Shaft drive vs chain

[SBK15]

I don't see the advantages of each of these...Except shaft drive dosen't have to be adjusted and changed...

Might wanna consider belt drive as well. 883 Sportster, Buell Blast, BMW F650CS are some of the entry-level bikes that have belt drive. Almost as low-maintenance as a shaft drive bike.

I've always wondered if you have to adjust Belt drives like chain drives?

[NewGuy]

None of the starter bikes come with a shaft that I can tell.

Sorry, but that's just not correct. The Yamaha V-star 650 is shaft driven, and has been since it was first introduced a decade ago. Honda has two three versions of the 750 cruiser, and two are shaft driven. The Kawasaki Vulcan 750, which I think was discontinued in a couple years ago but still available used, had a shaft drive. The Suzuki S50, formerly the Intruder 800, has a shaft drive, as do the C50/M50, formerly the Volusia 800 and Marauder 800.

Keep in mind all of those bikes were listed as "Best First Bikes" in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles.

That's just the cruisers. I'm not sure what other classes of bikes might have beginner bikes with shaft drives.

[Grey Thumper]

That's just the cruisers. I'm not sure what other classes of bikes might have beginner bikes with shaft drives.

The Moto Guzzi Breva 750 and Honda Deauville are both shaft-driven. The Goose is a standard, the Deauville's . . . sort of a tourer I guess. Both have v-twin engines with 50-55bhp. But yup, seems that there aren't many options when it comes to shaft-drive non-cruiser beginner bikes.

[morganjp94123456]

totally, just bought a suzuki boulevard M50 and it is shaft driven - that is one of reasons I bought it - wanted Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge, Shaft Driven, a bit more horse power, inverted shocks, rims instead of spokes - and it didnt cost much more than the shadow spirit 750 dc (chain driven) and about the same price as the 750 c (shaft driven).

[jonnythan]

totally, just bought a suzuki boulevard M50 and it is shaft driven - that is one of reasons I bought it - wanted Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge, Shaft Driven, a bit more horse power, inverted shocks, rims instead of spokes - and it didnt cost much more than the shadow spirit 750 dc (chain driven) and about the same price as the 750 c (shaft driven).

I didn't know it was shaft.

The Boulevards seem to have a lot going for em. They're damn near the only cruisers that don't look like direct H-D ripoffs.

[RhadamYgg]

totally, just bought a suzuki boulevard M50 and it is shaft driven - that is one of reasons I bought it - wanted Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge, Shaft Driven, a bit more horse power, inverted shocks, rims instead of spokes - and it didnt cost much more than the shadow spirit 750 dc (chain driven) and about the same price as the 750 c (shaft driven).

Interesting. Those are a lot of things I'm looking for as well. Shaft, Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge.

edited to add: Ahh, I see - it is a bit more money than I'd like to spend. Maybe a used one.

RhadamYgg

[TorontoBoy]

The smallest shafty I know is the Honda VT500C from '82-'85. 500cc, very smooth, maintenance free (every 5 years change the rear gear oil), 60mpg/25kpl. The Honda VT500F Ascot from '82-'83 looks more like a flat track bike and shares the same engine and shaft drive.

Both are occassionally available used. For example:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/mss/mcy/635170080.html
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... dZ45186362

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeI ... _id=1C4000

[RhadamYgg]

The smallest shafty I know is the Honda VT500C from '82-'85. 500cc, very smooth, maintenance free (every 5 years change the rear gear oil), 60mpg/25kpl. The Honda VT500F Ascot from '82-'83 looks more like a flat track bike and shares the same engine and shaft drive.

Both are occassionally available used. For example:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/mss/mcy/635170080.html
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... dZ45186362

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeI ... _id=1C4000

Looks like an interesting bike. There is one for sale in Central NJ on craigslist, but the guy posted no pictures! $1500 isn't too bad, though.

RhadamYgg

[morganjp94123456]

totally, just bought a suzuki boulevard M50 and it is shaft driven - that is one of reasons I bought it - wanted Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge, Shaft Driven, a bit more horse power, inverted shocks, rims instead of spokes - and it didnt cost much more than the shadow spirit 750 dc (chain driven) and about the same price as the 750 c (shaft driven).

Interesting. Those are a lot of things I'm looking for as well. Shaft, Fuel Injection, Fuel Gauge.

edited to add: Ahh, I see - it is a bit more money than I'd like to spend. Maybe a used one.

RhadamYgg

I paid 6300 for mine out the door - brand new - The shadow spirit was 5300 which is a great price, but I take the comfort of less hassle and a bit bigger engine. It rides great too, very smooth take off. Take off is so smooth, you don't even have to give it gas to get going except on an incline. The M50 is about 100 or 200 cheaper, I wanted to have to clear lights, and the cool tribal/flames. Either way, you will love this bike. A few of my buddies who went with me, thought this was a really good bike - I had done a ton of research. Also, remember the inverted suspension on the front gives it the same smooth ride as a harley. Only mid size bike with this feature.

[morganjp94123456]

[/quote]
I didn't know it was shaft.

The Boulevards seem to have a lot going for em. They're damn near the only cruisers that don't look like direct H-D ripoffs.[/quote]

That is the truth, they M50 looks like a real modern cruiser.