, but in case he injures someone or their property (another car),  I doubt my cycle insurance would cover it if HE was driving and NOT me if I was not upfront with my insurance company adding him onto 1 of the 3 bikes as a driver - right??  Now, if he ONLY wrecks the bike and himself which is best scenario that would happen mostly,  I could just take the blame and say I did it. 

[CajunRider]

One day I'd like to get my hands on a 1988 VF750C V45 "Super" Magna.

I have one... transfer case broke on me (the part where the drive shaft goes into the motor) at a little over 14K miles. 

I took it apart to see what was wrong and found that.  Repairs would have cost more than what the bike was worth.  I have it in pieces right now, cleaning it up to part it out. 

I just don't know where the best place would be to sell off the parts. 

[72cutlassdude]

I always liked the way the Interceptors looked. In late 87 I got a wild hair and had to have something fast. I went with the 1000 Hurricane. Man that bike was fast! (At least for the time.)



When I saw the commercial for them I just had to get one.   

 https://youtu.be/q0pnxAg8f-I

One of my buddies I rode with had a 89 1000 Hurricane and I agree Dave that bike was fast! He sold it around 95 to his brother-in-law and the guy is still riding it today. Last I heard he had 85K plus on it.