Topic: Concerns about the 82

[My Diversion]

Where to start... I guess I could strart all the way with wanting a scooter.  I dropped that idea soon after sitting on a few motorcycles.  the bikes I didn't like were easy-I didn't like choppers, or cruisers but I liked the GS500. It felt comfortable and perfect.  So now I'm on e-bay and craigs list looking for bikes under 2 grand.  I came across an 82 gs I thought was a 500 after bidding I continue to be the high bidder and I realize the bike is a 750 and much too powerful for a new rider.  I called the seller--very nice guy who tell me this bike is definatly too much for me to handle and if I win he will offer me the 82/83 Honda cb400.  So now I go to the gsforum that i am also a member of and I tell them about the 82 honda--they are all telling me to back out, not a good choice etc.  Of course if I go look at the bike I will (hopefully) have someone with me who can test it out (I only have my permit)  The seller told me the bike is in great shape...I am so confused I don't know what to do.  I wish he would send some pic soon so I can post them. 

Thanks in advance for any and all comments.

[KRONUS0100]

there is nothing wrong with iether bike...the cb400 is a damm good bike...just a little underpowered compared to the 750
  I am also a member of the gs forums and currently have an 81gs1100e as well as my 76 cb750f.  love em both

[mrblasty]

I disagree with the idea that a 750 is too much bike for a new rider.  You can mess yourself up just as quickly on a smaller displacement bike if you choose to be careless. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, started out on a 750 (besides dirt bikes) and I am still currently on my 750.
I don't regret it at all but I am 5'11" and 235.

[mlinder]

The GS750, for it's time, was a big, fairly powerful bike.

However, it's smooth and reliable, and you should have no trouble with it. Just take it easy.

[My Diversion]

I disagree with the idea that a 750 is too much bike for a new rider.  You can mess yourself up just as quickly on a smaller displacement bike if you choose to be careless. 

Thats what I thought.  Any bike you needs to be treated with respect.

[My Diversion]

How about getting parts for the 82.  Is it impossible?

[mlinder]

I'm not familiar with the CB400 twin. Dunno what it shares, engine-wise, with other honda twins.
Someone oughta know, though. I like the looks of the 82 400. Tiny retro muscle bike.

[My Diversion]

Here is the link to the gs750
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-SUZUKI-GS750E_W0QQitemZ350264668164QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item518d66b004

[mlinder]

The gs750 is a nice bike.  A bit portly, but a good bike.

[mrblasty]

Cool looking bike, just remember bikes only go as fast as you make them go.

[Hasenkopf]

Hey,  just had to say that I ride past that bike all the time on my way to work.. looks ok,, been for sale at least a year though.

[Ogri]

The 400 Superdream (as it's known over here) is a good bike. Mellow enough to keep you out of trouble and fast enough to get you out of it.
In the UK Honda sleeved down the engine to produce the 250 Superdream for the learner market. It had all the weight of the 400 but none of the power. It sold very well, was extremely reliable but gained a reputation for being horribly boring compared to the other Jap factories' offerings. People tarred the 400 (which replaced the 400/4) with the same brush.

That 750 will probably kill you. Not when you first get on it but when your confidence has increased to the point where you think you can push it a little bit harder and faster.

[Brown Bomber]

That 750 will probably kill you. Not when you first get on it but when your confidence has increased to the point where you think you can push it a little bit harder and faster.

Agreed, 750's tip the scales around 500lbs, a new rider will most likely get too deep in a corner before they realize they aren't comfortable with muscling around that much weight. Entry level bikes are much lighter for a good reason.