Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I've never ridden one on the road, but they're Hondas! Honda makes great bikes. People love 'em. I think the Boulevard is the best selling mid-size cruiser in the US, but the Shadow has to be close behind. You really can't go wrong with either one.

Go sit on a couple bikes at a dealership and find what feels comfortable to you. If you like them both, go for whichever you can get a better deal on. Dealers will probably be giving good deals on any remaing 2007 models in order to make room for the '08's. Not sure about the Shadows, but the only difference between the '07 and '08 Boulevards is that a new color is available. But there should be good deals on used bikes on Craigslist too.

dakals wrote:That is an awesome bike sucks that it is not good on performance. See that's my problem i just jump for the one that looks awesome without checking to see the reviews on them. I don't really have any patience. That sucks.

actually, the reviews haven't been bad.

i don't know what kind of performace you'd need in a Cruiser, but that 8-ball isn't bad comparitively.

90 lbs of torque, 13 second quarter mile stock,

it's not a hayabusa, but it will go.

Thanks guys i will have to go check them out. Let me know if there are any other bikes that would be good for me.

That form is very helpful thank you.

Awww, and here I thought I was the only one that was passionate about talking about the Volusia! Glad you're finding so much help! BTW, if you do end up getting a Volusia, and it's not already done, you might want to 1. rejet it, as it comes set lean from the factory, and 2. bypass the PAIR valve. Neither of those is hard, the rejet kit from Cobra is $80, and it's not that hard to do. Bypassing the PAIR valve is free, relatively easy, improves performance, and cleans up the look of the bike all at once!
Oh, and rejetting is something you'll probably want to do with most bikes just because of the performance part of it all.
Either way though, in that category, midsized cruiser, there's really no way to go wrong. Honda's well, a Honda, and Yamaha is good, so basically look for the most comfortable for you!
Make sure to sit on them before you do choose though, that's the final test.
Quite honestly when I first sat on my Volusia it seemed overly big for me, but after a while I was looking for forward controls!
Wrider

I do like the volusia bikes but i will probably wait until next year to purchase one cause it is too cold out for me to ride anyways. Plus i know once i do get a bike i'm gonna wanna ride it all the time and i won't be able to i will have to store it away for the winter. I will probably get one the begining of next year. Thanks for all of the help.

I've had my C-50 for 2 years now with no problems at all. Easy to work on and pretty much bullet proof. Lot's of guys pine for a 6th gear but thats really about the only thing I can see as being any type of a negative and it's not really a negative.

dakals wrote:I do like the volusia bikes but i will probably wait until next year to purchase one cause it is too cold out for me to ride anyways. . . I will probably get one the begining of next year.

My advice is to not wait until the beginning of the riding season next year. Bikes command a premium as the weather starts to get nice, and then prices fall as the riding season comes to a close and winter begins. Demand is greatest at the begining of the riding season, so with the increase in demand you see an increased prices. This is true of private party sales and buying from a dealer.

With regard to the Volusia/Boulevard bikes, the C50/M50 Boulevard was on my list of serious contenders for a first bike. I came close to buying one, but in the end the almighty dollar ruled the day, and I bought a V-star. I must say the fuel injection is a nice feature to have. If you're looking at new, or at least newer bikes, the C50/M50, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, and the '07 and '08 HD Sportster 883 all have FI, and are all good size bikes for a first cruiser.

Thanks for all the help on trying to find a good first bike. I think the part that i am worried about most is not being able to touch my feet the ground all the way. I am 5'4 and never ridin really in about two years.. I learned how to ride a few years ago on a honda 650. Little bike don't know who had it before me but it was very low to the ground and i didn't have any trouble having my feet flat on the ground with that bike. I am also worried about the amount of power that a bike has. Guess i will get over that though huh?