Bike for me?

Message

flw · #1 Unread post by **flw** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:26 pm

I would like to have a bike for cruising about 4 hours total (2 each way) at about 80 MPH by myself. (5'10 220 from 45 years of pizza:-> ). I have two different thoughts on this.

1. Buy a cheap and used "125" for learning on for year one and no riders.

2. Get the bike I want and just insist on no riders for one year. The rider issue is no problem since I'll be sure to only have one helmet and require it.

If I go with option 2, and I only want to cruise so speed/racing is of no issue. That's as long as I can cruise at 80 MPH with no rider.

With my body size and what I want to do, what does each of the top mfg make that best fits my needs from above. Using common mfg's Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, or Yamaha. A smaller engine is better as long as it meets my needs and want 2002 or newer.

Thank you very much for any information,

Dan O.

VermilionX · Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:30 pm

go w/ a suzuki M50 or C50.

800cc but it's cruiser... so it's still fine as a newbie bike.

M50

C50

jmillheiser · Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:31 pm

pretty much any crusier between 500 and 1100cc or so should suit your desires nicely

Sabredude · #4 Unread post by **Sabredude** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:04 pm

I ride a Vstar 650 and a VT1100. If you want to cruise at 80 MPH or better, I recommend at least a 1100. My son's 650 cruises good around 70 MPH, but after that it seems to need another gear. I can tell I'm pushing it's limits on the 650. Now riding the 1100 is a whole different ball of wax. It goes from 70 to 90 with no sweat. Cruises at 80 with no prblem. I'm 6 ft and weigh 235. Whatever you decide, Ride Safe!!!!
Mike

Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:46 pm

I'm 5'7" 215 lbs and own a '06 Suzuki S50. It cruises easily at 80 on the highway with room for acceleration. Found that out the hard way last week. We were cruising at 75 to 80 and had a pickup truck ride my butt. I just twisted the throttle and pulled away from him to a safe distance then leaned into the right hand lane. The seating position is more standard than cruiser and it's narrower than the M or C. At 80 mph, your mpg would be around 47 with a 3.2 gallon tank (including reserve). You can check MY BLOG for my other info on the bike, CLICK HERE for pictures and the TMW MODEL GUIDE for tech specs.

Good Luck with your decision!

Randy · #6 Unread post by **Randy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:57 pm

go sit on tons of bikes, find out which one feels right to you. I wouldn't worry about pillions at first. Develop your skills then take passengers. I would also stick with at least a 750 to 1100 or so.

#7 Unread post by **bok** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:24 am

my 750 shadow does 80mph just fine and i'm in your weight class so i personally recommend a 750 shadow spirit.

i also recommend a MSF/BRC if you haven't taken one or haven't ridden in a long time. you get to try out a bunch of different bikes in those courses you may find that a more standard seating position is better for you and that you actually like something like a Bandit or SV.

i've heard of folks who take those courses who were dead set on riding a sport bike but became cruiser guys and vice versa because they found the ergos so much nicer on a different type of bike

sharpmagna · Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:01 am

Yeah I hear the Vstar 650cc are pretty anemic over 65mph, but don't just assume that is the case for smaller displacement bikes

My 700cc Magna easily accelerates past legal speeds. I've cruised at 90mph at 7000RPM and still had 3000RPM to go. Bike should hit about 120-130 without problems in 6th gear.