First Bike Ideas?

[Mullannix930]

I am new to the forum and to Riding Bikes. I am going to take the safety course soon. What I am wondering about is, I want a cruiser bike but I will be on the Interstate (after a while) to go to work and I was wondering what I should look at. I have been told that a 600 and 750 would not be enough for a guy that is 6'1" and 250 lbs. My Brother in law is selling his '96 honda Magna 750 and I was wondering if it might be a good start as it seems to have a little more power in the higher speeds. What do you think? I have also looked at V-star and Honda Shadow and Boulivards but I don't know about the size to get.

[canuckerjay]

I've talked to a lot of people with the V*s. A lot of them want more power soon after buying. Out of all the cruisers in the weekly auto trader, the 650 V* is the one that's most prominent. Otherwise, a solid bike.

The Magna is a bike that's deadly smooth. You also won't run out of power. That thing is a power cruiser; a V-4 engine. You'll save on insurance because it's a 750; but I've read a 'head to head' article that have that thing smoking a Mean Streak.

[matthew5656]

I looked at the VF750 a couple weeks ago and it was so awesome! Real smooth V4 motor with shaft drive. It felt a little too heavy for a starter bike, but i'm about 50lbs lighter and 2in shorter, so it may work for ya!

[Wrider]

Hey, Look at the Suzuki Volusia, which was my first bike, I loved it. 550 lbs, 50 horse, 50 tq. and shaft drive. Nice and comfortable, 805 ccs. It's perfectly fine cruising around town or on the Interstate for hours... BTW, it was known as the Intruder Volusia from 01-04, then got replaced by the M and C50 models...
Wrider

[Mullannix930]

The one that my Br in law has is chin driven. I have messed with it, just putting it in the garage and out in the yard with the sale sign, but I have not gotten used to the clutch and throttle and I stall it or almost lay down black marks most of the time. When I have gottne going I get a smooth ride but I havn't done musc in the way of turning or anything. My biggest problem is my wife not wanting me to get it.

She told me that if I would feel comfortable to ride it to work (120 miles on the interstate) tomorow, then we would go get the money. I told her it didn't matter if I had been riding for years, I wouldn't do that with a bike I had not been on.

If I don't get this 750 magna, are there any other bikes good for a new guy that will do ok on the Interstate (after a while) I have been told a V twin in 650 or 750 would be working to hard with me on it, and I ned a 1100 for that.

[jonnythan]

The one that my Br in law has is chin driven. I have messed with it, just putting it in the garage and out in the yard with the sale sign, but I have not gotten used to the clutch and throttle and I stall it or almost lay down black marks most of the time. When I have gottne going I get a smooth ride but I havn't done musc in the way of turning or anything. My biggest problem is my wife not wanting me to get it.

She told me that if I would feel comfortable to ride it to work (120 miles on the interstate) tomorow, then we would go get the money. I told her it didn't matter if I had been riding for years, I wouldn't do that with a bike I had not been on.

If I don't get this 750 magna, are there any other bikes good for a new guy that will do ok on the Interstate (after a while) I have been told a V twin in 650 or 750 would be working to hard with me on it, and I ned a 1100 for that.

You don't need an 1100. A bike with 50 horsepower will hardly notice you on it at all. I take my gf and I on the interstate with my 535cc V-twin and it still accelerates faster than my Grand Am from 0-60 and from 60-80.

Check out the Suzuki Boulevard series (C50 and S50) and Honda Shadow Spirit/Aero. I hear the gearing on the V-Star 650 makes it kinda suck for highway riding.

Have you taken the class yet? I suggest you do so *before* you start shopping for bikes. And be sure you sit on the bikes before you decide on one.

[Mullannix930]

I have not been in the class yet, but I have ridden a bike a little in the past. I am planning on getting in a class in the next month or so but my schedule makes it tough to do.

[Ian522]

Technically you can ride a 250 on the highway. It just wont be very comfortable or pleasant. I ride my 450 on the highway all the time, its just not much fun after 30 minutes or so due to fighting the wind. Not to mention I get assaulted by vibration if I go over 75.

I agree with the others that your best bet would be around an 800cc middleweight cruiser. (suzuki s50 or c50, kawi vulcan 800, honda shadow 750, etc.)

[tropicalhotdog]

Can anyone clarify what the reall difference is between the Suzuki C50 and M50? It's kind of hard to tell by just reading the specs. I currently have a Vespa (LX 150) and a Suzuki DR200SE dual sport, and think I'm going to sell the DR200 and move us to middle weight cruiser. I sat on the C50, Honda Shadow Aero and Yamaha V* in a dealership, and the C50 felt the best. But I'm not sure what the M50 is all about.

[Ian522]

Can anyone clarify what the reall difference is between the Suzuki C50 and M50? It's kind of hard to tell by just reading the specs. I currently have a Vespa (LX 150) and a Suzuki DR200SE dual sport, and think I'm going to sell the DR200 and move us to middle weight cruiser. I sat on the C50, Honda Shadow Aero and Yamaha V* in a dealership, and the C50 felt the best. But I'm not sure what the M50 is all about.

As far as I know, its S-"sport", C-"cruiser", and M-"muscle." The S50 is sporty, lightweight(for a cruiser) and has a custom "chopper" type look. The C50 has stuff like larger fenders, big fuel tank, etc. so it is fatter looking and heavier...made more for longer distance cruising. With the M50 they are going for the sporty "muscle cruiser" look.

I believe the S50 is carburated while the C50 and M50 have fuel injection.