Looking For A Nighthawk.

[JordanA]

I like how NONE of those ads mentioned the mileage of the bikes. 

I'll sell you my CB650SC with 31K on the clock, with TONS of spare sparts for $1400.00.

[gammer]

The 700S is most emphatically NOT a good starter/beginner bike.  Too much power and parts are getting expensive and hard to find for when you will drop it. And you will drop it.

+1 on that.
It drives me nuts when I see the Nighthawk S listed as a "Beginner Bike". No, the Nighthawk S is an intermediate bike. Its a heavy bike and has a good amount of power.
If you are looking for a beginner bike, get a 500. I've always recommended the Suzuki GS500 to beginners.



If you really like the Nighthawk S, then buy one and store it until you have enough experience on a smaller bike.

[2SteelHorses]

I have been looking at various bikes, Suzuki Bandit 600s, Nighthawks, and a few others.

[Nitehock]

Those are some nice bikes. I started out (and am still starting, imo) on my Nighthawk 750. I've been told smaller is better to start out on but I was also told to get a 750 because I'm 6'4 and 215 and anything smaller would look like a moped under me. And yes, cash on hand was also a considerable factor.

[97af]

FWIW, The 650SC is probably the best all round bang for the buck begginer bike you can pick up.They are pretty plentiful,dont have any real earth shattering issues and if you buy one that hasnt been through 20 owners and looks like its been somewhat taken care of over its years, it'll probably give you quite a few more years of enjoyable riding. I've had a million motorcycles in the past 30 yrs of riding from full on sport bikes to 900lb touring bikes. The 84 black Nighthawk in the garage still makes me smile.(The black ones always run better by the way) Well, off to finish up the fork seals and a set of new progressive springs.  

[hockeyhawk]

IMO, I would start out on a smaller bike first, not just for the engine size, but bike weight will also play a factor. A larger bike will be tougher to learn on and manover. I've been riding dirt bikes since I was 9 and my first street legal bike was a Yamaha dt 175 enduro which was nice and light. I rode that bike on the street for 2 years before I moved up to a larger bike and when I did I had about 10 yrs of all around riding exp. 

Ride Safe, DoubleH 

[2SteelHorses]

Hey guys, been away for awhile because work has been getting in the way for looking for a bike.  Found another one locally...any thoughts???


"1984 Honda Nighthawk CB650 Does not start. Has been in storage since 1994. Mileage 8243 $900 OBO

[Tryvelcro]

I have been looking at various bikes, Suzuki Bandit 600s, Nighthawks, and a few others.

Please don't get the Bandit for a beginner bike.  Seriously, I have one and can guarantee you it's not a beginner bike.

[ROJ]

It doesn't look too bad, but for a bike not running and stored since 1994, $900 is a bit much. If it wasn't stored properly, then you have alot of work ahead of you, plus not knowing why is doesn't start, it may be a simple thing or something internal and expensive. I wouldn't pay more than $500 for it myself. There are others out there for a little more, but they at least run.

[gammer]

If it wasn't stored properly, then you have alot of work ahead of you, plus not knowing why is doesn't start, it may be a simple thing or something internal and expensive.

+1 on this. If its going to be easy, then you will just need to change all the fluids and give a carbs a good soaking and cleaning.
If its bad, you might have a stuck piston ring and the tank is rusted through and leaking...on top of the easy stuff.

[2SteelHorses]

I will hopefully get a chance to look at the bike mentioned above tomorrow, but I also just saw this.

1982 Honda nighthawk 450cc night hawk 450 cc great beginners bike

"1982 Honda nighthawk 450cc. Has just over 12k miles. It runs but needs the carbs cleaned. I have not really rode it in a year. I occasially go out and crank it. Make me a reasonable offer. Need it gone by the weekend. will trade for a gas sipper, 4x4, or guns. let me know what you got."

[GoHuskers]

I would recommend buying a bike with zero deficiencies.  I bought a 97 NH 750 for 1600 USD. It had a few deficiencies fixing those cost a lot more than buying a bike without the deficiencies.  Plus you want a long and lovely courtship of trouble free riding before you have to turn a wrench. 

I love the NH because its simple to own, simple to ride, and cheap to buy.  I don't think you can go wrong with the NH family of bikes.  Just get a good book on learning to motorcycle, take the MSF Basic course and enjoy.