KAWASAKI 550 LTD

[the Ferret]

Should be inexpensive to purchase and maintain. Parts for these are widely available.

Twenty years ago I bought a very used '82 KZ440 LTD for my significant other to learn on. It was in similar condition to these bikes, but it was a twin, not a four. It started and ran but the carbs leaked (worn float needles) so you had to mind the petcock, and the clutch slipped on hard acceleration. I didn't bother to repair the carbs, replace the clutch, or even change the oil. We called it the Junk Yard Dog. Anyway, she used it to learn on, which was its only purpose. Bought it for $300 and sold it seven months later for $340. One of very few bikes I've made money on!

yea, you have to hit the age of a bike just right, where it is at close to the minimum value it will ever have, to make money. I don't know that I've ever MADE money on a bike but I bought a used Yamaha FZ-01 for $3K once, rode it a couple of years and sold it for $2850...so $150 for a couple years of riding is not bad.