I have a choice of two motorcycles; advice needed please?

Question

I have £1800 to spend on my first big bike. I have gone to my local which has an excellent reputation and a wide selection of bikes for all tastes, but there are only two hopefuls that fit into my price range.

I haven't test-ridden them yet, but I really would appreciate any initial thoughts you may have on them.

I am 23, male, and weight 12 stone/ 170lbs. I am 5'10". I will use the bike in all weathers as my only transport (no back-up car!), to get to work and back during the week (30mph through city traffic, 3 miles each way). Also, I will go cruising at the weekends and to visit my mother (60mph open road, fifty miles each way).

The choices are, both with 8000 miles on the clock:

A) 1993 CB400- £1300.

B) 1999 NX650 Dominator- £1500.

I have no preference based purely on looks, but please bear in mind this bike will be my only transport. Both of them are in showroom condition and have only one previous owner.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Try to hold out for a Honda Hornet, or a Suzuki SV650, both of which are great fun to ride.

Answer 2

Both are excellent but i would go for the dominator,purely because of its age,although it is not as comfortable and they have plenty of grunt for a starter.

Answer 3

first of all i would buy a push bike to cycle to work since its only 3 miles away and only 30 mph .Don't know your previous experience on motorbikes so hard to advise ,age is a major consideration unless your mech minded personally i would buy privately once you've decided exactly which bike you like.  

Answer 4

if it were me i'd simply choose the newer one....

while honda are great at building long lasting machines, the cb is already 15 years old.... that's pretty old for a bike.. h**l that's even old for a car....

this isn't to say you can definately expect problems from the older bike... but i wouldn't bet against it if i were you.  

Answer 5

the 650 woud be my choice, as it will go ANYWHERE, but the CB400 would be better for a passenger on the street.

Answer 6

???

Two very different motorcycles, u don't say if off road is important or seat height either.

Since u do seem to think that most of ur riding will be on road go with the CB 400-it's a street bike.

Really either one would do for the short trips u plan.

Read impression of NX 650 here-

http://ozdom.tripod.com/transalp.html

Answer 7

Never thought of a suzuki bandit instead  

Answer 8

The CB, clearly.

Answer 9

Shop around a bit more. £1200 will secure you a 2002 CBR600 or a Hornet600, both are vastly superior in every respect.

Keep looking and don't just get the first shiny thing you see!

You will be glad of the extra go a 600 has and considering its potential use these two will be far more comfortable. The CBR also has decent weather protection.

Answer 10

I have been riding Motorcycles now for over 30 years working my way up from 125 cc and now ride an 800 cc B M W so my advice to you is go for the CB 400 I used to own one of theses myself and they are a very good reliable Bike

Answer 11

hmmm..you havent picked two very good bikes there mind ...xtz660 or the like...much better than them two...

Answer 12

go for the  cb 400 yes its older but there very reliable there a old faithful bike and any replacement parts will be cheaper they also have a bit of grunt in them ample for what you need for your journeys and as for going 2 up it will do that  and be more comfortable.

i use honda cb 4000 for bike training there a strong robust bike and mine are just as old they take a lot of  stick of many a new novice rider and still keep on going  every day week infact every year

phone up  local motorcycle training centres and you will find these are the bikes they use

ask yourself why do they use  these bikes

  THERE MADE TO LAST AND TAKE THE WEAR

hope this helps you

if you put your money on the table the dealer should then let you test drive the bikes any damage the dealer keeps your money and the bikes yours if no damage he hands you your money back and you decide what you want.

if he wont do this then turn your back and go else were as he is not a good dealer and whats the after sales going to be like ?