Most men, being still, so to speak, in the larval stage, dream about a motorcycle in their sleep and in reality. Some about big and heavy, some about light and fast. It is clear that only a few of them become owners of iron horses for various reasons.
However, having reached more or less mature age, the question “is it worth buying a motorcycle?” all dreamers ask themselves. We are not taking into account die-hard fans now. This question was answered for them from above, endowing them with boundless love for this type of transport, and in addition a leather jacket with a 1% badge.
So how to answer this very question? Pretty easy. You should not consume anything stronger than kvass during the day. Then sit down, turn off your emotions and “I want” and do an extremely honest calculation of all the pros and cons. Although, after thinking hard, I came to the conclusion that precisely in the above formulation, the question is not entirely correct. Because very often, when we really want to, we tend to act irrationally. That is, to perform actions even when it is clearly “not worth it” (emphasis on the first syllable).
For example, by and large it wasn’t worth buying a 30-year-old car, but I bought it because I needed it and didn’t have enough money for anything else. What I mean is, whether it’s worth it or not depends on many additional conditions that you should also take into account. But let's get back to the bikes.
general characteristics
A motorcycle is a two-wheeled, mechanical vehicle with an upright driver's seat. Engines can be either internal combustion or electric.
All motorcycles are divided into several classes: road, enduro, classic, sports, cross-country, choppers. They also differ in weight, dimensions, engine displacement and design features.
The classic species has become widespread among the population . It has a simple shape, without additional devices.
The price of a new vehicle in stores starts at approximately 100 thousand rubles . There are also cheap models on the secondary market that are still Soviet-made and are only suitable for city trips.
To drive a motorcycle, you will need to have a driver's license with a certain category of clearance. To do this, you need to undergo training at a driving school and pass a practical exam. The entire process of paperwork takes no more than 3 months. When all the papers are in hand, you can safely go to the store.
Before choosing a specific model, let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of future transport.
Sportbike Kawasaki VN 750
do not buy Kawasaki VN 750 motorcycles.
This motorcycle can be called “the designer’s revenge.” Kawasaki's 750 V2 was designed as a sports bike designed to take down Harley in American racing. Only the rules were changed (deliberately to keep the Japanese out) and Akashi had to do something with the new engine. It was placed in 1985 on a rather slender chopper chassis. That same year, the Kawasaki sportbike was sold in the United States as the 700, but a year later it was sold there as the 750.
The biggest disadvantages - motorcycle review
The engine is technically very complex, and today it would be difficult to find a mechanic who would consciously undertake to do something with it. The V2 engine has up to four (!) timing chains and eight sliders (not counting the two top covers). Sliding shuttles (four) have four tensioners.
Automatic tensioners are used for the two long top chains, while the bottom two, leading from the shaft to the idler wheels, are usually extension springs.
Timing belt replacement cost. All this works quite reliably when the motorcycle is new, and even when it is 10 years old (which is why the VN 750 has been produced for as long as 22 years). But eventually it has to wear out. And replacing the entire valve timing in this engine is a very difficult (and expensive) step.
Kawasaki spare parts (Kawasaki), online order
Emergency oil regulators. Valve clearance is adjusted hydraulically - oil adjusters are located in the heads where the levers are supported. They are not very durable and require replacement after a few years.
Complex Keihin CVK 34 carburetors have additional mixture enrichment systems, which after a while stop working, and their dismantling borders on a miracle. On a 20 year old bike, even if the throttle bellows aren't cracked and the throttle bodies don't have too much clearance, the carburetors are rusty and loose, which can cause the injectors to break.
Lack of factory materials. Only with the injectors and the factory book in hand will you know which version of the motorcycle you are dealing with. And there were 12 of them. For example, the VN 750 for the Canadian market had 68 hp, for the European market 66 hp. and for the Swiss 37 hp. Without knowing the version, it is impossible to properly tune the motorcycle.
Strengths of the motorcycle
- Affordable price . If you are tired of riding a bicycle, but do not have enough money for a car, then a motorcycle will be an excellent solution. You can find options on the secondary market starting at 30 thousand rubles. And you will become the proud owner of your first “iron horse” for just two monthly salaries.
- Freedom of movement . Thanks to its maneuverability, the motorcycle does not experience any difficulties when driving through morning traffic jams. He will drive through narrow lanes that will become an obstacle for any car.
- This includes freedom of parking . There is no need for a long search for a stopping place. This is very important in the context of traffic congestion in modern cities.
- Travel speed . The motorcycle does not need to warm up the engine and is the most effective way to save time. The bike will take its owner to the right place without unnecessary delays.
- Better fuel consumption . For classic motorcycles it ranges from 5 to 8 liters per hundred kilometers. It may vary depending on your driving style. For passenger cars this figure is much higher. In addition, the engines of most bikes run well on diesel fuel.
- Convenient storage . Small motorcycles fit perfectly into a basement or small shed, and sometimes they are brought directly onto the floor. There is no need to purchase a special room for them. You are unlikely to leave your car in the yard of a residential building for a long time.
- Cost of spare parts . Repairs will cost several times less than with a car. You can perform many operations personally, without any special tools or skills. There is no need to call a tow truck if there is a breakdown on the highway, which will save a couple of thousand rubles. Just put it in the back of the truck and drive it to the nearest service station.
Kawasaki GPZ 600R
do not buy Kawasaki GPZ 600 R motorcycles
One of the first supersports motorcycles and the first Ninja, introduced in 1984, there were many defects that developed over long periods of use. When production began, it was a sports bike, but when they tried to sell it in the early 90s, it no longer deserved such a title.
Biggest disadvantages
Poor synchronization quality. The valves and their seats were too soft, which caused the valves to quickly poke and disappear the clearances. If a warm engine has to be run for a long time (a cold one even longer), this means that the leaking edges of the plugs already resemble thin plates. When the engine ran for a long time with little play, the valve wells burned out. In 1989, the GPZ received the engine from the GPX 600R (identical design, some parts corrected) - this engine was already a little better.
Imprecise carburetors can never be perfectly tuned. For example, the engine speed is too high or too low. When carburetors are old and rusty in the middle and the throttle bodies are clogged, proper alignment will be impossible.
A bad solution is to operate the clutch with a multi-row chain that needs to be replaced in an old motorcycle (you'll know this from the loud noise coming from the body), and to do this you have to disassemble the engine. In fact, the engine must be removed to replace the timing chain, but a chain can be installed as a last resort.
The misunderstanding is the wheels with a diameter of 16 inches, for which it is difficult to choose tires. The motorcycle does not perform well at high speeds.
Emergency plug. The innovative front suspension with adjustment and air pumping turned out to be very unstable. The front shins may leak oil quickly even after replacement.
Not the best performance. Frame cracks have developed on 600cc SUVs, and rust inside the gas tank is a common occurrence.
Corrosion of brake calipers. If the brakes perform poorly and after the pads rub against the discs, the pistons in the clamps wear out. Disassembly, cleaning and new gaskets will do nothing because the clamps will no longer fit tightly.
Weaknesses of two-wheelers
- Danger . Many car drivers look at motorcyclists with disbelief, calling them “crunchies.” The definition is appropriate, given the number of deaths in accidents involving them. When buying a vehicle with their last money, bikers forget about quality equipment. But even the most expensive protection will not protect you from serious injuries in the event of a severe collision. According to statistics, the likelihood of death while driving a motorcycle is 29 times greater than when driving a passenger car.
- Seasonality . In Russia, the summer period lasts from June to September. Fans ride on the slopes all year round, but you will agree that there is little pleasure in driving in pouring rain or frost.
- Limited number of passengers . The bike is not designed for more than two people. You won't be able to take your child to school or your pregnant spouse to the doctor.
- Low cargo capacity . The motorcycle has a modest trunk in which you can put an item not exceeding the size of one travel bag.
- Expensive equipment . Just a good helmet costs about 20 thousand. If you calculate the total amount of protection, it will greatly exceed the cost of the entire bike. For this money you can buy a good brand of car.
Search
Now you are already armed with real prices on the market and this is enough to understand when the seller has become insolent and where you can reasonably bargain.
If we are talking about searching for a motorcycle on classifieds sites, then it is worth expanding the circle to neighboring cities. Sometimes the motorcycle you're looking for is three or four hours away. If there are friends and acquaintances who will help transport or a more experienced motorcyclist who will move the bike for a glass of coffee and heartfelt gratitude, then why not? As a last resort, who is stopping you from renting a simple Gazelle and bringing a motorcycle from a neighboring city yourself? Yes, you will spend money on transportation, but if in the end you buy a fresher and more vibrant motorcycle, then the purchase is more profitable than taking something battered by life for the same money.
A good way to search could be word of mouth or contacting motorcycle clubs. Perhaps someone is thinking about selling their bike, but hasn’t posted an ad yet, and here you are: coincidence, I don’t think so. It's no secret that many motorcyclists care about who they sell their favorite motorcycle to. I’m very pleased when someone from a motorcycle club I know offers to buy me a motorcycle before selling it. Therefore, by contacting the club with a question about purchasing, you have nothing to lose, but what the hell isn’t it?
