Best bike from the 80's?

KZ1000

http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C02%5C23%5Cbikep...

VMAX

http://www.usedbikeemporium.com/cgi-bin/disppic.cf...

1981 CB900

http://jiggle.anaze.us/images/1981CB900F-thumb.jpg

The best tour bike of the '80's was the Honda Goldwing, regardless of year. Of course, the Goldwing is a higher cc than your range.

The other great tour bikes of the '80's that did come with fairings and bags and were in your range were BMW Airheads.

Other tour bikes of the '80's were basically standard bikes that we threw soft bags over the passenger seat and stuck a windshield on the front.

If I am allowed to go back as far as 1977, I would nominate the BMW R100 RS. The first bike to leave the factory with a full fairing: when it came out, it was like the Starship Enterprise on two wheels.

Have you thought of an '80s Sportster? (Post 1985)

They are so simple to work on it's crazy. They have a great reputation for reliability, and when it comes to finding parts, there is stuff everywhere.

I love older Japanese bikes. They are just so hard to find parts for at times, and even though they're amazingly reliable, when they break they can be very hard to fix.

It's just another possibility.

If you are looking only for Japenese bikes and you want a sporty machine that's comfortable, fairly quick, and needs next to no maintenance, look for an old Nighthawk S.

Kawasaki gpz 550 i had one one af the first sport bikes i know only 550 but would be surprised at the power and very soothe when used as cruiser they can be found in good condition for not to much insurance may be cheaper when under 600cc

Honda CB Series.

I have a fondness for them - pretty easy to work on.

Bigger than the 750 would be a Goldwing, which I have no experience with.

You probably won't go wrong with any well kept UJM from that decade. There was no "best". Look at what the moto rags chose as their yearly favorites, and why...

It always comes down to run what ya brung....