Purpose of this site: share hobby of 52 year old biker that buys used bikes in great shape, rides them for a couple years, sells them and buys other used bikes.

The bike currently in my garage -  2002 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat
Also pictured - 2000 Honda VFR 800fi  Interceptor  (sold in May 2006).

That's me back in 1999 on my Yamaha FJ1200 (sold)
 (note, I always wear a helmet and protective gear when actually on the road).

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How I buy used motorcycles

I look for used bikes in the Chicago area that are in near mint condition and are 2 to 5 years old.  I look for bikes late in the season (October or November) when sellers are motivated to sell before the Winter.   You find some amazing deals on used sport bikes because the younger riders only want the latest and fastest bikes.  

In the example below, I found a showroom new Yamaha that sold for about $6,500 new and I was able to buy it for $4,200.  I usually keep the bikes for a couple of years and then sell them to people that find the bikes on this web site and then I buy a replacement used bike through the Trader magazine.  I don't make money when I sell them, but since I buy the bikes at a depreciated, used price, I usually sell them for a couple hundred dollars less than I paid for the bikes. 

Bikes I have owned in the past:

1975 Honda CB400F

Great bike, four into one exhaust, my ideal of what a bike should look like.
Purchased new in 1976, I sold it in 1980 when I was leaving college and needed the money.

1988 Honda Hawk GT

I purchased this new in 1988, I sold it in 1996. More photos of the Hawk here.

1993 Yamaha FJ1200

A big and powerful bike with ABS brakes.  I bought it used in 1997 and sold it in 2000.
More photos of the Yamaha FJ1200 are here

Related Links:
Discussion Forum / Mailing List - FJ1200
FJ Logo Sportsware

1996 Honda CB750 Nighthawk

I purchased this used in 1997 and sold it in 2004.  I added a Honda center stand, engine guards and Michelin radials.   Looks a lot like my old 400F.
More photos of this bike.

Related Links:
Honda CB750 Resource Page
Discussion Forum - Honda Nighthawk
Honda Accessories for the Nighthawk

1996 Honda CBR1000F

Lots of power and great ride. I purchased it used in 2002 and sold it in 2004.
More photos of this bike.

2000 Honda VFR Interceptor  (I sold this bike in May, 2006 - view details and more photos here )

This is the awesome VFR  with fuel injection.   I purchased it used from Todd in Lemont, Illinois in June, 2004 for $6,200.  When I purchase this bike it had only 2,700 miles and included the Corbin seat, handlebar risers and throttlemeister cruise control. I love this bike.....very powerful but comfortable.  I sold the bike to Doug from Wisconsin in May of 2006.
The VFR Discussion Forum.

2002 Yamaha YZF600r Thundercat

The other bike in my garage - the beautiful Thundercat.  I purchased it  from Joe in Streamwood, Illinois in November of 2004 for $4,200.  The bike is in mint condition, all stock and with only 1,800 miles.   I am very lucky to own this bike.

YZF600R Support Site with Discussion Forums

That's me back in 1998 with my Yamaha FJ1200 (sold) and the Honda Nighthawk (sold).

Helpful Motorcycle Links:

Bonus Photos

One of my riding buddies - Paul on his Buell with my old FJ1200 in the background (1999)

That's me (Mark Gallagher) on the FJ1200 back in 1999.

Highland House Restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois (1999), this was the best place in the Chicago area to get together with other bikers on a Sunday morning (the restaurant closed in 2003).

The best motorcycle racing in this area is the AMA Super Bike Racing at Road America
in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. This is a shot of the Ducati tent in the Paddock area of the track back in 1999.

Ride safe.

Mark Gallagher

Updated: March, 2007

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