Which cheap 80's sportbike?

It's time for me to upgrade, after having a CL350 and a CM400, and getting a lot of time on my buddy's EX500 (and then discovering that the engine in my $100 VF500F wreck was seized), I want a real sportbike. Of course, I'm a cheapass, so running out and getting a low mile '04 CBR is a little out of the question; however, there are some really good deals in the $750-1250 bracket. The Honda CBR F1 'Hurricane' and the early VF/VFR bikes, as well as the Yamaha FZ600/750 show up pretty frequently. I'm 6'2" and 180 lbs, and I really like the idea of an early CBR or FZ750, though would totally rock a VFR700 if I found a nice one. The purpose of the bike would be around-town transportation and occasional track day events. Anything I should know about these bikes?

These are nice bikes. Rode this one for 40K miles with nothing but regular maintenance. The gear drive cams sound great. Lots of room for a taller person vs. a modern sport bike.

around here you can get early/mid 90's 600s for that, but they are going to be ugly...which gives you a reason to strip the plastic and run around naked

VFR's were the world's best selling sport tourer for a reason. I doubt you could go wrong there. You might also want to cruise over to ww.advrider.com for info on any bike you can find. Those guys are veritable encyclopedia's on various bikes.

Before I opened the thread I was thinking VFR. I miss mine since I sold it, nothing like the sound of that V4 and gear driven cams.

I'd go for a VFR if you can find one that cheap that isn't hacked up. I think you could find a super clean low mile 80-90s sport easily if you don't mind getting something that was contemporaneously unappreciated or had such a long product life that it became outdated. A whole bunch of Ninjas, 600s especially (the older one looks cooler, but the less old one may better suit your size ), any frikkin Katana (600-1100), the big CBR 1000 or 1100, maybe a Yam TDM850. Hooligan GS1100e or a slightly worn bandit 1200 or the really big CB1000. I consider torque to be sporting so the last few are plenty sporty. Check for peromance tire and suspension upgrade availability and go with the one with the most support. Might end up being the gs500 or ex500.

'89 ZX7R I still drool every time I see one.

I had an FZR600 back in the day and really liked it at the time. Its ergos are pretty committed and to be honest, IMHO, is a pretty small bike for someone that is 6' 2".

The Honda CBR F1 'Hurricane' is a good choice if you are talking the 1000cc. My wife had a 600 Hurricane and it is pretty small for a big guy.

I had 2 fzr600s and a fzr400 and they are great, bullet proof bikes, but again, small for a tall guy. How about a FZR1000? You may have to break the $1250 budget, but I would think that $2k would get you a good one.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1295332588.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1315359029.html

I think a liter bike is a bit much for my skill level; biggest bikes I've ever ridden are a Suzuki GS650 and this modern Kawasaki sport standard thing my friend has (ER-7n?). Plus I'm shooting for sub-$1250, a category that's loaded with forgotten 500-750cc Jap sportbikes.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1327542898.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1332031157.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/1331450163.html

http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/1304635904.html

So much good stuff...I wish someone would buy my dang TR6!