What's it worth?

[Randy B]

Wow...someone has REALLY been hitting the pipe HARD lately.

Guth has one. Maybe he would know it's value

Oh yea... forgot all about that. Would love to hear your input on the ride as well, Guth. I know it's apples to oranges, but a CB1100 to NT650 comparison would be perfect.

That one works. Great looking bike. Not knowing what these models sold for new hard to say if the price is right. Did note owner wants to move up to a bigger bike. I looked at a lot of bikes before I bought the CB 1100 and I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt I made the right call.

Yup... hard to arrive at a figure I'm totally comfortable with. I'm curious how old you are. Prior broken wrists and bones in my right hand, now at age 55 I'm really looking for the one perfect bike to ride over the next 10 yrs (hopefully more). Love the retro bikes, but I've decided the Triumphs will be going at some point, and I really think the CB1100 may be more bike than I'll need by the time I'm pushin 65.

That is a very nice looking NT650. That being said, the price seems waaaaay out there. KBB says dealer retail price in excellent condition would be $2600 and trade-in around $1600. That sounds reasonable. The seller's "firm" price of $4300 seems unreasonable for a 24 yr. old 650 twin.

Thanks... seller is agreeable to $4000 but still seems like a lot. I do know you can't go by book value with these bikes. An average 24 yr old bike should have what, I dunno... 30-40K miles? This one has under 8K, and I understand they're a pretty desirable model. A Honda w/ 8K miles could easily have another 92K left in it.

Yup... hard to arrive at a figure I'm totally comfortable with. I'm curious how old you are. Prior broken wrists and bones in my right hand, now at age 55 I'm really looking for the one perfect bike to ride over the next 10 yrs (hopefully more). Love the retro bikes, but I've decided the Triumphs will be going at some point, and I really think the CB1100 may be more bike than I'll need by the time I'm pushin 65.

Turned 59 in August. The CB is exactly what I was searching for after retirement. A "gentleman's motorcycle" first class. When I park it I catch mysf looking back not once but twice!

That is a very nice looking NT650. That being said, the price seems waaaaay out there. KBB says dealer retail price in excellent condition would be $2600 and trade-in around $1600. That sounds reasonable. The seller's "firm" price of $4300 seems unreasonable for a 24 yr. old 650 twin.

Thanks... seller is agreeable to $4000 but still seems like a lot. I do know you can't go by book value with these bikes. An average 24 yr old bike should have what, I dunno... 30-40K miles? This one has under 8K, and I understand they're a pretty desirable model. A Honda w/ 8K miles could easily have another 92K left in it.

I'd love a CB1100, but I'm really trying to consider the bike I "need" as apposed to what I usually go for... the bike I "want". Prior broken wrists and several broken bones in my right hand have really taken a toll on comfort & endurance in my wrists and grip strength in my hand. My normal riding these days is limited to exactly what the Hawk is known for... around town commuting, short distance touring, and weekend pleasure riding.

Looks like it'd be pretty comfy. Handlebar placement good. These don't have a lot of power, but they handle sweet do have a cult following. Don't forget, v-twins vibrate
Search the Internet for a road test. That should also tell you what issues to look for.
I agree with the $2800 number, though I'd try for $2500 and make him work to budge me from it.
4k is a little rich IMO. They sold for that new.

FWIW, a new CBX sold for under $4000 in 1979. Nice one go for twice that now. But I am starting to think his asking price may be as much as a grand over what I'd consider "fair" and I should "hang in there" in hopes of a CB1100. On the other hand, there's also this... http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1988-...-111179526

[Guth_imp]

That's a nice, clean Hawk. I keep tabs on Hawk prices locally and it does seem like the asking prices have been rising over the past year or so. Notice I mention the asking price as I have no idea what kind of money people are really getting out of them. Nice stock Hawks are getting harder to find as time marches on and it seems that they are the ones that draw top dollar. Still, that one is pretty overpriced. However, I could definitely see it selling for north of $3000 if everything looked good upon inspection. The one for sale here in Oregon is going to be sitting for a long time (and already has been) at that price.

After owning my CB1100 for a year and a half and my Hawk for over seven years, I've come to appreciate each of them for what they have to offer. I still think the Hawk is one of the slickest looking bikes ever designed and was obviously way ahead of its time when first released. The Hawk almost feels like a toy compared to the CB1100 as it is just so much lighter and smaller than the CB. The character of the 650 v-twin makes for a fun ride around town and on the backroads. I can't see myself parting with mine any time soon.

The CB feels so much heaver by comparison — when I'm rolling it around the garage that is. Once I get it moving out on the street I really don't notice the extra mass so much (not nearly as much as one might think). I do however notice it out on the highway and in that case it's nice as the CB feels more stable than the Hawk in that situation. If you're wanting the go flick a bike around in the twisties, then the Hawk obviously has an advantage. The riding position on the CB is much more relaxed than on the Hawk. When I first got the CB, I thought they were somewhat similar but riding the CB for quite a number of days before finally getting back on the Hawk really highlighted the differences between the two. While the Hawk's clip-ons are risers, you still lean further forward on the Hawk (with more pressure on the wrists) and the pegs are situated a bit further back and higher up than on the CB. All in all, I'm more cramped on the Hawk than on the CB (I'm 5' 8"). Not totally uncomfortably so, but it is definitely noticeable. The extra torque of the CB makes it really nice around town. Although I don't, I could easily launch the CB with just the clutch. That makes for some pretty smooth riding. Out on the open road, the CB is much more comfortable for me. However the Hawk is fun in it's own way. For example, you can exercise quite a bit more freedom with the throttle on the Hawk without getting into too much trouble which is fun from time to time.

I really do enjoy each of these bikes and make use of both on a regular basis. Each is great in its own way. If you've come from past bikes with sportier ergonomics, the Hawk might suit you just fine for many years to come. Still, as I age, the ergonomics of the CB strike me as a better choice over the long haul.

[CIP57_imp]

This model sold in the US for 3 years and was overpriced when sold back then ( as per Wikipedia ) May be hard to fine parts for this model. Its overpriced for today's market, probably worth between 1500-2000 if its real clean. You can buy a clean 1000-1200 CC (2001-2005) bike in the range he wants for this bike.

[road dog_imp]

Thanks for your helpful input, Guth. A "heavy" bike is what I'm trying to avoid. On the other hand, I was under the impression the Hawk GT had more of a neutral riding position. I definitely need to avoid the more aggressive riding position of the Hawk you've described. I already have the Bonnie configured as a mild café racer and no longer enjoy the "cramped" feeling, with the wrists taking more abuse.

I saw a black 2014 standard in the wild (on the road) a few days ago and can't deny I still want one. I also currently have the funds to pay cash for one, but I don't want to rush into another impulse buy per my usual MO. As of last night I also have an opportunity to buy a nice used Triumph Tiger. It's a clean, well cared for 2006 model w/ 10K miles. I like it, it's been lowered, love the idea of detachable hard bags, just not convinced I'll still enjoy it a few years from now.

If I buy a CB11 I figure I can at least still enjoy looking at it long after I can no longer ride it.

[ClassicVW_imp]

I looked at them once when I thought I might be interested. I agree they were and still are overpriced. Heck, there are brand new bikes you can buy in that price range. I also wonder about parts availability if it doesn't share a majority of parts with other models.

I had a daily rider great shape, 1978 CB400 Twin I bought for $1200 and sold it three years later this summer for the same price.

If you look at it and you feel like just gotta have it, I'd go with that $2800 top price.

[Guth_imp]

I'll add to my comments that I was primarily trying to reference one bike against the other as it concerns the Hawk GT and the CB1100.

On it's own, the Hawk would still be viewed as a standard when it comes to the riding position. Compared to the CB1100, it's going to feel cramped. After making my previous post, I went ahead and took the Hawk to work today. Getting around town, I didn't think much of the riding position. Had I the need to spend some extended time on the highway, I'm sure that I would have been longing for the CB. Ironically, a lot of guys prefer to outfit the Hawk with lower clip-ons as many think you sit too upright on the Hawk with the factory clip-ons. Different strokes. Regardless of how it compares to the CB1100, there is no denying that the Hawk is a pretty compact little bike. Hawks have held their value quite well over the years and as I mentioned earlier do seem to be appreciating a bit over the past few years. Many might not want to pay over $3K for a bike like that, but there are of course others who will. While I might be able to find a nice bike for about the same money that a really nice Hawk goes for, I'd still rather have the Hawk. They're just neat bikes and I enjoy mine. Most parts are still readily available with the exception of gas tanks and rear cowls which are incredibly hard in nice, undamaged condition.

As far as the CB1100 is concerned, I find it to be a great all around bike. As I mentioned previously, the only time I really think about the extra weight is when I'm moving it around in my garage. Otherwise, it feels surprisingly nimble and maneuverable in actual use around town, yet stable out on the open road. As things sit right now, it will be my bike to grow old(er) with.

[Scoobynut_imp]

I too own a Hawk GT. Just remember that even the nicest, lowest mileage ones will invariably need new rear cush drive rubbers, possibly fuel lines, new petcock and float bowl gaskets. Also how new are the tires? These are age related issues regardless of miles on the bike.

IMO the stock seat is horrible -- I have a Corbin on mine which helps a lot. As Guth said, parts still aren't too hard to get except for the tanks and tail cowls. Not to mention ebay is thick with used parts of varying serviceability...

I paid $2150 for mine 3 years ago, but promptly sunk another $750 into it for new tires (ones on it looked fine but were about 8 years old) and 'deferred' maintenance items. Mine is in really nice shape other than a small, shallow dent atop the fuel tank, having been kept indoors its whole life. They're cool little bikes, very fun around town, great fun in the canyon twisties, but you really wouldn't want to travel on one.

I agree the subject bike is overpriced, but 5 years from now when it's even harder to find one of the few remaining nice ones that price will probably be right on the money. For now I'd say it might bring as much as $3500 if it truly needs nothing, subtract $$$ from that for any 'needs' it has...

[rboe]

As nice as the Hawk is, the Suzuki 650 twin is probably a "better" machine, you can new ones with a warranty for just a wee bit more. Assuming you are looking for a nice light V twin for sporting around and not fixed on a brand.

Used and old stock V7 Moto Guzzi are something to check out too. Especially if you have a dealer near by (not a given for sure).