With friends like these...

[Ninja Geoff]

In response to my query, I feel like I can handle the bigger bikes and have paid visit numerous times to our local bike shop and have sat on the Mean streak and it feels comfortable and the balance is good. I've also given thought to the Harley Night Rod w/ a 1130 cc. engine and a lower seat height,which is better suited for me because I'm a little guy(5'6") 150 lbs. I'm going to audition the Harley sometime in the next couple of months and get a "feel" for the bike. If I feel that is too big I'll check out the Sportster (883cc). Right now I'm not definite which brand or model.

I just want to make sure, like some of you stated previously, is it a bike I can handle with acceleration and stopping? However, I want to thank all of you who gave input to this subject. Thanks guys and gals.

Carefull with that harley (the night-rod). It's a powerfull bike with a good strong motor. It's also a big bike. And the sportster 1200's aren't that much phyisically bigger than the 883, so if you do decide for the sportster, try the 1200. Personally the only harley i'd want would be a street-rod or a road-king custom. RK custom with a springer front end is... just yummy.

[jmillheiser]

If you like the mean streak also check out the yamaha warrior and the suzuki M109, and maybe the honda VTX 1300/1800.

The mean streak is supposed to be about the best handling cruiser out there short of the street rod. It also has sportbike grade brakes so it stops in a hurry too.

If you liked the mean streaks size and ergos you may find a sportster to be a tad cramped for your liking. if you have spent a year on that virago I would probably skip the 883 sportster, might not be enough of an upgrade for you.

[FreeRide]

Yeah,it's so confusing with so many models to choose from and hard to decide what to go with. Like my mom said to me... "good thing come to those who wait".

[sapaul]

This has gone around the boards a few times, but I personally would never buy a bike that I have not ridden. Even riding pillion on a bike would give you a bettter perspective as to how each model would feel. To me riding is about how you feel when you are riding and the bike is a major contributor to that. I have fun riding my daughters 125 scooter but my heartbeat and adrenalin level go up when I get on my K1200S

(I picked this bike because I have such a little pencil, but you have to have f*~king huge balls to ride it.)

If you feel you are competent and are ready for the UP then also consider what the bike is going to do for you. Buying a 1600 to go to the shops and back is a waste if you get my meaning.

[SuperRookie]

Recently another acquaintance of mine says to me "Oh, yeah sure, you shouldn't get anything less than a 750...you can handle it..." Then proceeds to tell me how he was once learning to ride, dumped it, got scared and hasn't been on a bike since...

When queried as to what the learner bike of choice was...It was a 650


Man, I need some new friends

[FreeRide]

Well in the two yrs. of riding,I haven't dumped the virago yet. Not saying it can't happen,but had a couple close calls with cagers,which made all the more observant . So I'm not too intimidated by the bigger class bikes.