(05-11-2020, 11:21 AM)ksmith0034_imp Wrote: What do the experts think? He wants $4500 for this 2013 with 16k miles. I was really hoping to find a ‘14 DLX but they’re very scarce (like my motorcycle budget). Trying to get more details from the seller.
About me: veteran rider (30+ yrs) so not looking for a track bike. I’m 51 so sport bikes are no longer in my cards (selling my ‘14 Thruxton). I have a couple ACTUAL vintage bikes, so I’m not looking to fill a long lost love. Just want a comfortable daily rider for in town and weekend rides.
I'd say it's kinda hard to go wrong with a CB11. It's a great looking bike, and relatively low maintenance with it's simple air-cooled i4 compared to others in the same class, also not a fast bike but has enough torque to get you going, and puts a smile on your face doing it. In terms of comfort, I think only folks that seem to have an issue with it are taller(6'2+) individuals, or those who go on long trips that find the stock seat to become a problem.
But since you mentioned already owning classic bikes, I guess you have to look at what else is out there to be had(lighter and monoshock'd).
In that 4-5k ballpark the only other solid choices that come to mind for weekend rides is perhaps the FZ1(lighter but taller) or a SV650(lighter but smaller in CC) Both of which are considered to be relativelycomfortable rides, they don't come close to the beauty of the CB11 though. I guess there are others that fit the bill but not with the reliability of a Japanese bike so by default they're inferior and excluded in my opinion.
I too, owned a '14 Thrux- beautiful bike, really did love the styling but I always felt the powerband was lacking and the handling was sub par, specially the wobbly front wheel. I guess if you like your Thruxton you can always check out a more upright Bonnie in the same price range, but it doesn't seem like that's the case. In my humble opinion, the CB11 will rip the Thruxton a new one, in every aspect(Looks/performance/ownership cost)
I'd say get him down to $4k for that mileage, but then again everyone is different, some might want to wait for a DLX in the $5k range, so location and timing is also a factor