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How big are you, dude??

650 cruisers are typically for the more 'petit' biker population. There's not a lot of power there -- are you going to be satisfied with this bike?

canuckerjay wrote:How big are you, dude??

650 cruisers are typically for the more 'petit' biker population. There's not a lot of power there -- are you going to be satisfied with this bike?

Even if Mandingo is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs the 650 is not a bad choice for someone posting in the "New Bikers Forum." Learning to ride a smaller, lighter bike makes mastering the basics far easier than having to deal with a bigger more powerful machine. Besides, since he's looking at a used 'starter' motorcycle, there are no real worries about losing money on resale when he's ready to upgrade. Unless he crashes it, he can pretty well count on reselling for about what he pays in 6 months or a year.

The 650 will be cheaper to insure than something more powerful and newer.

Pam

Yeah, I'm not a huge guy 5'10'' about 145 or so. I think the 650 is enough power for me. I want to do some longer cruises on it and a 650 should be enough to be comfortable on the interstate right? Let me ask you guys this.

How should I go about taking the lisence test? Would I be safe getting the bike and getting comfortable with it and then taking it down there to take the test? Or shoudl I find a friend with a much smaller bike just to take the test on to make sure I pass? Or would it just be easier to take the test on the bike that I am going to be riding?

canuckerjay wrote:How big are you, dude??

650 cruisers are typically for the more 'petit' biker population. There's not a lot of power there -- are you going to be satisfied with this bike?

Hey now, I'm 6'6", 270lb, and I ride a 600!

Sure, I might look a little odd on it, but it's got adequate power (sure, it's not exactly ballsy, but it'll do 75 MPH just fine) and its comfortable enough to ride for over an hour at a time.

Where did the idea that you need a huge bike for a large person come from? I'm confused, did I miss the memo? Did I misplace the fax? Perhaps the postcard got lost in the mail.
The sad-sack fact is that unless you're a torque junky for cruisers a 600 to 800 is all you'll ever need. Heck, my friend rides a yahama maxim 400 from 82. He weighs an easy 180lbs and with his gf on the back who weighs about the same he can do highway speeds with ease. The two of them together weigh almost as much as the bike does. He can pull off line line faster then a sunfire (though a different driver in the car might change that) with a passenger, and he rides the hell out of the little thing.
The jump from a 600 to an 1100 isn't as great as you might think. Sure you get an extra 500cc's and probably 30 to 40 hp, but you also add 200-300lbs to the weight of your bike. This will cancel out a lot of the benefit of your bigger engine.
Anyone who thinks that you need greater then a 600 to do highway speeds needs a slap upside the head... OR to stop listening to the the guy trying to sell you a $12000 bike? Did you ever wonder why a dealer would tell you that? When I went in to look at a 650 savage (400lbs) I was pointed at an 833cc marauder (650lbs) and told that the savage probably wouldn't do highway speeds very well. I've gotten me and my... ex up to 140km/h it was REALLY buzzy, but it's a single. Together we weighed about 250-260 lbs over half the weight of the bike. A windshield would have made it even easier. I was able to keep up with my Aunts 1100v-star and my uncles 1800 goldwing no problem. And I was the only one with a passenger.
A 650 v-twin will keep you happy for many thousands of miles, an 1100v-twin will most likely end up tipped... repeatedly at stop signs and red lights. Choose wisely, to me a lighter bike is a better bike.

5K on 2004 with 650 miles might be a good price. I think you can find the same deal with totally brand new at dealer for left-over 2004.

If I were you I would at least try to get the owner lower the price to 4,500.

2004, 650 miles with 2 owner, that is possible. I got mine 2002 with 470miles and also 2 original owner before me and the bike is like a brand spankin' new bike.

The power on 650 is not that bad at all, I can ride with other bigger engine without a problem. This thing can run at 90mph for hours.

Yeah, I am definatly going to talk him down to at least 4500. I'm stoked about it though, It's such a pretty bike.

Okay, you were asking about the best method to get your license... have you taken the MSF course? ARe you signed up yet?

I recommend you do THAT before you even plonk down any $ on that motorcycle. Sure, you can get comfortable with the V650 and take the test on that, but passing the MVA test generally means you are qualified to turn around in a parking lot, etc. Taking the MSF means you'll have the basic skills to keep yourself from crashing the bike in various real world situations AND learn enough to REALLY have fun on that Vstar.

Pam

I have looked around at taking an MSF course, But i can't seem to find anything here in laramie wyoming, The closest place that I could think of would be in denver, but that is at least a 4hr drive. Anyone know where the closest place that I could go to to take it would be?

Did you go to the MSF website? http://www.msf-usa.org/ you can click on Wyoming for your MVA page and the number to call.

In MD/VA/DC a lot of the community colleges offer the MSF classes.

When I took the MSF there was a couple who had driven 3 hours for the class and were staying in a motel for the weekend. The class is that useful and important.

Pam