From: vijay@tcnts2.tcs.com (Vijay Manwani)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: 86, Yamaha RADIAN, 600 v/s 84, Nighthawk 650 Recommendations
Date: 24 Jul 92 16:21:06 GMT
Organization: Teknekron Communications, Inc


I am still on the look out for my first bike. Any opinions on the 86,
YAMAHA RADIAN 600 ? It has
	
	1) 20K miles on it 
	2) for $1800
	3) Says he has replaced the shocks with something better
	4) Has a chain drive, weights about 350 lbs

Vijay,  this seems a little high to me 20k @$1800 my friend got his 86
new for about $2400-2500. Most of the information that I am giving you
on comfort is second hand since I haven't ridden the bike.  You must
also keep in mind that It takes this guy bitches about EVERY thing, so
I would take what I say with a grain of salt.  Frist off this guy
weights about 250-280 pounds and is not really fit.  First off he says
that he does want to upgrade the suspension, so if you find out what
this guy has done let me know. Supposedly it is really a hassle to go
farther that 50 mi without being in pain (seat) but from my
experience, 50 Mi on any bike is kinda rough untill you get used to
it.  Kevin (my friend) only put on 6k mi. since he got the bike so He
dosen't really ride enough to get used to anything.  Unless you weigh 
as much as Kevin I would say the radian is a great bike. It looks
really nice. (I'm into plastic myself) and it has the same motor (i
think) as the original FZ600.  You may not get alot of information
about bike since it is a 600 and all of the Magazines insist on
putting all 600's up against the sport bikes. Kinda like the SECAII
you won't hear anything about that bike next year.  

Anyway,  the bike is quick and handles really well.  
It's a good overall bike, but everyone forgot about it. It was made
for about 5 years, but bec. of it's styling got left out.

Could you bike gurus tell me 

	1) How this compares with a 84 Nighthawk 650 
Can't tell ya, Never rode either one.
	2) How is the bike for maintanance, valves tuneup, etc
2 Valves/cylinder.  Maintanance seems to be normal for any bike.
	3) Is this a general purpose bike  
yes
	4) Can I do long rides on it
Just the same as any other bike, tank bags and saddle bags.
	5) How many more miles is this bike good for ??
Depends on how well it was treated.  If it was taken care of and you
take care of it, it can last a long time. To put it in time terms, It
has plenty of time left on it. Probably more than you'll want it for.

The guy is also throwing in 2 helmets, a tank bang, and some other stuff. 
I would't use helmets from someone else since I don't know the history
of it, but look them over and see if there is any scratches if there
are, it may have been dropped and may be worthless. Af course then a
gain they might be perfect.  It's a gamble.
Good luck either way,

Keith

_____________________________________________________________________
Keith C. Chu           Cook Micro/Graphics Center       (908)932-7580
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Keith Chu	Rutgers University	Computing Services
KCHU@pisces.rutgers.edu			DoD#379  88'EX500
KCCHU@gandalf.rutgers.edu		Dress to slide, not to ride
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Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles