Motorcycle version of Scirocco...

[rocco16 at sbcglobal.net (Larry Fry)]

Brian,
  Looks like you've considered this sensibly.  Having purchased my first 
motorcycle in 1965, and owning one ever since, I think you've narrowed it 
down to some very fine choices.
  My own oldest son went throught much the same thing when he bought his 
first bike, and he choose....the VFR700.  He kept that bike for five years 
and it served him faithfully.  He only sold it because he got a good deal on 
a CBR920RR and, by then, had a garage full of bikes, something had to go, 
and the 700 was getting a LOT of miles on it.  (That V4 had the sweetest 
sound; like a miniature small-block Chevy with open headers.)
  If you can still find a clean, well-cared-for 700 you won't go wrong.

Don't be intimidated by a larger bike.  I'm 5'6" and ride a GS1100ED (old 
school).  It's not uncomfortable at all.

 Just keep this in mind: you WILL, eventually, find that your first bike has 
paled in comparison to the newer, more powerful and better handling bikes. 
So...whatEVER you buy you will most likely replace within a few years. I say 
get the largest, fastest, coolest one you can feel comfortable with. (that 
way it will stay with you for the longest time)  I wouldn't start with a 
500...maybe not even a 600, even though they are plenty fast enough....there 
is no substitute for cubic inches (or cubic centimeters, in this case) and 
this applies to bikes as well as cars.

Larry
sandiego16v



> Hi all.  I've got that stupid urge to own a motorcycle again.  I've been 
> thinking a lot about what I'm looking for and realized that my goals for a 
> motorcycle are similar to some of the goals my Scirocco achieves.  That 
> means that someone on this list may have some input for me.
>
>
>
> Here is the description of what I am looking for, and you will see the 
> Scirocco similarities plainly enough, I think:
>
>
>
> First of all, this is my first bike.  I intend to put some real effort 
> into learning how to ride one before I go off by myself.  I've scoped out 
> a safety course and what I think is appropriate riding gear.  That and a 
> well-tamed wrist will hopefully keep me out of trouble.
>
>
>
> goals:
>
> 1.  Not scary fast, but enough that once I'm comfortable driving it I 
> won't want to ditch it.  Like a STOCK scirocco - good handling and 
> performance, but lets face it that they aren't 911 turbos or anything.
>
>
>
> 2.  Relatively simple to work on.  I'm not looking for the equivalent of a 
> MK4 here.  I'm willing to take old reliable technology and it's 
> performance penalties for the ease of maintenance, albeit increased 
> maintenance, of an older machine.
>
>
>
> 3.  Affordable parts, to whatever degree that's possible.
>
>
>
> 4.  Reliable basic mechanicals - like a VW, the electrical system may be 
> crap, but it's likely to just up and keel over in the middle of a trip 
> unless you mistreat it or overlook some maintenance.
>
>
>
> 5.  More than two cylinders - sorry, I'm just not into the thumpers and 
> such.  Harleys and 250s need not apply.
>
>
>
> Now, here is my completley uneducated idea of what I should get.  I'm 
> thinking of "H-brand" Interceptors - either the VF500F ('84-'86, I think) 
> or VFR700* ('86 to '87).  These bikes seem to fit the bill, with the right 
> mechanicals, pricing, aesthetics, and performance.  I have ridden the 500 
> and it just seems to fit me a lot better than bikes (like a newer GSXR) 
> that are bulkier (i.e. I'm 5'8" 140lbs.).  They probably won't lose any 
> significant value in the next few years either, which will help since I'm 
> new at all of this.  My main concern is that these may be so old that the 
> parts are hard to come by or at a premium.  Again, the scirocco model, 
> with this great network of ours and the thousands built, fits the picture 
> neatly because it has an old-school nature without being obscure. I know 
> the newer bikes are way beyond these in performance, but these probably 
> have more than enough for my tastes.