[Slug]

I can't decide which bike to buy and would appreciate your opinions.

I can't decide if I should get a sporty bike with an upright riding postion or a cruiser. I have narrowed it down to the C50, SV650 and the Yamaha FZ6.

Part of me wants a sport bike mainly because they look good and I'm 32 and feeling old.

The other part wants a cruiser with a back rest so I can go for rides with my wife or take my son to ball practice on it.

Most of my riding will be scooting around town with a weekend joy ride out on the country highways.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[inspiron]

Hi Slug,

Tell us a little about yourself ... what experience do you have? Have you ridden a sportsbike or a cruiser before? There is alot of factors to consider before we can really give you much useful advice ...

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Have you tried sitting on any of those bikes yet?

Have your wife and/or son shown any interest in riding with you?

 

[oldgeezer]

At the risk of getting shot here, I'd also look at a 2004 or 2005 HD Sportster or an 800 Intruder, which I think now is a VS50. Sort of gives you the best of both worlds. In 2004, Harley rubber mounted the Sportster engine and gave them a little more horsepower. An 883 or 1200 would take care of both your needs. My wife rides an 800 Intruder and it is a tremendous bike. Lots of zip but nice on the road as well.

 

[Pinhy]

in other words: we cant tell you what kind of person you are and what kind of bike you should get.

once you decide for yourself your motorcycle needs/wants, then we can help narrow it down. there are good starter cruisers and good starter sport bikes. there are good experienced cruisers and good experienced sport bikes.

Also, the difference in whether or not your family wants to ride with you is HUGE!

also, there are quite a few threads on here where BIG discussions have occured regarding what bike to start with.

 

[Slug]

Hi Inspiron,

I currently have a beat up 86 Ninja 600R. I can only ride it about 15 minutes before my arms start hurting. In 2001, I bought a new 883c sportster and sold it a year later. I liked the riding position of the Sporster but it was too small for a passenger, had no passing power at highway speeds and vibrated over 70 mph.

I have ridden an 800 Intruder. It was nice, but a little cramp for my legs. I liked the forward controls of the Sportser. I have also ridden a Road Star with my wife on the back. It was great and had a nice riding position, but it was so big. And I can't really afford a bike like that. I have also ridden an FZ1. Fast, but very comfortable. More power than I need and over 8k.

I would like to spend 7k or less.

I have sat on the SV650, FZ6 and C50.

I guess what I'm really looking for here is why people bought sport bikes instead of cruisers.

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

One thing about the sportsters...if you want something even REMOTELY comfortable to ride, don't get a sportster!

They will vibrate you to death before you even get 50 miles down the road! Not worth the money in my opinion!

 

[Slug]

SuzukiGirl,

My wife has shown "some" interest in riding with me. I don't know how much we will really be able to ride together with a 4 years old and an 18 month old. I was hoping to find a bike that can do it all that also looks sharp. My son riding with me to games and things is really my idea since he is too young now.

 

[Ride-or-die]

if the ninga was uncomfortable that rules out most sports bikes including the yamaha FZ6 id say

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

I'd say that you might be more happy with a cruiser. There are a lot of really nice looking cruisers out there!

 

[oldgeezer]

One thing about the sportsters...if you want something even REMOTELY comfortable to ride, don't get a sportster!

They will vibrate you to death before you even get 50 miles down the road! Not worth the money in my opinion!

SG1, you are right, the Sportsters prior to 2004 had a lot of engine vibration. However, in 2004, Harley rubber mounted the engine and they have a ton more power than the earlier models, especially the 1200's. I've ridden an 04 Sportster and it was as smooth as my Softail.

Slug, from what you've described, the C-50 might be a better choice. I can't comment on sport bikes as I've never ridden one. Good luck in making your selection.

 

[roysclockgun]

Dunno if you can get either the M50 or C50 for under 7K out the door. I did buy my new S50 in Feb. for under 7K on the road, and they threw in a helmet and face shield for my wife, so she could ride home with me. First accessory that I bought was the Suzuki "sissy bar". That really gave the wife a better feeling of security in the pillion seat riding position.
With what you've outlined, any of the Suzuki 50 cu in Boulevard models would fill the bill. The greatest difference that I could see in selecting the S50, is that it is 100 lbs lighter then the other two.
Had Harleys. Been there, done that. Would not own another Harley.
Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha all offer good cruisers in the 800cc range. I almost bought the Kawasaki 750 shaft drive cruiser, but the S50 won out in the looks category and is a tad more powerful to boot. Have not had any trouble passing, with two up, going turnpike speeds.
Just try them all (some dealers will send you on a test ride IF they believe that doing so will close the deal) buy the one that sings to you!
Steve

 

[Gixxerdale]

Lets see. 2 up, sport or cruiser. Depending on your size an SV may be a little small for 2 up riding, how about a Bandit 1200? Great all around bike for 2 up, solo, commuter, sport touring etc. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Blackburg]

Go to the head of the line. Look (at least) at a Burgman 400 or 650. Comfort for both rider and passenger is far better than anything else on the road.

A good rider on either bike will easily keep up with (or pass) the average sportbike rider in the twisties. It's not a drag racer, but the 650 will dust off many or most of the cruisers. It has great protection from the elements, while retaining the ability to cruise way above any legal speed limit 'til the tank runs dry.

Besides that, you can carry two watermelons and a laptop under the seat. :wink:

Steve (aka wasions)

 

[inspiron]

Hey, don't overlook a "touring" bike like the V-Strom or a Yamaha TDM or FJR. They are comfortable, and designed for long rides. A friend has a Yamaha FJR1300, and is very happy with it, with and without a pillion on the back.

 

[stp1971]

Now if you want a 800cc cruiser look into last years Suzuki line,, when I bought my 1500 there were several 800's new that were left overs and the dealer had them selling for the $5000 something to low $6000 price range. Also there is a V-Star that's fully dressed out with winshield, bags, sissy bar and all for around $6700.00,, I think it is a 600cc bike,, but it is a nice looking bike. My friend is seriously looking into it. But check into the last year models,, if you can find an '04 then the dealers are really trying to get rid of them since the Boulevards are out now.

 

[v0lusia]

Not sure where you are located but looking for last years bikes is not a bad idea. Onieda Suzuki (Upstate NY) has leftover 2004 Volusia's (C50 is the same bike with fuel injection, smaller tank capicity, and floorboards).
They want <$5400 on them sticker is $6500
http://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=19250&cat=744&page=1 Add about $250 if you don't want Black

 

[Pinhy]

i think if you are going to be doing some 2 up then the C50 is the answer and you should be able to get it for under $7k out the door.

i got my M50 for $6750 OTD (thats the MSRP) the day it came out....the C50 has been out a while and it lists at 6650 (black) and 6800 (other colors) so no way would i pay more than about 6700 OTD for one.

the M50 isnt suited to riding 2up as the back seat is rather small and the style just isnt built for a backrest (IMO anyway).

C50!

 

[gerry2153]

might also check with your insurance guy, cruisers are typically much less than some of the others...

 

[hawker]

None of the people above are leading you correctly. The answer and true course of wisdom is that you buy a black one.

Black bikes perform better, look better and are mechanically more sound. The people who ride black bikes are usually better educated, live healthier and longer, have children with higher I.Q.'s and retain their natural teeth and hair until significantly later ages than those who ride bikes of another color.