Re: Advice needed

Posted by sgtslag on Jun 04, 2012; 1:55am
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Advice-needed-tp4022187p4022212.html

If you can find a Kawasaki 440 LTD, I'd recommend it.  It is a six-speed; it accelerates fast; it handles like a fighter jet -- quick, agile, nimble, lightweight; it gets around 50+ MPG; it has a top speed of around 70 MPH; it is belt drive ('82 on; very smooth; clutch is very crisp, no gray zone, teaches good clutch skills), and it is low maintenance.  Saddlebags can be added, a fairing can be added for protection; a trunk can be put on the rear for storage, too.  The transmission, on my '83, shifted so fast, and so smoothly...  I typically had to grab a lot of brake to make my corners as I was having so much fun flying through the gears, I sometimes overshot, and I had to circle back!  This bike had me laughing out loud in my full-face, nearly every ride -- it was that much fun.


I bought one for my wife, and son, to learn on; I always wanted one, in High School, and it was a perfect learning/town bike.  I strongly urged them to ride it for the first season, and they both agreed, several years later, that it was a very wise thing to do, ride it the entire first season.

The 250 Rebels are good for what they are, but he will quickly tire of it.  A 400cc-500cc will last him a bit longer, it will have more HP (the 440 had 27 HP), and they will handle two-up much better.  I started out with a 175cc Honda, and I rode it for two years, in High School, even giving my friends rides on the back.  Even that 175 was head and shoulders above a moped (handling, and suspension, were a scary joke compared to the 175).

In a year, he will likely be ready for something bigger, like a 750.  On a 400cc-500cc bike, he can do some touring, if he desires.  A bike in that size is a fence straddler, more suited to in-town riding, but it can do distance touring, as an introductory bike.  A 750 is more of a straddler, but less suitable to town driving, though very capable on highways, or even the super-slabs, but it won't be as comfortable for touring as a dedicated, larger machine.

Try to find out what style of riding he wants to pursue, then buy him a second bike of the correct style, and he will be very happy indeed.  Cheers!