Total Motorcycle Community Forums

First, let me say that this forum is a fantastic thing! I've been dirt road riding on a TW200 longer than I have owned a computer, so bear with me, please.
I have some physical limitations in my old age, namely neuropathy in the legs. I am determined to own a street bike, but weight is a strong consideration.
I intend to use this bike for commuting to work, a 30 mile drive, and cruising the mountains of N. Ga. and Tenn. (The bike will ride to said mountains on a trailer), but once there I would love to spend the whole day riding on two wheels.
I have been looking at a Kawasaki Vulcan 500, a twin cylinder liquid cooled machine, vs a Suzuki Boulevard S40--a single cylinder air cooled number. The Suzuki is lighter by about 90lb, but I wonder how the air cooled single will stack up against the liquid cooled twin. I definately want the machine to tolerate long stop lights in a 90 degree environment. I also need the ability to cruise at 70mph for extended rides if I so choose.
The ultimate bike, weight wise, would be a 250 class -- the Virago twin cylinder or Honda Rebel -- but I don't know if either would be capable of a 70 mph sustained ride........................
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. My experience with the local salespeople leads me to believe that they know LESS than I do.
Thanks one and all,
R.M. Savedge, aka PKB

I'll let the more experienced riders try and answer your questions. But, from what I've found on this forum previously, an air cooled bike shouldn't be a problem.

Welcome to the forums.

I have an air cooled cruiser and it goes all day with no problems. I understand that liquid cooled is better for high altitude, but so far, my 650 has been ok at over 4,000 ft.

I believe a single cylinder will vibrate a whole lot more than a V-twin....or so I have been told.

It really depends on where you live - here in South FL I never see air cooled engines around because the weather is just too oppressive for their use AT TIMES (same goes for VW bug engines). If you dont see 90F that often I wouldn't worry. It is when the engine is exposed to weeks of 90+ temps at low speeds that an air cooled engine can start to perform poorly.

My thanks to everyone for your replies. When I speak of 90 degree temps, I mean daylight until 10am, then 7pm until dark. I know exactly what you mean, Mr. Kingfish. Central Ga. has been baking in the 100s with 110 or higher heat indexes for so long, that 90s represent a cold front.

Welcome to the forum, PKB.

I ride a Triumph Bonneville, an air/oil cooled 790cc twin. The only time heat has ever been an issue was last year when I was caught in a traffic jam for half an hour at a cruise night. I commuted on the bike week before last when it was 99 here -- 3 minute red lights caused no problem. I think if you can avoid traffic jams, the air cooled bike will be fine.

But for your requirement for 70mph cruising, I have to say the Vulcan. The S40 is a great bike, but high speed cruising is not its forte. The Vulcan uses a detuned Ninja engine, it is a great engine and puts out power out of proportion to its size. I also find the Vulcan to be a tad larger - for me that means more comfort on an extended trip. Both bikes have a good rep for reliability.

BTW, they put me on a TW200 when I took the MSF class. What fun those are! If I lived out in the sticks instead of suburbia I'd definitely have one.

Good luck with your choice.

cfkingfish wrote:It really depends on where you live - here in South FL I never see air cooled engines around

No Harley's in south Florida?

Well, today I did the deed. Brought home a brand new Suzuki S40. Then rode it a grand total of 1/4 mile down the dirt road I live on. I made the right choice, apparently. The old legs were able to back the machine up on an uphill grade in order to complete my turnaround. The extra 90 lb. of the Kawa? Well, I was happy that they weren't there.

Don't know what I was thinking when I mentioned extended 70mph cruises anyway. I deliver gasoline and diesel fuel for a living, and I have seen so much craziness over the last 12 years that I don't even like to ride I-16 in my truck.

Yeah, I would prefer the extra zip of a Vulcan and liquid cooling, but the weight is right, y'all have allayed my fears of air cooled single cylinders, and most of my riding will be commutes. And just getting the heck out on the two lane.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. And by the way, when do I get elevated from a "trycicle squid(?) When I survive the 500 mile break-in period?

PKB

Congratulations on the new motorcycle. Are you still grinning from ear to ear?
You will get elevated past tricycle squid after you make a bunch more posts.
So-o-o-o, you better get posting.
Show us a pic of your new toy.