good first bike?

i have never rode a street bike before and have maybe 2 hours ride time total on dirtbikes on the street and just wondering if this 1992 xj600 seca ii is a good first time owners bike or not.i am only paying 600 for it because it needs clutch plates witch i have found for $50 down the rode and am doing that my self but before i buy it should i get it or find something else as a first bike?

 

For a first bike I would not recommend getting anything (unless maybe if it was FREE) that you need to put a lot of work into. I'm sure others will chime in, but my advice is to keep looking until you find one that has no major mechanical problems. You need to be knowledgeable enough to to be able to determine that.

 

If its minor and you know how to repair, might not be an idea. Unless you're 110% sure you can get that bike in total working order with little work any money, it steer away from it. I'd say the seca is a great first bike, just make sure you can safely ride it. I got my 1982 XJ750 Maxim with 8k miles in total working condition for $700 (albeit not great visual condition), $600 seems a little high...

Also, welcome to the forum! Good luck and ride safe!

 

I say you should go for it! My first bike was a 93 GSXR 750 with a blown motor which I replaced last winter. I was then convienced by my brother that I would kill myself if I tried to learn on it so I got a 83 maxim 750 which had the sprocket come off the oil pump after about 2 hours of driving in a parking lot down the street (to learn how to drive). I then had to tear down and repair the maxim oil pump and replace the head (I did a valve job at the same time). I've replaced the battery, brakes, brakes lines and master cylinder.

I've now been riding both my bikes for a few months now and it has been awesome. Even with the money I've spent on parts the value of the bikes has increase by as much or more so I don't feel like its really cost me that much and I have definitly learn a huge amount.

You should just expect to spend at least $400 on repairs and a few weeks worth of evenings on it. AND GET A HYNES MANUAL right away.

 

I have to say go for it as well. For me working on your first bike is half the charm of joining the bike community.

 

*snaps* great point wyldman!

 

I am working on *my* first bike, tho I did have experience riding my dad's old harley. It was a 1978 FXE that he bought new, but he didn't work on it and we spent a lot of money having it fixed for me to ride. This time I'm learning to do things myself. The key is to be ready to work on it and take your time. There will be plenty of moments where you just want to take shortcuts and get it on the road, and you have to be patient and do it right...even if the clock is ticking weather-wise. But if you get into it, it will totaly be worth it.

 

My Maxim 650 is my first bike, and if it continues to run this well, it could end up being my last bike. So far it has needed only minor work, and I have a great mentor in my friend Don, (Gamuru) who I met on this forum.
The Seca would be a good starter bike IMO, and if you are confident in your wrenching skills, it should be a great project as well. I'd think a well made bike like the XJ would be a more gratifying project than some POS that won't perform.

 

My 650 is also my first bike. I bought it two years ago for $300. Carbs were off, supposedly just cleaned (if that's how he cleans I'm glad I didn't go inside his house) Had her running 15 minutes after cleaning them myself with instruction from this site and reinstalling. Then cleaned, painted, etc.... I am very pleased with this bike. For the money, purchase price and parts included, I don't think I could have found a better deal.