Last summer, I took the plunge and attended a motorcycle course and enjoyed the hell out of it. So much so, that I bought a motorcycle mere weeks later, a Susuki gz250. It defintley wasn’t a large bike, but it was a great starter, and the price was right too. However, although I loved the way the bike looked, the bike couldn’t go much faster than the lower thresholds of freeway speeds – I never felt comfortable riding it on the freeway for that reason, particularly on uphill stretches when my bike would really chug.
Anyway, I have since moved several states away which means I had to sell my bike, as it was impractical to transport it, but I was ready for an upgrade anyway, and I need your help!
Here are a few of my requirements:
[ul]
[li]Non-whimpy engine sound (my previous bike looked cool, but sounded like a toy)[/li][li]Relatively powerful engine (so I don’t chug on the freeway)[/li][li]I’m partial to the Cruiser style, but I am open to other suggestions[/li][li]Not outrageously priced. I’m thinking $7,500 >, but I’m flexible.[/li][/ul]
So I ask you fellow doper motorcycles: What bike would you recommend to a 6ft, 200lb male?
I’m just about to upgrade from a BMW F650GS - dirtbike styled but eminently road-capable. It’s a big chuffin’ single that is good for a relaxed 80mph or a wheezy hundred, and should be about the right size for you as I’m an inch shorter and 70+lb heavier than you. It’s economical on gas but tough on chains (big singles yank the hell out of even hardened steel over time), on the whole not expensive to run, will easily keep up with traffic for you but won’t bite, which is important when you’ve less than a year’s experience. Looks like you could get a new one within your price range, tho’ I personally would find a year-old example with low mileage and mint condition and let someone else eat the first year’s depreciation.
I also have an F650GS and I am very happy with it. It’s good for tar riding as well as off-road which I have only started recently. There is a great site for the F650GS at http://www.f650.com and also have a look at http://www.advrider.com/forums if you become interested in off-roading
I had a Honda Shadow 600 for a long time. While I’m not saying get the 600, there is also a 750 and 1100 depending on how much experience you have the 1100 probably would be a good way to go. I’m sure you can find a good one, maybe even new, priced under 7,500. (Looks like the 1100s are 8,600 MSRP)
I ran mine for almost 30k and it never needed any work. I would think about another one if I wanted a cruiser.
I have a 700 Honda Shadow. They only made the 700’s for a couple of years in the late 80’s. The 750 has the same size frame just a slightly bigger engine.
Anyway, at 6’4", the bike is a bit cramped for me. At 6’0" I think it would be perfect. The Shadow has a nice rumble with stock pipes, but there are aftermarket pipes if you want it louder.
Mine has plenty of power for the freeway. It is a 6-speed and hums along at fairly low RPM’s at 80MPH.
You can pick up a used one pretty cheap. Those Hondas last forever. Mine’s an '86 with about 70,000 miles on it and other than regular maintenace, the only thing that has gone bad was the starter. I replaced that at about 50,000.
This is the bike I have, a Suzuki C50 . It’s an 800 cc engine, cruiser style, with fuel injection and a shaft drive. Brand new for under $7000. If you go back past 2005, it would be called a Volusia, the same bike minus the fuel injection.
I took it on a trip from CT to WI and back last September. No problems.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys; it’s always good to broaden one’s horizons, and you guys have done exactly that.
control-z, I totally agree, that is a sharp looking bike. However, DirtyHippy’s looks awesome (though I do wish it came in all black, but the color contrast is slick).
Now one thing just occurred to me: the bike’s weighed; is it significant? Keep in mind, the bike I’m coming from weight a mere 302lbs, which was great for a starter as it prevented potential nasty brushes with pavement as I could catch it during my learning phase (and those near-mishaps were rare). Now I noticed the ** Suzuki C50** is almost double my previous bike’s weight, at 540lbs. Am I going to notice a huge difference? Will it be noticeable harder to handle?
I’m still relatively new to bikes, so I just don’t want to get in over my head. Your thoughts?
You’ll notice the weight all right, especially when moving it about by hand. On the other hand, managing a heavy bike is a question of technique and you don’t need to be King Kong to pull it off.
I’m not going to argue aesthetics - I personally hate cruisers but if it’s what you want then that’s up to you.
I don’t know how the weight difference will feel. The Shadow I had was 460lbs and I never had a problem with either moving it around or while riding. What you don’t want is a heavy bike with a high center of gravity like my Concours. Unless you’re looking at something that’s 800lbs I don’t think you’ll notice anything really.
Since you said you have only a little experience, you might want to think about staying away from the lager bikes. I would sit on a few to see what fits since the fit is important. I cna tell you that the 600 that I had would get up to 85 no problem. So if you can find a bike that an 800 that fits well you’ll never have a problem keeping up with traffic, and it will not get away from you as easily if you grab to much throttle.
I weigh a skinny 140 pounds and have no trouble managing my Honda Shadow Aero 750, it weighs over 500 pounds. If you don’t have to push it around on bumpy or hilly terrain, you should be fine.
The C50 does come in black. I never noticed the weight, and sometimes wished it weighed more when caught in some crosswinds. I guess the only times it really comes into play are at very slow speeds. You’re bigger than I am (5’8", 170 lbs), so I don’t think you would have any problem keeping the bike up when stopped.
One thing I would change about it if I was going on another long trip would be to change the seat. It got damned uncomfortable over the long haul. Budget at least an extra $400 or so if you plan on any longish rides.
Lots of good suggestions. You really can’t go wrong with a metric cruiser in the 750-800 cc range. A 600 will get up to freeway speeds, but it doesn’t really like to (I once had a Honda Shadow VLX, 600cc). Realistically, you could probably get away with a bike as big as an 1100, but it depends on how much riding you did on your old bike. How many miles did you put on that GZ250, and how often? Like Edward The Head says, weight shouldn’t be a big deal with a cruiser since the center of gravity is so low. You only really feel it at a walking pace. My V-Strom feels heavier than that Shadow did even though it’s actually 50lbs lighter because it’s very tall and a bit top-heavy.
I’d suggest taking a look at the Triumph Bonneville and it’s variants. It’s got the classic look of a British parallel twin instead of the typical American V-Twin. They also have a riding position similar to your old Marauder (except for the Thruxton), so it should feel familiar. Besides, Marlon Brando rode one in The Wild One, and wouldn’t you rather be Johnny than Chino?
