Well, with the summer coming to a close and the economy in the shitter, bike prices are going to be awesome this fall. Good luck with the hunt.

8/20/2009 9:36:53 PM

well if you know of anyone wanting a 250.........

8/20/2009 9:44:47 PM

I'm looking for a gs500 250R 650R or SV650 . I'm honestly just looking for a really good deal. The smaller the bike the better the deal needs to be >.<. I dont want anything super F'd up. Stock preferred. Any leads?

8/20/2009 9:48:39 PM

I have an SV that I'll sell for the right price. It won't be a super-good deal, though. I mean, I'm not looking to gouge anyone, but I'm not looking to hook anyone up, either.

8/20/2009 10:01:14 PM

prob is i know how much you paid

8/20/2009 10:02:39 PM

yeah, i've stopped disclosing on here how badly I rob people for their stuff for that exact reason.

8/20/2009 10:05:47 PM

you can rob me, whats your best price

8/20/2009 10:08:32 PM

On a related note, I always find it really silly when someone emails me about something a post on CL or the like with a message saying something to the tune of, "Wuts ur bottom dollar?" I mean, how are you going to try and haggle me already?

8/20/2009 10:13:59 PM

I actually prefer that. More so then a complete low ball without ever even seeing the object.

I think we all list things for X and know damn well someone with cash amount Y will do.

8/20/2009 10:15:07 PM

Yeah, of course. The annoying part is that they think I'm going to tell them exactly how low I'll go with no further action what-so-ever. It's one thing if you look at it, or if you know the person, but to just ask that as a complete stranger is sort of stupid. It does beat low-ballers though.

8/20/2009 10:51:48 PM

yeah, i usually just roll my eyes, know that I have a softsoap negotiator on my hands, and knock some paltry amount off the price to make them feel like they accomplished something, but not enough that I really care.


In unrelated news, I came within a few feet of t-boning a car at about 50 mph yesterday. Idiot started to pull out in front of me, and between the car's panic stop at the last second and my swerve, catastrophe was averted...again. No fucking SA whatsoever on the part of the cager, as usual.

then today, some other asshole pulled right out in front of me in the S2000. It was in a corner that I generally rip through, but I took it easy this morning because the sun angle was going to blind me once I got about halfway through the curve. That decision paid off.

[Edited on August 20, 2009 at 11:13 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on August 20, 2009 at 11:14 PM. Reason : ]

8/20/2009 11:06:18 PM

smc helped me take the rebel apart to replace the head gasket and after he pointed out some wear areas, i took some pictures (sorry about the size...picasa doesn't offer smaller ones)...this looks pretty bad, yes? i'm taking the head with me down to team powersports since i have to pick up a main jet for the met anyway...their service people have been great about giving me free advice











also, some bearings on the camshaft are shot...not sure if you can easily replace them or if it would make more sense to buy a new one

8/21/2009 7:55:47 AM

buy a new motorycyle

8/21/2009 8:42:57 AM

So what are everybody's thoughts on Ducati Monsters?

8/21/2009 8:43:56 AM

It seems like a slightly hopped up SV in terms of the concept. I like them, but they seem pricey for what they are. It makes more sense to me to just get a used fuel injected (2003+) SV-650 and just upgrade it slightly if you're looking at the Monster 696. When I say upgrade it slightly, I'm thinking change the fork oil, throw on decent front springs, maybe a different rear shock/spring and a different chain and rear sprocket if you want a little more acceleration. That is all it really needs. If you'd like to make some noise (I always enjoy this) you can pull out the airbox snorkel for free (Makes a big difference in sound, I liked it), then if you want more you can throw on an exhaust and a Power Commander.

It's also pretty easy to find one that already has some or all of these parts installed although, of course, you want to make sure they did things properly and not in a manner that is detrimental to the bike's performance or health.

When I first went out to buy a bike I could not find any new SV-650's because they sell very quickly at the dealership and I was looking in the late summer or early fall. They're priced well for a new bike and you get a lot for your money, so they were all gone. Anyway, the places that also sold Ducati's would immediately suggest the Monster 696 to me pretty much every single time. It is a solid $2000 more than the SV when new though and it costs a LOT more to upgrade. I mean, I'm a ricer, I can't stand a quiet engine, I'm going to throw an exhaust on my bike. Parts seem to be more expensive for no reason whatsoever though, just due to the name Ducati really.

I do like their sportbikes a lot (The 848 and the 1098, particularly the 1098R), but none of them seem worth it to me when I start pricing things out. Maybe when I get a good job in the near future I can think of spending my money like that, but even then I don't see myself doing it. For the price of the Monster you could pretty much get a Japanese bike of any type, from a slow beginner bike to a cruiser to a sportbike to a superbike.

Are you considering buying a new or used monster?
Which model are you considering?
What is the goal? Like, how do you plan to ride it?
Is it going to be your first bike?
Are you going to maintain it yourself?

8/21/2009 9:14:33 AM

^^^ do you say that because:

1.) it looks to be genuinely shot,
2.) you don't like the bike (too small, it's a honda, etc.),
3.) or you have nothing better to contribute?



[Edited on August 21, 2009 at 9:24 AM. Reason : .]

8/21/2009 9:21:01 AM

-I just sold my 2001 naked SV650
-I'd be looking at used one, want to spend ~$3-4k
-Ride to work on the interstate now and then, use it to scoot around Charlotte, ride it in the mountains
-Nah, this will be my 2nd but I think I want a 900cc
-I can replace wear items, no valve adjustments though

I really liked my SV560, but it just didn't cut it. I'm 6 1" and 190lbs and the bike just never seemed to fit me ergonomically, like it was 7/8th sized. I want more POWR and I like twins. I was also thinking about a RC51 because I like the way they sound. Completely different animal though.

Whever I would ride my bike, it would be for 1-2 hour stints.

8/21/2009 9:26:05 AM

I take it you don't like the idea of an SV-1000? If not, that's understandable, after a while you want to move on to a different platform.

I love the RC51, but it's going to be a true performance bike that is not designed for comfort and long rides on the highway. It has a lot of power for a V-twin and it's designed to make it at high rpm. Here's a dyno sheet of one:



Have you looked at the Suzuki TL-1000R? I guess that would put it out of your $3-4k price range, but so is the RC51. It is in the same general area as the RC51 as far as power and overall performance goes from my understanding.

Have you looked into a Honda VFR? It has a V4 and it's a nice engine, the VTEC models sound very cool (I think the VTEC motor came out in 2004). The bike is bigger than the SV-650, is more comfortable for riding on the highway and stuff than sportbikes and is still sporty. I think it's got a little under or right at 100whp, but it's a rather usable engine from my understanding and not extremely peaky. It's more of a sporty street bike than a streetable sport bike from my understanding. But that could be a very good thing if what you said about the way you'll be riding this is accurate.

You can clearly hear the VTEC engage in all of this guy's videos. This one is pretty good:




I'm also a pretty big fan of the Triumph Daytona 675 (The Street Triple might be a REALLY good bike for you to look into btw). It's not a V-twin but it has more torque than the 600cc 4 cylinders while also providing a sportbike powerband. It has over 100whp (Like around 110 IIRC). The 3 cylinder sounds very unique and good:




Here's a dyno sheet with the Daytona 675 and a few other bikes:



It really shows you how much more power it has at essentially any given RPM compared to the 600cc 4 cylinder offerings from other manufacturers. The only engine that really stayed close to it was the 636cc 4 cylinder from the Kawasaki ZX-6R. The 600cc engines end up having similar peak power and are similarly quick if you keep them in that range, but as you can see that 675cc 3 cylinder offers a significant improvement and is likely more enjoyable on the street as a result.

So, all of this babble leads me to think that you should check out the Triumph Street Triple, Triumph Daytona 675, Honda VFR, Honda RC51 and the Suzuki TL-1000R.

8/21/2009 9:51:30 AM

Oh and it's worth noting that the VTEC on the VFR is not quite the same as the VTEC you're familiar with on engines like the H22A or B18C. Basically at low RPM the engine only uses one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder and when VTEC "kicks in" the engine begins to breathe through all 4 valves per cylinder. It sounds cool when it engages (At least to me), but it's not a necessary feature AT ALL. The earlier models simply always breathe through 4 valves. Apparently this system allows them to more easily meet noise emissions regulations while retaining peak power.

I thought I'd mention that before some idiot came in here and explained it to me. You know, because I'm a ricer.

8/21/2009 10:27:52 AM

Hehehe Vtec-e (d15z1) on a motorbike. Oh \-/onduh

8/21/2009 10:36:51 AM

Yep, exactly!

8/21/2009 10:39:11 AM

Hey quaqmire, those pics aren't showing up. Those bearings will come right off with a pair of snap ring pliers, I just didn't have any with me. If the scoring on the cam itself isn't terrible and you're thinking about selling the bike anyway, I'd just replace those bearings and slap the headgasket on there. If you want you can sand those rocker arm pads back smooth and take up the slack with the lash adjusters, but I probably wouldn't worry about it.

8/21/2009 11:13:45 AM

Quote :

"^^^ do you say that because: 1.) it looks to be genuinely shot, 2.) you don't like the bike (too small, it's a honda, etc.), 3.) or you have nothing better to contribute? "

I am questioning the value of the repairs based on the value of the bike-

8/21/2009 1:25:34 PM

In about 2-3 weeks I'll be selling my '04 GS500F. It needs a rejet, which I will be attempting this weekend, and a new title. It was dropped in the past, which ended up breaking the lower fairing, so it was removed. Right now it looks kind of like a faired SV with just the headlight cowl and naked lower structure.

8/21/2009 3:51:40 PM

There is currently a Big Ruckus parked beside Tompkins Hall. I didn't even know you could get them yet. Either way, it's the first one I've seen. They're pretty neat looking and the speedo goes to 100

8/26/2009 1:12:53 PM

ScubaSteve?

8/26/2009 1:24:52 PM

damn thing reminds me of a truck

a truck with two wheels

8/26/2009 2:46:00 PM

^^^ I just checked and the Big Ruckus only existed in 2005 and 2006, so this is something you can't buy new anymore.

8/26/2009 4:01:12 PM

yah...it's a freaking 250cc scooter

8/26/2009 4:18:49 PM

Oh. I had understood that it was a new model in US markets that was coming out since the ruckus has gained so much popularity. My b.

8/26/2009 5:05:18 PM

It's not a problem man. I'd never even heard of it before so I figured you were right about that and when I looked into them I found out they were only offered during those years in the US.

8/26/2009 5:08:34 PM

Hi guys. I recently got a new bike and wanted to maybe ride with some people. Anyone have any suggestions?

8/30/2009 9:27:30 PM

We are going to require more details.

But I'll say that if you are an attractive Asian woman with a CBR, the odds are good.

[Edited on August 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM. Reason : .]

8/30/2009 11:28:46 PM

i...don't think she's asian

[Edited on August 31, 2009 at 7:35 AM. Reason : at least, not entirely]

8/31/2009 7:34:51 AM

If you're an attractive Asian woman with one leg and Schwinn, the odds are still pretty good.

8/31/2009 8:01:07 AM

Sounds like a good idea, let's get the ball rolling before it gets too late. Weekdays or weekends?

8/31/2009 8:57:35 AM

Quote :

"There is currently a Big Ruckus parked beside Tompkins Hall. I didn't even know you could get them yet. Either way, it's the first one I've seen. They're pretty neat looking and the speedo goes to 100"

Yep, thats me.

8/31/2009 9:17:03 AM

Ha I am part Japanese. How often do you ride and where to?

8/31/2009 10:48:00 AM

I'd ride if I had a fucking license plate.

8/31/2009 10:58:21 AM

Also, I didn't get a manual with my bike. Does anyone know a good place where I could get one for my make and model?

8/31/2009 3:12:44 PM

What is your make and model?

Probably a dealership, though.

8/31/2009 5:19:57 PM

I'd check the internet If I were you.

8/31/2009 5:25:15 PM

How hard is it to rebuild a petcock(86 shadow 500)? I imagine it is pretty simple, but I've never messed with one. Anything I should know up front?

8/31/2009 5:26:33 PM

^tried to do it on my dirtbike and it leaked faster. ended up buying the whole valve for about $35

8/31/2009 5:53:13 PM

I did check around. There were a few torrents, but they were all busts. I own a 2007 Honda CBR1000RR.

8/31/2009 7:36:47 PM

^poser

8/31/2009 7:39:31 PM

All else fails, call the dealership. I'm sure they would sell you one, but I doubt there's much in there you couldn't research pretty easily, just like owner's manuals for cars and trucks.

8/31/2009 7:41:16 PM

Thanks for the insight.

^^Whoops!! Ya caught me! Because every girl fronts like they have 1000cc bike they man handle to get all the white boys. Duh.

8/31/2009 7:49:27 PM

^ Oh god, prepare to get flamed to no end now.

Apparently the opinion here is that there's no point in having a 1000cc sportbike, although that kid that called you a poser destroyed at least one 600cc sportbike by flinging it down the street and turning it into a hailstorm of flying debris, so he's not exactly an expert in keeping bikes for any length of time. I believe he now rides a scooter.... (And yet he talks shit?!)

I have a ZX-10R, I've had it for a year now, and I'd love to go riding sometime (As long as it's not within the next week or two, because my god damned license plate was suspended over some ridiculous bullshit confusion), but you've got to keep in mind that most of these people are assholes that aren't even worth arguing with.

You can look for the owners manual on ebay if you don't want to get it from the dealer. That's probably where the previous owner sold theirs actually.

8/31/2009 8:28:17 PM

I'm no asshole.

9/1/2009 1:40:48 AM