First look
Today, I checked out the first motorcycle I found on Craigslist. The motorcycle is a 1989 Yamaha Radian YX600. The Radian appealed to me because it was within my price range and it reminded me of Elle (a 1989 Kawasaki Eliminator EL250). I know the EL250 is a cruiser-type motorcycle while the YX600 is a standard, but there was something about their looks that appealed to me.
Ruthie joined me to look at the bike. We drove to Bethel Park, PA. The family who owned the bike greeted us warmly. The owner bought the bike for his middle son, but the son did not like how the motorcycle looked. Too retro, he said.
I was better prepared to check the bike than I was the first time I bought one. I talked to my friends, asked questions on internet forums, and read motorcycle facts online. The motorcycle looked great, but it was priced over the Kelley Blue Book value. The deal did not happen, but I’m glad I looked at it. It helped that I talked to Ruthie, Gary, and my brother Robin for advice on how much I should pay. I was too excited to own a motorcycle and they helped me think about the purchase more objectively.
