The Right Sized Bike

[jackM50black]

Just got back from a ride with my riding group. Great ride, great sunny weather (a bit chilly). Highways, and twisties, met other riders on their way north, all kinds of bikes.... Harleys, Kawi and Honda cruisers, Beemer touring bikes, all kinds of sport bikes, and an awesome 'Busa, and a strangely impressive V-Max..... My point is that I'm glad I'm ridin the Mighty Mighty M50 (Suzuki Boulevard 805cc cruiser). Reason is that, even though it seems like everybody's got a bigger or faster bike, I see that those riders have a lot more experience. My mid-size bike is perfect for my skills and experience.... being a Noobe on his way to becoming an Intermediate rider. I'm glad I did'nt buy a bike any bigger. Another thing I've learned is that there is absolutely no shame in having a smaller bike. Many experienced riders have given me positive comments about the M50, with some remembering back to the good old days when they had a lighter-weight bike. So, with one year of riding under my belt... I'm a satisfied M50 customer and a happy rider.

[VermilionX]

congrats! glad to hear you're satisfied w/ your purchase.

im very satisfied as well w/ mine.

although, if i can have a do-over... i will pick the gixxer600 K6 instead. too bad they didn't have those yet when i went to buy a bike.

[ZooTech]

Many of the guys over at VROC moved up to a Vulcan 800 and stayed there. If you have no interest in leaving Camaros in the dust then an 800 is really all you need. I just changed the rear tire on my dad's C50 earlier today and took it for a spin afterward and, while it lacks the skin-tightening acceleration I like to have available, I know it's more than enough power for the way my dad prefers to ride.

[sapaul]

You know you are in the right crowd when you have nothing to prove to anyone and people compliment your ride regardless of what it is. You also know you have the right bike when you look forward to every ride.

[jeff_connors]

Jack, Zoo..I have the 800 Vulcan. It was my first bike other than a Rebel that I cut my teeth on. I just love that bike. My son has a Nighthawk and I just bought him an SV650S. Those are nice but I just love the cruiser feel. Now if rode a bigger bike, I may be smitten but man, that 800 gets out and moves and provides me as much acceleration that I would want. Guess its one of those things: if you never had it, you don't miss it. My goal is to always have a cruiser and a standard for variety. Looking for a 650 V-strom now and will probably keep the Rebel with the current gas prices. That little things really is fun around town. Be safe.

[Sev]

You know you are in the right crowd when you have nothing to prove to anyone and people compliment your ride regardless of what it is. You also know you have the right bike when you look forward to every ride.

Or when you start twitching after not riding it for four months.

"GO AWAY SNOW!!!!!"

[jmillheiser]

Well I definately have the right bike for me at this time then, I always look forward to riding it.

[sapaul]

You know you are in the right crowd when you have nothing to prove to anyone and people compliment your ride regardless of what it is. You also know you have the right bike when you look forward to every ride.

Or when you start twitching after not riding it for four months.

Sev I am starting to twitch for you, between the K12S and the little, I am on two wheels just about everyday now.

"GO AWAY SNOW!!!!!"

[ssnow57]

A lot of novice or intermediate cyclers get bitten by the bigger is better bug and the result came often times be disasterous. Sounds like you resisted that temptation, and that was real smart. I own a Royal Star Venture but I've been riding for over thirty years and have worked my way up to this monster. My recommendation is to be patient and only upsize when your confidence matches the challenge.

Scott

[goodcruisin]

I was originally looking at upgrading to a vulcan 15/1600. but after sitting on one and realizing it feels WAY heavier than my v45 magna, i thought about the c50 and vulcan 900 (if those ever come out).
and all you people saying "get what fits you" , im gonna go with a few cubics less!