Quote:
Originally Posted by culcune
(Post 230814)
A used Qlink for $1k is a good deal, provided the bike was kept in good shape. However, I would use the new bike angle to get a better deal, if possible; "I can get a brand new Hawk for $1400..." The other advantage is that Qlink is kind of gone from the market, even if the engine is very close to a Suzuki--very, very close. However, someone just wrote the other day that there is someone under the Qlink name selling parts, as he was looking for parts for his Qlink. But, for the most part, the Qlink is an orphan, and new bikes are selling cheap, so use them to your advantage, but keep in mind the Qlink is years ahead of the Hawk in quality, and the engine is a near-clone of the Suzuki, so some of the parts from Suzuki can be used...
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Culcune makes great points, as always.
Q Links were and still are top-notch CB's. There's still things I like much better on my 09 Q link than on the new TT250 and it's still a better built bike, with a more modern motor, suspension and overall materials, than a Hondoid. I've always said it's "virtually Japanese". It even has a beefy aluminum swing arm, link suspension and a gas shock. Back in 09, that was unheard of. It even comes with a REAL Mikuni CV carb.
That said, parts may be an issue.....but SSR is the "new Q Link", even though the new bike is a 250. Somewhere, in a warehouse stashed in Texas, is a BOATLOAD of Q link parts. I'm waiting for that to be found, along with Big Foot. ;-)
We had a guy here last week looking for a Q Link clutch. We believe both the Suzuki 125 and 200 clutch will work. He'll be writing back when he gets it. Many Suzuki parts, including cables are the same. I've been told, and at one point had it confirmed (though I can't find that now), that Q Link was made at the same factory as the Suzuki motors they provided to Suzuki, some small Kawasaki motors and also some of the small KTM motors....so they know what they're doing.
My Q link has been nothing less than flawless and is still a great runner to this day. Even with the TT250 mods I've done, the little 200 Q may still pull it in a straight line.
The absolute upside to the Hondoid (regardless of brand), is that parts are readily available on both the internet and CSC.
Those of us who have been around a while have seen bikes like the Hawk/Storm make a huge splash (like the Q did), then 2-3 years later be gone. It happens all the time in the CB world....but again, Hondoid parts will be available somewhere.
I'd love to find a Q Link, just to have parts on hand if mine ever breaks.
