Got my 97 in 2002...first bike at 43 years old!  It's been a great bike...but I am getting the bug bad...may still keep the GS just looking for a new ride without breaking the bank.  Been looking on Craigs and found a 96 Seca II, low mileage, and a 99 nighthawk 750, also low mileage.   I am even considering looking at a 96 Vulcan 750.  Searching the site I found lots of thoughts on the Seca II, especially from Budda, not to much on the nighthawk.  Look forward to hearing opinions on the bikes.

Wayne

How much are you looking to spend? I've always liked suzukis, but lately I've really been liking both generations of the z1000, I've seen them go for as low as $3500 in pretty good shape. I also wouldn't mind a zr-7, which usually go somewhere between $2000-$2500. They both look like great upgraded from the GS depending on how far you're looking to take it.

I had the original 650 Seca and I loved it.  Other than rusted mufflers, new rear shocks, and front brake pads I had 19,000 miles of maintenance-free joy.  Selling it was one of the dumbest things I ever did.

During those years, one of the guys at work bought a new 1984 700SC Nighthawk and he adored it.  That thing never broke either, and it was fast as hell.  I had to downshift twice to stay on the same block with him.  Even by today's standards it's no slow-poke.  Self-adjusting valves, digital gear indicator, 6 gears, rear shocks adjustable for rebound and damping, air shocks up front, and shaft drive.  I think I'm talking myself into looking for one!

Got my 97 GS500E new in 99 and it had 80k miles on it when it was totaled and replaced by my current 02 GS500 which I now have 70k on.  That's 10 years and about 150k miles on the GS500s.  Had 4 Hondas before that.

I'm planning on running my current 02 GS up to about 100k miles over the next 3 years and then replacing it with a light weight cruiser like a Savage 650 or Vulcan 500 when I hit 80 followed by a lightweight trike at 90.  

Got my first bike at 52 yo in 1984.

^^^^^^
I've seen those numbers many times since I joined the board, but I still get impressed whenever I see them... 

I've been on this board pretty much since the beginning, and yes, Jack you always amaze.  Kinda remind me of my father in law...he is 87 and will be driving cross country for the 5th time this year...and did it last year also...and yes, he is a good driver.  He was trying to roller blade late in his 70's.  He walks 3 miles every day....just amazing.  As for the bikes...I am really trying not to spend more the $2500.  The Seca II is asking $2600 with less then 4k miles and the honda is asking $3200 with almost 10k miles, which is way over kbb or nada.  The vulcan 750 is asking $2500 and has almost 10k miles.  The rain finally stopped here in NJ and I actually got to ride into work today...

Wow Jack.  Impressive.

Keep riding!!

The rain here in nj is terrible right now i actually got to go for a short ride the other night after work.  It has to stop soon right?

If you keep the GS I would lean toward the nighthawk otherwise the Seca II.  Not a fan of the vulcan.  I still miss my '89 GS but I love my VFR, you should keep yours if you can.

GSJack
  My dad is 83, he rides a BMW R1200RT and he isn't slow. Definitely a heavier bike than the GS500. I think you can hold off on that trike for a while.

Randy

Hi Randy.....did you give the 89 to your son?  I would like to keep both, but am guessing that the GS will be history if I get something else.  I have never driven a cruiser, so I thought it would be interesting to see how the Vulcan feels...shaft drive and hydraulic vales didn't sound bad either!  I am set to ride all 3 on Saturday and I guess I will see after that.

Wayne

Nighthawk has shaft drive, self-adjusting hydraulic valves, runs circles around a Vulcan, and is more comfortable.  Other than looks, which is subjective, a Nighthawk is better than a Vulcan in every measurable way.

I have an unrelated news bulletin... Michael Jackson has died.  Since his body is 90% plastic, he will be melted down into Lego blocks so little boys can play with him for a change.

The nighthawk has a chain drive, but does have the self adjusting valves.  I just found a 93 also close to my house which I hope to see today or tomorrow.  Hopefully by Sunday I will have this figured out.

Wayne

Quote from: spotswood_suzuki on June 25, 2009, 06:16:17 PM
Hi Randy.....did you give the 89 to your son?  I would like to keep both, but am guessing that the GS will be history if I get something else.  I have never driven a cruiser, so I thought it would be interesting to see how the Vulcan feels...shaft drive and hydraulic vales didn't sound bad either! 

My son bought a '93. I sold my '89 last year. Shaft drive is nice. My K bike has it. If you get a cruiser are you going to ride it like your GS or are you going to cruise up and down main st in Spotswood 

LOL    I guess that is the question...can it be riden like my GS....not sure if I can't put a knee toward the pavement, I will be happy with it.  I just really want something with a better suspension.....I have the progressives, but everytime I hit road heaves or large bumps, I feel like I am going to get thrown off the bike.

Wayne

I just saw a 1990 Yamaha FJ1200....thoughts on this or any of the other bikes?

Wayne

okay...can someone please explain to me why would people not tell you BEFORE you ride out to see and hopefully ride a bike that it doesn't have insurance/registration on it anymore   Happened twice today, once after riding almost 2 hours to see the bike!

Wayne

Quote from: bikegirl88 on June 25, 2009, 05:57:13 AM


Wow Jack.  Impressive.

Keep riding!!

BTW bikegirl jack here is our resident tire guru. ask anything tires. he will answer honestly, buddha here is our carb god. carb issues. hell do it. most of us can but still buddha is the god of carbs. nehow i kinda like the chickenhawk err nighthawk. im lookin at a victory ( cruiser ) that has to be resurrected. i started it today. bled the brembos, gonna take it out monday. friend may let it go to me for hte occasional odd job at his pawn shop or home. since my gs ive always had the bug. hell im even going to install gs cans ( cored) on my crown vic lol.) damn ive got it bad 

Today I bought a 95 Honda Nighthawk 750 in cherry condition.  22K miles and I think it was garage kept for 13 out of its 14 years.  Vance and Hines pipe....highway pegs...it is a sweet bike.  Look for the GS to be up in the 4 sale pages soon...

Wayne

Quote from: spotswood_suzuki on July 03, 2009, 06:41:21 PM
Today I bought a 95 Honda Nighthawk 750 in cherry condition.  22K miles and I think it was garage kept for 13 out of its 14 years.  Vance and Hines pipe....highway pegs...it is a sweet bike.  Look for the GS to be up in the 4 sale pages soon...

Wayne

p i c t u r e s !

Congrats on the Nighthawk!  Some have chains, some are shafties.  I know the 84 is.  Yeah, upload a pic!