Motorcycle.com

azhonda · 08-14-2007, 09:09 PM

Whats up folks....

Brand new to the site and a first time rider.

Im looking to buy a 1997 Honda Nighthawk 750.

The dealer want 2999.00 for it.

7k miles on it and no scratches dents or anything and sounds beautiful.

WHAT DO YALL THINK? BUY IT? OR NOT?

sachiwilson · 08-14-2007, 10:11 PM

Welcome.

A Nighthawk 750 is a good bike. It is (IMHO) a bit too much bike for a new rider. That price is also a bit high, I suspect, although I'm no expert on used bike prices and tend to pay more than I should myself!

Most of the guys here (including me) recommend looking for something like a 500 cc Kawasaki Ninja or Suzuki GS 500, which would have ample power but not so much that you'll kill yourself in your first week. Or, you could do well with a dual-purpose bike such as a KLR 650.

Whatever you do, hold back enough money to buy a good helmet, leathers, boots, and gloves. You'll be glad you did if you ever slide, and you will certainly slide at some point in your riding career. A training course such as the MSF is also a great start.

Best of luck.

longride · 08-15-2007, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azhonda

Whats up folks....

Brand new to the site and a first time rider.

Im looking to buy a 1997 Honda Nighthawk 750.

The dealer want 2999.00 for it.

7k miles on it and no scratches dents or anything and sounds beautiful.

WHAT DO YALL THINK? BUY IT? OR NOT?

Not sure about the bike, but never make a screen name based on a motorcycle brand. You will probably have to change is about 20 times during your riding career.

seruzawa · 08-15-2007, 06:32 AM

Considering the inflated price of used bikes due to high gas prices 2999 probably is fair. After all Salt Lake Honda has a V65 Magna on their showroom floor for 2850.

A CB750 is a bit much for a new rider but at least the Nighthawk is a solid bike with a smooth linear powerband. And when you drop it (as you will) there's no plastic to worry about.

Don't forget the MSF course and full riding gear.

sarnali2 · 08-15-2007, 07:52 AM

I had one of those for awhile, it's pretty mild mannered and near bullet proof, not overly heavy. Should be a pretty good deal, bear in mind they were $3999. new so $2999 is a little on the high side but dealers are going to take advantage of gas prices like anyone else would so.....

If it's in as good a shape as you say and you feel comfortable with the size and weight it sould be OK. Ditto on a good full face lid and gloves, boots etc. The most important thing I think a new rider should do is find an empty parking lot and practice braking, start slow and get familier with using the front brake. What you want is to become familier with how the bike reacts and train yourself to always use the front brake first, that's where your stopping power comes from. too many people's first reaction is to stomp on the bake brake and freeze up, what you want is to learn to brake and swerve using the front brake so you'll have a chance of avoiding an obstacle instead of just skidding into it.

Good Luck, it's a fun sport

Kreb_Cycle · 08-16-2007, 08:46 AM

I don't think a '97 750 nighthawk is too much bike for a beginner if you take it carefully and seriously. Take the MSF course definitely, read and learn, and ride carefully, and you'll be as safe on that as on anything. Unless of course you're a small person, in which case it will just be too heavy for an inexperienced rider, especially when you drop it on your driveway and have to get a neighbor to help you pick it up.

08-14-2007, 09:09 PM	#1
azhonda Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	Its My FIRST Whats up folks.... Brand new to the site and a first time rider. Im looking to buy a 1997 Honda Nighthawk 750. The dealer want 2999.00 for it. 7k miles on it and no scratches dents or anything and sounds beautiful. WHAT DO YALL THINK? BUY IT? OR NOT?

08-14-2007, 10:11 PM	#2
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Welcome. A Nighthawk 750 is a good bike. It is (IMHO) a bit too much bike for a new rider. That price is also a bit high, I suspect, although I'm no expert on used bike prices and tend to pay more than I should myself! Most of the guys here (including me) recommend looking for something like a 500 cc Kawasaki Ninja or Suzuki GS 500, which would have ample power but not so much that you'll kill yourself in your first week. Or, you could do well with a dual-purpose bike such as a KLR 650. Whatever you do, hold back enough money to buy a good helmet, leathers, boots, and gloves. You'll be glad you did if you ever slide, and you will certainly slide at some point in your riding career. A training course such as the MSF is also a great start. Best of luck. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

08-15-2007, 06:32 AM	#4
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Considering the inflated price of used bikes due to high gas prices 2999 probably is fair. After all Salt Lake Honda has a V65 Magna on their showroom floor for 2850. A CB750 is a bit much for a new rider but at least the Nighthawk is a solid bike with a smooth linear powerband. And when you drop it (as you will) there's no plastic to worry about. Don't forget the MSF course and full riding gear. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

08-15-2007, 07:52 AM	#5
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	I had one of those for awhile, it's pretty mild mannered and near bullet proof, not overly heavy. Should be a pretty good deal, bear in mind they were $3999. new so $2999 is a little on the high side but dealers are going to take advantage of gas prices like anyone else would so..... If it's in as good a shape as you say and you feel comfortable with the size and weight it sould be OK. Ditto on a good full face lid and gloves, boots etc. The most important thing I think a new rider should do is find an empty parking lot and practice braking, start slow and get familier with using the front brake. What you want is to become familier with how the bike reacts and train yourself to always use the front brake first, that's where your stopping power comes from. too many people's first reaction is to stomp on the bake brake and freeze up, what you want is to learn to brake and swerve using the front brake so you'll have a chance of avoiding an obstacle instead of just skidding into it. Good Luck, it's a fun sport __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

08-16-2007, 08:46 AM	#6
Kreb_Cycle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 872	I don't think a '97 750 nighthawk is too much bike for a beginner if you take it carefully and seriously. Take the MSF course definitely, read and learn, and ride carefully, and you'll be as safe on that as on anything. Unless of course you're a small person, in which case it will just be too heavy for an inexperienced rider, especially when you drop it on your driveway and have to get a neighbor to help you pick it up. __________________ He was a fattish but active man of paralyzing stupidity, a mass of imbecile enthusiasms—one of those completely unquestioning, devoted drudges on whom, more even than on the thought police, the stability of the Party depended. - George Orwell _1984_

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement