We often feature motorcycles that are worth buying. Now it's time for some items that we don't recommend. You shouldn’t spend money on them, because your wallet is not bottomless. Don't buy motorcycles
Used Motorcycles to Avoid, Don't Buy Motorcycles
In turn, there is nothing worse than a cheap repair that leaves the workshop in worse condition than when it arrived. The used motorcycles we warn against are 10, 20 or more years old, older motorcycles, and may be damaged because they were not designed or manufactured properly. Time also takes its toll. But you need to spend a little time to buy a worthwhile motorcycle
Japanese motorcycle Honda VF 750
don't buy Honda VF 750 motorcycles
Honda has always experimented with engines and different cylinder layouts. The first usable V-four was the VF 750 (there are also much less common capacitive versions). In 1982 there was a naked S called Saber, a soft chopper C-Magna, and a year later the F, or Interceptor, appeared.
Biggest disadvantages
Poor camshaft lubrication in the head . Honda tried to improve it by using additional cables routed externally and attached to the heads using a banjo bolt system. However, this has little effect - the camshafts are washed out and the levers are worn out. Here the situation (in the short term) can only be saved by replacement.
Honda motorcycle parts
The terrible synchronization of carburetors , even in the new VF 750s, drove mechanics to despair. To carry it out, you need to make three approaches, in accordance with the sequence of cylinders 1-2-3-4, and the adjustment of the next cylinder affects the previous one. The regulators are bad, so the mechanic - despite wearing gloves - could not avoid burning his hands from the engine warming up to operating temperature.
In an older motorcycle, the throttle control system will certainly already have large gaps, and even a professional who knows what is going on will not be able to synchronize the carburetors correctly. The engine will fail, run unevenly, with interruptions in the carburetors and shots in the pipes.
Riveted wheels . Some VF-y 750 Fs had cast wheels, but wide flat "spokes" were attached to the wheels. After several years of use, the rims broke at the riveting points.
Japanese motorcycle Suzuki TL 1000
do not buy Suzuki TL 1000 motorcycles
The sporting success of the V2 Ducati Superbos forced the Japanese to act. In 1997 they introduced two V-twins - the successful Honda VTR 1000 liter motorcycle and the troublesome Suzuki TL 1000 S liter motorcycle (which was joined a year later by the same-flawed TL 1000 R).
Biggest Disadvantages
The TL was scary - it had a tendency to vibrate, which even caused fatal accidents. Therefore, a year after the premiere, the company installed steering shock absorbers not only for new, but also for sold motorcycles. Unfortunately, the tendency for the steering wheel to turn over continued; the shock absorber only extinguished it.
Result? On rough roads it is scary to exceed 140 km/h.
The engine also had shortcomings - through leaking pistons/rings, it pumped oil into the air filter - under warranty there was a replacement (depending on the mileage) either on the piston rings themselves or on the pistons.
Another problem was the electronics . The engine could jerk and stall at idle. It was necessary to ensure that the idle speed was set correctly (1300–1400 rpm), after which the ECM was modified.
Oil dilution by fuel is another disadvantage. The thermostat was replaced under warranty. The engine was “too cold” and was trying to take too long to suck. This condition also caused high fuel consumption.
Suzuki spare parts (Suzuki), online order
Cracks on the tank , which was not properly secured.
The frame of the eye, which protrudes from the vane damper due to the non-standard shock absorber (such were, for example, on GAZ cars) with which the TL was equipped. The quality of its damping, despite the possibility of adjustment, was not the best.
Cracked frames on the head . At first they argued that this was due to frequent driving, but then it turned out that this was not the case - the frames were breaking.
So you will never know which bike you will get or how many defects have been fixed on it, because all the improvements and repairs were done on a regular basis. Which doesn't change the fact that some of them are indelible.
Motorbike
Pros of a motorcycle
Too often we hear about the dangers of riding a motorcycle, but rarely are the physical and, more importantly, spiritual benefits mentioned. Some of the benefits are obvious, others not so much. That's why you feel so good after a long journey home.
Positive attitude
It's that feeling of pure joy after a long ride that every motorcyclist feels. The reason we feel so happy is quite simple: every twist of the wrist releases adrenaline, which in turn releases endorphins. These hormones make us “feel good,” improve our mood, increase pleasure, and reduce pain.
Endorphins give us this joyful feeling, but after the ride there is a feeling of relief, as if the body is flying. We can recommend the car dealership https://vladimir.altera-auto.ru, which guarantees you a good mood even when driving a car.
It's like mindfulness meditation: body position, speed, position on the road - on a motorcycle you are constantly analyzing and adjusting depending on the situation. This connects us to reality and means there is no room in our minds to worry about money, work or any other daily problems.
You are completely occupied while driving. That's why your mind is like a blank slate when you cross over after a long ride.
Cognitive functions
If someone had told me that I could boost my cognitive function while grinning from ear to ear with joy, I probably would have told them to tell that crazy story somewhere else.
But a scientific study conducted by Ryuta Kawashima, who collaborated with Yamaha Japan and Tohoku University, proved just that. Riding a motorcycle improves your cognitive function by as much as 50%.
This is because riding a motorcycle requires a high level of alertness and quick problem solving. According to Kawashima, “The driver’s brain is activated when riding motorcycles.”
Strength of the Heart and Neck
The day after their first long ride, many motorcyclists report the same pain - the muscles in our necks are always at the top of the list. Wearing a helmet for several hours a day will strengthen your neck and give you a real workout. This is especially true for those who drive without a windshield.
You still need to make sure that your bike fits you perfectly, as constantly cranking or straining your neck will have negative consequences in the long run. This means that the handlebars, seating position and legs are suitable for your body.
Riding a motorcycle requires a lot of muscles to work together, but your structure ties everything together.
Every maneuver you make on a motorcycle involves using your body, especially low-speed maneuvers. The movements are subtle and relatively small so you may not notice it, but if you've been riding for a while your body will be stronger.
No more squats
Riding a motorcycle requires you to constantly move on the bike using your hips and knees. These movements strengthen your hips and in turn strengthen your knees.
The thigh muscles are used to hold the patella and other bones in the knee.
Because the movement is minimal, people suffering from knee or hip pain describe motorcycle riding as a form of physical therapy.
For those lucky enough to not have such problems, riding can help you avoid injury. But for those who cannot ride mopeds, we suggest buying a car at https://vladimir.altera-auto.ru - this is a safer means of transportation.
Burning calories
Yes, you can burn a significant amount of calories while riding a motorcycle.
Those who love to eat can burn up to 600 calories per hour of intense motocross riding. Stick to an urban riding style and you can burn between 200 and 300 calories per hour, especially if you ride with some energy.
Expenses
Although it can be expensive, motorcycles are generally more fuel-efficient than cars for several reasons. You definitely save on fuel. It's not all about gas, however, as maintaining a motorcycle is also cheaper than maintaining a car. Overall, there are even more ways to save money when it comes to fixing or maintaining your bike, such as reading reviews and doing DIY repairs.
Easier to park
You may love your car, but parking it can be difficult, especially if you drive a large car. Not to mention, there are usually other people to consider. You must be careful not to scratch other cars or block other drivers who are parked. With a motorcycle, parking is unlikely to ever be an issue since they are small enough to fit in most spaces.
You can even get off it and maneuver it into the perfect parking spot if you really want to.
Disadvantages of a motorcycle
Weather
When it comes to bad weather, motorcycles are almost always garaged. Cars can be used in any weather, while motorcycles are only good for driving on a sunny or at least dry day. If it starts to rain, the fun is pretty much over.
Having another category of driver's license
In most regions, you need a separate type of license to ride your bike on the road. If you already have a driver's license, getting a new one may be too much of a hassle. So even if you think riding a motorcycle is cool, for some it may not be worth it if you have to run around to get new documents from the traffic police.
Safety
As mentioned earlier, bad weather is a big problem for bikers. However, it does more than just get your jacket wet. You also have to worry about the road and how slippery it is when it rains and snows. This is a big problem because it is much easier to drive safely.
Sportbike Kawasaki VN 750
don't 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.
Now here are the pros and cons of the motorcycle:
Pros of the motorcycle : 1. It's cool . When you have little money and have a choice between an old Cossack and a good Chinese motorcycle, of course a motorcycle will look much more attractive than a car. And for the same money you can buy a much cooler motorcycle than a car.
2. Speed . On a motorcycle, speed is more noticeable than on a car and gives more adrenaline. And if you take a car and a motorcycle in the same price category, the motorcycle will be much faster.
3. Cost-effective . A motorcycle is much cheaper per car and to operate. Starting from cheap maintenance and spare parts to gasoline. On average, a motorcycle consumes 2.5-4 liters. And the car is 7-10.
4. Convenience . Not a single traffic jam will stop you, when all the cars are standing still and honking, you calmly drive between them. This saves a lot of time in urban environments.
5. Attractiveness . If you are a young guy. What will girls like more?! An old Cossack or a beautiful motorcycle?! Such a car will only ruin your image. While a motorcycle for the same money will improve your reputation.
Let's move on to the disadvantages of the motorcycle : 1. Safety . It is much easier to die on a motorcycle than in a car. Without proper preparation, you can easily send yourself to heaven. There are also plenty of morons who will help you with this. Even if you have been riding for 10 years, there may still be a “miracle” that will send you there.
2. Picky about clothes . On a motorcycle the wind blows you quite well. Therefore, you need to dress accordingly. You also need motorcycle equipment. Statistically, you're bound to fall a few times in your first year. Or by chance on the spot, or at a turn, or somewhere else. Therefore, protection is very necessary. The only mandatory thing is a motorcycle helmet.
3. Not enough space . You can't ride a motorcycle with your whole family. And that’s not what it’s bought for. Although you can safely drive in two. But even to go to the store yourself you need to buy a motorcycle bag or carpet.
4. Weather . I don’t think there are many people who want to ride in winter. Rain may also interfere with your trip. You can get really wet, and the road is dangerous. On wet roads, wheel slip may occur. It's easy to skid when braking.
5. You need a garage . A motorcycle is not a car. You can't put it in the yard. Starting with the fact that it is not advisable for him to get wet, and ending with the fact that there are many who want to steal. Therefore, you need to buy or rent a garage.
Disadvantages of the car : Expensive maintenance, you need a lot of gasoline, it’s more difficult to avoid potholes, and the car itself is expensive.
Pros of the car : You can go with a group, bring potatoes from the village, the weather doesn’t matter. Can be placed near the house. Safer than on a motorcycle. Minor accidents will not result in injury. In winter you can warm up. A car is more prestigious than a motorcycle.
Conclusion, auto or motorcycle:
Choose a car if:
– You are not traveling alone. – You need to transport something. – You have your own farm. – For you, the clothes you wear are important (wearing a suit on a motorcycle is not an option).
Choose a motorcycle if:
– You need to go yourself and it’s not expensive. – You save money. – You have a garage. – Love speed and adrenaline. – Drive on bad roads. – And of course you can take Enduro and race off-road.
Personally, I'm leaning towards a car since I won't be driving alone and need to carry a heavy load from time to time. (100-150 kg.)
Aprilia RSV Mille
don't buy Aprilia RSV Mille motorcycles
Troy Corser rode this bike to the World Superbike Championship. In 2000 he won the title of II vice-champion. The “civilian” motorcycle has a brutal “kick in the ass”. It rides on rubber in all seasons, which has its consequences in durability. The Mille was revised in 2001, but many defects remained.
The biggest disadvantages - motorcycle review
The biggest problem will be the service . Few workshops will undertake to do everything they want in it.
So what to do? The Rotax engine in the chassis is terribly technically complex: suffice it to say that in the rear cylinder head, in addition to two camshafts, there is also a shaft that balances these rollers. The engine has a fundamental flaw in the lubrication system.
The oil tire in the crankshaft is poorly made, and the connecting rod is rubbing . And this smells like a major overhaul, and the mechanic who takes it on will be faced with a serious problem - there are no marks on the timing wheels. The system is so complex that after disassembly, a disassembled motorcycle has no chance of putting it back together. Experienced mechanics cope with this problem by making special stencils.
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In any case, repairs are a big waste of money and the availability of spare parts is poor, so some people buy a used but functional engine. I'm sure any Mille lover will give up this bike after purchasing the third engine.
The next harmful part - the clutch has a vacuum booster, in which the diaphragm cracks and the device does not work.
An aluminum frame manufactured before 2000 has a serious drawback: the base of the upper bearing of the frame head is located there. The matter is irreparable. Mille also doesn't have very good electrics. Charging failure is a common problem.
In addition, the RSV engine vibrates very strongly , which leads to cracking of various chassis parts. Aprilia dealt with this problem in 2001 by repositioning the engine in a new frame.
Kawasaki KLX 650R
don't buy Kawasaki KLX 650 R motorcycles
First there was the mild enduro KLX 650, but after three years of poor sales in 1996, Kawasaki replaced it with the more off-road KLX-em 650 R. Throughout production, they tried to improve the bike, but there was always something wrong.
Biggest disadvantages
A large single-cylinder engine consumes oil , even if it has low mileage. Even changing the piston and rings in 2000 did not help.
The engine is difficult to start , especially after a wet night (mostly a carburetor malfunction). Starting is not easy, the basic and most popular version of the motorcycle only has a kickstarter and is quite expensive. In order for the engine to start, sometimes you need to kick it for quite a long time and vigorously. It's difficult to convey this through compression, even if it has an automatic decompressor.
The decompressor often fails . It works centrifugally, opening one of the exhaust valves. The moving elements of the decompressor are connected by a rivet, which can be loosened, and then a knocking noise can be heard when the engine is running. You can take the engine apart and press on the rivet, but after a while it will loosen again. Then the only salvation is to replace the exhaust camshaft along with the decompressor.
Damage to the timing chain tensioner is very common . The bar has cut grooves that secure the latch after installing the tensioner in the engine to eliminate chain slack. The grooves are too shallow and the tensioner bounces back, weakening the chain.
If the RPM is high and the driver does not react in time to the increased timing noise, the chain can jump onto the sprockets, causing the piston to collide with the valves and damage the engine. Kawasaki did not deal with this problem until the end of production of the KLX, so replacing the tensioner will not help.
The valve system is also bad . Valves quickly fail and lose clearance.
Japanese motorcycle Yamaha FZ 750
don't buy Yamaha FZ 750 motorcycles
This would be a great bike - it has excellent suspension, ride and ride - if not for a defect that practically disqualifies it. This was the first time Yamaha used a 20-valve head. Each tank had two outlet valves and three suction valves to improve filling.
Biggest disadvantages
The spread in the initial period was greatly underdeveloped . The factory provided for adjusting the valve clearance (not very complicated) every 42,000 km, but models with support valves (i.e. without clearance) ended up with thirty and several thousand km. After adjusting the clearance, the gaps erased even faster. The only solution is to replace the valves and wait for the problem to reoccur.
But this is completely unprofitable - the cost of replacement is extremely expensive (12 suction valves, plus a cylinder head gasket). It's more than the price of a motorcycle. If you're a risk taker and want to buy a Yamaha FZ 750, first measure the compression pressure on site (especially if the engine has low mid-speed power and is emitting exhaust gases). You will immediately understand that repairs will come to you immediately after purchase.
Yamaha spare parts, online order
The 20-valve valve timing also has another important drawback . To adjust the valves, check the clearances, unscrew the camshaft caps (half-bushes) and remove the shafts. After replacing the plates and assembly, as well as control measurements, it may be necessary to correct the tiles and re-disassemble the nozzles, which may not work. Lack of factory materials.
Only with the injectors and the factory book in your hands 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. After reassembly, shafts may not rotate in clamped half-shells despite being tightened in the correct sequence. It's just that the lids are too delicate.
If after the first adjustment of the valves the rollers rotate, they are secured on the second or third . Interestingly, the same flaws were found in the FZR and even in the first YZF 750. Only later did Yamaha deal with this problem.
Ducati 748
don't buy Ducati 748 motorcycles
The 748 is a smaller version of the Ducati 916. This is a very beautiful motorcycle, once purchased, it is most suitable for placing in the living room or for commuting around the next block of the city. The Ducatists will be outraged, but they know what it is. The high-tech Ducati 748, even when new, cannot be considered a typical Japanese, German or English motorcycle.
Biggest disadvantages
Poor, dry clutch . It can be processed even after several tens of kilometers and jostling in city traffic jams. If it's a hot day, the oil-free clutch discs may start to slip and need to be replaced. This happens to motorcyclists with extensive experience driving “Japanese”.
Too rare maintenance . Timing belts should be checked during maintenance and replaced after 20,000 km. If you ride a lot or take part in track workouts, you should do this more often. There were timing belt breaks, although the motorcycle was serviced after mileage in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. This destruction of belts, especially at high rotation speeds, leads to engine malfunction.
Dukati spare parts, online order
Large variation in quality terms . There have been cases where camshafts have become stuck by a roller for no apparent reason, even in brand new cars that have valve clearance taken into account. After replacement the failure did not recur. This also applies to other engine components.
Troublesome and expensive service . It is a mistake to give the motor to a workshop where there is no factory documentation. For example, there is a known case of destruction of a water pump when an attempt was made to squeeze the shaft out of it. It was simply secured with an almost invisible thick bristled wire brush.
The state of the components cannot be determined . This equipment is complex and emergency, even when it is new. When a motorcycle is 10 years or more old, it will not be able to be used properly, unless you want to top up the ATM with a workshop amount that is several times the cost of the motorcycle, because parts are not cheap.
Automobile
Advantages of a car compared to motorcycles
Comfortable seats, a roof and body that protect from bad weather, and a stove in cold weather are the undoubted advantages of the car in terms of comfort and convenience.
Family trips
A car is a vehicle for the whole family; you can drive it even with small children, provided, of course, there is a special seat.
Traveling in company
To travel with a group, instead of two or three motorcycles, you will need one car (depending on the seats), and you can take a large number of things with you.
Availability of trunk and load capacity
You can take the necessary things on a trip, transport small loads, or make trips to the shops.
Lower accident rate
According to statistics, cars are almost one and a half times less likely to get into accidents due to the driver’s fault. There is also less trauma in road accidents.
Kudos
Of course, a cool bike attracts attention to the driver, but these are expensive, and in the middle class of equipment the car is still considered more prestigious.
Disadvantages of vehicles:
- expensive maintenance;
- a large amount of gasoline is required;
- more difficult to maneuver.
It’s safe to say that a new foreign-made car will be much better than your grandfather’s motorcycle. And vice versa, everyone understands what is better: a modern, sophisticated bike or a well-worn, rusty car. So, if you prefer to travel with a company or with your family, comfort and convenience are important to you, then buy a car. If you save money, love speed, are looking for adrenaline, and also like to ride alone, then your choice is a motorcycle.
Suzuki Marauder 800
don't buy Suzuki Marauder 800 motorcycles
Some people are in love with this bike and will probably remain loyal to it forever. But the Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder conquered the world market only with its price. In 1997 (the model's premiere) it cost 298 thousand rubles, and the competing Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star cost 385. However, it soon turned out that the Marauder had many shortcomings; it was simply carelessly made.
Biggest disadvantages
Poor lubrication of one of the crankshaft journals . The Japanese increased the oil level in the crankcase in subsequent years. This may support the theory that even if the engine had more oil after running on the sidestand for a long time, the joint may not be sufficiently lubricated. The subsequent eradication was only a matter of time, but it already smelled like repairing the main engine. When buying a used Marauder, you'll never know if the previous owner liked to warm up the engine on the kickstand.
There were also problems with the swingarm bearing , which had become snagged. The tightening only works in the short term, so a repair kit had to be installed.
There were also problems with the main wiring harness . The thing is that these ailments can occur only after a few years.
Some Marauders could burn oil after a mileage of 15 thousand. km .
Carburetors were breaking and they were impossible to adjust and synchronize.
Corrosion of steel elements.
The Marauder doesn't drive very well . At low speeds it likes to wobble and flex from side to side.
Suzuki VX 800
don't buy Suzuki VX 800 motorcycles
Anyone who bought a new VX 800 in the 90's probably didn't have too many problems with it, although there have been cases of crank showing (rod failure). We can say that Suzuki made this motorcycle based on the Intruder, that is, a chopper, dressing almost its entire chassis with engine and tank in naked plastic. Thus, the VX 800 did not behave in the best way then, knocking on corners and swaying at speed in ruts.
Biggest disadvantages
The bike was poorly made and maintenance is a chore . The nozzles are rusty, the chokes are knocked out. It often happens that the floats lose buoyancy and it is impossible to set the correct fuel level. Thus, carburetors often deliver mixtures of different compositions to each of the cylinders. Synchronizing both cylinders with worn carburetors is almost impossible.
Broken connecting rods - desynchronization of carburetors has serious consequences. When, with each addition of gas, one cylinder is already pulling, and the other is still braking (plus a mixture of a different composition) - in this V-twin it ends with a rupture of the connecting rod. Such situations most often occur during rougher driving.
The VX 800 is one of the most rusty motorcycles . Rust eats away not only the entire exhaust system, but also the frame and fuel tank (inside and out).
Typical damage also includes loss of damping in the rear shock absorber . It's hard to find a dozen VXs with overwhelming reverse.
Mechanics don't like this bike because (like the Intrude) it's difficult to access various parts .
Is it worth buying a motorcycle?
Every person at least once in his life has thought about purchasing a two-wheeled friend. But often people don’t go beyond such thoughts, because they cannot determine for themselves what they expect from a bike. Someone will say that he wants freedom. And this is quite understandable, but someone may be tired of hanging around in traffic jams, which in fact stems from the same freedom. So, here are a few arguments for and against buying a motorcycle that ordinary people often encounter. The beauty of shape and elegance, the noise of the engine and the close smell of freedom will not leave anyone indifferent. Of course, the very fact of owning such a “charm” gives a feeling of some kind of childish impunity, and newly minted motorcyclists are already running, some to motorcycle dealerships, and some to the Internet to find a new friend, not realizing the importance of the moment, and not understanding what exactly they want. That’s how, when they go to a page on the Internet, they come across the first bike they come across, and with saliva coming out of their mouths, they point their finger at the screen and say: “I want to buy this one.” And for some reason, the first time they get into the saddle, they often end up in a ditch quite quickly.
Motorcycles are a very dangerous form of transport, as many people believe, although this is not the case. There are many examples when, in accidents at one hundred kilometers per hour, the rider escaped with only minor injuries. But if you get into an accident in a car at such speed, it’s almost always death.
On the highway, trucks passing by are dangerous for bikes. Because of the air flow that forms next to their wheels, tragedies often occur. The air flow simply drags light bikes under the trucks. Okay, let's say you know what kind of motorcycle you need. Great, now let's understand that in bad weather you can't really drive it. No, of course you can fly, if you want to end up in a hospital bed, no one will stop you. This is one of the disadvantages of the iron horse. In bad weather it is almost impossible to drive safely. The same cannot be said about the car. There you sit dry and warm, rather than wet, blown by the icy wind in the saddle. What if the traffic jam is several kilometers long? Oh well, there is certainly space and freedom here. If you buy a motorcycle, you can be sure that you won’t be stuck in traffic jams for hours. And this is a huge plus.
Summer. The heat is so hot that the asphalt on the roads melts. People sitting in a box on four wheels mate and get wet, but you can rush down the street without particularly bothering yourself with opening the windows and turning on the air conditioners, which, by the way, often cause a sore throat.
What about winter? Well, there are no options. You can't ride a motorcycle. Although zealous craftsmen can do everything to fix this by driving huge spikes into the bike’s wheels. But the cold when riding in the cold season is simply terrible.
So, to summarize:
1. When buying a motorcycle, you need to be aware of the high danger of this transport. Although this can be argued. Many people say that bikes are much less dangerous than cars. 2. A huge danger for motorcycles on the highway comes from trucks that pull unfortunate riders under their wheels. 3. Bad weather will not allow you to enjoy the rides. 4. You will be spared from stuck in traffic jams. 5. You can’t roll a motorcycle out of the garage in winter. 6. You are not in danger of suffocating from the summer heat.
And this can be done ad infinitum. Here are just some minor pros and cons. But whether it’s worth buying a motorcycle or not is up to you.
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 , which must be replaced in an old motorcycle (you will know this from the loud noise coming from the body), and to do this you must 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.
Brake caliper corrosion . 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.
Is it worth buying a sportbike for the city?
16.10.2018
For the vast majority of people, a sportbike passing by causes delight. This is assuming that he is just passing through. If a bike rushes along the highway at high speed, then it is difficult for it to go unnoticed by at least one passer-by, and almost everyone casts admiring or envious glances after it. There is a strong feeling that the fastest vehicle in the city has just flashed in front of us.
Many beginners want to buy a sports motorcycle, not a classic one. At the same time, such people hardly think about whether such a unit will be convenient for them, or whether its use within the city is even rational. The impressive price of a motorcycle does not stop them either, because a sportbike is, first of all, cool and stylish, it looks simply stunning.
A sports motorcycle is made for high speeds and large turning radius. That is, it requires much more space to turn than a classic motorcycle with a direct driver’s seat. To quickly turn it around, you will have to lean heavily on your side, this can often be seen during races. The reason for this is that the steering angle of a sports bike is much smaller than that of a road bike.
One of the disadvantages of a sportbike is its weak low-end torque. To quickly accelerate after being idle, for example from a traffic light, you must first gain momentum and let the clutch slip. That is why chopper drivers often tell how famously they managed to “take down a major on a sportbike” at the very beginning of the movement. Of course, in a few seconds the sport biker will overtake the “opponent” and overtake him.
A sportbike has enviable power, but its braking qualities, as a rule, are noticeably inferior to it. Moreover, we are talking not only about acceleration, but also about a sharp decrease in speed, i.e. braking. Many, even the most sane people, unconsciously turn off their thinking while riding a sportbike and do not think about the consequences. They enjoy this feeling of freedom and speed so much that the brain does not work at all. If a good opportunity to overtake appears on the road, most reckless drivers will definitely take advantage of it, completely forgetting that the ability of the rubber of a sports motorcycle to cling to the road is much less than the ability of a passenger car or any other type of motorcycle. This is how tragedies happen.
A sports motorcycle is a machine for absolutely flat, almost perfectly smooth and clean roads. These are extremely rare in our cities. In addition, the sportbike suspension consists of rigid short-travel elements designed specifically for high speeds. If you are thinking about buying a sports bike, remember how many truly beautiful, smooth roads there are in your city where you can move quickly without risking a head-on collision with an oncoming car.
The driver's position deserves special attention. Driving a sportbike may not be that difficult, but staying in such a position for a long time is, to put it mildly, tiring. Hence, additional problems for all owners of cool sports units, which are now called by the fashionable words “highside” (a fall when the driver risks flying in front of the motorcycle) and “wobbling” (in common parlance - wobbling, hesitation). In this regard, owners of classic motorcycles are much safer.
If you are going to buy a sportbike in order to learn how to drive from scratch, then this is a terrible mistake on your part. It's about the same as learning to drive a Mclaren F1.
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