Hey, everyone!  This is my first post.  I'm a new motorcyclist looking to get his first bike.  Very exciting!

Right now, I'm deciding between a 1995 Suzuki GS500E and a 1984 Honda Nighthawk CB700.  They both come in at $1600.  These are representative images, not actual ones.


Thoughts on the GS500E:
1) Newer and supposedly very reliable and easy to maintain.
2) Was a project bike but the owner and his friend put a lot of work into putting in new parts, so it seems like everything is in pretty excellent condition.
3) Only about 12k miles on it.
4) Engine size is not too crazy for a beginner.
5) Perhaps most importantly, the owner is 50 minutes away, which means it might be easier for me to meet up with him and have a friend help me take a look at it.  I have no car or other transportation so this weighs heavily for me.


Thoughts on the CB700:
1) Older but supposedly one of the best bikes of the 80's.  Also supposedly very reliable and easy to maintain, given its shaft drive and other low maintenance features.
2) Mechanically supposedly in great shape, but has been dropped on its left side by previous owner.  This has lead to only a small dent in the exhaust pipe, which doesn't both me.  However, since it's older I'm worried about random surprise issues (cam chain tensioner problems usually appear around 35k miles for this model).
3)  Has about 30k miles on it, which seems somewhat high.
4) Engine size is pretty large, which is both exciting and terrifying.  Might not be good for a beginner, considering 0 to 60 is 3.6 seconds.  haha
5) The owner is 1.5 hours away, which means I'll need to rent an SUV or pickup truck to get out there and see the bike.  I'm afraid there will be some issue with it when I get there, and I'll have wasted $120 on the rental.  This also means there's pretty much zero chance the owner would bring the bike into the city, which would cut down on cost and hassle.

So in terms of practicality, the GS500E appears to win.  However, I really like the look of the CB700 and it is a more powerful bike.  Also, while the GS500E is at about average cost for its age and mileage, the CB700 seems to be a pretty good deal relative to the average price for the model.

I would appreciate any guidance and help in making this decision and figuring out how to move forward.  Any thoughts on webcamming with the owners to see the bike over the internet and ask questions?

Thanks, everyone!  Pumped to get my first motorcycle!

If you want speed, your probably going to get about 90 top speed on 700 and 110 on gs. I would suggest the gs cause it's newer, always better. I've had old bikes and slightly newer bikes, makes a big difference in available parts and maintenance. Plus i have never seen this good of a forum with such good information for any other bikes. That being said, what's the price range?

Either one is old enough that you ARE going to have to work on them, or pay for the work... and honestly there is little comparison here.  The GS500 is WAY easier to work on than a nighthawk (2 cylinder vs 4 for starters on that comparison), and GS500 parts are mostly year interchangeable and the parts are copious. Period.

Being as how you are on a GS500 forum, of course we will be partial to it... but also because you are asking on this forum, I am inclined to think you are already partial to it too... Your head is saying go with the GS500, but your heart is telling you otherwise it seems.  You just want someone to reaffirm your desires, though you already know the smarter choice.  But I'm telling you to go with your head.  The GS500 is the smart choice here, and I'm not just saying that because I own one.  Being new to riding AND maintenance, the choice is obvious.

- Bboy

Hahaha go with his heart is telling him otherwise?? I like your choice of words bboy

i vote GS
especially that one,...looks great

Quote from: jacob92icu on January 31, 2013, 09:52:19 AM
If you want speed, your probably going to get about 90 top speed on 700 and 110 on gs. I would suggest the gs cause it's newer, always better. I've had old bikes and slightly newer bikes, makes a big difference in available parts and maintenance. Plus i have never seen this good of a forum with such good information for any other bikes. That being said, what's the price range?

Try tacking on 50 mph to the Nighthawk's top speed... those make ~80 horsepower.


The big thing I'd suggest is to remember that other bikes come along all the time... be sure you don't rush into buying one. For a first bike, I'd definitely suggest the gs500 as it's 100 lbs lighter and much less mechanically complicated. I believe the larger Nighthawks (not the 250) have hydraulic valve adjustments and some are shaft drive. But the gs500 is more a basic, simple bike.

I find it hard to believe that the night hawk can hit 140. I had an old Yamaha 750 and could only ever 95 until i hit 98 one time. But i suppose the 4 cylinder could make a little bit of a difference.

Hey folks!  I didn't post the original photos cause the ones of the GS500e were at night time but I think I might have biased you all.  Haha.

Here are the actuals.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

GS500E


CB700

That is a nice looking nighthawk, but I think you will be happier with a much more simple bike for your first bike, plus you have all of us to help you out. Their both carbed just one has two carbs instead of four, much easier to maintain. I do like taking older classics and turning them into cafe racers though. The seat is kind of ugly on the nighthawk in my opinion. If you are planning on fixing up a bike, the GS is the way to go cause there are lots of options. That gs is not original, but I like the all black

I vote GS500 for first bike, but not that one! For $1600 you should be able to get one that looks more like the first picture, especially in February.

Ya but it also depends on where he is from. Plus this one looks like it has a couple mods. In the picture looks as though it has an underglow kit under the gas tank. And it is kinda pricey for a 97 gs500, but there selling a 2000 for 1300 where I'm at, pretty beat up though and no title.

Awesome, thanks everyone for your opinions!  Very helpful.  Turns out a buddy of mine at school that I've been talking to about bikes owns a GS500!  Just found that out.  This is a huge plus so he'll be able to help me maintain the bike.  Sweeettttt!!

I agree a little high on that price but still vote GS. 

I traded an 85 CB650SC Nighthawk in on a new 97 GS500E back in Mar 99 and the GS felt like a sportbike compared to that mid 80's Nighthawk.  Put 80k miles on that 97 GS and then replaced it with my current 02 GS.  I voted GS years ago.   

Quote from: nyc_gs500e on January 31, 2013, 12:44:33 PM
Awesome, thanks everyone for your opinions!  Very helpful.  Turns out a buddy of mine at school that I've been talking to about bikes owns a GS500!  Just found that out.  This is a huge plus so he'll be able to help me maintain the bike.  Sweeettttt!!

Get him to join this forum as well!

My first bike was an 84 nighthawk 650 based on a friend's recommendation on how much he liked his 700.
I rode his alot while making mine road worthy, and one thing to think about is the 700 is rather top heavy if you are over 5'10" and like several other Honda shaft drives of the time were prone to losing 2nd gear. I am 6'2" and he is 5'11" and we both felt the bike was top heavy for us and led to feeling less than stable around curves. He later made a few modifications to to give him a more aggressive riding position which helped. Just something to think about.

Another thing to consider (that I know from experience) is PARTS. You have the GS500 with 20 years of near perfect interchangeability, where as the Nighthawk was only made for a short time so parts are harder to come by, and they come at a price.

@jacob92icu, the top speed on the 700 is well over 90mph. I have seen it hit 125  in 5th and it was still climbing before letting off.

Hmm interesting. Must be one of the faster 700 bikes of that time then haha. It is a pretty nice looking bike thats for sure.

I had my 84 NH 650 up to 115 before it maxed out on me. That bike was fun. but SUCH a headache to work on. And parts were a nightmare. Took me over a month to find a side panel that was repairable, and it still set me back $55. The fuel sensor in the tank was bad. never replaced it as the cheapest i could find for a working one was $200+

Part of me misses the bike since it was my first one, but non of me misses the headaches. Plus the GStwinners here are infinitely more helpful then members of the NH forums I joined. The members here WANT to see your bike running and looking its best, where over there it was a constant duck measuring contest about whos was best.

My 85 Honda Sabre 700 was easy to ride but it maxxed out at 115.  That thing weighed a ton, ok seemed like it.  The carbs were a nightmare as well to work on.  Shaft drive was zer0 maintenance though.
I'd pick a GS any day over another old honda.

Hey, guys.  Been talking with the guy selling the GS500E, and he writes:
"In terms of cold starts, The bike will struggle starting with temperatures below 40 degrees. I mean I know right now my bike won't start with the starter. I'd have roll the bike and pop the clutch to get it going."

I know the GS500E has issues with cold starts, but is this normal?