I might buy a 83' kz550

NoobRider90 wrote: The shadow is an 1100cc

From your username, can we assume you're new to riding motorcycles? If so, get something small to learn on.
maybe a Ninja 250 or 500. Also, be aware that the riding position on a cruiser is going to be different than a sport bike. You'll be sitting upright w your feet forwards on a Honda Shadow or Kawasaki Vulcan. not sure if I'd like that. the position on some sport bikes is worse than others. on some your feet will be kinda rearward. not sure if I'd like that either.

Around here (Chicago) if the Kz ran perfectly, which is doubtful, it would be $600, maybe $700 tops if someone needed (not just wanted) a ride.

Having recently worked on a 600 version of that Shadow, I'd have to be paid to take it, running or not.

If you are not desperate for transportation, wait.
The best bikes are the ones that find you. But you do need to keep looking.

Whenever someone tells me they have a bobber or want a bobber I think, Hack job and I'm usually right. Bobbers are hard to get right, most people just hack up a bike by cutting on it, paint it black and call it a bobber. Nothing is finished and it ends up looking unfinished and done half assed.

First question:
Who rides 500cc bikes? Girls and beginners? Which one are you? Are you a short and skinny 100 lb. guy?

I got one. I'm not girly or skinny. It was a shaft, six speed and had plenty of power. Unlike some, the owners are loyal to the brand and bike.
That gains them my respect.
I got the bike to flip and made a tidy profit. I'd rather have kept it. Damn nice little bike.
Steve

car5car wrote: First question:
Who rides 500cc bikes? Girls and beginners? Which one are you? Are you a short and skinny 100 lb. guy?

What?! Let's think about that wacky statement for a minute. Which category would put Kenny Roberts, Valentino Rossi, etc. in - Girls; Beginners; or little 100 pound weaklings? Are you aware that there are 500cc bikes that can go 190+ mph? Do you honestly believe your 96 Yamaha Royal Star or 82 Yamaha Virago 920 could even begin to keep up with some 500cc bikes? (Please say yes.) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: See link below for a bit of 500cc education, and keep in mind that the video is from 16 years ago, the track was wet, and technology has advanced since then.

car5car wrote: First question:
Who rides 500cc bikes? Girls and beginners? Which one are you? Are you a short and skinny 100 lb. guy?

:laugh: I wouldn't trade my 440 for anything. Im not small and it will still pack my wife and I around no sweat. After a point it's just compensation for other areas.... :whistle:

Careful buddy :lol: . I rode a 350 Honda for three years. I went down I don't have any idea how many times. Once I got that out of my system, I got a bike that would walk away from anything on the road at the time.
That little 350 carried me, my chick and all our stuff anywhere we wanted to go. Rode with the big bikes and had a blast doing it.
The bike doesn't make prowess, the rider does. :evil: :whistle:
Steve

I know, there was Honda 500 cc 200 HP. (Lawson, Kawasaki guy, rode it)
When I just begun riding, some old biker told me that 800 cc is not enough for highway. I know that 600cc sport bikes have up to 130 HP.
Maybe I am just too fat to ride small bikes. 215 lb.
Maybe I just don't like small bikes for no reason. I had Yamaha Seca 650, I rode a few miles, it was pretty fast and light. I had Honda Rebel. I even had Chinese 150cc scooter.
Official statement:
500cc bikes are NOT girly bikes.

650ed wrote:

car5car wrote: First question:
Who rides 500cc bikes? Girls and beginners? Which one are you? Are you a short and skinny 100 lb. guy?

What?! Let's think about that wacky statement for a minute. Which category would put Kenny Roberts, Valentino Rossi, etc. in - Girls; Beginners; or little 100 pound weaklings? Are you aware that there are 500cc bikes that can go 190+ mph? Do you honestly believe your 96 Yamaha Royal Star or 82 Yamaha Virago 920 could even begin to keep up with some 500cc bikes? (Please say yes.) :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: See link below for a bit of 500cc education, and keep in mind that the video is from 16 years ago, the track was wet, and technology has advanced since then.

Off topic a bit, but I watched this race when it aired on Speedvision and will never forget it. What a fantastic watch...anyone who has never watched GP racing should check this out.

car5car wrote: . . . When I just begun riding, some old biker told me that 800 cc is not enough for highway. . .
Official statement:
500cc bikes are NOT girly bikes.

Check out this link before it's pruned :lol:
Click > Oh Yeah, Baby!

Good Fortune!

Beat me to it. :woohoo:
Steve