WOT: Motorcycle version of Scirocco...

[scirocco at vintagewatercooleds.com (Eric S)]

Responses inline (been riding for some time now)...

Brian Haygood said:

> Advice Wanted...

Thats good.

> First of all, this is my first bike.  I intend to put some real effort
> into learning how to ride one before I go off by myself.  I've scoped out
> a safety course and what I think is appropriate riding gear.  That and a
> well-tamed wrist will hopefully keep me out of trouble.

Ok, I believe you are going to be reasonable then...no 600cc crotch
rockets...think 8v Scirocco here...needs to be tame and yet still fun
enough that you won't out grow it too soon...but at the same time, if you
lay it down (or drop it in the driveway) you won't freak out.

> goals:
>
> 1.  Not scary fast, but enough that once I'm comfortable driving it I
> won't want to ditch it.  Like a STOCK scirocco - good handling and
> performance, but lets face it that they aren't 911 turbos or anything.

Sorry, but a new rider has NO BUSINESS on even a reasonably fast bike.

> 2.  Relatively simple to work on.  I'm not looking for the equivalent of a
> MK4 here.  I'm willing to take old reliable technology and it's
> performance penalties for the ease of maintenance, albeit increased
> maintenance, of an older machine.

One of your statements conflicts with this later...but good idea.

> 3.  Affordable parts, to whatever degree that's possible.

Bikes in general are cheap, cept for Harleys

> 4.  Reliable basic mechanicals - like a VW, the electrical system may be
> crap, but it's likely to just up and keel over in the middle of a trip
> unless you mistreat it or overlook some maintenance.

Ok good...still conflicts with a later statement...getting to it...

> 5.  More than two cylinders - sorry, I'm just not into the thumpers and
> such.  Harleys and 250s need not apply.

Boom...sorry, the more the cyls the more complication, maintainance and
reduced reliability in my eyes.  My first bike was a CB400F Super
Sport...from 1976.  400 cc, 4 cyls, revved to 11,000 RPM.  *4* carbs that
I could never keep in sync, and if it would sit for more than a week the
damn carbs would clog.  Since you haven't ridden, you need to get this
"requirement" of yours out of your head.  I currently own a v-twin that
revs to 11,000 and makes great power, doesn't act anything like a harley,
and is quite fun to ride. (its the wife's, and its actually 250cc
too...damn fine simple, light, machine.)   I won't show you what it is,
because its more of a cruiser, but just letting you know you have put
requirements on your purchase that conflict totally with your goal of
simplicity and reliability.  The more cyls, typically the more the carbs,
which is a very BAD thing in my experience.

> Now, here is my completley uneducated idea of what I should get.  I'm
> thinking of "H-brand" Interceptors - either the VF500F ('84-'86, I think)
> or VFR700* ('86 to '87).  These bikes seem to fit the bill, with the right
> mechanicals, pricing, aesthetics, and performance.  I have ridden the 500
> and it just seems to fit me a lot better than bikes (like a newer GSXR)
> that are bulkier (i.e. I'm 5'8" 140lbs.).  They probably won't lose any
> significant value in the next few years either, which will help since I'm
> new at all of this.  My main concern is that these may be so old that the
> parts are hard to come by or at a premium.  Again, the scirocco model,
> with this great network of ours and the thousands built, fits the picture
> neatly because it has an old-school nature without being obscure. I know
> the newer bikes are way beyond these in performance, but these probably
> have more than enough for my tastes.

Dude, while the classic interceptors are cool, they are faster than you
need.  How much you looking to spend?  Your first bike should be
considered a disposable bike man...something you intend to ride for a
couple of years, and not shed a tear when you drop it (and YOU WILL).

With your size, and wieght, you need something with a low seat height, and
something really easy to handle (IE, light).

> I have a thing against Yamaha, so that is out.

No problem...I have a thing against Suzuki, but that wasn't the bikes
fault, it was the dealer I hated.

> Like every sciroccophilic boy racer, I'd like something with a bit of a
> fairing and sportier stance, and keeping the weight down is a preference.

Ok, so, you like the sport bike look, and prefer a fairing...but want it
light, and not too fast.  If you would get your silly engine requirements
out of your head, and really look at what your doing, then you will listen
closely to what I am about to post, because it is your perfect bike to
ride for a couple of years, and won't loose much value at all:

Kawasaki Ninja 250

That is your perfect bike...still able to do illegal speeds (especially
with a 140 lb rider, SHEESH), full fairing, reasonably quick, very nice
handling, affordable, super cheap parts (its been made the same for years
and years), very loyal following of riders, etc.  $3000 new, out the door,
302 lbs dry.

Now, if you still have your damn engine size hang up (even though, last I
heard the Ninja 250 was putting down 33hp from that 250...quite impressive
for its size), here are some other choices I consider wise, and I have
owned 1 of these.

Suzuki GS500F

Again, hasn't changed for years until recently they made the F model with
full fairings, the earlier GS500Es are mechanically identical, sporty,
handle real nice...great starter bike (thats what Katy rode for awhile). 
We lost basically nothing at resale time.  Much more expensive at $5100
new, looks like 100 lbs heavier than the 250R and only 7 more hp from what
I have seen.  A used GS500E would be a good choice if you like the looks
of the naked bike.

Kawasaki Ninja 500

More hp, more wieght, but still a good very choice.

Suzuki SV650S (half fairing, SV650R full fairing) or very comparable
Hyosung GT650S or GT650R

Again, more hp and more wieght, and on the very top end of what I would
consider "ok" for a beginner.  I really didn't want to mention these,
cause they are capable of getting you in trouble, but some have found
these to be ok, if a little scary at first.

So there you have it, from perfect beginner bike with plenty of fun, to
the wild side of what I would consider ok.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about any of the bikes I
reccomended or my experiences.  I've owned and ridden quite a few bikes.

-- 
Eric
www.vintagewatercooleds.com

1981 Scirocco S (TDI swap project)
1990 Corrado TDI
1990 Fox Wagon
1991 Cabriolet (2.0 crossflow 8v project)