help me narrow down a bike

[phillyj]

hi guys, i new to motorbikes and still learning. i was wondering if you can help me out. heres what i would like.

1] Japanese
2] a standard bike
3] reliable and in good shape
4] available in the USA
5] between 1978 to 1988
6] between 30 to 70 bhp
7] between $1000 to $2500 (500 to 1200 pounds)
8] a good first bike

if i wanted a new bike it would be a triumph bonneville or a truxton 900. i also thought about the enfield bullet but have heard that it is not good for a beginner.

Thanks for the help.

[steelcleat]

For about $2500.00 you can still get a nice Triumph T140E Bonneville 750.  Make sure it is an "E".  1979 is the best year.
They are the pinnacle of the Bonnevilles with great looks, very fast and reliable.  Triumph never made a better 750 after these T140E's.

[Cleggy]

A Honda 400 four would fit all your criteria !!

[Vincent]

I'm looking at Yamaha XS 650's for the same reasons.

There are plenty of spares to keep 'em runnin'

[Tinker]

A Honda 400 (CB400) Hawk Twin will do as well though not the 400A Hondamatic (27 HP). All the other variants but the A version., meet your criteria.

About 400 lbs weight. The weight of the motorcycle is also a factor you may want to consider. Keep in mind the claimed figures are often so much gas, and that you wont be experiencing DRY weight, but wet. So figure about 6 pound per gallon of gasoline, and the weight is higher up, so don't stand there with a full tank and wait for disaster. (stop at a stop sign, straddling the dip in the road so your feet don't reach, or stopping on leaves, so your foot slips.