linuxrunner

Basicly i am looking to save some $ on gas for up upcomeing summer months.

My initial plan was to sell the runner and get a little 2wd pickup (my parents pickup with the same engine and same year as my 4runner gets 28mpg while i only get 20) and a motorcycle. A logical choice since i have not been out to wheel in over a year. But as i started to think about it and worked it out, 8mpg worked out to be not as big of a yearly saveings in gas as i thought.

So I figured maybe I'll just save up some money and purchase a bike and keep the runner.

Here is my question...

I have an old street legal 73 suzuki tc125 which i have replaced almost everything on now. I have used it in the woods alot and since it has a dual range gear box it is great for playing on the trails. I know that this bike on the street pretty much tops out at 45mph on level ground, and hills slow it down to 20mph or less if it's really steep.

I have also riden a 75 or 76 suzuki ts185 which can get me up to 55 and can hold a nice 45 on hills.

Does anybody know if I could pick up a 185 and swap it in for my 125? i know they offered a ts185.

Or, should i give up on the 125 to 185 swap and look for something else?

Any suggestions, i figure I should be able to come up with $1500 so obviously something used (i can do basic matiance or replacement). I am not loyal to any particular brand or vintage. Is 1500 enough for a decent street bike?

I just want something that can get me around town, I don't really want to ride it on the freeway.

ozziesironmanoffroad

what im considering is getting a little scooter and wearing a big dark helmet so no one will know who i am

olharleyman

$1500 should get you into the 600cc range so you wount get run over on the street

linuxrunner

I'm way ahead of you...

I plain on getting the DARKEST helmet i can find if i have to go 20mph in a 45mph everyday to work

ozziesironmanoffroad

and have 'lord helmet' on the side. and wear a swartz ring. lol. honestly though, im thinkin of doin that, though id feel VERY unmanly doing that. lol.

linuxrunner

Yeah, but what happens when you get to your location?

Just wear the helmet into every grocery store I go to i guess.

Elton

my very first street bike i had was a 1980 yamaha virago 500 was more of a cruiser type bike paid all of 800 bucks was a great bike never gave me any trouble had decent power and insurance was pretty cheap too since i took a motorcycle safety course called team oregon

stormin94

My neighbor used to have a Honda Trail 110. It was a pretty fun little bike, and you could literally ride it around all week on one fill up. I got it to do around 45-50, too. Which isn't too bad for 110cc's. I also like the two speed transfer case type deal, which gives high gearing in all 4 gears for street travel, and low gearing for trail riding. Street legal, too.

stormin94

New avatar!!! Nice.

Elton

o yes heres my little gas saver im still paying for it i got it so i could get some credit and have a good bike also insurance is only $25 bucks a month if you wanna go off road they make that model too

linuxrunner

Elton, since you live in the same state as me what was your total cost (other than the bike) to get your license, insurance, registration and so on?

Are you under 21? because as i am over 21 I don't have to take a riding class but it says i still need to do a driving test... what did that include?

And finally living in oregon and all how often are you actully able to ride (as in how often is it not raining)

Justinvd

I own a 2002 XR650R. Haha it preforms awsome on and offroad although it is mostly bottom end power cuz i cannot beat any Cr250's off the line. I get awsome gas mileage and very reliable

Elton

oo man it was a long time ago but that team oregon class is great i pretty sure it was like 100 bucks or something after that you go take the paper work into dmv and they add a endorsement to your license .... for registration i think it was like 50 dollars or so.... i ride every time its nice out which could only be a few days out of the month or more

saitotiktmdog

Get a newer used Dual Sport or the DRZ400SM like in the picture above.

burnscore1

Yamaha Virago's and Suzuki Katana's have both had their same designs for many, many years. You can always get an older model of one of those and still be able to find parts if they break down.

WSUWESTON

My brother just bought a new 07 ninja 500 a couple weeks ago. Really nice bike for the price. His tags, plates, fees and taxes were only $400. Wa, so no insurance needed. He got it anyways and it is $25 a month. He also has a little 50cc scooter, which he puts a gallon on gas in every 150+ miles.

89macrunner

get a nice road bike..

they dont require gas or insurance...

linuxrunner

You obviously do not live in Oregon

It does suck a little bit to sit on a motorcycle in the rain, but I have done a lot of peddeling bikes in the rain, and I KNOW that sucks.

Besides my work is like 800ft in elevation higher than my house... and i only live about 1 mile away from work so it's pretty much just one big steep hill.

notanymore

have you looked at the ninja 250? They are small enough to get around 70mpg from what understand and they are powerful enough to ride down the highway. you should be able to pick one up for around 1500 or so.