Is my first bike too small for me?

[allawybiker]

hey allawybiker, i really Really like the m50, do you have any opinions, likes, dislikes about it? i started out on an 01 marauder 800 and loved it. i was really wanting to get the m50 but they didnt have then for sale yet when i had bought my 'new' bike. the sales guy i talked to recently(1 month ago) told me they didnt get them in yet and said 'suzuki has canceled that line there will not be any 800 class bike new or otherwise'. i think he was just confused by the new branding, but i thought it was funny he flat out said theres no such thing and never will be when ive seen people posting pics that owned them

but anyways im still thinking about getting one maybe next year or so. just wondering what they are actually like beyond the limited pics ive seen. do you have any more pics of yours you could post, id really like to see some more detail of them.

Hi earwig, I think you made the right decision. The Shadow Spirit 750 is about 500lb dry, an already heavy bike and will do just fine on the highway. It is also the right size/weight cruiser as a starter bike.
Do NOT cancel the class, it is well worth the money. You will be more confident after taking it and you'll learn proper handling techniques. In my class, we had three riders that had been riding for a while (probably illegally) and thought they were really good; they had the most trouble as it was really tough to unlearn bad habits that were self-taught...
Enjoy the ride and only consider upgrading after a year or so.
Congratulation on the bike and good luck on the class!

Hey iwannadie, that sales guy was definitely confused as I purchased mine on 4/19. They were introduced at some dealers sometime around mid-march. Anyway, I've had the bike for a month now and it is great. It has a lot of power, very good handling, and looks great - I get comments about it everywhere I go! I was going for the C50 and then noticed the M50 and asked about it...I just fell in love with her
One thing to note is that its Suzuki windshield is smaller (shorter) than the C50's as it is designed to look sporty, so it does not deflect as much air as some other windshields.
My experience with bikes generally speaking is limited as I have ridden several different Honda models and mine is the biggest so far. I've had the bike for a short time and do not have enough comments about it but will post in the future.
Also, I am planning on taking a lot of pictures and create an online album. I will send you the link once I do it, I am just waiting for some sun
Let me know if you have any more specific questions about the bike...
Stay safe...later

[Gadjet]

Hey Chuck

Sounds like an okay size to start as long as you don't plan on riding two up. Many riders start off with the 750 only to be disappointed when they take their girlfriend or wife for a ride then the engine doesn't have enough power.....but for solo I think it's sufficient. For two up travelling all the makers are coming out with 1100cc, 1500cc, 1800cc etc

ok, this is flat out wrong. Maybe if you were going two up on a long trip packing lots of gear, sure, then the 750 might not have the GVWR to handle it. Not enough power to go two up? My 22 year old 650 has enough power to haul me and a passenger around no problem, and the weight of my bike is about the same as yours. Horsepower is probably very similar as well.

The truth is, you may never outgrow your 750. It all depends on how you ride.

Owen

[Scott58]

That is kinda funny. My girlfriend and i go 2-up all the time on my 250 Rebel. going 200 miles on a saturday is a walk through the park.

[isaac]

No 750 is ever too small for a beginning rider. If you've got a friend who's telling you otherwise, beat the dodo out of him, and strongly consider losing him as a friend.

[isaac]

I am told that heavier bikes hold the road a lot better especially on highways when big tractor trailers fly by.

I don't even get messed up by semis when I'm doing top speed (about 85mph) on my 250.

[mswarrior]

Hi ya Earwig,

Myself I learned on a Honda 125 Enduro and quikly found that the type of riding I wanted to do was touring. At 145 lbs wet a touring bike was to bulky for me so I went with the FJ1200 sport touring model and didn't look back. Before buying the FJ I tried out a couple friends 500's, 750's and found that when fully loaded with camping gear and all suppplies (150 + lbs) I didn't like the way they handled. I found they had problems with top end power when it's needed for passing and getting out of trouble. As for the wind, they all did just fine. This is my own personal preference and I think you should ride your 750 if it meets all your needs. I it does what you want, when you want, who cares what others tell you. Take it all with a grain of salt and if you feel at a later date you need a change... well then do it.

[Mag7C]

I have a 700 cruiser, and it hauls pretty damn good! Personally, I feel anything over 600cc is kind of unneccessary. Nice to have of course, but not needed for street riding.

Don't worry about staying on the road when the big trucks go by. The blast of air is more like a smack in the face rather than a vacuum as most seem to think. Be much more worried about flipping your visor down!

Two-up should be fine unless your friend weighs a quarter ton. I could tell a really off topic story about a friend holding onto the back of my bike and trying to road surf, but the point is the bike has sufficient power even with 2 people.

And remember, motorcycling is a personal experience. Putting everything aside, if you like your bike it's a good bike. Anyone who says differently obviously has no idea what they're talking about. Because they aren't you.

[ronboskz650sr]

My kz 650 pulls fine with two full-grown adults aboard. It's hilly here in Missouri (not mountainous, though) and it does just fine at all speeds, legal or otherwise. My son rides a vulcan 500, and also rides two up frequently with no problems. Besides, it feels like an airplane when you go out solo right after a two up ride! Enjoy your bike, you have chosen well!

[Telesque]

I have a 700 cruiser, and it hauls pretty damn good! Personally, I feel anything over 600cc is kind of unneccessary. Nice to have of course, but not needed for street riding.

I ride a 600, and because it's only a four-speed tranny, once I get up to 75 or so, I really want to hit another gear...

But there's no need for that. Who needs to go faster than 75? (Heck, even that's still 5 MPH over any legal speed in the entire state).

It might be nice to have a fifth gear so that the engine runs at more of a 'cruising' speed, than being so wound up around 70, but still... it's not neccessary.