HELP selecting upgrade bike

[79XS11F]

I need some help with recommendations for an upgrade bike for a lady at work. She has 2 years of scooter riding under her belt and asked me to help her select a "real" bike for next season. I told her out right that I have not purchased a new bike in over 25 years and therefore have no idea what’s out there.
She wants to spend between $2500 and $5000 on a new or used classic riding style bike of 500 cc or less. She is not brand loyal and would need a reliable bike. Any direction in this matter would be appreciated.

[Ivan]

Suzuki has the TU250, which is a retro styled 250 that looks a lot like a classic UJM. Not sure on the price though. Also keeping an eye on Craig's list for used stuff is a good idea.

[Montreux_Blue]

A 500cc Buell Blast, they are cheap, simple, reliable and have plenty of get up and go. I found one for a girl I used to work with for about $1,500 with only 3k miles on it. I rode it around for a few days and was a very well balanced and light bike for a beginner. They are belt drive so virtually no maintenance, just change the oil and go. They do vibrate some since it is half of a Harley engine.

[fredintoon]

Or the totally mis-named Suzuki Savage.
Very mild 650cc single, comparatively light weight (~350lbs) and a low seat height.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Suzuki-L650S-Savage.htm

[tarzan]

Vstar 650

I see these bikes all the time on craigslist for between $2000 to $3500.
The people I know who own one say they handle great and get good mileage as well as being very reliable.

[79XS11F]

This is a good start. Please keep suggestions coming. I will print the list, do some additional research on the suggested bikes and take it from there.
Rob

[XJOK2PLAY]

A 500cc Buell Blast, they are cheap, simple, reliable and have plenty of get up and go. I found one for a girl I used to work with for about $1,500 with only 3k miles on it. I rode it around for a few days and was a very well balanced and light bike for a beginner. They are belt drive so virtually no maintenance, just change the oil and go. They do vibrate some since it is half of a Harley engine.

One thing I might add...

I've heard there are some great deals right now on remaining stockpiles of Buells... since Harley was nuts enough to drop Buell...
A friend got nearly a $6000 discount on a brand new one recently...
I hear the dealers are trying to clear them out the door as quickly as possible.
Shame... I love Buells... he built one heck of a bike, IMHO.
She might check into it... if she's interested in something like that.

[hamjam]

Kawasaki 500 ltd most excellent
vstars 250 and 650
the 250 needs a sprocket change to make it less torquey
2 larger on the drive end

[xs11lover]

I know a guy in state college Pa that has a nice 79 650 special he restored and lowered for his wife, black, great paint, low miles. She likes here 250 honda better, it's not so fast...???? I know he had it listed on craig's list but it's a bad time to sell.

[barberad]

3000 miles@$4K

http://www.bikez.biz/ads/showad.php?ad=34349&spec=buell_blast

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/buell_blast_2008.php

The blast does seem like a safe start. Not too much power and the prices are dropping.

[Ivan]

Yeah, but the problem with the blast is Eric showing up and tossing it in the crusher for a lame advertisment....

[barberad]

more options

on the yamaha side, the radian is nice, but they were 600cc.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_yx_600_radian_1986.php

honda ft 500 ascot (only made 2 years though)

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_ft_500_1982.php

or a cm450

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cm_450_e_1982.php

[DGXSER]

For the smaller CC bikes I have always liked the Nighthawk. It is what I took my riders safety course on and it handled really nice, had decent power for 250cc and looks to be pretty reliable.

[webbcraft2150]

The Honda 250 rebel is a nifty little bike but even used they are pricey and a 250 many not be enough. The smaller displacment Viragos can be had in a 500, has a low seat height and is easy to handle. The Yamaha 250 Exciters are a single thumper and are plentiful and cheap. As mentioned, the Buell Blasts are pretty good bikes for there size. The HD rider courses all use them. They are a belt drive also. She might wanna stay away from a chain drive rig if she dosen't want the hassle of cleaning, lubing and adjusting. If she is tall enough, she might want to look at the DR/XR series of "dual purpose" bikes.

[lee_dutcher]

Harley 883 sportster.....suzuki gs500...Triumph Bonneville.....Kawasaki Ninja 500R.... suzuki Boulevard......Hyosung GV 650

if she wants a bigger bike i think she should start out on a bigger cc bike like anything bigger then 250cc because she will probibly want to move up in a few months

alll the bike i listed above are bikes that are anywhere between 0-6000$$ mark...exept maybe the gv650 and the boulevard