SV650SF was the most perfect motorcycle to ever exist. It could tour, it could race, it could do twisties, it could commute, and it did it all getting 65mpg on 87 octane.
I rode a 1978 Kawasaki KZ 650 for 31 years - it ran great every season and never let me down or stranded - then my brother had it for 3 years and then his mc dealer bought it off him to use for vintage racing. Now I ride a 2010 Concours 14. . Thank you for all of your fun videos.
😂 I just got a 2003 rebel 250 2 weeks ago as my first motorcycle, I wanted to start slow and easy and it was the cheapest one on the market. I only need it to go to work nothing over 55mph so it’s worth it for now. Just passed my mfs class on Sunday and now to wait to get my certificate on the mail to add it to my license and start riding. For the moment I’m just doing maintenance on it to make sure it runs smooth for the season. Thanks for your awesome videos! 🙌🏽👌🏽
You may never need to buy another bike?. My first bike was a kawi 90, with lights, blinkers. Tbh, it would just about do the job now, 40 years later. Going fast on a slow bike, is more fun than slow, on a fast bike (and fast bikes these days, leave very little margin for error).
Just a heads up, your gonna fall in love with that bike and you WILL keep, atleast for several years. My first bike was a 93 250 in 2000 and I still have it. It's was my first bike, my ex wife's first bike and my son and my daughters first bike. and I'm about to tear it down and build it into a bobber.
My first bike was a Rebel 250. I chopped & Bobbed mine. Rebuilt the engine & trans. Bored it out a bit & ported the heads some. Switched the rear drum brake to a disk. Painted it a rare 80's Corvette cinnamon with green underglow LEDs. I did it all because if I was starting out on a slow & most reliable bikes out there. I wanted to look good, & run a little better. Rebels are a great bike to do custom work to.
I bought a suzuki S40 a month ago. I bought it from an older motorcycle mechanic who just needed cash ASAP and I paid about $500 below it's actual value. It was stock, extremely well taken care of, low mileage and came with saddle bags.
Haha. Very similar boat. Just bought an S40 from a buddy of mine for $1000. Wouldn’t run and was a little rough. Spent the past couple weeks fixing her up and customizing how I like it. Total cost for bike and everything done is about $1500. Things a dream now.
I bought a carbureted Sportster 1200 for my first bike for one reason. I grew up wrenching on cars, and this bike is so dirt simple that there is pretty much nothing I couldn't do to it if I absolutely, 100% had to.
I hate Sportsters, but I gotta respect your point. The old points and carb stuff is just user-fixable if one can afford to pay attention! Kids these days are broke.
I have a 1999 883 Harley Sportster that is all original except for the exhaust pipes. She has four hundred thousand miles on her on the original engine and the only thing I have done to the primary if you change the stator which wore out at 250,000 miles. I have worn out 37 back tires and 3 drive belts, by that I mean I am on my third drive belt. Very economical and reliable beyond my wildest dreams. It has more mileage on it then all of my Honda's had put together. I have had the bike almost 25 years I think I would say that I am happy with it. I love the fact that the Chinese came out with an evolution Sportster right after Harley discontinued it what a stupid mistake that was. The Harley-Davidson motor company has made nothing but critical business areas for the last twenty-plus years since they killed the evolution Big twin the last reliable big twin motor Harley ever made and AMF spent six to seven years developing that motor.
@@RollinTwentySix The Evo Sporty is easily HDs most refined engine, especially the five speed solid mount. Those are carbed and while you can and I have run points (with appropriate coil) on one EI is cheap and reliable. Ironheads OTOH are the path of suffering even if you are (I am) a mechanic who owns one.
Good reason to buy a used Rebel? Got one. Im a 42 year rider, with a fairly recent above knee amputation. Hopping back on my 04 VTX 1800, at 700 plus pounds, is not a good way to relearn, on a non powered knee, on my prosthetic. Just picked up a 99 LS 650, AKA S40 Boulevard. Modifying the rear brake pedal, to work with the prosthetic. Already been out on the unknown year YZ 125, on the back 40, with helper sorings, allowing me to rest the foot on the pedal, and press my residual limb down, to apply the back brake. No trikes. Too easy. I want the challenge.
I owned a rebel about 30 years ago when I was sixteen. I dropped her multiple times, no matter if it was on the road or fields, she keeps on running. It's boring but hard to break 😅
There's a reason Honda made the Rebel for decades, they know better what a rider needs and wants. Too many people think they want a Cafe racer or a massive Harley or a gixxer, but what gets sold after a year while the Rebel's still carrying your groceries a decade later?
I'm a big fan of reliability. I owned three of the bikes on this list. Started with a 83 Honda rebel. Moved up to my 79 kz 650, then to a KLR 650. All great bikes.
The Sportster gets a lot of FLAC but honestly, it's unique in its own way and some people like that. Nothing wrong with a Sportster, especially for a fairly new rider just breaking into the 1000+ CC ranges. Show some respect for the Sportster.
I was gifted a night hawk 250 it had the same engine as the rebel. That thing " could not be killed by conventional weapons " It is light, simple as simple gets and inexpensive to fix. Well not really fix just replacing the consumables.
Honda air cooled twins are bulletproof. I've owned a CM400T and a CB450SC Nighthawk, which both bikes engines are just larger versions of the 250 and they never died.
I rode a 98 Sportster for five years doing nothing but minimal regular maintenance. It was so reliable I'd check the sparkplugs every so often just to wrench on it. Sold it to a friend, he crashed it and we fixed it in an afternoon for a few dollars. It's still running. The Sportster is a motorcycle titan.
I am surprised that you did not mention any of the shaft drive bikes. I have had an 1100 Yamaha Virago since 2019 and it is a 1998 model. I has been very reliable and survived being ridden in snow, ice, rain, sun, dust storms and even through one overflowing stream. That also does not mention the numerous dirt roads that are the bain of many if not all touring style bikes. My $3000.00 investment in this bike was and is still a very good investment.
Should've given the Yamaha Road Star an honorable mention at least...for between two to three grand, you get a monstrously huge metric V Twin that makes not a lot of horsepower but enough torque to change the direction of the Earth's rotation with a twist of the throttle, are the literal equivalent of a La-Z-Boy on two wheels for that super plush and comfortable cruise around the globe, have an impressive aftermarket for parts and any other goodies you might want to money pit yourself into, and they've been well documented for turning in odometer readings in the hundreds of thousands of miles with little more than the occasional oil change!
I personally think the XV1100 Virago is better. It's an air cooled V twin engine with 60 horse power. The Motor rides with lower revs than some Diesel engines. And it's build more robust than french cars.
@@tinhead1112 No doubt, the Virago was a great bike in both the looks and performance categories, they're definitely underrated. Always felt they had more of a sporty cruiser stance, which wasn't what I had in mind when I bought my Road Star... I wanted the most plush, laid back air cooled metric V Twin land barge I could get that was obtainable in my budget, and my 2000 MM Ltd fit that criteria (not to mention my 6' 3" frame with 36" inseam and gorilla length arms) perfectly. Oh and, knowing there are Road Stars out there that've clocked 200K+ miles without a rebuild ain't a bad thing, either! 😉
Bro has a soft spot for KLRs. Always mentions them but never talkes about the Xr650, way better off road performance and response I’ve ness and the oils stored in the frame, all air cooled. Very hard to kill and cheap
My buddy had a KLR and somethings shot through the bottom end making about a 1“ x 2“ chunk missing from the bottom end. He rebuilt it with JB Weld and it rode for years. Incredible
My first big motorcycle was a 1964 Harley Sportster XLCH. No battery. Straight mag ignition. Engine shuts off, so do the lights. Hard to (kick) start in cold weather but never leaked a drop of anything. Brakes (drum) were an exercise in faith and prayer. I was 22 years old and loved it. I was humiliated by the Britts and their lousy Triumphs, BSA's, Norton's, Royal Enfield's and one Vincent. But, what the hell, I was happy and had a welder to take care of the cracked chain guard, rear fender at the chrome brace that split from metal fatigue. Got into dirt bike riding and had a plethora of Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasaki's. One Yamaha TT500 thumper that I kept for 17 years. Last two bikes were a 2001 Harley Road King followed by the 2006 Harley 1200 Roadster sportster. At 78 I'm ready for my Heritage 114.
You may not be able to kill one of those, but I've had the displeasure of meeting a very cursed 125 Virago whose previous owner thought they and a dremel were better tuners than the piano people. Still one of the most beautiful bikes in the world though...
I like my little XL883C Custom Sportster. It gets me to work and back without fail. I wouldn’t even have to work if I had a dollar every time a Boomer riding a fair weather trailer queen tells me “yOu GoT a GiRl BiKe!” 😂😂😂
I've got a bmw r1150r, 113k miles and still going, all its needed is fluid replacements and sparkplug. I do everything myself and have since I got it when it was around 20k miles
When your favorite motorcycle accessory is a phone mount you've already lost when you're out on the motorcycle you're supposed to be paying attention to what's going on around you
Impossible to find except as collectables and at insane prices. Really? You're better off looking for the early model BMW 650 Funduro, or the later GS650.
@tauncfester3022I will sell you a BMW at a good price.Mind you they have been sitting in storage for 10 years or more so you will have to do some work. But they are BMW and you can't kill them.Ha Ha.😂😂😂
It would be awesome if @yammienoob would do videos going over the old classics that the major brands developed throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Such as why YICS was engineered and what it’s significance was during that era. Also what brought on the granular movement to advance from 2 valve to 4 valve, air cooled to water cooled, etc. Obviously enhanced performance, but what were the models that pushed competing brands to move forward first. If some other RUclipsr already makes this content, please post their name(s)! Would love to see that content.
Recently picked up a 2007 VStrom DL1000. Nice to see it made mention as a ditto. Reviews on it were that it was a very durable bike and relatively easy to maintain.
Yea... I have an2004 HD 1200 sportster. And i enjoy riding it. I have the buell heads and carburetor.. Stock i have around 65 hp when i want. Just awesome and my only complaint is that the engine is loud.... You can hear the motor workings. Lol ... Tic.. Clack... click lol. That's what it's all about. Feeling and hearing the bike your riding. Peace out.. And ride safe 👍
Ok, I might resemble the UJM remark. Ive got a few. Found them good bikes to ride and learn to wrench on. If one gets a KZ1000, instead of a KZ750 twin they will find about all the parts they need. Soak carb boots in 98% alcohol and Wintergreen oil to keep them pliable. Great video YN!
I have a 3000 mile 250 Rebel in the garage for my grandson to start on this summer. Wonderful little bike. I will always swear by my big GS Suzukis, and no they are not slow by any measure. Keep your Sportster and your sportbikes.
The joy of the rebel 250 is being able to make it into a bobber for not much money, I had mine customised to look bobber style and now at least when Im maxxing at 60mph I can look cool as f#*k 😂
I bought a 2004 suzuki bandit 1200s from a very old man who practically lived in the woods of Mississippi. While the choice they made to change the air and fuel flow wasn't wise, it has been a solid bike when brought bake to stock.
Excellent list. 100%. The mid 80s Rebel 250 was my ex and 2 stepdaughter's first bikes. Cheap, small, light, low, comfortable and goddam indestructible. Perfect. Change the oil once a decade and it will still run. I highly recommend them for small beginner riders. I was going to reach for the torch and pitchfork if you didn't mention the V-Strom. If you want a budget adventure bike, that's the #1 pick. Its brother the SV is an excellent low cost bike you can ride forever. 2X on the 80 UJMs. At pushing 40 they might need some work, but parts are cheap and easy to find and they require little to get back to being good riders. They are great to learn repair and maintenance. And a nice one will get more nods of respect from longtime riders than giggles from noobs. Change the oil, clean the carbs, and ride them for another 40 years.
All true. I earned multiple Iron Butt certificates on a 1984 Honda CB750C. The exhaust system pretty much rotted off around 2004 and I could not find any replacement under $1000 so I gave it away. But UJM 4 cylinders are tough bikes.
I have a 883 but it's just enough for my riding. Speed and Jap bikes are in my past so the sportster is perfect for me. I LOVE the sound of the Vance and Hines straight shots on it.
My first antique motorcycle flat track race was a bit of an eye opener in regard to what I expected to see, and what I saw. Yes, there was lots of flat head WR Harleys and the British bikes one might expect, but the amount of bikes with Yamaha 650 Special motors was a big surprise. I knew they were dependable, and you saw them everywhere during their era. What I didn't know was how bulletproof their lower ends were considered to be. P.S. Lots of Honda XL motors too, which I can personally attest to as I bought a brand new XL600 in 83 and rode that bike for over twenty years with zero issues. I'd still have that bike if I hadn't given in to the pleadings of my friend to sell it (that was a mistake).
I was going to mention that, and it has merit, though some of that is because of how they usually get treated. But you can buy them by the dozen on Marketplace for like $1800 every day and even if they've been neglected they'll probably still run for another 100,000 miles no matter where they are now.
The Sportster underwent a major transition about 2003. Before that the Sportster motor was rigidly mounted in the frame with the consequence that the whole motorcycle vibrated viciously. After 2003 the motor was rubber mounted which largely isolated the rider from the excessive vibration. So if you enjoy massaging your balls with a jackhammer, you should definitely seek out the older model. As an extra bonus you can wake up all you neighbors early Sunday morning with the raucous roar from the exhaust.
As a person who has owned a 1999 883 Harley Sportster for over 25 years of 400000 MI I take issue with your complaint about it vibrating like a jackhammer it does not I do not have anything vibrating loose I do not have anything cracking I don't have anything breaking or falling off my motorcycle everything outside of the aftermarket pipe is completely stock after 25 years. If you change the grips to the kind with rubber inserts that removes the vibration you feel through the throttle. I seriously doubt if you ever had had one. When Norton rubber-mounted the atlas it lost 30 pounds in weight when Harley rubber-mounted Sportster it gain 80 lb in weight what's wrong with that picture 🖼️?
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 The rigid mounted engine was used as a stressed frame member. The rigid mounted sportster had a light rigid frame and it was actually fun to toss it around through a series of tight corners. With the rubber engine mounts the engine was no longer able to be used as a frame member. As a result it got heavier, and less rigid. Some folks liked the rigid mounted variant better. But it did vibrate so much that after about half an hour in the saddle I found myself in intense discomfort, although that might have been the rock-hard seat, the cruiser riding position, or the overly-loud exhaust. Having said that the older Sportster had character, something that is sadly lacking in the rubber mounted bike.
Best bike I ever had was a 1978 Suzuki GS750E. Nothing flashy but great looking standard bike (what UJM was back then, I guess). Good in town and on road trips. Keep it under 95 mph and your were good on most roads. Did maintenance at recommended mileages and never once had something that needed replacing until much later other than filters or fluids. Only issue was the fork seals were a bit...goofy. Got to the point I'd take parts on a road trip because they would sometimes pop after fairly minor potholes. Hit one hard, no issue. Soft impact and oil everywhere. Weird. Lots of Japanese tourists in the early 80's have pix of me in the Rockies--because I'm an American "biker"??? Dunnno.
I still have one--78 also. A lot of contemporary racers still use those cranks. I absolutely love it. Easily the most competent Japanese bike of its time.
I love 💕 my URAL side car outfit. Fun to drive. My 25 years old and very reliable and dependable. Have 50,000 miles on her as she was my sole transportation for 3 years after my getting hit on my BMW 100/7. Cool and different.😂
The baffles always go bad on Honda Rebel 250's, even from regular use. It was great for cheap transportation when I could not afford a truck and did not have a parking spot. And nobody wanted to steal it because it was only a 250. LOL
I got an 07 r6 with 500 miles on it for 4k. The old guy who owned it left it covered in his climate controlled garage. It looks brand new not a speck of dirt or a single scratch in the paint.
I bought a used 1985, former MSF trainer, complete with dent in the tank and a bent right foot peg. In 1995.. I finally sold it in 2014 after riding it nearly every day..
I don't know some Suzuki's are just old reliable bikes that are really cheap to get. I love Suzuki, they're the black sheep but you know what's good. They do things that if it. If it ain't broke don't fix it. They'll use something for 30 years. But at the same time some things that are broken stay broken like the DR650 suspension. The carburetor on the DRZ. You know that needs an update man. If it was a 450 with fuel injection with blinkers, people would poop their pants. But I'm pretty sure Suzuki is going to make a rebel competitor with that GSX 8S engine. Maybe they up the size or just make it a 800 and then make a 1200 Marauder maybe??😮😮😮
I had a honda rebel for 5 year and it was my only mode of transportation for about 3 years of that. cant say i miss it, but its a reliable bike and easy to fix
I bought an 2007 SV1000s w 22k for $3000 at the end of 2021.. Broke my thumb in the spring of 2022 (not related) and still haven't ridden it 😢... Anxiously waiting to hop on 😊
Yes, my GSL1000 is easy to own, slow by sport bike standards, faster than a Harley. But it's best feature is the class. Drop seat, tear drop tank, bakini fairing, beach bars, Chrome everything and rides like a thoroughbred.
I picked up a KLR for 300 bucks once. And man I f***** up. Took the seller at his word that it just needed a gas tank and a carburetor rebuild. After tearing into it, found that the engine had barely any compression. And like half the teeth were broke off the kickstarter. And of course it was Kickstart only. Ended up selling it on for a hundred bucks to somebody that I explained the situation to. Honestly I was just happy to have it out of my garage. I no longer purchase motorcycles that aren't running at time of purchase
I have a 2015' Honda Rebel cmx250C! Candy Rubidium Red! 🌹It has lots O' chrome from the factory stock. 2016 was the last year for the Rebel 250. The new bikes, including the remodeled bigger Rebel's are not using chrome like they once did. IMO, The Rebel 250cc will be a collectors item, they don't make em' like that no mo!
My buddy was going to buy a $600 Honda off Facebook marketplace. He was about to buy it but asked me first before he did since $600 is a lot for a 17-year-old. I told him to ask the guy if it even ran, it didn't. Guy said all the wiring is screwed up, no spark, no fuel, and very poor compression. I might have either saved my buddy from a money pit or screwed him up. But I think the latter.
I’m glad you forgot to put the Kawasaki Vulcan 800. 95-06 on the list. Not everyone deserves to hav a great bike like that. There is a reason it was referred to as “ bulletproof” I have bought, customized and sold over 20 of them and still own 2 at the moment. Other than that, nice list.
IMO, The first generation Kawasaki Vulcan VN 750 is a better pick. If for no other reason then it out handles the newer Vulcans in the turns. And they are such a great bike that they make Chuck Norris jokes about them.
A little over a year ago I bought a 1980 Yamaha XS1100 with the full touring gear and 32k miles on it for $1600. After replacing the battery, fuel lines and stator it's covered 20k miles. Try THAT with a similarity priced HD or European bike! Ain't gonna happen.
Really hoping I'll see my bike (Honda Nighthawk) talked about in these videos someday. So hard to find content on it. Would be cool to see! Maybe one day.
I ran around on a nighthawk 650 for years just because I was young, in college, and poor. I looked like a clown on it being 6'6" but it never stopped. Got it and knocked over by a mom mini van. Hit a deer it just kept going.
I live in Myanmar; a country dominated by Yamaha bikes. Before 2010, the entire country used Yamaha DT 125 (82 model or 94-95) and now the entire country changed to Yamaha FZ. When I think "Unkillable" bikes, I think of the DT125.
Jokes on you, I’m still gonna buy a 30,000 mile used Ducati right before it’s mandatory maintenance.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Love it! Me too 😂
A man with a plan and hopefully no tools or mechanical know-how. My buddy is a tech and he needs to keep his job
oUCH !
Hell No Man and I Hope that it’s cheap so you have money to fix it 👌
SV650SF was the most perfect motorcycle to ever exist. It could tour, it could race, it could do twisties, it could commute, and it did it all getting 65mpg on 87 octane.
I rode a 1978 Kawasaki KZ 650 for 31 years - it ran great every season and never let me down or stranded - then my brother had it for 3 years and then his mc dealer bought it off him to use for vintage racing. Now I ride a 2010 Concours 14. . Thank you for all of your fun videos.
Best bike I ever owned period,Honda Night Hawk,650,1984
😂 I just got a 2003 rebel 250 2 weeks ago as my first motorcycle, I wanted to start slow and easy and it was the cheapest one on the market. I only need it to go to work nothing over 55mph so it’s worth it for now. Just passed my mfs class on Sunday and now to wait to get my certificate on the mail to add it to my license and start riding. For the moment I’m just doing maintenance on it to make sure it runs smooth for the season. Thanks for your awesome videos! 🙌🏽👌🏽
You may never need to buy another bike?. My first bike was a kawi 90, with lights, blinkers. Tbh, it would just about do the job now, 40 years later. Going fast on a slow bike, is more fun than slow, on a fast bike (and fast bikes these days, leave very little margin for error).
Just a heads up, your gonna fall in love with that bike and you WILL keep, atleast for several years. My first bike was a 93 250 in 2000 and I still have it. It's was my first bike, my ex wife's first bike and my son and my daughters first bike. and I'm about to tear it down and build it into a bobber.
My first bike was a Rebel 250. I chopped & Bobbed mine. Rebuilt the engine & trans. Bored it out a bit & ported the heads some. Switched the rear drum brake to a disk. Painted it a rare 80's Corvette cinnamon with green underglow LEDs. I did it all because if I was starting out on a slow & most reliable bikes out there. I wanted to look good, & run a little better. Rebels are a great bike to do custom work to.
I bought a suzuki S40 a month ago. I bought it from an older motorcycle mechanic who just needed cash ASAP and I paid about $500 below it's actual value. It was stock, extremely well taken care of, low mileage and came with saddle bags.
Haha. Very similar boat. Just bought an S40 from a buddy of mine for $1000. Wouldn’t run and was a little rough. Spent the past couple weeks fixing her up and customizing how I like it. Total cost for bike and everything done is about $1500. Things a dream now.
i got a savage 650, literally the same bike. ive dropped mine a couple times since it is my first bike and she still runs smooth
They are a keeper those things. US is a great market for bikes, I’m envious.
I bought a carbureted Sportster 1200 for my first bike for one reason. I grew up wrenching on cars, and this bike is so dirt simple that there is pretty much nothing I couldn't do to it if I absolutely, 100% had to.
I hate Sportsters, but I gotta respect your point. The old points and carb stuff is just user-fixable if one can afford to pay attention! Kids these days are broke.
I have a 1999 883 Harley Sportster that is all original except for the exhaust pipes. She has four hundred thousand miles on her on the original engine and the only thing I have done to the primary if you change the stator which wore out at 250,000 miles. I have worn out 37 back tires and 3 drive belts, by that I mean I am on my third drive belt. Very economical and reliable beyond my wildest dreams. It has more mileage on it then all of my Honda's had put together. I have had the bike almost 25 years I think I would say that I am happy with it. I love the fact that the Chinese came out with an evolution Sportster right after Harley discontinued it what a stupid mistake that was. The Harley-Davidson motor company has made nothing but critical business areas for the last twenty-plus years since they killed the evolution Big twin the last reliable big twin motor Harley ever made and AMF spent six to seven years developing that motor.
@@RollinTwentySix The Evo Sporty is easily HDs most refined engine, especially the five speed solid mount. Those are carbed and while you can and I have run points (with appropriate coil) on one EI is cheap and reliable. Ironheads OTOH are the path of suffering even if you are (I am) a mechanic who owns one.
Suzuki GSX-750F
Can be considerably tuned up and simply won't die.
Very comfortable sport-touring bike, feels like a mini-busa on the road.
Yes That's a GreAt✔️Bike.
My son has one in his small collection the damn thing has never missed a beat and starts immediately even after 4 months untouched! Damn perfect!
You are correct. Old katanas are as reliable as a sledgehammer! And hit just as hard too!
Good reason to buy a used Rebel? Got one. Im a 42 year rider, with a fairly recent above knee amputation. Hopping back on my 04 VTX 1800, at 700 plus pounds, is not a good way to relearn, on a non powered knee, on my prosthetic.
Just picked up a 99 LS 650, AKA S40 Boulevard. Modifying the rear brake pedal, to work with the prosthetic. Already been out on the unknown year YZ 125, on the back 40, with helper sorings, allowing me to rest the foot on the pedal, and press my residual limb down, to apply the back brake.
No trikes. Too easy. I want the challenge.
Good luck bro, hope you can do it.
I owned a rebel about 30 years ago when I was sixteen. I dropped her multiple times, no matter if it was on the road or fields, she keeps on running. It's boring but hard to break 😅
It's boring until you realise it's nearly unkillable. Then you try everything you can to kill it which is the most fun you'll ever have with it 😂😂
I used mine as a dirt bike for a couple days before it dropped a valve and smashed the piston.. 14 year old oil maybe an issue
There's a reason Honda made the Rebel for decades, they know better what a rider needs and wants. Too many people think they want a Cafe racer or a massive Harley or a gixxer, but what gets sold after a year while the Rebel's still carrying your groceries a decade later?
Great video. Curious if you guys feel the tw200 is worthy of being on this list too. Has a bullet proof reputation.
Rebel 250 was my first bike. Fun little thing to whip around town as a starter bike.
I paid $800 for an old 450 Rebel. Runs perfect, never took carbs apart, engine covers untouched. All year, every year, no missing, smoking, vibrating.
I'm a big fan of reliability. I owned three of the bikes on this list. Started with a 83 Honda rebel. Moved up to my 79 kz 650, then to a KLR 650. All great bikes.
I had a Kawasaki KZ 650 SR. Great bike
I got a 78 kz650
Sportsters are great bikes ive had tons of them and big twins
Pappa Yam I just became a baby squidlet today with a Kawasaki 650 KLR. Really nice to see it in a video😊😊
A wife’s feet pics can, should, and will pay for your next motorcycle 🦶 📸
The Sportster gets a lot of FLAC but honestly, it's unique in its own way and some people like that. Nothing wrong with a Sportster, especially for a fairly new rider just breaking into the 1000+ CC ranges. Show some respect for the Sportster.
I was gifted a night hawk 250 it had the same engine as the rebel. That thing " could not be killed by conventional weapons " It is light, simple as simple gets and inexpensive to fix. Well not really fix just replacing the consumables.
Honda air cooled twins are bulletproof. I've owned a CM400T and a CB450SC Nighthawk, which both bikes engines are just larger versions of the 250 and they never died.
I enjoyed my '82 CB900F. I bought it with a hole in the side of the crankcase and fixed it with JB Weld. It was still oil tight 10 years later
Unreal criticism of the 1200 Sportster. Sounds better than any other bike and requires almost zero maintenance for a lifetime of riding
The end screech was total Rock Stardom. Loved it!
Thanks4Notice Now i`~Will FOr Sure Watch Now Lol. Yes We Need Some Zest, Lol Like TiNA TURNERS WE DONT NEED ANOTHER HERO.
I rode a 98 Sportster for five years doing nothing but minimal regular maintenance. It was so reliable I'd check the sparkplugs every so often just to wrench on it. Sold it to a friend, he crashed it and we fixed it in an afternoon for a few dollars. It's still running. The Sportster is a motorcycle titan.
I am surprised that you did not mention any of the shaft drive bikes. I have had an 1100 Yamaha Virago since 2019 and it is a 1998 model. I has been very reliable and survived being ridden in snow, ice, rain, sun, dust storms and even through one overflowing stream. That also does not mention the numerous dirt roads that are the bain of many if not all touring style bikes. My $3000.00 investment in this bike was and is still a very good investment.
You forgot one. Xr650l is the air cooled version of the Kawasaki you first mentioned.
Should've given the Yamaha Road Star an honorable mention at least...for between two to three grand, you get a monstrously huge metric V Twin that makes not a lot of horsepower but enough torque to change the direction of the Earth's rotation with a twist of the throttle, are the literal equivalent of a La-Z-Boy on two wheels for that super plush and comfortable cruise around the globe, have an impressive aftermarket for parts and any other goodies you might want to money pit yourself into, and they've been well documented for turning in odometer readings in the hundreds of thousands of miles with little more than the occasional oil change!
I personally think the XV1100 Virago is better. It's an air cooled V twin engine with 60 horse power. The Motor rides with lower revs than some Diesel engines. And it's build more robust than french cars.
@@tinhead1112 No doubt, the Virago was a great bike in both the looks and performance categories, they're definitely underrated. Always felt they had more of a sporty cruiser stance, which wasn't what I had in mind when I bought my Road Star... I wanted the most plush, laid back air cooled metric V Twin land barge I could get that was obtainable in my budget, and my 2000 MM Ltd fit that criteria (not to mention my 6' 3" frame with 36" inseam and gorilla length arms) perfectly. Oh and, knowing there are Road Stars out there that've clocked 200K+ miles without a rebuild ain't a bad thing, either! 😉
Bro has a soft spot for KLRs. Always mentions them but never talkes about the Xr650, way better off road performance and response I’ve ness and the oils stored in the frame, all air cooled. Very hard to kill and cheap
As an Xt600 owner. All these air cooled singles are simple and though as hell. All have their pros and cons.. but they can't die
I stole my “06 XR650L for $1,500. I love it and plan on keeping it forever.
My buddy had a KLR and somethings shot through the bottom end making about a 1“ x 2“ chunk missing from the bottom end. He rebuilt it with JB Weld and it rode for years. Incredible
Finally a mention of the mighty V-strom 🎉🎉🎉
My first big motorcycle was a 1964 Harley Sportster XLCH. No battery. Straight mag ignition. Engine shuts off, so do the lights. Hard to (kick) start in cold weather but never leaked a drop of anything. Brakes (drum) were an exercise in faith and prayer. I was 22 years old and loved it. I was humiliated by the Britts and their lousy Triumphs, BSA's, Norton's, Royal Enfield's and one Vincent. But, what the hell, I was happy and had a welder to take care of the cracked chain guard, rear fender at the chrome brace that split from metal fatigue. Got into dirt bike riding and had a plethora of Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasaki's. One Yamaha TT500 thumper that I kept for 17 years. Last two bikes were a 2001 Harley Road King followed by the 2006 Harley 1200 Roadster sportster. At 78 I'm ready for my Heritage 114.
But Papaya Yammamoto, you forgot the bmw airheads! Like the R100! Air cooled, shaft drive, sport touring, and old man maintained.
I would add 3 more to this list, the Kawasaki Vulcan, Yamaha Virago and the Suzuki Marauder 250 and 500. All are awesome bikes that you can't kill.
You may not be able to kill one of those, but I've had the displeasure of meeting a very cursed 125 Virago whose previous owner thought they and a dremel were better tuners than the piano people. Still one of the most beautiful bikes in the world though...
Virago? Better hope the sprag clutch on the engine's starter is OK. I' ll never own bike that doesn't have a Kickstarter.
I like my little XL883C Custom Sportster.
It gets me to work and back without fail. I wouldn’t even have to work if I had a dollar every time a Boomer riding a fair weather trailer queen tells me “yOu GoT a GiRl BiKe!” 😂😂😂
I've got a bmw r1150r, 113k miles and still going, all its needed is fluid replacements and sparkplug. I do everything myself and have since I got it when it was around 20k miles
When your favorite motorcycle accessory is a phone mount you've already lost when you're out on the motorcycle you're supposed to be paying attention to what's going on around you
No mention of BMW bikes? The old airheads are hard to kill. The oilheads are tough and still perform pretty well.
Impossible to find except as collectables and at insane prices. Really? You're better off looking for the early model BMW 650 Funduro, or the later GS650.
@tauncfester3022I will sell you a BMW at a good price.Mind you they have been sitting in storage for 10 years or more so you will have to do some work. But they are BMW and you can't kill them.Ha Ha.😂😂😂
It would be awesome if @yammienoob would do videos going over the old classics that the major brands developed throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Such as why YICS was engineered and what it’s significance was during that era. Also what brought on the granular movement to advance from 2 valve to 4 valve, air cooled to water cooled, etc. Obviously enhanced performance, but what were the models that pushed competing brands to move forward first. If some other RUclipsr already makes this content, please post their name(s)! Would love to see that content.
Recently picked up a 2007 VStrom DL1000. Nice to see it made mention as a ditto. Reviews on it were that it was a very durable bike and relatively easy to maintain.
Yea... I have an2004 HD 1200 sportster. And i enjoy riding it. I have the buell heads and carburetor.. Stock i have around 65 hp when i want. Just awesome and my only complaint is that the engine is loud.... You can hear the motor workings. Lol ... Tic.. Clack... click lol. That's what it's all about. Feeling and hearing the bike your riding.
Peace out.. And ride safe 👍
I've got an 82 Yamaha XJ650 maxim special with a few mods, inline 4 dohc that gets a hammering every time I ride it
Ok, I might resemble the UJM remark. Ive got a few. Found them good bikes to ride and learn to wrench on. If one gets a KZ1000, instead of a KZ750 twin they will find about all the parts they need.
Soak carb boots in 98% alcohol and Wintergreen oil to keep them pliable.
Great video YN!
Always a crack to watch ya man. Love you’re content 👍. Keep it up.
I have a 3000 mile 250 Rebel in the garage for my grandson to start on this summer. Wonderful little bike. I will always swear by my big GS Suzukis, and no they are not slow by any measure. Keep your Sportster and your sportbikes.
1 2 3 ABC LEFT RIGHT COLUMN OF TWO'S TO THE LEFT: STAND FAST: FORWARD...MARCH !!! Left stump tea to your left
Tks. much.
The joy of the rebel 250 is being able to make it into a bobber for not much money, I had mine customised to look bobber style and now at least when Im maxxing at 60mph I can look cool as f#*k 😂
I bought a 2004 suzuki bandit 1200s from a very old man who practically lived in the woods of Mississippi. While the choice they made to change the air and fuel flow wasn't wise, it has been a solid bike when brought bake to stock.
Amazing bike. I’m cleaning up an 02 bandit 1200 now n’ can’t wait to get it on the road as I’m 6’3 and everything else feels small
The Bandit would fall into the category of an air-cooled carbureted UJM from the seventies.
I'd Need Ted Nugent@ Side if @ Woods Lol.
Love my UJM's Pile of them around for cheap and often a good carb cleaning is all they need. Great deals to be had for the mechanically inclined.
Suzuki Bandit with the SACS air-oil cooled engine, simply eternal engine without much maintenance needed
Doodles, 2006 Lifan Gy 200, honestly ridden over 70K of mixed off and on road, with little more than oil changes and gas stabilizer. 😊 0:00
My Sv650 has almost 50,000 miles and still runs perfectly
Excellent list. 100%. The mid 80s Rebel 250 was my ex and 2 stepdaughter's first bikes. Cheap, small, light, low, comfortable and goddam indestructible. Perfect. Change the oil once a decade and it will still run. I highly recommend them for small beginner riders.
I was going to reach for the torch and pitchfork if you didn't mention the V-Strom. If you want a budget adventure bike, that's the #1 pick. Its brother the SV is an excellent low cost bike you can ride forever.
2X on the 80 UJMs. At pushing 40 they might need some work, but parts are cheap and easy to find and they require little to get back to being good riders. They are great to learn repair and maintenance. And a nice one will get more nods of respect from longtime riders than giggles from noobs. Change the oil, clean the carbs, and ride them for another 40 years.
Great recommendation but what bike from this list have ABS?
All true. I earned multiple Iron Butt certificates on a 1984 Honda CB750C. The exhaust system pretty much rotted off around 2004 and I could not find any replacement under $1000 so I gave it away. But UJM 4 cylinders are tough bikes.
Hey what about the Katana? Or some of the old enduro's todays are not the same.
Proud sporty 1200 owner what breaks is fixable and it starts and runs every dang time 91xlh1200 60 thousand miles 2400 bucks
I have a 883 but it's just enough for my riding. Speed and Jap bikes are in my past so the sportster is perfect for me. I LOVE the sound of the Vance and Hines straight shots on it.
My first antique motorcycle flat track race was a bit of an eye opener in regard to what I expected to see, and what I saw. Yes, there was lots of flat head WR Harleys and the British bikes one might expect, but the amount of bikes with Yamaha 650 Special motors was a big surprise. I knew they were dependable, and you saw them everywhere during their era. What I didn't know was how bulletproof their lower ends were considered to be. P.S. Lots of Honda XL motors too, which I can personally attest to as I bought a brand new XL600 in 83 and rode that bike for over twenty years with zero issues. I'd still have that bike if I hadn't given in to the pleadings of my friend to sell it (that was a mistake).
1985 suzuki ax 100 R. A truly indestructible, unkillable two stroke.
You forgot the most unkillable bike of all time. The Goldwing. They regularly go 250k+
I was going to mention that, and it has merit, though some of that is because of how they usually get treated. But you can buy them by the dozen on Marketplace for like $1800 every day and even if they've been neglected they'll probably still run for another 100,000 miles no matter where they are now.
The Sportster underwent a major transition about 2003. Before that the Sportster motor was rigidly mounted in the frame with the consequence that the whole motorcycle vibrated viciously. After 2003 the motor was rubber mounted which largely isolated the rider from the excessive vibration. So if you enjoy massaging your balls with a jackhammer, you should definitely seek out the older model. As an extra bonus you can wake up all you neighbors early Sunday morning with the raucous roar from the exhaust.
Yep I owned a 2001. Can attest to this. I do miss the loud exhaust though.
As a person who has owned a 1999 883 Harley Sportster for over 25 years of 400000 MI I take issue with your complaint about it vibrating like a jackhammer it does not I do not have anything vibrating loose I do not have anything cracking I don't have anything breaking or falling off my motorcycle everything outside of the aftermarket pipe is completely stock after 25 years. If you change the grips to the kind with rubber inserts that removes the vibration you feel through the throttle. I seriously doubt if you ever had had one. When Norton rubber-mounted the atlas it lost 30 pounds in weight when Harley rubber-mounted Sportster it gain 80 lb in weight what's wrong with that picture 🖼️?
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 The rigid mounted engine was used as a stressed frame member. The rigid mounted sportster had a light rigid frame and it was actually fun to toss it around through a series of tight corners. With the rubber engine mounts the engine was no longer able to be used as a frame member. As a result it got heavier, and less rigid. Some folks liked the rigid mounted variant better. But it did vibrate so much that after about half an hour in the saddle I found myself in intense discomfort, although that might have been the rock-hard seat, the cruiser riding position, or the overly-loud exhaust. Having said that the older Sportster had character, something that is sadly lacking in the rubber mounted bike.
My ‘95 Honda Nighthawk has 113k on the clock and still going strong. Put that in with the UJMs.
The humor is so good in these! Still might end up with a Rebel anyway...hey, it's a step up from the 150CC scooter I have now.
This is exactly what i was looking for
Best bike I ever had was a 1978 Suzuki GS750E. Nothing flashy but great looking standard bike (what UJM was back then, I guess). Good in town and on road trips. Keep it under 95 mph and your were good on most roads. Did maintenance at recommended mileages and never once had something that needed replacing until much later other than filters or fluids. Only issue was the fork seals were a bit...goofy. Got to the point I'd take parts on a road trip because they would sometimes pop after fairly minor potholes. Hit one hard, no issue. Soft impact and oil everywhere. Weird. Lots of Japanese tourists in the early 80's have pix of me in the Rockies--because I'm an American "biker"??? Dunnno.
I still ride a 1982 gs750 e. Most reliable bike I've had thus far. Haven't done nothing other than regular maintenance.
@@cecilgroomed8365 Nice!
I still have one--78 also. A lot of contemporary racers still use those cranks. I absolutely love it. Easily the most competent Japanese bike of its time.
Who needs a car? I haven't owned a car since 1980. A sidecar so I can shop is as far as I go.
I love 💕 my URAL side car outfit. Fun to drive. My 25 years old and very reliable and dependable. Have 50,000 miles on her as she was my sole transportation for 3 years after my getting hit on my BMW 100/7. Cool and different.😂
The Honda CMX 450 is another really good one
Suzuki SV650 is a great overall motorcycle, it does it all and never breaks down.
The baffles always go bad on Honda Rebel 250's, even from regular use. It was great for cheap transportation when I could not afford a truck and did not have a parking spot. And nobody wanted to steal it because it was only a 250. LOL
I just found a 2003 ninja 500r from a white haired dude who's garage kept it under a cover and only weekend rode it. 6300 original kms for 3000 c a.d
I found my way into a G400c just looking at it. I’m almost positive. It’s a Honda rebel clone with some fun that’s done to it.
I got an 07 r6 with 500 miles on it for 4k. The old guy who owned it left it covered in his climate controlled garage. It looks brand new not a speck of dirt or a single scratch in the paint.
I bought a used 1985, former MSF trainer, complete with dent in the tank and a bent right foot peg. In 1995.. I finally sold it in 2014 after riding it nearly every day..
I ride a 20 year old Honda VFR800 VTEC with 85.000+ kilometers on the odo and other than basic maintenance it works like a charm
11:35 i second this. Got a 1983 Yamaha XJ750 aircooled with a driveshaft and it doesnt die
SV650’s should not be disrespected. This bike rides well as it is, and with some modifications becomes an incredible track bike.
I don't know some Suzuki's are just old reliable bikes that are really cheap to get. I love Suzuki, they're the black sheep but you know what's good. They do things that if it. If it ain't broke don't fix it. They'll use something for 30 years. But at the same time some things that are broken stay broken like the DR650 suspension. The carburetor on the DRZ. You know that needs an update man. If it was a 450 with fuel injection with blinkers, people would poop their pants. But I'm pretty sure Suzuki is going to make a rebel competitor with that GSX 8S engine. Maybe they up the size or just make it a 800 and then make a 1200 Marauder maybe??😮😮😮
Gotta say, Love that KZ!
I love my 05 636. It is super easy to ride and forgiving yet can handle itself on the track.
That outro gets me every time
I had a honda rebel for 5 year and it was my only mode of transportation for about 3 years of that. cant say i miss it, but its a reliable bike and easy to fix
Doodles, 2006 Lifan Gy 200, honestly ridden over 70K of mixed off and on road, with little more than oil changes and gas stabilizer. 😊
I bought an 2007 SV1000s w 22k for $3000 at the end of 2021.. Broke my thumb in the spring of 2022 (not related) and still haven't ridden it 😢... Anxiously waiting to hop on 😊
I worked for the motorcycle training program in my state and I can attest those Rebel 250’s are tough, TW200’s also ✌️🇺🇸
smart MSF courses make you sign the release waver before you get on the bike.
Yes, my GSL1000 is easy to own, slow by sport bike standards, faster than a Harley. But it's best feature is the class. Drop seat, tear drop tank, bakini fairing, beach bars, Chrome everything and rides like a thoroughbred.
I picked up a KLR for 300 bucks once. And man I f***** up. Took the seller at his word that it just needed a gas tank and a carburetor rebuild. After tearing into it, found that the engine had barely any compression. And like half the teeth were broke off the kickstarter. And of course it was Kickstart only. Ended up selling it on for a hundred bucks to somebody that I explained the situation to. Honestly I was just happy to have it out of my garage. I no longer purchase motorcycles that aren't running at time of purchase
I have a 2015' Honda Rebel cmx250C! Candy Rubidium Red! 🌹It has lots O' chrome from the factory stock. 2016 was the last year for the Rebel 250. The new bikes, including the remodeled bigger Rebel's are not using chrome like they once did. IMO, The Rebel 250cc will be a collectors item, they don't make em' like that no mo!
Great timing,u released this video on the same day my sv 650 got fixed.
How about the latest SR400? Kind of a more modern take on the UJM I suppose.
My buddy was going to buy a $600 Honda off Facebook marketplace. He was about to buy it but asked me first before he did since $600 is a lot for a 17-year-old. I told him to ask the guy if it even ran, it didn't. Guy said all the wiring is screwed up, no spark, no fuel, and very poor compression. I might have either saved my buddy from a money pit or screwed him up. But I think the latter.
Yammie is the Walmart of RUclips Moto content. It’s sufficient, and there’s a lot of it.
I’m glad you forgot to put the Kawasaki Vulcan 800. 95-06 on the list. Not everyone deserves to hav a great bike like that. There is a reason it was referred to as “ bulletproof”
I have bought, customized and sold over 20 of them and still own 2 at the moment. Other than that, nice list.
IMO, The first generation Kawasaki Vulcan VN 750 is a better pick. If for no other reason then it out handles the newer Vulcans in the turns. And they are such a great bike that they make Chuck Norris jokes about them.
'79 Yamaha 750 Special....Shaft drive triple....Like all the Yamaha "Specials", pretty unkillable lineup....
A little over a year ago I bought a 1980 Yamaha XS1100 with the full touring gear and 32k miles on it for $1600. After replacing the battery, fuel lines and stator it's covered 20k miles. Try THAT with a similarity priced HD or European bike! Ain't gonna happen.
ROTFALMAO I love your videos! Informative and make me laugh
Still have a rebel 250 can't believe the savage 650 or s40 wasn't there, I got one of those too. As well as a spirit 1100.
Bandit 1200. Plenty around. Hard to kill and just plain fun.
Really hoping I'll see my bike (Honda Nighthawk) talked about in these videos someday. So hard to find content on it. Would be cool to see! Maybe one day.
I ran around on a nighthawk 650 for years just because I was young, in college, and poor. I looked like a clown on it being 6'6" but it never stopped. Got it and knocked over by a mom mini van. Hit a deer it just kept going.
When are you finally going to review the 890 Duke R? Or even the 790.. It‘s time to feature the middle weight champs bro
I live in Myanmar; a country dominated by Yamaha bikes. Before 2010, the entire country used Yamaha DT 125 (82 model or 94-95) and now the entire country changed to Yamaha FZ. When I think "Unkillable" bikes, I think of the DT125.
You have bikes in Mayanmar?
Wow that's very valuable information thank you sir and God bless Jesus is coming
Honorable mention to the bulletproof Vulcan 750.