Hopefully getting my first big bike this weekend! (XJ900)

[gtech]

Hey all!

So I've been a rider for 2 years on my Honda CBR125. It's finally time to look bigger as the 125 can't handle the 400 miles i do a week

A few friends recommended an XJ900 as it's beginner friendly and perfect commuter. I love the look of them and after scouting on Ebay and a few other websites I'm going to take a look at one on Sunday.

I look forward to jumping on some rides if anyone is based in Kent, no doubt I'll be going further out soon enough as I definitely plan to go camping with the panniers.

If there's anything you can recommend to look out for on the 900s please let me know! Other than a rev counter behaving erratic the bike looks legit.  Let me know what you think of the advert below.

Advert: www.dropbox.com/s/t54zz0i4x6zywn8/description.png?dl=0 
Photo1: www.dropbox.com/s/x0ph0dwxsmsgwls/xj1.JPG?dl=0
Photo2: www.dropbox.com/s/asctacudihsjfrt/xj2.JPG?dl=0
Photo3: www.dropbox.com/s/0lkxiogbbprxm5k/xj3.JPG?dl=0

Thanks in advance, hope to see you around on the board

[teejayexc]

Eh up. The 900 would be ideal for the commute, shaft drive and reliable. Can only see first pic ?

Silencers have been replaced but you may want to have a good look at the collector box and downpipes they're both prone to rotting especially where they meet. Main stand can crack, it's hardly up to the job, so look at that too. Other than that it's just your normal consumables and aesthetics, only you know what is acceptable to you for those.

Good luck with your search.

Ps, nosey bngger alert...how much are they asking for it?

[GAv]

It's a bid leap from a 125 to a 900, and one thing I found when I briefly owned one, bearing in mind I have a ticker issue, was the weight, manoeuvre rig, but don't let me put you off the Divvy 900 has a creamy smooth power delivery, sound nice and are ultra comfy , good luck that does look a nice ride.

[teejayexc]

Jun 24, 2016 16:48:09 GMT GAv said:

It's a bid leap from a 125 to a 900, and one thing I found when I briefly owned one, bearing in mind I have a ticker issue, was the weight, manoeuvre rig, but don't let me put you off the Divvy 900 has a creamy smooth power delivery, sound nice and are ultra comfy , good luck that does look a nice ride.

From his pic he looks man enough to handle one.

[m40man]

It's a bit 'off-stock' with it's blue frame & black plastics, IMHO worth a bit less than a stock one. Nice luggage rack though. Worth checking that the frame & engine numbers are correct on the reg document, given it's clearly a rebuilt bike.

Mileage is high for some bikes, less so for the 900 Divvy. I see it's still got it's original brake lines on it. At 730000 miles & 18 years, you'd maybe want to change them sometime soon-ish.

[m40man]

....... the erratic rev counter suggests a TPS / ignition issue. Usually just adjustment of the TPS but not necessarily.

[GAv]

Jun 24, 2016 17:15:58 GMT teejayexc said:

Jun 24, 2016 16:48:09 GMT GAv said:

It's a bid leap from a 125 to a 900, and one thing I found when I briefly owned one, bearing in mind I have a ticker issue, was the weight, manoeuvre rig, but don't let me put you off the Divvy 900 has a creamy smooth power delivery, sound nice and are ultra comfy , good luck that does look a nice ride.

From his pic he looks man enough to handle one.

Absolutely but I just meant its not a bad idea to build up to a bigger bike,simply due to the experience factor, which I will be the first to admit over 40 years worth didnt prevent me falling off a big powerfull bike.

[gtech]

Jun 24, 2016 17:39:09 GMT m40man said:

....... the erratic rev counter suggests a TPS / ignition issue. Usually just adjustment of the TPS but not necessarily.

Thanks, he has had it 2 years and has no idea why it does it - but I already realised it was a diagnostic tool after grabbing the manual. Fingers crossed it should be a quick fix! 

I know the mileage is higher (I've found others at 30-40k at the same price but in a worse condition) but the guy legitamately sounds safe and gave me a breakdown and why he's getting rid of the bike. I'll have a test ride prior to ensure it sounds healthy. In all honesty as long as it lasts 2 years I'll be in a better financial place for a younger bike. But ideally I'll have this for many years to come. Of course I'll definitely be checking the chassis number with the v5

teejayexc
I'll be giving the entire bike a check over for rust. Thanks for pointing out the stand, do you suggest an aftermarket or get a centre stand straight away? I've negotiated down to 1k which is the top of my budget (wanted the CBR to last the entire year to save)

GAv
Yes, I'm off to a friends house before looking at the XJ to check on the weight (he has one). I know it's going to be a huge difference but like someone (politely) put it, I'm probably 'big' enough for it haha



Thanks for the welcome all, it's much appreciated.

[GAv]

Beg your pardon I realised you have been riding a CBR 125 and if the underbone Thai built Honda Sonic Nova RS I had for a while was anything to go by, with the CBR engine mated to a 5 speed box it was quite perky, however I came to the conclusion it was too light for me, great fun though.
Good Centre stands for Divvies are like The Holy Grail, now one knows if they actually exist, and worse the second time I dropped my D9 in the back garden not only did the crash bars save the day again but the first time it gave me an excellent opportunity to check out the centre stand before another herculean effort got it back up again, which was just as well as a guy was coming to look at it the following day, oh and a rattle dissapeared as had I thoght the end of a Philips which was laying on the grass.
He was a bit of a weed, not to mention a Sunday visiting time waster, however insisted despite my objection it wasnt stable, on the stand, to try it out(with me commanded to help) then thinking good riddence a Lady rang and could she have a look so with reservations she was a big gal, (shame she didnt arrive when it was on its side to help lift it) however a deal was struck and I rekindled most of the outlay, however I chanced some second hand brake pipes after the originals nearly had me off which were fine, however my XJ600 sufferd a similar malidy to my D900s in that they became spongy and threatened to lock on at the end of the levers travel, so I would agree with M40 man,dual braided pipes and get rid of the jointed return valve affairs that tend to clog up and non return, are the solution.

[gtech]

Jun 24, 2016 19:56:00 GMT GAv said:

Beg your pardon I realised you have been riding a CBR 125 and if the underbone Thai built Honda Sonic Nova RS I had for a while was anything to go by, with the CBR engine mated to a 5 speed box it was quite perky, however I came to the conclusion it was too light for me, great fun though.
Good Centre stands for Divvies are like The Holy Grail, now one knows if they actually exist, and worse the second time I dropped my D9 in the back garden not only did the crash bars save the day again but the first time it gave me an excellent opportunity to check out the centre stand before another herculean effort got it back up again, which was just as well as a guy was coming to look at it the following day, oh and a rattle dissapeared as had I thoght the end of a Philips which was laying on the grass.
He was a bit of a weed, not to mention a Sunday visiting time waster, however insisted despite my objection it wasnt stable, on the stand, to try it out(with me commanded to help) then thinking good riddence a Lady rang and could she have a look so with reservations she was a big gal, (shame she didnt arrive when it was on its side to help lift it) however a deal was struck and I rekindled most of the outlay, however I chanced some second hand brake pipes after the originals nearly had me off which were fine, however my XJ600 sufferd a similar malidy to my D900s in that they became spongy and threatened to lock on at the end of the levers travel, so I would agree with M40 man,dual braided pipes and get rid of the jointed return valve affairs that tend to clog up and non return, are the solution.

It's a good little runner, I've done 38k miles on it in just over 2 years and while I've lost indicators, had it down the road twice and gone through more tyres than I'd liked (bloody nails!) it's been awesome. It's still running beautifully but over the next few weeks it's going to cost a few hundred to fix the general wear and tear as well as a few faults that have developed recently.

Rather than putting the money onto the bike, I suppose now I've got a full licence I should upgrade. Sitting on the M2 and M20 on a 125cc (barely reaching 55mph, worse on hills) isn't much fun! The plan was always to go bigger eventually so now seems as good as time as ever.

I'll keep an eye out for the centre-stand, might see if my old man can machine something up if not. 

I'd already planned to change the braided pipes as soon as I notice any leaks, any idea of the cost/best place to get them? Not sure if there's an equiviliant to David Silver Spares (Honda Parts) for Yamahas.

[kirriepete]

Jun 24, 2016 21:15:01 GMT gtech said:

I'd already planned to change the braided pipes as soon as I notice any leaks, any idea of the cost/best place to get them? Not sure if there's an equiviliant to David Silver Spares (Honda Parts) for Yamahas.

I've got braided hoses from HEL for every bike I've owned over the last ..... oh crikey, THAT long? Anyway, good quality stainless hoses with stainless banjoes as well, I recommend the idea to the house.

[gtech]

The bike was great but it does have an oil leak. The guy genuinely didn't know and was willing to drop £200 off the price or offered to fix it before the sale.

If it didn't take me 3 hours ride I'd of taken it there and then, but unfortunately I didn't think it would be worth the risk getting it home.

Hopefully he will get it fixed this week and I'll get another ride up to Norfolk to pick it up by the weekend.

[ralphtown]

If I may,I might caution against getting from 125 to 900.Even if it is a 900 in a mild state of tune.

I,d go for a 600 and get some good riding miles under your belt before going for a "big un".

I read a very interesting article in one of the bike mags,last month (think it was Motorcycle sport and leisure).The item reasoned that too many young riders and returning riders are missing out on some cracking good mid range bikes and "over bike" themselves.

Its your money,sure,but do consider the 600.

I got back into bikes about 4 years ago and did a lot of research,simply because I wanted to ensure I was going to enjoy my riding and not scare the sweet jesus out of myself.
I,d been a courier in the 90s and rode mainly CX 500s and a ex police BMW R80.

After considering all options,I bought a slightly tatty 600.
I loved it and am considering getting another one.
I then bought a good condition 900 and found the weight tough to deal with.
After selling that,I got a BMW which I regret ever wasting my hard earned on.

I found a good condition 900,with Kappa panniers,that only had 32k on it and,strangely,sold by the same guy that sold me my earlier 900.
I,m now much more prepared for the weight and have spent a small fortune on my bike.Pics in the gallery section.

So,as someone who has walked the road.....consider the 600 as the first "big bike".
I think you,ll be surprised how good they are.

RALPH.

[spike240]

My two pennerth.
Where is the oil leaking from? I would guess the obvious place will be oil cooler or the lines to and from the cooler. None of these are a cheap fix unless bodging - so be very very careful cos if he bodges it - it will cost you alot more to sort it out properly.
Good luck.