Too small for expressway?

[Watcher]

OK, so I keep posting these little topics but truth be told my wants/needs, financial situation, and local availability of motorcycles keeps bouncing around like a pinball.

I found a dealership selling a near mint (best condition I've ever seen) 1987 Yamaha XT350 with, get this, 1151 original miles!  Looks like new rubber, not a speck of rust anywhere, all working, and comes with a warranty.

They want a price that's stupid low.  $1500.  Looks like a fun bike, and I've always sort of wanted a dual sport/supermoto hooligan kind of bike.

The concern I have is right now I need a commuter, and I take the expressway to and from work every day going between 55-70 mph or so.
I don't know if a 350cc, especially in dual purpose gearing, will handle that.  I'd like to get it, and a fun bike for darting around is what I want, but a solid commuter is also what I want...
Thoughts?

[Kijona]

I have a 1986 KLR250. It'll do 70 but only at WOT. I imagine the 350 would be about the same but slightly better. Personally, I think even a DRZ400 would be pushing it on the highway.

The best thing you can do is ask for a test ride and take it out on the freeway.

[Slack]

A lot depends on the tires you run.  I don't really like riding my KLR 650 over 60 mph.  But I've got 50/50 tires.  When I had 80/20 tires it did extended 70 mph just fine.
So you may need to change tires right off the bat, that's if the engine can hang.

[Electrojake]

I found a 1987 Yamaha XT350 with, get this, 1151 original miles!

The concern I have is right now I need a commuter, and I take the expressway to and from work every day going between 55-70 mph or so.

I don't know if a 350cc, especially in dual purpose gearing, will handle that. 

Thoughts?

A couple of items. . .
I've had 49cc mopeds that could hit 35+ MPH, and more recently a (modded) Yamaha Zuma-125 scooter reliably hold 60 MPH on the open road!

So yeah... I'd say 350cc should be able to hold 65+ MPH reliably.
IMHO with the proper gearing (sprocket set & tires) you should have no problems running the super-slab on that old 350.

Here, check this link for some reassuring specs on that bike...
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Yamaha-XT350.htm
Rated at 30 HP with a top speed of 90! (geez, 90?) 

[Watcher]

Here's a link to the dealer page.  Tons of pics.

http://www.imotorsportsinc.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=1176909&p=1&s=Year&d=D&t=preowned&sq=xt350&fr=xPreOwnedInventory

I'll have enough to buy it in cash this weekend.  You all think I should do it?
Or I might just wait and get a GS500 or something off Craigslist.  Won't be as nice condition and won't have a warranty, but it'll be a more streetable bike...

[Electrojake]

Here's a link to the dealer page.  Tons of pics.

http://www.imotorsportsinc.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=1176909&p=1&s=Year&d=D&t=preowned&sq=xt350&fr=xPreOwnedInventory

I'll have enough to buy it in cash this weekend.  You all think I should do it?
Or I might just wait and get a GS500 or something off Craigslist. 

Cant make that decision for you but here's my 2 cents worth. . .

This bike has averaged 41 miles a year. Seems odd.
Even if the bike was only two years old, 1151 is incredibly low mileage.
Ask the dealer; "What's the history on the bike"?

Also... When you go to the dealer bring $1500 and not a penny more.
Offer the dealer 1200 and go up from there.
If the bike is sweet and you really want it, dont let the "Out The Door" price go over 1500.

A few other pointers. . .
Most dealers won't let you ride a bike before you buy it, but what they will do (especially on a used vehicle) is start it and ride it around the lot while you watch.

Watching someone else ride a bike is extremely helpful.
When the dealer takes is for a spin Look for excessive smoke, bent or wobbly rims, etc...
Listen for odd engine sounds, trouble shifting gears, grinding brakes, etc...

You get the idea!
Watching someone else ride the bike can be very informative.

Good luck.
Let us know how things work out! 
Regards,
-Ej-

[Watcher]

I think I've decided to go with something else.

I found a used 1997 Bandit 600 on Craigslist.  I went to look at it and ride it today.  It's not 100%, in fact it needs a little work to be streetable, but it runs and rides great!  Engine is solid, starts up cold no problem, I hit the rev limiter on the road so I know it'll get up there.  Clutch is good, grabs really tight.  All the gauges work, body and frame is in great shape, no rust on the whole bike, aftermarket exhaust (forgot to ask who's but it sounds great).  It's quick, it's comfortable, and it tracks straight (no hands confirmed).

The bad:
It was a naked conversion and it's kind of done rather cheaply.  The headlight is basically hose-clamped onto the forks, and the lights themselves are kind of poor, but he has the stock headlight and mount so I'll probably just toss that back on.
Needs a paint job.  It's not bad, but it's obviously been rattle-canned.  Every bike I've owned I've repainted so no issues there.
Seat is torn, no biggie.  Seat covers are cheap on ebay, I can even get a whole new seat for like $50.
Needs a new rear tire.  It's not terrible but has to be done in the next month or so.
Could use new bars and new levers.  They work but are kind of worn out.
Needs mirrors, there are none on it right now.

And here's the big one, it needs fork seals.  Forks are leaking and contaminating the front brakes.  Potentially dangerous situation there, it's gotta be done immediately.  He has all the parts to do it.  Not sure if I'll tackle it myself or take it somewhere.  What can I expect a shop to charge for fork seals?

Guy had it listed for $1500, as we were talking he said he'd take $1200.  KBB lists the bike in excellent at around $1450, if his offer is $1200 but it needs as much as it does I think I can talk him down a bit more.  He's holding it for me until payday, I'm going to offer him $1000.


On another note, he is interested in buying my car off me.  Originally we were talking about trading, but after scrutinizing the bike that's not gonna happen.  Not only is the bike not worth what my car is, there's no way in hell I'm giving up my car for the bike especially considering it's in disrepair and I don't know when I'll be able to tackle the fork seals...
I might sell him the car down the road, but it'll be at least a month before I do.

[Janx101]

Start 850. .. for current condition.    If you got a shop to fix/replace everything you'd blow over the 1500 level! .. or if he wants to at least sort out the fork seals then maybe start higher? ... a bandit can be a good bike but with all the little niggles you mention it sounds like he just let it run down!? ...
For comparison maybe see what other bandit 600 are around and see how they compare price and condition wise?

[Watcher]

Start 850. .. for current condition.    If you got a shop to fix/replace everything you'd blow over the 1500 level! .. or if he wants to at least sort out the fork seals then maybe start higher? ... a bandit can be a good bike but with all the little niggles you mention it sounds like he just let it run down!? ...
For comparison maybe see what other bandit 600 are around and see how they compare price and condition wise?

Other Bandit 600s are astronomical.  Asking $2500 and up, sometimes as much as $3500, and those are all late 90s and early 2000s bandits!  No way in hell.  He's the first reasonable price I've found, and I'm willing to work on it, but I do want to see how low I can get it for.
I don't mind paying $1000 for it, but I'll see if he'll go lower.  You never know.

I've helped out with fork seals on an old friend's Yamaha Virago, and I know a guy who does nothing but work on dirtbikes all day, I can probably get him to do my fork seals for the price of a 12 pack and pizza.  Rear tire won't be more than, like, $150 all said and done.  All little bits included I'll probably be in it about $1500 once it's tip top, I gotta see all what he has for it as far as extras and stock parts goes.

[Alan_nc]

Just to show there are other choices:

http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/mcy/4980464686.html

[Watcher]

There's always other choices.  But pickings are slim near me.  Every gs500 is over $2000, sometimes over $3000!  People just aren't realistic at this time.

Not sure if I want to go with a GS500 again, though.  Mine wasn't a bad bike, but I did find it a little lacking and now that my riding skill and confidence has improved dramatically I wouldn't mind something bigger...

That was the first Bandit I've ridden and it felt really good.  I'll be keeping my eye open for other bikes and I'm still honestly up in the air with this one.  I'd like to put in the work and make a nice custom Bandit, I know I won't get my money back out of it but I like the idea of a Lego bike and the Bandits seem about as customizable as they come...
At the same time I can spend not much more and get something that's instantly rideable...  Tough call.

[Electrojake]

There's always other choices.  But pickings are slim near me.  Every gs500 is over $2000, sometimes over $3000!  People just aren't realistic at this time.

Not sure if I want to go with a GS500 again, though.  Mine wasn't a bad bike, but I did find it a little lacking and now that my riding skill and confidence has improved dramatically I wouldn't mind something bigger...
At the same time I can spend not much more and get something that's instantly rideable...  Tough call.

With a $1500 budget, flexibility is the key.

Think outside the box.
A good commuter bike for you may not be a sport bike at all.
Take Janx101 for instance. . .
He went out looking for a red Busa and came home with a blue V-Strom.
Or was that Cods?

Either way... If you see a good machine in your price range, (even a pink Ural), give it a thought!

[Watcher]

There's always other choices.  But pickings are slim near me.  Every gs500 is over $2000, sometimes over $3000!  People just aren't realistic at this time.

Not sure if I want to go with a GS500 again, though.  Mine wasn't a bad bike, but I did find it a little lacking and now that my riding skill and confidence has improved dramatically I wouldn't mind something bigger...
At the same time I can spend not much more and get something that's instantly rideable...  Tough call.

With a $1500 budget, flexibility is the key.

Think outside the box.
A good commuter bike for you may not be a sport bike at all.
Take Janx101 for instance. . .
He went out looking for a red Busa and came home with a blue V-Strom.
Or was that Cods?

Either way... If you see a good machine in your price range, (even a pink Ural), give it a thought!

Oh yeah, I'm keeping an open mind.

Big dual-purpose bikes, smaller tourers, other nakeds...  I know what I like and what I like is upright posture, no or very small fairing, and mid to rear set pegs.  GS500s, FZ6s, Bandit 600s, Kawasaki ER6ns, SV650s, DRZ-400s...  Pretty much anything 90s and up.  I'm finding plenty of bikes that will fit the need/want, but few that fit the budget and I'm rather unwilling to wait.  I want something in the next week or two.


But my luck seems to be turning around.  I think I'll pass on that beat up Bandit for one of a few GS500s that popped up around $1500 +/-.  One in particular looks very clean, has new rubber on it, and looks to be a low mileage bike.  $1400, and I'm sure I can talk another $100 or so off of it.  It's about 2 hours way, though, in Milwaukee.  If it's as nice as it looks it'll be worth the drive.  I emailed the owner and am waiting for a response.

[Electrojake]

Oh yeah, I'm keeping an open mind.

One in particular looks very clean, has new rubber on it, and looks to be a low mileage bike. 
$1400, and I'm sure I can talk another $100 or so off of it.  It's about 2 hours way, though, in Milwaukee. 
If it's as nice as it looks it'll be worth the drive.  I emailed the owner and am waiting for a response.

Milwaukee? I was there about a year ago.
I had to return a rental car and fly back to Jersey. While I was there I went to the Harley Factory.
Bought a few Tee shirts and the damn shirts cost me almost as much as I paid for my 2007 GS500F.

Good luck with your bike-buying adventures.
If you do make a purchase we will want tons of pictures! 
-Ej-

[Janx101]

Wasn't me! ... a strom?! ... egads! ... rather treat my todger with a belt Sander! .. bahahaha

[Electrojake]

Wasn't me! ... a strom?! ... egads! ... rather treat my todger with a belt Sander! .. bahahaha

Heh... Laugh now my friend.
But someday you too will be old & feeble, and a sedate cow like the Suzuki V-Strom will become your chariot.

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BTW; you dont think Cods reads the LPW forum anymore, do ya?

[Janx101]

He reads.. just doesn't post much...
No strom for me... just don't like the look... and the engine isn't enough to convince me...

When im older and feebler I'll get a Harley XL1200 I reckon!

[Electrojake]

When im older and feebler I'll get a Harley XL1200 I reckon!

Heh... Go ahead mate, attack that heavy, noisy Sportster.

Its my moped that you Aussies truly desire. 

[Slack]

When I can't ride on 2 wheels I'll get a side car. Urals just look fun anyway.

[Electrojake]

Or perhaps a Can-Am Spyder?