Long distance bike for under $5,000.00
 

Hey guys,

So I'm new this this website(joined about 10 minutes ago) and it definitely seems like the place to start for me. About 6 months from now my friend and I are planning a 3,500 mile trip that we are splitting up into 10-14 days. I have $5,000.00 saved up for a bike. Could you guys please point me in the right direction?

Any input will be great and general tips are also appreciated.

Thank you!!

I would suggest that you read the threads in this particular forum - "which bike", if only because you joined in here just a few minutes ago and your questions are so wide ranging; for instance, I guess you are referring to US$ - but they could be CAN$ or Ozzie$, or whatever.

:welcome: here in any case.

I'm sorry about that.

Let me try again.

Budget is around $5,000 US Dollars.
I am 5'8" about 160 pounds.
I would prefer a cruiser (Honda Shadow Spirit 750?) but I am open to just about any other suggestions, as my long distance riding experience is just about none existent. It will be lots of freeway roads as the trip is
San Diego>Grand Canyon>Salt Lake>Yellow Stone>Yosemite>Death Valley>SD
I want to bring basic camping gear and sleep around camp sites on our way.

I have looked through about 10 pages of threads regarding this and was unable to really find an answer that would help me personally.

Thanks Again!

Pretty much any bike will do it.

I'd get a 650+ given the amount of highway you are doing.

A v-strom 650 would fit the bill.

+ 1 for above comment:thumbup1:

Vstrom 650 was my first thought too.

Many many to be had used in the US, especially now that the new model is out. Possibly the most versatile and economical bike ever made.

What's your mechanical experience and how many miles per day?

The Wee-strom is the easy answer (I have one, it does everything really quite well but won't quite make you grin like say a Ducati or give you the sense of achievement you get with an Enfield) but if you want a cruiser get one. No point picking a bike just because it works for someone else. If you fancy a particular model though and can only afford an older, high mileage one, that's the time to ask which is best, any bike that's going to keep going (Wee-strom) or the bike you want with a risk of more hassle.

Andy

You want a cruiser, so why not have the ultimate? A quick look on e-bay USA suggests you're in the price range for a late Evo or early Twin Cam Harley Tourer.

I plan on doing anywhere from 250-400 miles a day.

As far as my mechanical skill goes, i can do the basics, the friend I am going with is very familiar bikes and quite handy.

I am honestly looking for the most reliable cruiser in that price range, I don't care what I look like doing it.

Btw thank you everyone!

enfield
 

Mowz, I don't know where you are, but H&H cycle in Bedford Indiana USA, has a decent 500cc low mileage enfield cheap.....like $1500

Another +1 from me for the vstrom dl650 :thumbup1:

( anyone see a pattern emerging here? )

I am located in San Diego California. I cannot find anything that seems decent in my price range

The pattern could be .............
 

4-5 Europeans, mainly Brits, own or like the DL650.
In contrast, the OP is interested in Cruisers.

The San Diego Craigslist is full of used bikes in that price range.

If you like cruisers, I would recommend a Honda Shadow 750 or a Yamaha VStar 650. You'll find dozens of them in good shape for $5000 in the San Diego area.

I just took a look and found 7 Honda Shadow 750s listed in the last couple of days, plus a couple of 600s and some 1100s, all within your price range.

Yes, you CAN. And I bet someone has done it even cheaper. But you are talking about extreme cases here, people who are used to travel cheap in the ultimate, almost solely camp in the wild, prepare their own food, etc. It is more of a lifestyle, and I´m pretty certain it is not everyone´s cup of tea.