Looking at an older bagger - Opinions?

[Bun-bun]

I'm looking at buying an older bagger that I can use on interstate trips with my wife. It would need to be reliable, comfortable for two, and about $3-4k purchase price. I won't even consider a Harley, and an ST2-3-4 would be too expensive.
I've been looking at mid 80's BMW R series, Honda Goldwings of the same age, and the Honda PC800 Pacific Coast.
Anyone with FHE? Another make/model I overlooked?
Thanks,
Jeff

[Ivan]

I'm looking at buying an older bagger that I can use on interstate trips with my wife. It would need to be reliable, comfortable for two, and about $3-4k purchase price.
Anyone with FHE? Another make/model I overlooked?

You might find an Aprilia RST1000 at around $4k. Its almost as sporting as the ST4, more comfortable, the engine is bomb-proof, and its Italian.

Known problem that are easy to fix:
replace the voltage regulator and hardwire the connections
replace the plastic fuel quick-disconnects

Valves need to be checked every 12k mi, but many have gone 50k miles without needing any shims changed.

Here is a link to a review:
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=26&page_number=1

[Jarvicious]

I picked up an 88 R100RT a few months ago and it's been simply awesome.  I got it mostly for the same reasons you're looking at: the duc just doesn't excell on the long haul and it's much more comfy 2 up on the BMW.  Mine has 117k on it, but it was owned for 12 years by the guy who owns the shop I go to and does all the work on my Duc, so I trust the engine.  I was also looking at a pimped out Suzuki Bandit for a little while but I never rode it.  Hell, if you can find one, the old Pacific Coast's are a cool/ugly as hell bike.  You may try www.ibmwr.org and take a look at their classifieds.  I picked mine up for $3100 but I'm sure you can find a little older one for less. 

[the_Journeyman]

The people who have PC800's rave about them.  Also, having a Bandit 600 in the past it is a bomb-proof bike.  The 1200 was basically the same with twice the motor.  Air and oil cooled, plenty of power (even on the 600) handles well, complete bag kits available, and can be had easily for under 4K probably.  I know little about the newish Bandit 1250.

JM

[corndog67]

I've had a 1200 Bandit Suzook.   My brother had a Kawasaki ZRX 1200.  Both extremely reliable bikes, comfortable, the ZRX had the edge in power, 80 ft lbs of torque vs. 67.  In fact, it would just walk away from the Bandit, it even had a jet kit and full Yosh stainless pipe on it.  The Kawasaki was stock.  Both are down in the $4000 range now, and low mileage examples are easy to come by.   I haven't seen a low mileage Wing lately, those usually get ridden and a new Aspensled is $24,000 or so.  The PC800 is a pretty rare duck, I saw one for $1700 in Lompoc, which is sort of near where I live.   Can you get parts for a 20 something year old Honda? 

I would say to keep your eyes open, keep an open mind on what you want (personally, I'll ride anything), and lots of low mileage bikes are out there.  On the other hand, one of the guys at work has a Harley bagger, 85,000 miles, runs real good, looks not too bad, for $5000, might be open to offers.  If you want to get in touch with him, PM me.  Of course, there are tons of low mileage bikes out there, no need to buy anything with over 15,000 miles on it.  I always look into garages as I'm riding around, lots of bikes stashed in garages, lots can be had cheaply. 

Robert

[weemonster]

you cant get an ST2 for 4k?

[ScottRNelson]

There are several ST2's for sale around here right now for $4000 or less.  Why get stuck with a BMW or a (shudder) PC800 when you can have one of the most wonderful all around motorcycles ever made?

I bought my ST2 five and a half years ago as a "temporary" replacement for my wrecked Monster.  I had every intention of getting another Monster, but after about eight test rides on good candidates I determined that I truly preferred riding the ST2.  I've stopped looking at Monsters and intend to keep running my ST2 until it wears out, which is likely to be a long, long time.

Don't rule out the ST2 as a good long distance (and everything else) bike.

[DucHead]

+1 on the Bandits.  I have an '04 S model (half-fairing) with over 48000 miles on it...gas, tires and oil.  Its comfy, loads of aftermarket parts available, a good online community, 45 mpg highway and its easy to work on.  I see used ones for under $4k all the time.   [moto]

On the way to CA a few years ago:

[superjohn]

Late '70's Honda Goldwing GL1000. I don't know why, but I think they're cool in that Farrah Fawcett, retro sort of way.

[corndog67]

+1 on the Bandits.  I have an '04 S model (half-fairing) with over 48000 miles on it...gas, tires and oil.  Its comfy, loads of aftermarket parts available, a good online community, 45 mpg highway and its easy to work on.  I see used ones for under $4k all the time.   [moto]

On the way to CA a few years ago:

And Dale Walkers Holeshot Engineering gets 121 HP at the wheel with a jet kit and his pipe.  Stout. 

[DucHead]

And Dale Walkers Holeshot Engineering gets 121 HP at the wheel with a jet kit and his pipe.  Stout. 

I've got Dale's stage 1 jet kit and a Yosh can with the OEM header.  It runs well. 

Here's a newer pic.

[silentbob]

There are several ST2's for sale around here right now for $4000 or less.  Why get stuck with a BMW or a (shudder) PC800 when you can have one of the most wonderful all around motorcycles ever made?

I bought my ST2 five and a half years ago as a "temporary" replacement for my wrecked Monster.  I had every intention of getting another Monster, but after about eight test rides on good candidates I determined that I truly preferred riding the ST2.  I've stopped looking at Monsters and intend to keep running my ST2 until it wears out, which is likely to be a long, long time.

Don't rule out the ST2 as a good long distance (and everything else) bike.

+1000 

You can also get an ST4 and use it for everything from long distance two up riding to track days and everything in between.

[DesmoDiva]

I love my ST4.    [moto]






[whisper] Even more than my SBK. [/whisper]

[Bun-bun]

Late '70's Honda Goldwing GL1000. I don't know why, but I think they're cool in that Farrah Fawcett, retro sort of way.

Yeah, me too. I'm looking at the GL1000/1100s, and there are a number out there with under 25k miles going for pretty cheap. I'm not ready for something with running boards and reverse gear(f'chris'sake!) but I'm looking for something that will be cushy enough that the wife can enjoy a ride now and again. Since she's disabled, she needs something that has a backrest. she's not wheelchair bound, but she's not gonna be entering any triathlons any time soon, either.
The Harley's out. Anything old enough to be in my price range is going to be unreliable. Yes, I know, the Honda's just as old, but Honda's are a lot more reliable, yada yada.

[silentbob]

Yeah, me too. I'm looking at the GL1000/1100s, and there are a number out there with under 25k miles going for pretty cheap. I'm not ready for something with running boards and reverse gear(f'chris'sake!) but I'm looking for something that will be cushy enough that the wife can enjoy a ride now and again. Since she's disabled, she needs something that has a backrest. she's not wheelchair bound, but she's not gonna be entering any triathlons any time soon, either.
The Harley's out. Anything old enough to be in my price range is going to be unreliable. Yes, I know, the Honda's just as old, but Honda's are a lot more reliable, yada yada.

http://corbin.com/ducati/ducst4.shtml