From: ohrd!jlevine@cs.toronto.edu (Jody Levine)
Subject: Re: 86, Yamaha RADIAN, 600 v/s 84, Nighthawk 650 Recommendations
Organization: Ontario Hydro - Research Division
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 17:26:31 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.162106.7211@tcsi.com> vijay@tcnts2.tcs.com (Vijay Manwani) writes:
>
>I am still on the look out for my first bike. Any opinions on the 86,
>YAMAHA RADIAN 600 ? It has
got one, same year, purchased as a non-current in 87
>	
>	1) 20K miles on it 
same as mine
>	2) for $1800
sounds too expensive. I expect that mine would go for about that in Canadian
dollars, and it's in really good shape.
>	3) Says he has replaced the shocks with something better
good, I still have the originals and they were never very good
>	4) Has a chain drive, weights about 350 lbs
I think that it weighs more than that. I can find out exactly, if you want.
>
>Could you bike gurus tell me 
>
>	1) How this compares with a 84 Nighthawk 650
newer, at least. Never ridden one, so I don't know. 
>	2) How is the bike for maintanance, valves tuneup, etc
the bike has experienced no mechanical problems whatsoever. Maintenance is
easy (I have the shop manual) and everything is easily accessed. Valves are
the usual shim type and there are only eight of them. They should have been
checked by now.
>	3) Is this a general purpose bike
Exactly.
>	4) Can I do long rides on it
The longest I've done is seven hours with breaks for gas. Lots of them, you
can only go ~200 km on the itty bitty tank. The seat is thin, and your
passenger, if you have one, has to be really tolerant of cramped 
accomodations. The frame is too short and the passenger seat too narrow
for extended two-up rides. You'll have to move the turn signals to install
saddlebags, but this is not a problem. Other than that, you may want a
windscreen (a bit of a pain to find a fancy one because of the square,
set-back headlight), the Yamaha Canada (don't know if you can get it, but
it's really handy) specially made luggage rack, and a nice, twisty place 
to go.
>	5) How many more miles is this bike good for ??
I expect to get many more out of it.
>
>The guy is also throwing in 2 helmets, a tank bang, and some other stuff. 
A tank bag is nice, if you happen to like whatever type he's got. Judge
for yourself whether it's worth the extra money. I'd be very suspect about
wearing someone else's helmet. Has it been crashed? Does it fit right?
Has it been dangling for hours on the exhaust pipe from the helmet lock?
(yes, it's one of THOSE helmet locks) I'd buy a new helmet for myself,
anyway.

We learned to ride on this bike. The sixteen inch wheels and short wheelbase
make it light and quick in city traffic, and the silky smooth engine is
a dream on the highway. The power is nice.

I recommend it, but make sure that you get a good look at it to make sure
that it hasn't been crashed, sounds good, has good tires and has been
generally well maintained. The usual stuff. A bike is only as good as its
owner makes it.

I've        bike                      like       | Jody Levine    DoD #275
     got a       you can        if you      -PF  | Jody.Levine@hydro.on.ca
                         ride it                 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles