New 900 custom Or 2004 800 classic

[smokinu]

Well I had a different post about the 900 custom in regards to being good for a beginner. Well since then I have stumbled across a 2004 800 classic in our local paper. So I find myself thinking way too much about which one I should go for. I have pretty much got the word from members and my own research that the 900 models are just great. Now as far as the 800 models go are there is huge downsides? Here is a lil info on the bike in question...

2004 Vulcan 800 Classic
Cobra Pipes
7800 miles
$4,000
Never laid down and Paint looks pretty new.

Now since this will be my first bike would yall think it wise to get a used cheaper one for learning purposes or grab a new one with a warranty but pay near 8 grand for it.

My wife seems pretty interested in learning "eventually" as well but I think she is waiting to see what I think about riding first. So I was thinking of getting the 04 and then passing it to her in a year or so. Is this smart thinking or would I be just disapointed in the 800 over the 900 custom. I know to each his own in buying bikes but for those that have owned either of these or ridin them your thoughts would help me out.

Thanks

[sbg8r]

It could be a great first bike, few miles, pipes.... going new you have a warranty, and a bigger payment....

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Get the 2004 800 Classic... try to get them down to $3000 though. I would not pay any higher than $3600

[skewterdewd]

The 8 is a great bike. There are many members here who own them and swear by them. They're reliable, plenty fast, fun to ride, and there's lots of aftermarket goods for them. For a first bike that will save you a fistful of dough, you can't go wrong with an 800 (provided it's had proper care of course..)

[FriscoRider]

I agree! Go with the 8. Like you said, you can teach her how to ride and pass it down to her. If you can get them down to near $3,500 your basically riding for FREE 'cause you are almost certain to get $3000-$3500 out of it if you sell her later. PERFECT!

[ClarkeyBalboa]

I would go with the 900. A buddy of mine owned an 03 800 and he liked it for the most part, but there were some things that just really bugged him. The biggest is thats it's a chain drive. Having no centre stand meant that everytime he greased his chain (which was about every 600km) was a real PITA for him. But you're the one who has to decide whether that is enough of a PITA to warrant an extra 4k (i still think the 900 is all around better than the 800 though).

[longbeachgary1]

I agree that the price needs to come down if you decied on the 800. I have to tell you right off that I am not a fan of used bikes. I'd much rather spend the extra money and get something that has a warranty and has not been abused.

[wallz]

Buy the 800, IMO even if you end up having to stick a few hundred more into it your still thousands ahead.

Having no center stand is no big deal either, you can buy a bike stand for less than $75 for when you do chain maintenence (which is also NO BIG DEAL).

I would never buy a new bike, they depreciate so fast that i would not want to be the one to take the big "hit". Although there is nothing like that new bike smell......

[Vulcanrider86]

I love my 800 classic and would never think of parting with it. i will prolly always keep it and but another bike. they are just too reliable. yea u have a lil more maintence bc of the chain. but its no big deal. I perfer chain drive anyway tho. theres tonz of aftermarket parts for both. i think personally if ur lookin for more of a big bike feeling i'd go with the 800 or if ur lookin for the sporty cruiser kind of feeling then go with the 900 custom. Thats just my $0.02 about how i felt when i rode the 900. best of luck and we all expect pics of what you buy. also feel free to look at my photobucket theres some pics of my 800 classic on there with everything that i have done.

[smokinu]

Well i dont think the price will go anylower than the 4g's. Living in hawai makes everything cost more not only to new bought bikes and so on but used as well. I'll put it this way I have seen 99's-2000 model's ie 650cc and so on selling right now for near the 4 grand marker. So we are a little limited to the choice of bikes around here besides new. I also saw a 2004 883 HD selling for 6 grand with 27k miles and that is about the average for here so that might give ya a better idea the prices. The big down side for me is the whole chain drive thing but then again it has been used for such a long time so there has to be something decent about it. If I go with the 900 route I will have to finance it but if I go the 800 route I will pay cash for it. The warranty looks real good though since it will be my main mode of transportation to and from work (bout a 20-25 min drive each way) once I learn how to ride and all ofcourse lol.
So would you still take the 800 for even if the price could not go any lower?
There are some better deals for 1100's and so on but that would be way too big of a bike I think for me at first.

[Vulcanrider86]

4k i dont think is too bad of a price. I'd go with the 800 if u got the cash instead of financing. i think the 800 is a great starting out bike also its nice with 2up. if i found the bike here with low miles like that i'd prolly shell out the cash for another one wat can i say i love the bike

[smokinu]

Yeah going to go take another look at it. Are there any pointers as to what to look for like known wear or should I say known 800 issues to look for?

[Vulcanrider86]

the chain and sprockets should be fine at 4k miles. look at the rear break bc it is a drum brake basically and there is a gauge on it so u know when to change it. thats about it for right now i'll keep thinkin and i'm sure ill think of something else

[smokinu]

thanks much bro

[wallz]

Id go for the 800 as well, just think of the INTEREST alone you would be saving.

[Vulcanrider86]

i was goin over my bike today i would just check if the tires have dry rot in them that would be the only other thing i would check. even if they do and u put new ones on ur still cheaper than the 900. i dont grease my chain ever 600 miles more or less like every time change my oil. its just easier. i change my oil around every 1500 miles or 2000 miles. thats just preference. alot of ppl change it prolly around 3000 which is fine. i'd put some seafoam in the gas to clean out the carb but thats about it.

[smokinu]

Well I missed out on the 04 800 classic... A guy came in and offered 400 more than asking price. So Im back on the prowl again and found a few more that jsut popped up on craigslist. Most have too many cc's 1100 - 1500 but there is another 800 on there but it is a 2000 model with 14k miles. The asking price is lower at 2700 and he has the hypercharger, cobra pipes, new tires and saddle bags but the color would have to be the first thing that goes lol. Not that it is bad but im not a fan of 2 tone red on silver look. Yall think I am looking at too old of bikes or stick to say 2004 + models? Thanks again for all the great info and replys as my hunt continues.

[woodchucks800]

Well I missed out on the 04 800 classic... A guy came in and offered 400 more than asking price. So Im back on the prowl again and found a few more that jsut popped up on craigslist. Most have too many cc's 1100 - 1500 but there is another 800 on there but it is a 2000 model with 14k miles. The asking price is lower at 2700 and he has the hypercharger, cobra pipes, new tires and saddle bags but the color would have to be the first thing that goes lol. Not that it is bad but im not a fan of 2 tone red on silver look. Yall think I am looking at too old of bikes or stick to say 2004 + models? Thanks again for all the great info and replys as my hunt continues.

The 800 didn't change any over the years except the paint schemes. 14,000 miles isn't bad for a 800 (my 02 has 40,000 miles) and it fires right up every time ,all the time ,burns no oil. Just normal maintance. For the price , buy it, unless there's some major problems with it, and if it's just small stuff wrong we can help you fix that part up rather easy. Go take a look at it, you can always get a couple of grand out of it within a year if you wanted to resell it, so you wouldn't loose much in the process.

[smokinu]

Txs woodchuck...I talked to the owner today and it was his first bike as well. The only problem that he has had with it is the fuel valve (which he had replaced)... He did mention that it does have hawaii corrosion on it so I will hve to take a look at that but then again it is hawaii lol. He did leave the lights on several times and ran the battery dead but has since replaced it as well. He does not know how many owners she has had and he bought it used as well. He has commuted every day to work with her. So from what he has told me so far doesent seem that bad for a 8 year old $2700 bike to me anyway. Im sure I will be putting a few hundred into her anyway to include engine guard bars and so on. I will be taken a look at her today at 5pm so Ill post how it turns out. Gonna have to have him drive it to my house if I buy it anyway lol.

My MSF course cant come soon enough.

Just wish I had more to choose from than sportbikes, mopads, and 20 grand big dog bikes lol.