Which motorcycle????

[turftech 1]

Hi all, I've been looking at getting a motorcycle. I want one that can go on and off road, and I want something older, classic. Here are the two I am looking at, they are both basically the same cost $650ish. Which one would you get and why?

Bike 1
1972 Honda CT trail 90 ready to ride, everything works, and they have the passenger seat (not shown). I think this bike is a bit ugly to be honest (weird, cuz I think ct 70s are hot) but it seems lots of people love these.... they seem simple to work on too.
ct90.jpg

Bike 2
1976 Honda MT 250 Elsinore. Runs and rides OK, needs a few little things probably battery, mirrors. Beautiful bike though.

MT 250 Elsinore.jpg

[gunnar101]

bike number two

[Strigoi]

those bikes aren't even in the same category.

[turftech 1]

Originally Posted by Strigoi

those bikes aren't even in the same category.

I assume you'll vote bike #2 as well.... hmmmm.

OK, let me throw in a 3rd bike I just found. An '83 Yamaha XT 550.

The thing is, I'm not looking for some killer, go out and shred it up bike. I'm looking for something I can run to Walmart on to grab bread, and something I can take camping, through on the back of the travel trailer, and bop around on the trails. Run the kids to scouts, stuff like that. I realize the ct 90 is ugly, but I have been told that they are bulletproof, easy to ride, no clutch, easy to teach the kids on. I admit, I like the Elsinore too, it is a hot classic bike. Here's a pic of the XT 550.

I had a '78 XT 500 12 years ago, and loved it for the most part, though it was heavy and high for trail riding. A few hrs on rough mountain trails on that thing and I was tired. I ended up putting it on its side a few times too. Just too heavy for a trail bike.

XT 550.jpg

[shoe]

Thumpers Rule ,, I had a bunch of Ascots a few years ago made a street tracker out of one of them Dynoed at over 40hp at 110 mph ,, bad little ride

[1stlegendtx]

The CT 90 will be to slow for the street (anything over 40). The MT250 if you have never ridden one is heavy feeling (nothing like the CR it was supposed to be like). I vote for the Yamaha, much better suspension/handling and quieter power.

[Tom S.]

All three are priced appx $650? Assuming the pics are of the actual bikes you're considering, I think the Elsinore would bring 2-3 times that much. The other two seem to be pretty close to correct market value from what I've seen on ebay and CL. There are lots of Honda 90s out there. Get the nicest one on the planet for about a grand. The Yamaha looks a little shabby, but if it's sound mechanically, it's going to be the most rideable and user-friendly one in the group. But no one cares about 'em, so don't spend a lot of money making it pretty for re-sale. In the end, I think the smart money's on the Elsinore. But if you just wanna ride, get the Yamaha.

[Strigoi]

i wouldn't even consider the trail 90 if you could get the others.

a friend of mine has one (granted it's not running that great) and it wouldn't top 30mph. i also wouldn't ride any of those to the store and definitely wouldn't take a kid on one with me when there are cars around.

i'm sure traffic is a motherhahahahaer here compared to where you live though. i won't even try to go out between 4-6:30pm because it's such a clusterhahahaha.

[The Restore Kid]

Yeah I think I'd go with the 250 Honda too.. I had one of those 90's and they are little tanks but LITTLE tank ya know? More of an off enduro moped really... The 500 you have to buy oil for all the time, a bit much for the road., and tight turns on trails can be a bitch on a big bike. Those are more hill climbing long run desert race type machines.. I think all around every day tooling around and just always going to be dependable and have classic value.... I would have to go with the Elsinore..

[minibikedude]

I like the 250,I have a Trail 90 there not going to run like a dirt bike is going to. They do ride good. The other bike you could look for is the mid 70s and up Honda XL 250 and XL350 there very good trail bikes.