| Author | Message | ||
     Xbniner |
Ever since my fiance got her license she has been dreaming about a firebolt. But she is still in school and can't afford it. I found a guy locally selling a 85 Suzuki 550 for $600 that I thought would be a great starter bike. Wondered if you guys knew anything about this vintage of rice, or any problems to look for when I go check it out. I don't expect much for the price but it said in the ad it runs and shifts well and the tires and battery are good. Here's the only picture I have  | ||
| 86129squids |
Great buy for $600, IMHO... There are a few good vintage Japanese bike sites on the Web, research them and you'll do just fine! By the photo, looks like it's been well cared for, good catch for your sweetie! BTW, it has MORE than enough power for a starter bike- BE SURE she knows that. Good chance it'll smoke an XB in a straight line. Check the suspension out good- looks like a "Full Floater" in the rear.  | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
yup good buy | ||
| Tom_b |
that bike will not smoke the xb in a straght line and hope that remark was meant to be a joke.. They are what they are. good medium cruise bikes. meant for low end or commuter riders. havung owned 2 yamaha 650 maxims and a 550 maxim which virtually the same bike i can assure they will not smokr an xb.. maybe a blast. good starter bikes with a low seat for a short inseam, but really top heavy. make sure she can hold it up if it starts to fall over. | ||
| Gregtonn |
"Good chance it'll smoke an XB in a straight line." Not a even a remote chance. I used to own a GS550. Decent bike but it won't even come close to an XB, straight line or crooked. G | ||
| Pwnzor |
+1 LOLZ on smoking an XB of any flavor with that bike. That being said, it looks like a good bike. Low and comfortable, easy to control. Great starter bike. Spend a few extra bucks to get the valves clearances checked and make sure the forks have oil and aren't leaking. Check brakes and tires, good to go! | ||
| Aesquire |
http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS550E.shtml It's the 2 valve head, with shim adjustment, and can toss a shim through the valve cover if ridiculously over revved. But I've only seen that on raced machines, and it's not an issue for a daily driver. Solid engine, decent for the day chassis, and old school suspension. If she understands the right way to brake & steer, it's a pretty good short haul touring bike, especially with a wind screen. ( long highway runs on the L models are a fight against the wind because of bar position. ) I wouldn't lead her through twisties at more than a comfortable speed, It's no XB, but with the low saddle and fair stability, it can be a good bike for her. ( teflon stainless braided brake lines are a great mod, IMHO ) | ||
| Doughnut |
Is the tank dented up? | ||
| Court |
My bet is your fiance' could care less about smoking' an XB and good on you for helping her onto two wheels. If it starts, runs and is safe ....... Go have all the darn fun you can together. Congratulations. Court | ||
| Danger_dave |
I started on a CB450 in much worse condition and look where it lead me. (If anybody does in fact know where I am - please post me home and the lawyer will defray costs.) | ||
| Court |
Doesn't have to be big to be fun .... Took this yesterday.  | ||
| Fast1075 |
CL450... | ||
| Fordrox |
My first Motorcycle was a '79 GS550. I loved that bike, it has more than enough power for a first bike. | ||
| Budgolf |
I don't know dude, if she dreams of a Firebolt and you bring this home, she might just wonder what's wrong with you. You might look for a Ninja 250 or something. Anything a little sportier than that. | ||
| Aptbldr |
Give attention to electrical systems. Is it charging battery? Weight. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I started on a 1983 Honda CB550sc Nighthawk. In my opinion, it is the PERFECT starter bike. Mine had engine guards, so when I dropped it in the parking lot, only the engine guards and the rear signals took a hit. It had decent bottom-end and mid-range (would keep up with a 1999 GSXR600 until 10K RPM in any gear). The first year I rode it, I didn't rev it over 5K RPM because I didn't like the way it sounded. After I got used to it, I gave it more revs and got more power. I think a small-ish 4-cyl. is better to learn on than a twin for that reason. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Rule of thumb for a first bike is any single cylinder or a multi LESS than 600cc. She may really want a Firebolt but jumping on one too soon is not a good idea. Personally, I wouldn't want the headache of a bike that old. Even when well cared for they need a lot of attention. If you spend more money on a newer Ninja 250, Suzuki GS500 (or the E model), etc, you'll have something easier to live with and still won't loose much if any value when you resell in a year or two. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Back in the day I had an '83 Shadow 500 and my buddy had an '81 Suzuki 550. There was only a 50cc difference but he'd eat my lunch anytime he wanted. That twin couldn't hold a candle to that 550, man it was quick. She'll not want any more power than that thing can produce especially for a first bike. For $600 ride it and get your money back in a couple of years. | ||
| 86129squids |
Mmm'kay, enough bashing about the XB/GS dragstrip... When I was a kid, I borrowed my best buddie's mom's Seca 550, and proceeded to scare the bejeezus outta myself- on one hand, I know the power's there, but now that I think about it, that power's dragging an anchor compared to the XB chassis. (The thing's GOT motor- question is, state of tune.) Plus, I forgot to ask if anyone drilled the baffles and the airbox- that's good for another 20HP, right? Speaking of fast 550's, wish I had a clean vintage GPZ550- the bike that started the 600 middleweight SS category- going back again to my teens, had a hooligan friend who'd leave school every day on the back wheel of a GPZ550... Ahh, good ole days!! | ||
| Gunut75 |
Theres no dependability problem there. My first was a 69 Suzuki GS 400. Bought it for $400. Tightened the front spokes, checked the valves and carbs, and rode the pi$$ out of it for 3 years. Just changed oil, and bought tires. IN 2-3 years you could easily sell it for $600 running. Perfect first bike! | ||
| Buellkowski |
At least the bike in question doesn't have a square headlight. That would seriously date the thing, IMHO. | ||
| Budgolf |
It would make a bitchen bobber, | ||
| Xbniner |
I called the guy the day the ad went up and it had already sold... Now I'm in trouble for getting her hopes up haha. Anybody have a lead on anything like this in the midwest? As long as it runs and is safe we don't care what it is. The seat height doesn't even need to be this low, as Amber is 5' 8" but nothing too heavy as she is tiny. Thanks guys, that was a lot of really good info in a short amount of time, I knew I could count on you. Just wish I was the first guy to call instead of the second. | ||
| Slaughter |
There are a huge pile of GS resources on the net. CB350 and CB360 are also GREATLY appreciated also. Sunny and I are repairing Danielle Hebert's GS750 (1983) while she's in Nashville finishing her CD - read the story on http://daniellehebert.wordpress.com I've been getting educated FAST on this machine of hers. Amazing what is still available (though some gaskets may have to be cut) http://www.thegsresources.com/ (and I'm there as Slaughter, like I am on all BBSs) | ||
| 86129squids |
My $.02- For a beginner bike, that was a little much and a little old. By the pic, still a safe bet, but a little much. Try searching for a Virago 535, Vstar 600, etc. A lot of those metric Vtiwns are great for beginners, and can keep up with bout anything. I grew up beginning to love motorcycles and these early Suzukis were my earliest lust objects. And Yamahas. Find me an XN85, phulleeze.... |
