Does this sound like a good starter bike?

Question

1987 450cc Honda Rebel. 21k miles. Looks good to my uneducated eye; owner claims it runs great and has been well-maintained. The bike has two previous owners, the seller and his brother, so it's never been beat up by a kid. Asking $1800. So...anybody out there know bikes? Is this a good buy?

OK, I'm getting mixed signals here. I thought a 450 was a small bike, but some are advocating for a 250 and some for a 1000. I'm 6', 150lbs. Is 450cc's too much bike for me?

I bought it for $1500. Although everybody here says I got robbed on the price, it seems fair for my area (the NE). And the bike has been very well maintained; I'm willing to pay a premium for something that starts out tip-top rather than inheriting somebody else's problem. Thanks all.

Answer 1

Ok, It is a good starter bike...but the bad news... the price is way to high. for a bike 20 yrs old that is crazy. Bad news is cycles dont hold their value at all...I have been riding for years and I found out the hard way. What to look for in a bike is check the oil see if there is any sludge build up on the stick. check seals to see if there is any oil stains or leaks. check chain play also.. if it moves 2" or more up and down not good... if you need more info let me know.

Answer 2

sounds like a great starter bike, not too big and will get you used to a bike. The price is in my opinion a little high. Here in Indiana that bike would sell for about $1000-$1400, price is always negotiable, especially when you have cash in hand. But a good deal is in the heart of the beholder. If you think you got a good deal than you got a good deal.

Answer 3

I think this is an absolutely perfect bike for a beginner rider of your size and weight. I started riding street on a 1969 CB450K1 and have fond memories of riding the thing half way across country. You'll want to ride it for about one or two years and then move on to something more powerful. Try to get a better bargain for the bike. It IS 20 years old, ya know. May you keep the shiny side up and put plenty of road down behind you.

Answer 4

I would look for a bigger bike than a Honda Rebel. First look for a new bike, maybe a 800 Suzuki Intruder, or a 650 Suzuki Savage might work. The Rebel is just to small you will out grow it in 2 months. Plus 1800 dollars is way to much for that bike.

Answer 5

It is a good beginner bike but the price is too high" My daughter has a 1984 Suzuki 450 with 10,000 mi. It has a shift ind,windsheild rear luggage comp. and a locking helmont for $800

Answer 6

This is a 1987 honda with 21k miles.I would stay clear of this one.Think with that little miles this bike has sit still for a LONG TIME.A bike that has sit for a long time has some real problems.Anyone that knows motorcycles would not buy a bike that has sit still for a long time.The problems you will run into will cost you big.

Answer 7

It sounds like a perfect starter bike to me. Don't get anything older until you know how to work on this one. Having a smaller bike is actually a little safer in the beginning, I had an Interstate (1000cc) after my 350cc and the interstate was more difficult to wrestle around - until I learned how to do it then even though I am small I could do it with no problems - but I learned how to ride for a year on my 350.

Answer 8

450CC will be ok for a while, but you will ultimately want something bigger. Price is way too high. Should be under a grand. Beware old bikes with old tires -they get hard and loose traction even with good tread.

Answer 9

This would be great starter bike, but the price is several hundred high. $1500 should buy it. Good luck take a riders course an stay safe.

Virago Rider

Answer 10

if you never rode a bike/dirt bike/4 wheeler then i would so no. you can get a 250 rebel brand new for 2000, depending on your state. and it is not as much bike, so you wont have a lot of power to kill yourself with. but if you rode before it would be a good buy.
AND then get a GSX-R 1000 lol