First and second gen bike fitment.

Ooookay, I'm 6'3" and what you might call a "gangly bastard". I know the 500s are smaller, but how much so? I don't know how keen I am on the earlier 700/750s without knowing the bikes history REALLY well, and I have no business on a 1000...lol

Basically, assuming the rear head oiling issue has been addressed, how reliable are the older 700/750s? How do they compare to the second gen bikes? Will I look like a grasshopper on a hotwheel on a 500? I'll be coming off an 83 Nighthawk 650.

 

From what I understand the 700/750's are rock solid and very low maintenance.

If I could ever get mine on the road I could confirm that for you. Doesn't sound too convincing does it?

 

If I reacll only the 1st gen had the oiling issues then it was only on some of the first ones off the line too 2nd gen From what I've heard and read neve had these issues..
6'3" is fine but it's the weight, if you're close to 250lbs I'd stay with the 700-750cc size as the 500 would be overwhelmed IMO. Not that it could go down the road just fine one a once in a while but any long term riding would over work the suspension, again IMO

 

My '86 RWB has had no issues with mechanical reliability, it shows 39k on the clock.

 

Well, I'm 6'3" and.....ready? 170lbs...lol

So I'd fit on the 500 okay?

 

Thats what I'm reading, but I would go for 700/750 86' or newer; which mean 86', 87' them jumps to 90' no U.S. models for 88' & 89'. In the long run you'd be happier w/ more displacement. You already have a 650 why step back, granted V4 power vs. IL4 power is different there is still no replacement for displacement.

 

I'm really not into fast though, and 700s are sort of scarce, the 750s are all 100hp bikes. I'm quite satisfied with 70-80hp bikes.

It would be a "what came along at the right time" kinda thing. I LOVE...L-O-V-E the way the older bikes look, but the newer ones are.....well, more developed and....newer...lol.

Like I said, ideally a well cared for 85/6/7ish VF700 with the oiling issue corrected would be awesome. I could sure learn to love a 750 though.

 

Speed wise unless you can't be trusted w/ a throttle in your hand your still better off w/ 700/750; a 500 will most likely top out @ 125-145 range. The fastest I've had my 86' was between 165-170 on the speedo(agreeing that that is probably not correct). Your Nighthawk's top speed is in the 125-135 range(had my CB700SC up to 140 down the interstate).Normal riding you'd rarely see over 100 on anything you rode anyway, I normally cruise the I-state around 90, back roads short bursts up to ???. As far as oiling issues that ended w/ the 85' model year; 86' was the first year of the gear driven cams. 85' worry about unless provided w/ documentation or a trustworthy seller; 86 & 87's no worries. Except for the R/R & maybe carb sync & tune up issues & only if it hadn't been maintained recently, they are near bullet proof.
Ultimately its what ever you feel more comfortable with.

 

Buy what you want/like: to hell with what anyone else thinks...

 

sadly, the north east corner of Kansas.

And I won't be buying one until I get my raises at work, some stuff done to my Capri and the Nighthawk sold.

So it will be a bit. For now, I'll just sit and drool.

 

Another option for you, if I opt for a newer bike vs. a newer SUV after my tax return. I may sell my 700, not sure though it would be kind of nice to hold on to. After all by that time it will be sporting new paint, fresh tune & carb sync & more than likely new tires again. Might be hard to let her go, but keep it in mind & send a PM around May sometime if things work out for you

 

Will do!!!