[jason4star]

Anyone have any experience with a Honda Rebel 450? I know they were only produced for a couple of years. I found a guy down the road from me that has a 87 model he will sell for about $1200. He says it "runs fine" to use his exact words. My question is, how difficult will it be to find parts should I need to fix or replace anything. They are kind or rare. Should I just find a 205cc model instead? Any ideas?? Thanks in advance, this is the greatest place for advice.

 

[jtpsooner]

I bought my wife a 98 v-star 650, and she has been learning on it. I picked it up for 2800.00. There are a lot of those out there for sale as the buyers usually trade up, and since they are still in production you can find one that is several years old pretty reasonable.

It really is a great bike and parts are available just about everywhere you look. It's pretty light and still has a cruiser feel.

Oh, and you will be able to sell it for just about what you have in it, if you take good care of it.

 

[Badme]

I don't know alot about the rebel's, but my wife got a ninja 250 and she loves it. She never drove anything with a motor other than a car before this.

 

[Thrill]

Matter of Prefernce

Starter bike depends entirely on the starting rider.

I tried my best to get my wife on a bigger bike to start, but she was not confortable and would not have ridden it.

She started on a Honda 250 NightHawk, but only road it for 1 season. The good thing is, we bought it used and sold if for what we paid for it in the spring of this year.

If your wife is comforable on the 450 AND will actually ride it, get it. If she is shy about the size, she will end up not riding out of fear, and it could be a detriment.

Probably the most important thing to make a beginner more comfortable is to get a "custom" style bike with "forward" controls, like a Honda Rebel or Suzuki Intruder, or Kawasaki Vulcan...

Good Luck!

 

[haveme1]

the price seems high. Do some barganing with him.

jmo

 

[Guest]

Check E-Bay and other bike places, that 450 is bringing decent money and was very limited production. It's a great bike to learn on, the seat is nice and low to the ground and very user friendly for tthe novice.
I would like to have one just to have it.

 

[scup]

the price seems high. Do some barganing with him.

jmo

BIG +1 on that!

i picked up a trainer / learner '94 Yamaha 535 Virago for $1000.00 with under 6k mile & that was 2yrs ago ... offer him $500

If it was me I would ge the biggest bike that she feels comfortable on, so that once she gets the hang of it you both can go off onto major roads and not be limited to side streets etc. because the little 250 can't get out of its own way.

jmo

 

[Travelin' Man]

the price seems high. Do some barganing with him.

jmo

Actually, the the Honda CM400/450 Rebel is considered a RARE bike and if you find one in really good original condition then that price is a fair one, just check out ebay and see what some of the classic bikes are going for, I just saw a low milage '90 Pacific Coast going for almost $4000 with 6 days yet to go in the auction. The harder a good old bike is to find, the more it is worth, just try finding a low milage Honda TransAlp (1988-1991 here in the states).

JMHO

 

[Houndog]

Check out the Suzuki Savage/S40 Boulevard. This bike has been in production for a long time, is 650cc, light weight, has a low seat height, and can be had for cheap $$$. In my opinion it's the ideal starter bike and one of the motorcycleing world's best kept secrets for a new or lightweight rider. These bikes give very little trouble, and repair parts are plentiful and reasonably priced. You can recoup most of your money at trade in time IF you buy used, but don't be surprised if your wife won't part with it.. This IS the bike I always recomend for an adult just learning to ride.

Houndog

 

[jwhok]

Look for better price/model. I bought a 92 Vulcan 500 with under 5,000
miles on it for $1,200. A little rust here and there (cleaned up nicely). Only
negative was fork sliders were toast. Runs like a scalded dog! Wife does
not seem to be afraid of it.

 

[Badme]

the price seems high. Do some barganing with him.

jmo

BIG +1 on that!

i picked up a trainer / learner '94 Yamaha 535 Virago for $1000.00 with under 6k mile & that was 2yrs ago ... offer him $500

If it was me I would ge the biggest bike that she feels comfortable on, so that once she gets the hang of it you both can go off onto major roads and not be limited to side streets etc. because the little 250 can't get out of its own way.

jmo

I tried that route with my wife, her first bike was a suzuki maurader 800. She tried but just could not get over the fear of the bike being to much.
I have ridden the ninja 250,I weight 235 lbs and I thought that 100 mph was plenty to keep up with my X. Happy wife = Happy Husband
Get a bike she loves, she is the one that has to ride it. If she loves the bike your world will be a happy one.

 

[shuterbg]

With that small of a bike most likely she will outgrow it pretty fast. It would be a good one to learn on and getting a good used one would be good. I started on the vstar 650 and after one year I was ready for the my 1300.

 

[Really Soon]

Watch Craigslist. You can often find some cheap deals there.

My opinion leans toward Kawasaki KZs. There are so many sizes to choose from 200-1000+ but a running 400 shouldbe pretty cheap. 650s are even cheaper and the parts are so easy to come by There is also alot of internet "support" for problems or getting parts.