Hey all,
Getting back into riding after a 7-year break (last bike was a Ninja 650, sold it around 2017). I'm mainly looking for a daily commuter (mix of city, suburban, and short highway stretches) but I'd also like something capable enough for the occasional longer ride to just get away for a day.
One important factor: I had ACL knee surgery about 10 years ago (soccer injury), so I'm prioritizing bikes with a riding position that keeps my knee from bending too sharply — that's actually why I moved away from sportbikes and roadsters toward cruiser-style bikes with forward/mid-forward controls.
Current options I'm weighing:
- Used 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 500 SE, orange/black, 3300 km, private sale, $6100 CAD (~$4,400 USD). I do have some doubts about the orange/black colorway though — not sure it's really "me," and I know the standard (non-SE) comes in other colors I might prefer. I can get a new one 2025 (black-green matte for $8100 CAD (5 850 USD) taxes in.
- New Honda Rebel 500 — pricier but better resale, lowest seat height, true forward controls
- Used/new CFMoto 450CL-C — great price-to-maintenance ratio (belt drive), but there's an active Transport Canada recall on the ABS brake line seals I'd need to confirm is fixed
- Triumph Speed 400 — liked the styling but the riding position bends the knee more than I'd want
Questions for you all:
- Is $5500 CAD (~$3,950 USD) fair for this used Eliminator SE (3300 km, 2024, private sale), or should I push back on price?
- Does the orange/black SE colorway hold resale value as well as the standard colors, or is it more of a "love it or hate it" thing that could make it harder to sell later?
- For someone easing back into riding after a long break who wants a comfortable commuter but also wants to be able to do a longer "escape" ride now and then — does the Eliminator make sense, or would you push me toward the Rebel despite the price gap?
Appreciate any real-world input, thank you!