- This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by SantaCruzRider.
Is 200 cc too small?
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March 11, 2009 at 7:44 pm #2597ringwormParticipant
Hi there. I’m looking at a 1982 Honda 200 Twinstar (6,600 miles). I’ve never owned a motorcycle before. I drove one once and just briefly. The bike weighs approximately 280 pounds which is appealing to me because I’m not tall and I would have been more comfortable on the motorcycle I drove if it had been a bit lighter. I think it weighed more than 400 pounds. However, is a 200 cc engine too small? I’ve seen some scooters with 150 cc engines! I’m not interested in tons of power or speed. I won’t be taking it on exceptionally long road trips. I think the furthest I’ll take it all summer will be 300 miles north and then back home again. I’m particularly interested in a bike that will be easy and safe to learn on and that will be fuel efficient. Should I look for something just a bit bigger or will I likely be satisfied with this bike? Also, any rough estimates as to what it will cost to insure? I live in Wisconsin and am 25 years old. Thanks for your help, folks.
March 11, 2009 at 8:47 pm #16993Clay DowlingParticipantBut if you stay off the limited access roads it would actually be pretty good. I don’t know if I’d go 300 miles on a bike that age though, or that small. The small bikes are great for a lot of things, but 300 mile trips probably aren’t among those things.
March 11, 2009 at 8:51 pm #16994briderdtParticipantI can’t imagine trying to do 300 miles (one way) on something like that.
March 12, 2009 at 12:04 am #17000MattParticipantBefore I worry about the engine size, I’d look at the age of the beast. Who’s going to wrench on it? The local dealership won’t have anyone trained to fix a bike that old. Where are you going to get parts? Honda doesn’t make ’em any more…
Consider, would you buy a 1982 Honda Civic today, as your first car? It was mighty reliable, but it is just so old now, that when things go, you’re in a heap of trouble replacing them, unless you are comfortable doign the work (and sourcing the parts) yourself.
That said, powerwise… if you can avoid freeways all the time, it is an option. That bike should top out at 60-65 mph. Chances are you’d want to run it a handful of mph below that. That bike was probably designed during the 55mph national speed limit…
Really, any of the 250cc bikes (Ninja, Rebel, KLX, etc) will be great starting points. They’re all light, great on gas, cheap to insure.
March 12, 2009 at 2:47 am #17003AmorylParticipantgotta agree, I’d be more worried about fixing the constant and inevitable problems with a bike that age, especially how little it’s been ridden in 27 years
a good bike to start on would be a rebel or really any of the 250cc bikes mentioned endlessly here, they’re all pretty light and manageable, and many of them ARE highway capable, if you’re not in a particular hurry. an another forum someone rode over 1700 miles on a used rebel almost all highway in one long trip. so don’t let people say you can’t take it up 300 miles.
unless you’re mechanically inclined, and want a project bike, I’d stick with bikes made this century, maybe late 90’s tops. MAYBE
me, I’ll get as close to new as I can, I’ll have enough to worry about just learning to ride it.
March 12, 2009 at 5:00 am #17006SantaCruzRiderParticipantAlot depends on the bike’s condition, price and your tolerance for repairs. Assuming it’s in decent condition and cheap (<$750), it might be a good intro.
Bike was the predecessor of the Rebel and was supposedly pretty reliable. But the Twinstar only had a 5-yr run, so parts may be tough to source. Still, Honda’s known for parts-bin models, so this bike may share parts with other models. You may want to see if there’s a user group online. Still, you should plan on riding it until it needs major repair, and then giving it away to someone needing parts.
From what I’ve read, 55-60 is probably tops w/o a tailwind. As for making a 300 mile ride, it’s probably capable, but going that far on surface streets reminds me of that scooter scene on “Dumb and Dumber”. What’s your tolerance for pain/adventure?
Lastly, I wouldn’t be overly afraid of weight. A 400 lb bike isn’t really heavy unless you’re jumping it or loading it into a truck. -
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