Long distance bike for under $5,000.00
 

Hey guys,

So I'm new this this website(joined about 10 minutes ago) and it definitely seems like the place to start for me. About 6 months from now my friend and I are planning a 3,500 mile trip that we are splitting up into 10-14 days. I have $5,000.00 saved up for a bike. Could you guys please point me in the right direction?

Any input will be great and general tips are also appreciated.

Thank you!!

I would suggest that you read the threads in this particular forum - "which bike", if only because you joined in here just a few minutes ago and your questions are so wide ranging; for instance, I guess you are referring to US$ - but they could be CAN$ or Ozzie$, or whatever.

:welcome: here in any case.

I'm sorry about that.

Let me try again.

Budget is around $5,000 US Dollars.
I am 5'8" about 160 pounds.
I would prefer a cruiser (Honda Shadow Spirit 750?) but I am open to just about any other suggestions, as my long distance riding experience is just about none existent. It will be lots of freeway roads as the trip is
San Diego>Grand Canyon>Salt Lake>Yellow Stone>Yosemite>Death Valley>SD
I want to bring basic camping gear and sleep around camp sites on our way.

I have looked through about 10 pages of threads regarding this and was unable to really find an answer that would help me personally.

Thanks Again!

Pretty much any bike will do it.

I'd get a 650+ given the amount of highway you are doing.

A v-strom 650 would fit the bill.

+ 1 for above comment:thumbup1:

Vstrom 650 was my first thought too.

Many many to be had used in the US, especially now that the new model is out. Possibly the most versatile and economical bike ever made.

What's your mechanical experience and how many miles per day?

The Wee-strom is the easy answer (I have one, it does everything really quite well but won't quite make you grin like say a Ducati or give you the sense of achievement you get with an Enfield) but if you want a cruiser get one. No point picking a bike just because it works for someone else. If you fancy a particular model though and can only afford an older, high mileage one, that's the time to ask which is best, any bike that's going to keep going (Wee-strom) or the bike you want with a risk of more hassle.

Andy

You want a cruiser, so why not have the ultimate? A quick look on e-bay USA suggests you're in the price range for a late Evo or early Twin Cam Harley Tourer.

I plan on doing anywhere from 250-400 miles a day.

As far as my mechanical skill goes, i can do the basics, the friend I am going with is very familiar bikes and quite handy.

I am honestly looking for the most reliable cruiser in that price range, I don't care what I look like doing it.

Btw thank you everyone!

enfield
 

Mowz, I don't know where you are, but H&H cycle in Bedford Indiana USA, has a decent 500cc low mileage enfield cheap.....like $1500

Another +1 from me for the vstrom dl650 :thumbup1:

( anyone see a pattern emerging here? )

I am located in San Diego California. I cannot find anything that seems decent in my price range

The pattern could be .............
 

4-5 Europeans, mainly Brits, own or like the DL650.
In contrast, the OP is interested in Cruisers.

The San Diego Craigslist is full of used bikes in that price range.

If you like cruisers, I would recommend a Honda Shadow 750 or a Yamaha VStar 650. You'll find dozens of them in good shape for $5000 in the San Diego area.

I just took a look and found 7 Honda Shadow 750s listed in the last couple of days, plus a couple of 600s and some 1100s, all within your price range.

Yes, you CAN. And I bet someone has done it even cheaper. But you are talking about extreme cases here, people who are used to travel cheap in the ultimate, almost solely camp in the wild, prepare their own food, etc. It is more of a lifestyle, and I´m pretty certain it is not everyone´s cup of tea.

+1 for the V-Strom 650 or 1000.

Simples....bier

Don't forget that many people have completed hard-core RTW adventures on 50cc MOPEDS! So, basically you can do it on almost any bike. All depends of how much luggage you want to take and speed of travel/degree of comfort.

That means that any reliable bike will do, cruiser, all-road or whatever. just make sure you have enough fuel range for the long stretches.

Obvious, because there is no answer for that question. If you read more on this site, you will find that people ride all around the world on anything, from a full dress Harley (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/) a Yamaha R1 "racer" (http://www.sjaaklucassen.nl/index.php?lang=en) a 250cc dirt-bike (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...s_on_the_Loose) and much more. It just depends on what you like and what you want.

Try to borrow or rent the bike that you like and that you feel comfortable on and try it for a weekend on a few hundred miles. If you like it, buy a bike, make sure you have left some money for a good service and fresh tires and go riding.

I've been on a Shadow 750 for the last few months and it's great. I haven't gone on any long rides, but hopefully this post helps OP. My input in no particular order:

• For your size I think this bike will be incredibly comfortable (I'm 6'6" 210lbs, and it's just a tad small for me, but not by too much).
• It's a cool looking cruiser, has a great reputation for reliability, and since it's so popular will be relatively easy to maintain (i.e. find mechanic, advice online, etc.)
• Check out HondaShadow.net
• The gas tank is small. I usually get 160 miles before I have to switch on reserve. Reserve is about a gallon, so going easy on reserve should give you 50 miles. For your trip I'd bring along an auxiliary gas can.
• Used shadows should be readily available in your price range, and if you go a bit older you'll have plenty left over for accessories (saddle bags/supports, highway pegs, crash bars, etc.), and riding gear.
• This bike can do 80 mph on freeways, but I don't think they're particularly fun, and they'll kill your fuel efficiency.
• Get yourself some earplugs! Properly used, they make highway travel much more enjoyable and they're a whole lot cheaper than getting a hearing aid down the road. Worst case scenario, you don't like riding with them, but you can use them when you have to sleep somewhere noisy, and failing that you only put a few bucks on the line. I think earplugs are the most underrated riding gear out there.

Have fun! :welcome:

I also would think the Shadow 750 would fit your needs. Shop around and don't be afraid to offer a lowball price. Many of these types of bikes are bought as a first bike, have low miles and do a lot of sitting as some get tired of the bike. You just need to find the one that the person really wants to sell. The age of the bike ( depending on mileage & history & condition ) shouldn't really be a problem. Also check out some of the dealers as this particular model of bike used can be a hard sell for them.

Good luck on your search & trip.

+VStrom 650 Great all in one bike

But if you like a cruiser and reliability the answer is Kawasaki Vulcan. They are very very hard to beat when it comes to reliability. I have and old Vulcan (800, 97) and never had any problems.

But again if you like cruisers and you are looking for the bigger, heavier and the most powerful bike ever made...get a Triumph Rocket!

Vulcan
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/im...n1700Nomad.jpg

Rocket
http://www.sub5zero.com/sites/defaul...h-rocket-3.jpg

Your second post had your answer: Honda Shadow Spirit 750. they can be had for $2500 leaving lots of money for gas, which it uses sparingly. If you're going south of the border, get the tallest shocks you can to make speed bumps bearable. Heres one on Ebay that would be perfect. Sitting at $500 as of today.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2006-HONDA-SH...NSlRH7/$_4.JPG

"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Shadow-SPIRIT-2006-honda-shadow-spirit-750-/111226662192?forcerrptr=true&hash=item19e5a02d30&i tem=111226662192&pt=US_motorcycles[/URL]

Why not look at older Goldwings? Trouble free and Honda dealers on every corner. Pretty much a maintenance and trouble free bike. You can buy them pretty cheap too. Just do your home work on the different years and quirks of each. :scooter:

vulcan 500 , engine like the ninja 500 ie sportsbike but styled like a cruiser

Short trips like this you can do with any bike. For 50.000 km around Africa ibought a used Honda Transalp for 700 Euro and sold it for the same price at the end. This bike is also great for two people. I used it for holliday trips with my girlfriend too :)

Adventure experience - motorcycle trip riding across Africa