With friends like these...

[FreeRide]

Well speaking of more power, I'm a second year newbie and I ride a Yamaha Virago 250 and now feel I'm ready for more power. I was asked by more experienced riding buddies if I was going to upgrade to a bigger bike and told them I was considering buying a MeanStreak 1600 cc. and one guy thought it was a bit too much from coming away from a 250cc.
What do you think?

[Dirtytoes]

Well speaking of more power, I'm a second year newbie and I ride a Yamaha Virago 250 and now feel I'm ready for more power. I was asked by more experienced riding buddies if I was going to upgrade to a bigger bike and told them I was considering buying a MeanStreak 1600 cc. and one guy thought it was a bit too much from coming away from a 250cc.
What do you think?

i have absolutely no idea what bike you're talking about but 1600 cc seems to me like ALOT of power......what'ts worst that it will be 1350 ccs more!

[dr_bar]

I would ask you how you feel about your skill set with the 250... Do you feel like there's nothing the bike can surprise you with? Two up riding, cornering, emergency stopping, lunatic cagers??? I added the last because it's how you re-act to a cager that can save your skin. Do you have to think about how to react or does it come second nature?

When you feel absolutely sure, that's the time to upgrade. Sit on the bigger bikes, feel the weight of them, the ergonomics, and really use your common sense. Can I ride a bike this big, or should I get a 1100?

Cruiser style bikes are a bit, and I mean a bit, more forgiving that a sport bike, but power and testosterone rarely mix with out the right ingredients to go with them... Knowledge, experience, common sense, are some of the required ingredients that should be acquired before taking such a big step.

Preaching ended... So, how do you like the Virago? I have it's big brother, a '95 1100, and I'm pleased with my choice for a re-entery bike. I've had the bike for over 2 years and I'm looking to up grade to a full dressed touring bike, specificly a Royal Star Venture, (probably not until the fall next year if my finances get straightened out...)

[Lion_Lady]

sorry, but I still find that "big bike, little dick" holds true for too many...

compensation for something anyhow.



























P

[Scott58]

Truer words were probably never spoken lionlady. There are some big differences in how you ride a small bike compared to a larger one. You don't have to worry about keeping your momentum going at all on a larger cc bike and accelerating out of bad situations on a 250 usually isn't an option (unless it's under 45mph). The one thing I like about the S50 over my rebel is the fact that I can get away from cars who are being stupid in a pretty quick hurry, but that is really the only advantage. Cruisers of any size can go all the same places it's really just how much do you want to handle. In most cases your giving up low speed manuverability for more highway comfort (although my rebel is actually more comfortable to me then the S50 is on the long haul). If you ride a bike you have to "muscle" around more often times then not chances are it's to big.

[scan]

Loonette (my wife and fellow moderator) bought the Meanstreak after riding an 1100 for about 6 to 9 months. Before that she rode a 250 Rebel for about 4 or 5 months. She said the 1600 Meanstreak was easier to control and move around then the 1100 Shadow Spirit before it.

The power on the Meanstreak is nice, but it is not something one cannot control. It is work to make the bike get out of hand (other than the usual slow speed control issue common of long wheel base, high weight, low slung cruisers).

If you said 1000cc or bigger sportsbike, I'd say spend some time in a smaller CC sports saddle first, but if you have fully cut your teeth of the Virago you should go sit on a Meanstreak.

As far as the Meanstreak goes I know Loonette picked it up for the looks, not the engine. If she saw a 750 that had the look she loved, I think she would have gone that way. She's glanced at Triumph nakeds and Guzzi standards too, so have a look around. There is a lot to pick from that doesn't have to be king of the superbikes, or king kong cruiser.

[Ninja Geoff]

Big cruisers are surprisingly easy to ride for their size. The biggest thing is stopping them in a hurry and once you're stopped, keeping them from tipping. A 700 lb RoadKing may be easy as pie to cruise around with, but once you stop moving, it's like balancing on a beam with 700 lbs of weight on your shoulders. Not that it's not easy to balance them or anything, once you get used to the heavy weight, just be carefull.

PS - Floor boards are a pain in the "O Ring". Great for the long haul, but get in the way too much for me to want them.

Well speaking of more power, I'm a second year newbie and I ride a Yamaha Virago 250 and now feel I'm ready for more power. I was asked by more experienced riding buddies if I was going to upgrade to a bigger bike and told them I was considering buying a MeanStreak 1600 cc. and one guy thought it was a bit too much from coming away from a 250cc.
What do you think?

i have absolutely no idea what bike you're talking about but 1600 cc seems to me like ALOT of power......what'ts worst that it will be 1350 ccs more!

Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Meanstreak. Small next to Kawasaki's 2000cc cruiser. The meanstreak has what? 80, 90 bhp? On a bike that heavy it's not too bad, but still the power is there.

Personally if i were to get a cruiser, i'd want a street-rod or warrior. Not that i'd start out on a bike like those.

sorry, but I still find that "big bike, little dick" holds true for too many...

compensation for something anyhow.

So what does it mean if i ride a 200 cc?

[Lion_Lady]

sorry, but I still find that "big bike, little dick" holds true for too many...

compensation for something anyhow.

So what does it mean if i ride a 200 cc?

It means that you're secure in your manhood...






P

[FreeRide]

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.

[ejshotgun]

Never, EVER buy a bike that intimidates you. EVER.

One must respect the machine he rides or else the machine will ride them.

Real "Bikers" know it's about "Being in the Wind" not what you ride.

Sometimes I want to go blinding fast and sometimes I just want to cruise.

I want as much power as I can control!
I rode a Honda 6 cylinder one time that just was "way too much"(didn't fit my frame didn't like the way it handled and didn't like the power) didn't like it didn't want it. I just kept my KZ900 and was WAYYYYY happy.