Bikes you could get for $5000 in 1986

[faffi]

Imagine this was 1986 and you had 5k burning in your pocket, ready to be spent on a new motorcycle. Which ones of these do you think you could buy, and which ones were too costly?

BMW K75C
BMW R80RT
Cagiva Elephant 650
Harley Sportster 1100 XLH
Honda VFR750 Interceptor
Honda V65 Magna
Kawasaki 900 Eliminator
Kawasaki 900 Ninja
Guzzi SP II
Guzzi Le Mans
Guzzi Cali II
Suzuki GSX-R1100
Suzuki GV1200 Madura
Yamaha YX600 Radian
Yamaha FZ750
Yamaha 1200 V-Max

[guzzisteve]

I did !!!  I was running the family farm in Waterman, IL In 1984 I bought(still have) 84 LeMans 3, In 1986 I bought(still have) 86 Cali 2

Some of us MGNOC members DID not just thought about it!! THEN in 1988 I went PRO and started my Guzzi wrenching career.  I just don't boast about it Retired in 2016   Just so riders here know who answers their questions but never asks any.

The LM3 has 50K hard miles on it/hit by a car in 2007, the 86 Cali2 has 130K mi & pulls an SCF sidecar made in Waterman, IL & has never had the heads off still has 180#comp

[JJ]

In 1983, I bought a brand "RED" new BMW R80RT, (like this photo), and for a few years, it was my only transportation.  One of the best ALL AROUND motorcycles I have ever owned / ridden!   I had it for over 5 years and over 50,000 trouble free miles.,,

[faffi]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it

I test rode an R80RT of the second generation, the one with a single sided swingarm, a bike I really wanted to like. But I could not live with the bike going up 4 inches before moving forward, and the suspension was both soft and harsh at the same time. And there was a lot of noise and turbulence behind the fairing. All very unexpected. Perhaps it was an anomaly of its kind.

I aslo tested an R100RS from 1977, and it was plush, but again lots of wind noise, and the riding position unnatural for me.

[bad Chad]

Adjusted for inflation, today that 5k, is now $14,800 US.   Lots of really cool bikes out there is you want to spend the cash.

[Vecchio Lupo]

I didn't get one because Im a weirdo Guzzi Guy but more than a few of my friends got a $4000 Sportster, new off the floor.

[Tkelly]

When I cleaned out my bank account to buy a 63 Honda305 Dream in 65 for 460$ that was almost 5000$ in today’s money.

[faffi]

Prices

BMW K75C $4850
BMW R80RT $5850
Cagiva Elephant 650 $4288
Harley Sportster 1100 XLH $5199
Honda VFR750 Interceptor $5298
Honda V65 Magna $4498
Kawasaki 900 Eliminator $4599
Kawasaki 900 Ninja $4899
Guzzi SP II $4512
Guzzi Le Mans $4686
Guzzi Cali II $5425 (Convert 5765)
Suzuki GSX-R1100 $5399
Suzuki GV1200 Madura $4649
Yamaha YX600 Radian $2499
Yamaha FZ750 $4799
Yamaha 1200 V-Max $5499

[turboguzzi]

you forgot a VERY good one. GSXR750, the one that started the race replica trend from japan.

I had an 87'. So light it felt like it was hollow inside and it was so racy compared to anything else that it seemed unreal japan would even release it.

There is a VERY nice one on sale at 6000 euro near me.... if i had some more garage space id be very tempted.... must resist, must resist, too many bikes...

[faffi]

IIRC, the Gixxer was 4699.

[Ncdan]

In 1983 I bought a Honda v45 magna for 3200.00 out the door.
I kept it about a month but just couldn’t get acclimated to it.
I traded it back in to the same dealer for a new left over 1982 Honda silverwing interstate, even Steven.
Later wished I had added a little more money and traded for the 83 silverwing interstate which had bumped Up the motor from a 500 yo a 650. Much more efficient midsize tourer which cruised and a much lower rpm and much more two up power.

[PilotJet]

My 1984 V65 Magna was $4,200 out the door at Bernardi Cycles in Natick, MA. I still have it but it has been collecting dust for a while. Put 85,000 miles on it. It was my second bike.

[YellowDuck]

That was the first year for the GSXR1100 and it is more of a true classic than anything else on that list.  The choice is not close at all for me.  Wow did I ever lust after those at the time - I was in high school and had just started riding.

[PeteS]

Didn’t buy a bike in ‘86 but did buy a ‘84 R100RT. I think for around $4300. Competition Accessories used to discount them. Never lived up to its reputation as a reliable bike but was very easy to fix. Only left me at the side of the road once when the rear clutch lever snapped at something over 200k miles. Kept it 20years and put 226k miles on it.

Pete