April Cycle World $500 Bikes Cross Country

[Boone60]

When my April issue of Cycle World arrived, a glance at the front cover showed articles on the new VFR, the new BMW GS, and a ride report from guys that took $500 total investment, pre-1975, 500 cc maximum bikes (555 Trip) on a cross-country road trip.

 

The 555 article is what I read first, then a call to a friend to talk about doing something similar (on a shorter ride), and finally a (so far) unsuccessful search of Craigslist for a qualifying bike.

 

The new BMW and Honda looked nice, but I'm not interested at this time. Any good deals on a 555 bike in Northeastern Wisconsin?

 

 

[JerryMather]

Having looked at used bikes on Craigslist for awhile now, I haven't seen any bike at that price I think could make a 555 cross country ride without the fear of having to tow it back home.

 

$500.00 around here still doesn't get ya much. On the other hand, $1000.00 will get ya something that would make it.

[Boone60]

Having looked at used bikes on Craigslist for awhile now, I haven't seen any bike at that price I think could make a 555 cross country ride without the fear of having to tow it back home.

 

$500.00 around here still doesn't get ya much. On the other hand, $1000.00 will get ya something that would make it.

 

That's also the situation around here. I can get a 1982 Honda Silverwing that runs good from a co-worker for $480, but to get a '75 or older is tough. The 555 riders had a lot of problems with their bikes, but that was part of what made the ride fun, as they figured out how to fix the bikes to keep on going and the uncertainty of each day on the road.

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

Put the word out that you're looking for an older bike that may need a little work. Chances are one of your friends "knows someone" who has something that just needs a battery and tires.

[Deadboy]

Having looked at used bikes on Craigslist for awhile now, I haven't seen any bike at that price I think could make a 555 cross country ride without the fear of having to tow it back home.

 

$500.00 around here still doesn't get ya much. On the other hand, $1000.00 will get ya something that would make it.

 

The writer and his friends didn't exactly have a trouble free trip either. Maybe I am getting old but the "adventure" shouldn't be fixing your bike but rather what you saw and where you went......

[cali_beemer]

Having looked at used bikes on Craigslist for awhile now, I haven't seen any bike at that price I think could make a 555 cross country ride without the fear of having to tow it back home.

 

$500.00 around here still doesn't get ya much. On the other hand, $1000.00 will get ya something that would make it.

 

The writer and his friends didn't exactly have a trouble free trip either. Maybe I am getting old but the "adventure" shouldn't be fixing your bike but rather what you saw and where you went......

 

+1 its no fun being broken down on the side of the road.