Topic: You've got $1500 to spend on a reliable bike to go x-country, what do you buy?

[RFogelsong]

Not included in the $1500 is the cost of tires and oil, chain/sprockets, and other consumables, but in general I'm interested in what you all would buy in this range for the purpose of putting on a lot of miles. 

It doesn't have to look like anything (dented tanks, flat black paint, etc. are all fine) but the engine and running gear needs to go 10K mi without major break downs.  The trick isn't finding a bike that'll do this (all properly sorted sohc4's would), but one that is well sorted at this price.

[madScientist]

I picked up my 95 Suzuki Intruder VS1400 for $1500 ready to go. I've beaten the hell out of it over the past 6 years. Put 50k miles on it. The only "issue" i've had was the speedo cable broke.

[Untold]

Somebody is a Redditor

[RFogelsong]

lmao, seeing as my usernames are the same...

It's gotten a fair bit of attention over there though.  I was interested if this site would be more slanted towards different eras or brands in light of the rising prices of the bikes this site is based around.

[BeSeeingYou]

I could buy decent older model GL's all day long around here at that price.  Probably about 1983 or older. 

[Old Scrambler]

Almost any UJM from the '79-late 90s can be had for that price.........and in good 'nick'.  Dozens of CB900s are offered at that price in very decent condition.  Last fall I bought a 2000 Aprilia Pegaso for $1700 that needed a few things to be sorted regarding the smog-system.  For no added money I put 3000 miles on it before winter and now am planning a Wisconsin to NY round trip.  It will likely need new tires AFTER the trip.

Your question tends to disregard the thought of retained value after the cross-country trip. My own opinion is $1500 for a running bike in decent condition is about the bottom of the market. Yes, there are a few bikes that nobody wants to be seen on..........and a few outright bargains can be found...... but $1500 will get you a capable bike with little extra expense to go down the highway. 

[andy750]

I imagine bikes are cheaper in Ohio but for doing a X-country trip a CB750 (any year SOHC CB750 but a 77/78K would be a good solid bet) would do the trip with no problem. I know this for sure as I have done it 5-6 times on a CB750 (x1 on a K6, x5 on a K4).

I had bought my K4 for the same purpose as you in 2001 - a 2 month, 16000 mile road trip. I got the bike for $800 off Ebay and it got me there and back after 2 months. After some clean up it then went on several other long distance trips (Easy Rider Trip, Europe, etc). Cant beat that

In 2004, 10 of us set off from LAX and did the SOHC Easy Rider trip - 3 of those bikes (CB750s) were bought off Ebay for under $800 each - only one didnt make it - blew a head gasket.  The K8 on that trip did it with no issue as did my K4 and others had similar success or easily fixable issues.

The SOHC engine is pretty bullet proof for long distance riding and plenty of others on here can attest to that as well.

Good luck!
Andy

[Retro Rocket]

Do you guys get the ZZR1100, ZZR1200 Kawasaki's, if you do they would fit the bill nicely, fast and comfortable..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

There's a 76 CB750F one owner with low miles good condition floating around somewhere in the $1900 - $2000 range. I'd get that. That's a deal!

[Doum]

My first motorcyle at 16 years old been a suzuki gr650,paid 200$,I changed tired over the years,oil filter plug,chain....bike is almost in the same condition,put 100000 km in 11 year on it,not so bad for 200$,stored the bike for my future kid and I run a gl1500.

I think the secret is not which model,but more how the bike been treated and maintened over the years

[BLUE71TURBO]

Do you guys get the ZZR1100, ZZR1200 Kawasaki's, if you do they would fit the bill nicely, fast and comfortable..

                    Yes they are a very nice bike but i have never seen one for cheep.   

[Retro Rocket]

Do you guys get the ZZR1100, ZZR1200 Kawasaki's, if you do they would fit the bill nicely, fast and comfortable..

                    Yes they are a very nice bike but i have never seen one for cheep.   

You can pick up a good one here for around 3 Grand Jon, so i assumed that would be a lot cheaper in the States...

CBR1000 are a good bike for eating miles as well

[worlddrum13]

if i were taking my sweet time to go across the country, id do it on a klr650. you can find the earlier ones up to about 97 or so pretty cheap and there's little to no difference in them until 08. though its not the most comfortable bike for highway riding, i would have more fun on the back roads the whole way. i would put hard bags and a tag bag on it and head out. i like the idea of keeping the pace even when u reach a dead end road.