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I have a friend who has never ridden a m-c before and will be taking the course in the near future. He's planning on buying the Suzuki Boulevard M50 (800cc or so) BEFORE the course. Is this a good bike for a beginner?? Just wondering what your thoughts are....

I think thats what scoutmedic got.... he seems to be liking it.

the M50 is actually a pretty good first cruiser. definately has a muscular look to it

MotoF150 has one, and he'll tell you that it sucks. Of course I give the same amount of credit to his opinion on motorcycles as I do to my brothers pet lizard. Which is to say, I wouldn't ask EITHER of their opinions because all I'd get is bug parts, or "poo poo".

That being said, my good friend Malice (who joined the boards recently) has a Marauder 800. Which is the original name of the M50 (before Suzuki went metric/boulevard) - the same bike with slightly different styling. He's put 120000 km on his in 3 years and loves it to death. We've gone bike shopping recently and he looks at the new big bore cruisers from Honda Suzuki, but he just keeps coming back to the new Marauder... sorry M50.

Now, if that isn't a positive endorsement for a bike, I don't know what is. Of course I'd rather see him on something a little sportier, but some people just like cruisers.





So, I'd suggest taking the course FIRST, because he might not like it. But other then that, it's a great bike. Though it wouldn't hurt to pick up a used bike to start with, same as you did.

I agree with taking the course first and, to make sure he at least sits on a variety of bikes including the M50. If possible, take a test drive on the M50.

Mine is actually the S50. I had one riding experience prior to my MSF course. So, I'm truly new. I've owned my S for about 10 days and, so far, I'm loving it. My only complaints are it's not a cold starter (have to choke it almost every day), the front disc brake squeeks and no tachometer. The "likes" so far are that it has plenty of power when I'm finally ready to use it, low operating rpm's (according to the Owner's Manual, the shift speeds are 12, 19, 25 and 30 mph) and it feels nimble and stable (obviously a subjective thing).

As for a good starter bike, I honestly think a lot of that depends on the rider. He just has to be aware that there is a lot of power there.

I have an Intruder 800 (same as S50) and I love it. I think an M50 is a fine choice for a first bike.

I took my course first as I had never ridden before. Settled on the VS800 (became the C50). Got it yesterday and am loving it. The concern most will raise is the size, hp and weight but it's great for me (6'3 and a bunch o' pounds ) and I can handle the weight so far with no problems.

KarateChick wrote:I have a friend who has never ridden a m-c before and will be taking the course in the near future. He's planning on buying the Suzuki Boulevard M50 (800cc or so) BEFORE the course. Is this a good bike for a beginner?? Just wondering what your thoughts are....

I always think it's stupid to buy a bike before you take the MSF course. What if you take MSF and hate riding? Lots of people can't handle it. When I took the class, 25% of the students dropped-out. Too hard. Too much pressure and stress.

That being said, the power of the bike isn't too bad for a beginner. However, the weight might be too much for a beginner to be comfortable with.

Unless he's over 6' and 200lbs. Many guys that size have a wonderfully delusional sense of inflated-ego-macho-tesosterone that gives them the misguided confidence that their size alone will allow them to handle big, heavy motorcycles when they are first starting out. Then they tend to drop them and wonder why their macho butt couldn't stop 650lbs from falling on their leg.

I have an M50 and LOVE it! It is my first bike, never ridden until my MRC class last September. Ended up purchasing the bike the next month. I don't have many miles on it, but the 800+ I currently have I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed!
FWIW, I'm 5'11", 195lbs. and have no trouble with the bike at all. Just make sure they feel comfortable sitting on it and leaning it side to side while in the store. If a "test ride" is available, go for it (after the MRC, of course).
Another bike I had been considering was the Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom. May want to check that one out, too. It's a little lighter and a little smaller, but still a nice looking bike.

take the course first is great advice. the 800ish cc cruisers have a nice look to em and are decent enough starter bikes.

the course will allow your friend to try a variety of bikes so they can make a more informed decision about what they like (i went into my course thinking cruiser, and came out with the same opinion, but it was based on having ridden the other bikes as well as preference).

as has been said some folks start to ride and realize they don't like it or can't do it or whatever and having a $6000 reminder sitting in your garage would really suck.

good luck to your friend though whatever they decide on