New rider here. Bought a 1984 Kawasaki 700LTD for $200 in 2020. Made a winter project of it (probably $400 in parts) and took a rider course last year. So far I've put 4500 miles on it - with a big gear box on back, it's an awesome commuter. Loving it!

@michaelb.42112

4 ай бұрын

You're my hero !

@Arcella1981

Ай бұрын

few years ago my BF had a 1981 500LTD he loved it, and of course I made him put a like 3 foot long Sissy bar on it for me xD ( I always felt like i was going to slide off )

Craigs bike is actually something I would like to ride just because of the kickstarter

@jaratt85

2 жыл бұрын

Get a Honda Trail 125 for $5k, they have a kick starter, or an old Enduro from the 80's. There's a Honda XL185 for sale near me for $2000 I'm sure there's something close to you for a similar price.. Anything pre 1974 should have a kick starter too... other than Moto Guzzi.

@OntarioBearHunter

2 жыл бұрын

The old Honda 4s had kicks as an option up to the mid 80s.

@wasterdnb

2 жыл бұрын

@@jaratt85 my first bike was a xl185 the best bike I've ever owned,still regret selling it 26 yrs ago 😭

@hayden6119

2 жыл бұрын

When you're 17 and only ride dirt bikes but can't afford ones with the fancy electric start. Trust me you ain't missing much 😂

@jaratt85

2 жыл бұрын

@@hayden6119 all bikes should have a kick start as a backup in case the battery is getting low

Craig wins by far with his personality, and the kickstarter😎😁

@adinandrewhensley7529

2 жыл бұрын

Craig rocks there’s no denying it

@davidgreve2181

2 жыл бұрын

My Bike had a kick starter too. Loved it! It ran off a magneto

@putitupinya

2 жыл бұрын

My virago(grumpy old woman in Spanish) spun a main bearing at 8k miles

I would love to see you both keep this series going with these two bikes. You got them for a grand or less, now what can you do with them if you both have another 1k budget to put into them

@zerocool4835

Жыл бұрын

Yes the extra 1k budget Build .....dude that would be fun to see how they would alter them!!! I GOTTA see that! Fingers crossed

Would love to see a 1000 mile road trip on these bikes.

@romwierz9298

Жыл бұрын

frogs

Craig's bike probably has higher compression than the tester showed. CV carbs either need to be removed or the slides propped up. Twisting the throttle opens the butterflies, but the slides stay down blocking airflow.

@hvymax

2 жыл бұрын

CV carbs suck. Give me flat slides any day.

@nitrorc4life1

2 жыл бұрын

@@hvymax the soft delivery of cv carbs power delivery make it beneficial on slippery surfaces, making it ideal for new riders or extremely slick conditions. Those cv carbs made it easy to race the special II on a friend's practice track in fla. sand, and won, was scary as heck so twist the throttle and hang on.....the dumb things we do/did in our younger years.

@hvymax

2 жыл бұрын

You mean limp delivery. Flatslides do what you tell them when you tell them for better or for worse. CV's will get around to it eventually.

@karlcritchley7373

2 жыл бұрын

Xs 400-500's that last 15k before an explosion where as rare as fek. Scrap metal in transport form.

I had a Virago 535. I think it was a '94 or something like that. Bought it back in 2007 for $1200 bucks. Tiny bike, but really fun. The tank was actually fake. The real gas tank was under the seat and the tank was just for looks. It was great though. I cleaned the chrome and gave it a new paint job and sold it for $3200 and it is probably still on the road today. Thus proving that looks are everything. :)

Man the pizza delivery is what got me laughing , she's quick , ducked that stuff good 🤣😂🤣

@nitrorc4life1

2 жыл бұрын

Agree, I'm sick right now and laughed even if it hurt, lol

@swskitso

2 жыл бұрын

I always think about the random people that see these things being filmed and tryibg to explain it to their families, or the police.

@051570orion

2 жыл бұрын

@@swskitso 😂 yeah that's crossed my mind too

@davidince2066

2 жыл бұрын

I laughed my a..off at one

@seanmcgivney7631

Жыл бұрын

Made me order a pizza.

My first bike was a 96 virago 750 and I loved the hell out of that thing. Got it for 1400 it had 160000 on it and ran like it was brand new still lmao. Only had to change the oil and replace the clutch cable. Rode another 40k and sold it. I still miss that bike lol

Craig definitely won the burnout competition. “It’s all in the hips” -edited name as I am derp today

@snaxgalore5764

2 жыл бұрын

You mean Craig lol

@ZildjianMan30

2 жыл бұрын

Hips don't lie

@adinandrewhensley7529

2 жыл бұрын

Craig rocks

@Woodworkingnurse

2 жыл бұрын

Greg. Lol 😂

@Bardockion

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed 🤣

My first bike was a 79' KZ1000 ST I paid $400 for, put another $400 into it to get a sticker & running. Dragged the pegs & went triple digits on it, tires were rated for 130mph, did it a couple of times, still had throttle to go. Loved it as a first bike.😛

I just bought a 2007 Shadow with 20,000 miles. $2000. It was in very good shape. Went right through Md. Inspection. Now ima crusin' ! Nice lil' bike...

@InterWebGuy99

3 ай бұрын

Shadows is good bikes. I had four and loved all of them. Finally got a Magna and it's even better all the way around. You might want to consider one yourself down the road. (pardon the pun)

I definitely want to see a slow race between the 2 bikes

@joesmith1067

Жыл бұрын

I love the slow races my buddy Ben is killer at that.

Thank you guys for the hours of quality entertainment.

@FloridaMan0561

2 жыл бұрын

No doubt,these two guys are some characters for sure and they definitely provide us all with quality content and entertainment!

As a teenager of the 80s. I love these bikes!! At the time I would have loved to have owned either one of these back in the day. God bless the both of ya'll!!

This is by far my favorite type of content, coming from my favorite type of people talking about my favorite vehicle... motorcycles. Keep up the content!! I love it.

I just subscribed because of this video. Fun and interesting. I think the channel will be better now that you have more focus on it. Take a day trip on the bikes and see how they hold up. Check mpg, ride comfort, durability. Hopefully they'll hold up but if they don't, be prepared with a tool kit to do roadside repairs. Just brainstorming. Great video guys, thanks

@malindawarnasuriya3511

2 жыл бұрын

spot on. I wanted that too from these guys

Hahaha that was awesome seeing Craig haul that TV!!!! Love the channel!

I bought a new 98 Virago 1100 special and it was great in most respects. The transmission whined on decel, never failed and shifted like butter. The whine was weird and not something to love. But it didn’t matter. The pillion was, apparently, not very comfortable. The styling was great in places and awkward in others. But I had that and two BMWs and I almost always wound up hopping on the Virago for trips under 2-3 hours. It was very solid, never let me down and ran great with only basic maintenance. If they are that cheap now, I say go find a nice one and buy it!

Sean as far as it goes. You deserve nothing but blessings for just who you are. I hope you will still do what you do. Thank you for all the laughs. as long as you make videos you will always have me as a subscriber. bless you and all around you. Take care

"Too close to call it; we need more testing..." 😉 Good job guys. It's a lot of fun to be had out of two "under $1,000" bikes!!!🤙

I had a 1985 Yamaha maxum-x 700 20 valve and that bike was the best handling bike I ever rode , I could corner to the pegs at 100 mph

Kudos, the Grub Hub and big screen deliveries actually had me LOL and tears!

This is one of the best vids I’ve scene in a long time thanks guys , love the the grub hub throw and the big screen delivery awesome , great content

Great stuff, I had a 650 special in the late 70's heck of a bike. It always came back for more.

@davidgreve2181

2 жыл бұрын

Was it a 650 Triumph? They were so powerful, and you had to be a real man to kick start those monstros!

@dougvanvark1543

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidgreve2181 no it was a Yamaha, but still a good bike. I ran the crap out of it and it kept going.

As much as I love a Japanese 4-cylinder 400, that Virago is SWEET! I love the looks of a boulevard cruiser. 😍

@FalloutGenius1

2 жыл бұрын

I fell in love with viragos: they are definitely a good looking bike. Can’t beat how reliable they can be as well

You guys are awesome! I like your crazy contents 😎

A lot of us watching ride bikes like this daily . We do whatever is needed to keep them running.

Good afternoon good sirs 🤓 from the uk 🇬🇧 South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

would love to see a route 66 tour challenge if you guys bought some old arse bikes, fixed them up and cruised them hitting some good stops and so on

Best type of videos on KZread!! Keep these coming!

Sweet! Great show... Thanks!

I've bought so many bikes thru the years for less than 1k that ended up being great bikes. Most didn't run when i got them but most of the time just needed carb cleaned and fresh gas. But I've bought a couple Honda shadows for less than 1k and a few years back you could get Sportsters for 1k that ran and were great.

@amatureskater15

2 жыл бұрын

MY type of bike owner! Mechanic specials!

@nikolas8088

2 жыл бұрын

Honda Shadow is a very good bike and beautiful to customized...!!

My first bike I paid $500 for, I rode it hard for 5 years, the guy who bought it, dropped it at speed a few times, and he is still riding it! 1999 Kawasaki ninja ex500r

You guys are a whole lot cooler than I had thought. jk. I've only seen a couple of your videos. That was a fun one, lots of humor. Thanks. If my Hiland Rockshark from Amazon shows up on December 1st, I'll get a jug o' that M1 just to give my support.

Gotta LOVE these cheap motorcycle challanges!!

I’ve never beat on any of my motorcycle’s I’ve ever owned like you guys do in your videos. Both bikes are keepers. Thanks.

@joshuagibson2520

2 жыл бұрын

Live a little.

@roberthawley327

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve beat death 7 times. I just won’t abuse something I’ve worked for just to live a little.

@joshstone4052

2 жыл бұрын

Man they just having fun, i got a virago and love it but i also like seeing them beat it up to see how rough it really is

Virago hands down that thing sounds great and runs good lol!!! 👍🥇😊 P.S. don't forget a bike handling contest...slow and fast handling. 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠

Oh man. Hahaha. The Grub hub part was classic. Too funny. I needed that. Thanks for the great video.

Nice! I had a virago many years ago. Smooth ride. Can't beat the prices.

iv been looking for a bike in that price range for a project but everything i find is absolute garbage

On the Virago, the engine was referred to as a "stressed member" because it was part of the frame. My 1981 Virago 750 was geared to cruise at 55 mph and felt like it was going to fly apart at 70. Must've been a response to the gas crisis.

@KineticTaco

2 жыл бұрын

So it’s perfect for the new gas crisis.

@MostlyInteresting

2 жыл бұрын

Yea it Jimmy Car ters 55 mph silly limit.

@hvymax

2 жыл бұрын

I thought my KLR 650 was bad!!!

Great video. The TV delivery had me rolling but the grub hub delivery made me spit milk out of my nose.

I can't believe how good the old virago is and for that money its amazing you could spend another 500 on it to make it spot on and you'd still be a hell of a lot cheaper than 90%of the cruisers out there

i was having a crappy day, but you guys just crease me up🤣 Love the burnout, the pizza delivery is hilarious!

I can tell you from experience your intermittent problem is probably the "computer" I think it's called the TDI box. If you pull the engine out it won't collapse. The back bone is pretty stout.

@infesting

2 жыл бұрын

Of course the bike will not collapse that was a joke. And it's called a CDI box not a TDI box.

I love challenge videos! Bikes and beards and RM ATV are awesome for this. Thank you guys.

@nitrorc4life1

2 жыл бұрын

I'm torn on this one, my brother had a virago, I had the xs400 special II as my first Street bike. Craig,does it have the 85 mph death wobble? I would just pullback and in and accelerate past it, if I remember correctly it topped out at 92-93. I raced a buddy on his home practice track and beat him on his modified bored cr80. of course I wouldn't try again,that was scary.

That's so true about the summer break from school. I would barely be at home. 😂

When I had my fully dressed out 76 Honda CB750 I once carried from Lowes 2 5 step boards,4 -8 foot decking boards and 2 80 pound bags of cement, was all about balance. This was over 25 years ago 😳😞

Surely a quick valve-gap check would bring those compression numbers up on the 400? Can't do any harm..?

@MostlyInteresting

2 жыл бұрын

Yea I noticed that.... its a real clattery...

Very aerodynamic, Craig! 😂 Thanks, guys, that was good-stupid! Now, you have to make café racers out of them! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

Half way and such a great video kickass content this is what should b on tv 🤙🤙🤙

I've got my MSF course today! Super pumped and can't wait to be part of the motorcycle club

@colestowing8695

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats!

wanted to hear the engines when racing not stupid music.

Definitely. I bought 1982 Honda cb900c. I bought it for 700 and put about 700 Miles on it. Now she needs some work. Still runs and drives though. The carbs just need some help. But so do I with this bike. It's my first road bike. Little different then single cylinder two strokes.

I love the kick start. Just picked up an old Yamaha XT with only a kick start. Nothing beats the feeling of it starting first kick

If craig cheated, you cheated way more by going to a dealership that you have a reputation at, instead of getting it on craigslist like you said you had to.

@BikesandBeards

2 жыл бұрын

I ve never purchased anything other than parts from that place, they don’t even like me lol

@HairyMTB

2 жыл бұрын

@@BikesandBeards Now this is the real Bikes and Beards. Guys, please be on the lookout for scammers on this vids comments. Also sent you an email with screen grabs breaking this all down.

@grandudetonesnob7107

2 жыл бұрын

If nobody's cheatin', it ain't a competition!

We rode these bikes new .. had a blast . Friends had Harleys, V rods, 650, 750, 1100 yammies , Z1's, H1, H2's late 80's crotch rockets multi- valves came out it was great to be young in the 80's

Wow that brake challenge was wild! Be safe out there y’all

Let's go Virago! passing my 96 Virago down to my daughter for her first bike. Trying to get the next gen riders excited about bikes.

I like you guys, a kind of US Top Gear on bikes, keep it up, it is fun to watch.

Hilarious! Craig, I thought you were my elder (I am a 1970 kid) but was amazed to hear that you were born in the '80s. Rock on.

Buddy of mine just got a 1983 honda nighthawk 450 in oregon, with 18k miles for only $1100. It has a dented tank and a bit of rust he already took care of, but the engine sounds really healthy. You definitely can get good deals if youre in the right place at the right time. We found it for sale at an airshow.

@GratefulEd907

2 жыл бұрын

My 06 xr650l was only $1500 because I was in the right place at the right time. Im sure I could get $3500 in my area.

LOVE THE VIDS MAN !!!! THE BEST !!!!!

I think you guys both did a great job in this day and age... Plus the market.

Loved hanging out with you guys great show.

Love your channel, started riding in 1980 with a 250 Honda super dream,had the 250 xs custom slow but loved it,had around 30 something bikes ,till 2004 when I moved to Australia ,miss having one,last bike was tzr 250 in 2002,your channel makes me nostalgic, love the xs 400,ty guys

@Endidixknsej

2 жыл бұрын

Get another bike man 👍

Always great stuff.

Love these cheap bike challenges

Craig got the wiggle going, so victory is his. Road trip these bikes...endurance is the key.

I love these. Finding good bikes for fairly cheap is awesome. I actually just purchased a 1981 Honda Cb750 Custom for $100. needs some work but it will run when im done lol

Any average person can buy a motorcycle from $500-1,000. It takes a lot of patience. You need to be ready with cash in hand at any moment as well. Your best bet it to scour Facebook marketplace a few times every day. I can guarantee you that every bike in this price range will need moderate to extreme repair to make them roadworthy again. Common issues include: Dirty/misadjusted carburetors, bad batteries, old tires, burnt wires, bad wiring grounds, bad charging systems (stator & regulator), starter solenoids, old fluids (motor oil, brake fluid, fork oil, gear oil & gas), sticky brake calipers, all cables (speedo, tach, throttle, clutch) It sounds like a lot and it is. A lot of these bikes are 20-40 years old with little to no maintenance. I enjoy working on them, but buyer beware!

@7thsluglord363

2 жыл бұрын

Yea, i got a 79 gs1000 for $600. Went through and refreshed all the fluids, fixed a couple wire connections that were still good but just needed new tape. Replaced the battery. But the dang thing just wont start. Turns over, everything sounds like it works, everything looks good, just will not take off and actually start.

LoL loved that burnout Craig great video

yesterday I went to Mansfield, ohio and on the way home , there was a slingshot and behind it was 80's Honda's , gold wing, and the other ones looked like some 250, they were doing pulls against each other. I was laughing so hard! I thought of all the bikes I have been watching on your channel. doesn't matter what yr as long as your having fun !!

Craig getting a customer is hilarous! Sending love from PH!

I started on a $600 bike, a 1980 xs850 with a kick start, was able to flip and trade up to a Harley. My buddy still has the xs850, running strong too

I love vids when you are together :) If you can, do more films like this one. ;)))))

Ironically, that’s the exact year Virago I had as my first bike. Loved it. It served me well.

Love that we have a video at 8:30 in the morning

Without watching the video yet, absolutely you can. Back in March, I bought 2 1982 Goldwings, a spare engine, and 4 Rubbermaid totes filled with spare parts, all for $1500. A new battery and fresh gas for each, and they fired right up.

I had an 84 import 750 virago,had it 25 years,treated it bad, through the air system,exhausts,in the bin, ground the puncture rim off the back wheel, fitted 15"van tyre,(bigger diameter)did over 140,& 80 yard black stripes in second & third, bullet proof clutch & engine,I changed the oil when I got it,was still clean 25 years later, chopped it up a bit,cut tank longways ,split and lowered that, dropped yokes down forks, trials bars, made Indian bodywork outa crap,chucked Speedo, only bort pipes, couldn't break it,best most indistructable bike I've ever had, out of proberly over 500 Japanese brutally treated , think it was £800.... when run's on one tap float chamber s first,blow down fuel pipe with bleed open, before you stip anything,free float valve marmite ! X

The Virago is a XV700 not a 750. I had one as my first bike. The Yamaha XV700 or Virago 700 was a Yamaha V-twin cruiser motorcycle. Made from 1984 to 1987, it was part of Yamaha's Virago line of cruisers. It was informally known as Yamaha's "tariff buster" of the US's 1983 tariff on imported motorcycles with over 700 cc of displacement.

Might be one of my favorite episodes so far

My first bike was under $1K, and I'm glad to see that something running, usuable and fun can be still be found.

You guys have way to much fun!

No matter how the vids turn out, its always good too watch B)

I was laughing on that brake test run right along with y'all. I have a '96 Honda Magna, and at 40 mph Id have to throw out a parachute to come to stop in an emergency.

would liked to see you 2 swap bikes during dragrace to see if weight and driver helped you win or if the bike is truly that much faster like i would think.

You always find fun stuff to do! Replace the oil and the seals in the front forks on both .

Great video guys!

In 1986 they took a V65 Magna’s 4 carbs off and installed a large 2 barrel Weber carb and had a super charger built. PerWee Gleason made a 10:59 second quarter with this bike and after adding the charger they couldn’t get a time as the front end wouldn’t stay down. They started to build a wheelie bar when the project was cancelled and money was reallocated. Turbo and super charge them

You guys are hilarious. Keep it up!

I love riding. After a head on wreak loss my bike and now I can walk again been wanting another one. Riding like a drug.

Awesome retro stuff their!!! The eighties babies like us totally appreciate the celebration of our times 🙂🙂🙂

Craig for sure! You guys should do a cross PA road trip and you have to camp with what ever you can fit on your bikes!

This is such a fun channel.

That Yamaha is awesome man. My step dad had pretty close to that one in red when I was a kid. I recall some very fast rides lol

Always so envious watching things like this from the UK. I was bidding on an XV750 project (most of the bike was in cardboard boxes) and it went for nearly £1000, so roughly like $1100

The grub hub delivery was hilarious 🤣

My first bike. 1982 XV750J Virago . Loved it!