New rider, looking at a Intruder 1400 VS

[SoldierSteve]

Hello all.

I'm new to the forum and new to riding. I have wanted a bike for years, and have finally committed myself to purchasing one. I am looking at a 1997 Intruder VS 1400 (Pardon my ignorance if I got that wrong). It has 29,000 miles on it, and I've been told over and over that that is too many miles? The body is clean, the chrome like a mirror, and the paint perfect. The person I am buying from has 11 impeccably rebuilt and maintained classis cars on his property, and it seems the bike has been taken care of with the same diligence.

My two concerns are:

1) the mileage.
2) a very strange problem concerning the right blinker. If the bike is idling, and you put on the blinker, the bike will die about 1/10 times. On the road, the blinker works fine... its just during idle.

I researched all over the place, but it seems just coming and asking the experts here would probably be the best method of getting realistic answers.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

~Steve

Also, if I've posted this in an inappropriate forum, I apologize, and could someone point me in the right direction?

[MadCow]

What is your riding experience? And how much he asking for the bike?

[SoldierSteve]

ummm... little to no riding experience. I have a 92 Ninja 600 salvage that I've been learning on. I know its a different experience, going to a cruiser, but I figure the more time spent on two wheels, the better. I am currently researching beginner safety riding courses here in AZ, and have every intention of taking one before start really riding. If anyone has any insight, I would love to hear it.

My plan was to buy the bike, but continue to ride the ninja for a few months since, if I manage to strip every gear, drop the bike, or do anything else stupid, nothing is essentially lost. The bike is on its way to the graveyard anyway.

He wants $2500 for the bike. Its lower than blue book, and actually the mileage is lower than blue book says is normal for its age. I was hoping to get an idea what the heck the right blinker deal is, before buying it, to figure in that cost as well. I have access to any type of tools, and some very experienced DIY mechanics and one motorcycle mechanic, so I was hoping it was a job that we could do in house.

I didn't particularly want a 1400, but the opportunity presented itself. I like the idea of building up with experience, but again... the opportunity is here. Also, I'm a young guy and can't really afford to buy a new bike every year until I build up to a 1400.

Thanks for a timely response, and I look forward to your tutalage

[MadCow]

For starters, I am biased..I absolutely am in love with Intruder 1400's. I pick up my new 2004 Intruder 1400 (Black) next saturday. With that said..

Just take it easy on the 1400...(To Quote Uncle Bob) and get the rider safety course done.

I used to also own a Ninja...you will find the cruiser easier to ride (not race, I did not say race). The Intruder 1400 is a "cruiser" and if you get used to the punch of that Ninja, you might be dissapointed going to a cruiser (if performance is your style). Personally, I could give a crap about speed...I want style. Besides, that VS1400 has pretty much all the power you should (reasonably) want.

I looked at the Intruder 800, and well..alot of other new bikes this week. I kept going back to that Intruder 1400. It was the only bike that "got my pulse up"..And since the other bikes didn't like me, I decided I would go with the 1400. (So screw 'em). I wanted to get a bike I enjoy the first time..and not trade up later.

As for the price. I do not have alot of experience with cruisers. To me, $2500 sounds right if the bike was taken care of as you say. With that said, if the bike was so well maintained, why does it have a grounding problem with the blinker? I would assume that would have been dealt with long ago. It could be that the owner is "through dealing" with that problem..and wants to get rid of the bike now. Electrical problems are like chasing gremlins down.

As for 29k miles, welp...is it burning oil?

[SoldierSteve]

Thanks for your responses. It is not burning any oil, and they are more than happy to allow me to take it to a mechanic of my choice before purchase. He has had the problem for a while, but lost interest in riding when his wife layed hers down and refused to ride anymore. It's been ridden approximatly 200 miles in the last two years.

His intention was to fix the problem, and then sell the bike for 3500. We worked it down to 2500 without him having to mess around with it. As you say, I think he doesn't want deal with the problem anymore, especially if he rarely rides anymore.

I am attaching a pic of the bike, though I don't know if I need to host it somewhere, so if I doesn't work, blame my internet ignorance. When I say it's been taken care of, I can only speak from what I can see and hear. I need a mechanic to check out the rest

Again, thanks for the response. I hope to have some news in the next week or so, when I make my final decision and hopefully become a part of your little community here.

[MadCow]

Originally Posted by SoldierSteve

Thanks for your responses. It is not burning any oil, and they are more than happy to allow me to take it to a mechanic of my choice before purchase. He has had the problem for a while, but lost interest in riding when his wife layed hers down and refused to ride anymore. It's been ridden approximatly 200 miles in the last two years.

His intention was to fix the problem, and then sell the bike for 3500. We worked it down to 2500 without him having to mess around with it. As you say, I think he doesn't want deal with the problem anymore, especially if he rarely rides anymore.

I am attaching a pic of the bike, though I don't know if I need to host it somewhere, so if I doesn't work, blame my internet ignorance. When I say it's been taken care of, I can only speak from what I can see and hear. I need a mechanic to check out the rest

Again, thanks for the response. I hope to have some news in the next week or so, when I make my final decision and hopefully become a part of your little community here.

That sure is a purty lookin 1400....

I LIKE IT! AND THE PRICE

[SoldierSteve]

Yep, and am now the proud owner of it. Took it for a test drive yesterday, and couldnt say no.

[MadCow]

CONGRATS!!

[SoldierSteve]

Thanks, Michael. I'm pretty excited. The neighbors aren't exactly pleased, but hey, what can you do.

[Gixxerdale]

Sweet bike, and I'm sport bike fan! Looks like you picked a winning ride!
Enjoy and ride safe. Phoenix can be tough on motorcyclists!

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by SoldierSteve

Yep, and am now the proud owner of it. Took it for a test drive yesterday, and couldnt say no.

Very nice all around! Stay on top of it and enjoy!

[wsharp]

Steve,

Congratulations! That is a sweet looking machine. I love the Intruder 1400... the chopper look, the power. All around a great bike for fun riding.

Definately look for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in your area... start with the local Community College. That is where I signed up down here in Pima County (Tucson, actually). Take the basic course and when you pass you will have your motorcycle endorsement for your license without taking any extra tests at the MVD.

Welcome aboard.

[mlh155156]

Beautiful bike and a very nice price.

Did you get the blinker problem resolved? I would be interested to know what the problem was. It sounds like a ground short as one reader noted. Were you blowing a fuse when this occurred?

[SoldierSteve]

not resolved as of yet. Only had the bike for 48 hours...

My mechanic looked at it, he is leaning towards a ground somewhere within the system. It's not blowing any fuses when it happens, and I rode all weekend through residentials where I would use the blinkers a lot and it only happened twice. He was mentioning perhaps the insulation for a wire somewhere throughout the system could be worn or broken and it could be as simple a fix as some electrical tape. I won't hold my breath for that though.

As soon as I get a solution, I will be sure you let y'all know. Meanwhile, I've ridden it a lot and just can't get enough.

[mlh155156]

Steve;

As you say, don't hold your breath, but if your mechanic is correct about a ground in the system then the first place that I would look is where the wiring exits under the headlight specifically the three wire bundle that goes to the right hand turn signal. These wires are susceptable to being pinched between the back plate of the headlight housing and the fork bridge.

[SoldierSteve]

Thanks for the tip, It will be the first place we start.