Ok...passed the MSF class...now on to the FUN stuff!

[JediNut]

This past weekend I finished up the MSF class...and boy, am I glad I took it. It was an excellent class and well worth the money. We had two people, a 20-something guy and a 50-something woman, who did not pass. They both dropped their bikes several times during the two days and couldn't control the bike through the first of the evaluations (the u-turns).

I have my appt next week to take the written test at DMV.

Anyway, now on to the fun stuff....shopping for a bike! I am fighting the urge (and prodding from my friends) to buy a big bike. I am looking for a cruiser and they all say:

- A guy your size (6'4", 230 lbs) needs a big bike and can handle it, no problem!
- You'll get bored with a smaller (< 1000cc) bike quickly and not want to ride any more!
- etc, etc, etc.

I am trying to keep my wits about me and go with a "smaller" bike for a year or so.

Anyway, I was wondering if there is a "Kelly Blue Book" for bikes. I know that you can abuse a bike a lot easier than a car, so the value of a motorcycle can vary wildly, but it'd be nice to know that, for example, $4,500 is way out of line for a low mileage 2003 Suzuki Volusia vl800.

Also....would that be a decent starter bike? It's not on Knighthawk's fantastic list of starter bikes...so I am not sure.

Specs on a 2003 Suzuki Volusia vl800:
Displacement: 805.00 ccm (49.12 cubic inches)
Engine type: V2
Stroke: 4
Power: 52.00 HP (38.0 kW)) @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 69.00 Nm (7.0 kgf-m or 50.9 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM
Compression: 9.4:1
Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 74.4 mm (3.3 x 2.9 inches)
final drive: Shaft drive (cardan)
Dry weight: 239.0 kg (526.9 pounds)
Seat height: 700 mm (27.6 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.


It looks like it fits all of the recommendations for a starter bike (displacement, HP, weight).

Anybody have any opinions on this bike?

Thanks,
JN

[sharpmagna]

KBB and NADA both have values on motorcycles. Use them as a guide but of course results can vary.

Starting off on a smaller bike, you may get bored with the bike but trust me you're just going to want to get a bigger bike and just want to ride more not less. Do a search and you'll see that most people recommend a bike with less than 50 hp (not necessarily how many cc a bike has)

The Volusia should suit you well. As far as I know they are nice bikes and Suzuki updated them with Fuel Injection in 2005 and changed the name to the Boulevard M50. Shaft drive means that it will be low maintenance in that dept. Also the weight isn't too bad (For example, I weigh about 140 and I can easily through around my 550lb bike. I've also picked it up and when I knocked it over on my lawn.)

Have fun bike shopping! You'll have even more fun when you get your first bike.

[dieziege]

I think it is basically the same as the Boulevard C50 but named for some place in Florida... It's heavier than I'd want but they are widely considered good 1st bike choices as far as I know.

As for blue books and prices.... NADA has a web price guide for bikes. There may be others.

I'll say this just so someone has said it... there are a bunch of "you'll get bored" people around...don't believe it.

My first bike (in real terms) was a Yamaha XS1100...95HP, 575lbs... second bike was a Ninja 250...35HP, 300Lbs... the ninja is WAY more fun. Not in the "jet taking off" sense that 50+ft-lbs of torque can provide, but in the fact that it is light (important, especially if you've just ridden an hour through unexpected drizzle while wearing light summer gear and are chilled to the core without realizing it), maneuverable, and more than capable of twisting through canyons or rolling along the interstate at extralegal speeds. Will I be bored with the lighter bike? Kinda... in a year or so I plan on getting an adventure-touring bike and doing more on/off road stuff... but I plan to ride the wheels off the Ninja even then as my commuter bike. It is great for lane splitting and taking advantage of side roads that take you to the same destinations via a winding path. At 60+MPG, the longer road doesn't hurt at all.

Get a starter bike that fits and makes you happy.

[bok]

i started on a 750 shadow and although i "want" a bigger bike and could go get one at any time, the 750 hauls my 6 foot 245lb frame around well enough at highway speeds and passing speeds.

the 750/800 size bikes lack a bit of ooomph when you are riding two up and the (rider plus gear) weight on the bike starts to go over the 400 lb area

[BigChickenStrips]

i know its not a cruiser, but i ride a ninja 250. caught flack from some for getting somethign smaller but i love it and the resale value on the small bikes is WAY better than resale on big bikes if you decide to trade up in a year.

[The Grinch]

Don't worry about the HP. 52 HP is plenty. People used to tour 2-up back in the 60s and 70s on bikes with 25 HP.

[bok]

wanted to clarify my "lack a bit of oomph" statement.

we recently rode 2 up from calgary to banff and around the mountains and such last week and the 750 handled the ride more than adequately and that's with extra bags, shoes, towels , camera gear etc.

[ninja79]

+1 to what everyone said.

You have the right attitude, and your choice of bike sounds about right. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Have fun!

[MISS SALLY]

I first started with a Suzuki 2003 Intruder(vs800) she had 3,000 miles on her and purchased her for $4,500.00
(Sept.2005) She was great but just too heavy

Purchased a Suzuki 2002 Savage(ls650) she had 3,000 miles on her
and purchased her for $2,400 (March 2006)

She is GREAT, light easy to handle, will turn on a dime.

[FlyerPhil]

The Volusias look great and the power is within beginner guidelines. It became the c50, the marauder became the m50. If you can find a good deal on a Volusia/c50 I'd do it. Try to sit on it first and see if its comfortable for you. Its heavier than the marauder or intruder but I found those to both be very light to ME.