Got a new streetbike... for free!

[wilkin250r]

Ok, so it's kinda cheesy, a far cry from a "Crotch Rocket", but you can't beat the price!

The previous owner (a friend) was riding, and got cut off in traffic and layed it over. Now, he has no intrest in riding anymore, so I have it. In needs a speedometer cover, clutch-side mirror, and handlebar mounts. But it runs decent, I took it around the block a few times.

It's not the fastest thing in the world, but not bad. It's and inline 4, 600CC, air-cooled, about 75HP. Specs online say 0-60 in just under 4 seconds. Fast for a car, about average for a motorcycle.

[300exOH]

Nice lookin bike especially for free. What model is it? Nice fair weather cruizer.:devil: That's actually the type of bike I thought about since they aren't so fast I'd kill myself on it but fast enough to have fun on.

[wilkin250r]

It's a 1989 Yamaha YX600. As you can see by the side plate, it is more commonly known as a Yamaha Radian.

So far, I'm not too keen on the location of the footpegs. It feels like my knees are in my chest. I'm going to see if I can relocate them a little lower and further back.

I'm wondering if I can get the rider position and ergonomics similar to my 250r. The handlebars are close, I need to move the clutch lever a bit, but the footpegs are way off. I may need to get a new shifter and brake lever if I do that, but that's fine by me.

[Mxjunkie]

a little tlc and some elbow grease and it'll look like a million dollars, thats crazy you got it for free, I need to find something like that damn.

[300exOH]

I see what you mean about the pegs being high. I can tell just by the pics. A little tweaking should make it a nice comfy ride though. Doesn't sound like a good bike for me since I'm long legged with bad knees.:o Enjoy the ride:cool:

[sly400ex]

Can't beat the mpg's it'll get too!:)

[wilkin250r]

Originally posted by 300exOH
I see what you mean about the pegs being high. I can tell just by the pics. A little tweaking should make it a nice comfy ride though.

I don't know how far down and back I can get them, though. Too far down, and they'll hit the ground when you're leaning through a corner. That could get real dangerous.

44mpg, from what I read. The decrease in gas should just about cover the increase in insurance.

[300exOH]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
I don't know how far down and back I can get them, though. Too far down, and they'll hit the ground when you're leaning through a corner. That could get real dangerous.

Yeah. That wouldn't be good.:eek2: It doesn't look like theres much room to move them.

[F-16Guy]

Just put some forward controls and some ape-hangers on it.:bandit:

[jwick07]

That was the first street bike I ever owned and I had a ton of problems with it. Good luck trying to relocate the foot pegs, the side pipes and such and just the overall frame design, they will hit the ground were they are mounted now if you corner hard, the carbs were always out of balance so to speak and one to rich one to lean and so on. I'm 6'3" and was a little cramped on the bike, but it will scream all the way to the red line at 12grand, you can shift at 10grand and still get the front end light, the bike handles pretty well though for not being a crotch rocket. I like the adjust ability of the back shocks though, I gave lots of rides on my and they always gave a plush ride. I worked 35 miles away from my town and rode it on the interstate a lot great gas milage when its running right.

[jwick07]

oh yeah i bet you already figured out for only being a 600cc she is really HEAVY

[csimp3]

dude, i know its only a radian, but dont under-estimate that bike, my buddy had one, and i had a zx6r, he certainly wasnt faster than me but he could definietly hang with the big bikes, his was piped and jetted, it was a wierd bike to ride i remember, but you got it for the right price, have fun

[wilkin250r]

This is my first streetbike, so a 600 is just about perfect. I don't think I'll really do any engine mods, if I need more power, I'll just buy a faster bike later down the road.

I figure I'll only have this bike for a couple years, then I'll sell it and upgrade. If I do any mods at all, it will just be to make it look better and increase the resale value.

[Butters]

lucky. i wish i could get something like that. have fun with it and don't kill yourself.

[PunkA$$]

That thing'll clean up real nice.

I recently got a street bike for free as well. Just needed the carbs cleaned out and it runs good now. A little cosmetic work and It'll be good as new.

I think when I get it lookin' nice I'm gonna sell it though. I haven't got the nuts for a street bike. Actually, it's fairly similar to yours, Wilkin.

(not actual bike)\/ 1982 Yamaha vision 550 v-twin

[tacundra]

Dayum!!! Sweet deal!

I cant believe that bike's 0-60 is 3.4 secs....for an '89 non-crotch rocket!!!!

I bet you can get some unsuspecting cars to run ya...

[4punksdad]

the radian was yamahas answer the popular honda nighthawks of the mid 80's. It wasn't a bad bike. Enjoy it, then upgrade. :D

[Joe400ex]

who cares if its clean or dirty right it ws free:)

[wilkin250r]

Well, it wasn't exactly free. I did have to give up one of my windsurfers.

[Nick110]

The truth comes out :devil:

[AtvMxRider]

Please cover your head with that helmet:eek2:

[stc416rider]

Originally posted by AtvMxRider
Please cover your head with that helmet:eek2:

yeah dont kill urself

[AtvMxRider]

Originally posted by stc416rider
yeah dont kill urself


I meant so he will cover his face:devil:

[wilkin250r]

Yeah, ha ha.

You're just jealous that I can ride a motorcycle without getting pulled over by some cop thinking I stole it. :blah:

[AtvMxRider]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
Yeah, ha ha.

You're just jealous that I can ride a motorcycle without getting pulled over by some cop thinking I stole it. :blah: :mad: :cuss:




















:D

Originally posted by wilkin250r
You're just jealous that I can ride a motorcycle without getting pulled over by some cop thinking I stole it. :blah:

or for tinted windows lmao:p

[Rich250RRacer]

Radians were pretty decent bikes, but one of Yamaha's best from that time (aside from the Vmax) was the Fazer. I think it was the fastest 700 class bike at that time.
http://images.traderonline.com/img/5/dealer/1957814/81166509_1.jpg

[Rich250RRacer]

Wow, I didn't think the pic would turn out that big. :huh :eek:

[SGA]

Nice bike Wilkin! Congrats! Great starter bike, plento power to see if thats what you like.

Say, Whats a windsurfer?
I could google image it like I do eveything else but I d rather hear it from you.:D


Stopped by the law thinking its stolen, Bah haha!
Man, it must suck to be black in our society.

[trx400exxracer]

your lucky

[kwatts400]

Wish I could find a deal like that.

[tater_kamik]

i know right! i would love a free bike! does look like it may be a little akward to ride though, how do you like it so far?

[wilkin250r]

It's not bad, the most awkward thing so far is getting used to the twist throttle. It also doesn't help that the handlebars are slightly tweaked. I'll have that fixed before I get my license.

[tater_kamik]

i prefer the twist throttle myself, ya dont get tired with it. does that bike have clip ons or normal handlebars?

[wilkin250r]

Since I don't know what "clip-ons" are, I assume it has normal handlebars. The mounts look almost identical to my quad.

[tater_kamik]

clipons just bolt onto each fork indipendently. kind of nice to have just so you can replace one half or the other instead of the entire thing when ya wreck. i have been thinking of running a riser with normal bars, apparently a lot of people that end up getting risers, really like it compared to the stock clipons but i dont know anyone personally who runs a riser on a motorcycle so i cant go out and try one with it:ermm:

[4punksdad]

the radian didn't come with clip ons. that a crotch rocket feature pretty much exclusively

[tater_kamik]

thats what i get for not knowing jack about anything but rockets...

[wilkin250r]

That's what I get for not knowing jack about streetbikes at all.

Odd. With all the info I post here, and this whole image of a "smart guy", you would think I have a huge pool of knowledge. In reality, I only know what I own. I know the 250X, 400EX, 250r, and LT80. I don't know jack **** about anything else, including streetbikes.

In fact, the ONLY streetbike I know is the Honda Goldwing, because my father used to own one.

[JTRtrx250r]

Cool, I still like those, if I remember right... they have the same motor as the first few yrs of the FZ and scoot along pretty good

Enjoys it and stay upright!:D ;) :cool:

[wilkin250r]

Originally posted by JTRtrx250r
Cool, I still like those, if I remember right... they have the same motor as the first few yrs of the FZ and scoot along pretty good

Enjoys it and stay upright!:D ;) :cool:

I do believe so. The repair manual is listed as "YX600 and FZ600".

Wasn't the FZ600 the European version?

[JTRtrx250r]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
I do believe so. The repair manual is listed as "YX600 and FZ600".

Wasn't the FZ600 the European version? not sure, but I used to drool over them back in the mid 80's LOL, that was the bike to have!:D

I recently got back into street riding ... and am really enjoying it, just need a newer unit

Get the gear tho bro, seriously!! Ive seen some of the nastiest stuff from "squids" (guys that dont wear gear). Even something as simple as a small low-side w/ the ankle trapped under the bike:eek2: :huh Dont wanna put any fear in ya, but a lil is good and I just want to see ya safe and able to enjoy the road;)

[4punksdad]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
I do believe so. The repair manual is listed as "YX600 and FZ600".

Wasn't the FZ600 the European version?

I think the FZ was an american market bike. The FZ-750 was the bike to have back then. Early crotch rocket style with a 5 valve head.

[4punksdad]

fz750 link

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/JackBlack_51/000_0029.jpg