Different type of bike...for a different type of ride?

Message

BlueBomber · Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:07 am

I like my bike, but I never end up doing the type of riding I bought it for.

I bought my Suzuki Boulevard M50 under the false impression that all the guys I know with cruisers that actually do ride all the time...would actually like to do it with me from time to time.

Apparently we live on different schedules. So I end up zipping around town and around some curves and twistys and hills...all by my lonesome. I end up being a small hooligan...in an underpowered and heavy for what it is bike.

My problem is that I know all too well that an 800cc cruiser is no FREAKING match for some 600cc sport bike...but I don't really know where the "rest" of the bikes line up.

For example, if I end up buying a 2003 Nighthawk 750...is that going to be a total joke underneath my large frame? (6'3" 279lbs) If I splurged in the end of year and got a late model Triumph Speed Triple would I end up killing myself before I even got the beast home?

Basically I'm just looking for people to suggest more "standard type" or "street fighter" style bikes that I can look at and dream about. Things I already know I like the looks of etc are:

Nighthawks (all used now of course)
V-Strom
Speed Triple
saw a Yamaha 850 special that looked nice
the new Euro only harley LOOKS about right too.

if you've got any on your wish list with the same ideas, let me know.

\/\/

#2 Unread post by **Wrider** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:26 am

Personally I'd love to ride that Speed Triple.. But for the type of ride, I'd also throw in the SV 650 and 1K... The Yamaha FZ6 is another good choice. So is the Honda 599 and the Kwaka Zr-7 and Z750. All good mid sized bikes for more of a sport ride...
Oh, and from experience, it depends on the rider, I used to smoke the squids through the twisties! lol
Wrider

Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:54 am

The Xs 850 is awesome... but doesn't get great gas mileage. I love it as my tug because it has nice torque and pulls the sidecar well. By itself, it isn't remarkable and is very heavy.

The V-strom is awesome though.

oxbow1 · #4 Unread post by **oxbow1** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:33 am

I'm 5' 10" 240 lbs and I ride a Nighthawk 750, it gets me around pretty good, it has enough power to get me from 40 to 60 when I need to get a little distance between me and the cages.
I haven't been on the highway with it yet (NEWB) but it has some get up and go, I was told before I bought it that a 750 was minimum for someone my size (fat kcuf).I would love to have the Vstrom 650 and one of the site guys here (Mike) got one last year look around the site and ask him what he thinks.
I know my first bike after my rookie years (3) is going to be a Honda VTX 1300.

gsJack · #5 Unread post by **gsJack** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:44 am

I'm 6' and 240# and a 500cc gets me around very well.

oxbow1 · #6 Unread post by **oxbow1** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:53 am

PS
I have a 30" inseam and I have to stand up on my peg's once I get rolling to TRY and get comfortable.I also have arty ritis in my knees,thats why I'm looking to get the VTX 1300, it's more comfortable,I'd have it now except my wife wants to pay the mortgage and feed the kids.

jstark47 · #7 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:24 pm

Will! doood!! Where ya been? Nice to see ya back here on TMW.

As a large man myself, I can recommend a V-strom. The frame is large and comfy for a big guy, and the engine, especially the 1000 version, has gobs more power than your M50.

Speed Triples are seductively comfortable, but that throttle is twitchy. It's an overally smaller bike than the V-strom, and way more powerful even. I can't say anything bad about the Speed Trip, just be careful at first if you go that way.

flynrider · #8 Unread post by **flynrider** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:54 pm

I like the Nighthawk as a good all-around bike. It doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but it does everything pretty well. The seating position and big flat seat are great for long road trips, as is the smooth inline 4 engine. It's also at home on twisty backroads, although you won't be waxing a whole lot of sportbikes, unless they ride like dumbasses (actually happens a lot around here).

With around 70hp at the rear wheel it's got enough power for just about any street application. The motor has been detuned to deliver more low end torque for the street. With hydraulic valve adjusters and an o-ring chain, it's about as close to "maintenance free" as you can get.

As others mentioned, there are other standards you can get, and most of them fall into this same general category. Decent (but not stunning) performance with a standard riding position. It's a nice combo if you don't need a specialized bike for a particular type of riding.

I used to ride a friend's XS850 and XS750 triples a lot. Those are great bikes if you can find one in good shape.

mgdavis · #9 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:44 am

You actually like how the V-Strom looks? You might want to go talk to an optometrist about that.

The Strom is a great bike; jack of all trades, master of none, if you will. Power should be plenty even with the 650, and there's always the 1000.

If you want more of a streetfighter/naked bike, you could check out the SV650 too.

#10 Unread post by **Big B** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:19 am

vfr

god, those things are sweet, am really struggling to not trade the vtx in on one of the anniversary editions