Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello to everyone!

I've been lurking around these forums for about a month now, reading a lot and searching...This is BY FAR the most informative site I've found for newbies...you folks are AWESOME!!

I'll apologize up front for the length of this, but I really want your opinions, and I'd like them to be informed opinions, so I'm going to give you quite a bit of info...

First a lil' background, so you know where I'm coming from. I'm in my early 40's and have decided to start riding again after being away from bikes for about 18 years. I've taken the MSF-BRC, passed, and have my endorsment, so now I'm shopping for a bike with the intention of buying one this weekend. In my early years (I rode from ages 10 to 24'ish) I rode all types of bikes, starting on Enduros and dirt bikes, to HD Sportys, to the early sport bikes.

The bike I get will be a 'Cruiser', and will be used primarily for commuting with some short pleasure rides thrown in, too. I will be riding in every type of weather, except for snow/ice (which we don't get too much of here anyway).

The 250's are just too small, physically, for me. Even the Suzuki 40 and Kawasaki 500 make me feel like I'm on a child's bike, so they are not being considered.

I am trying to decide between: Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Honda Aero 750, Suzuki C50/M50. The Honda Sabre 1100 and V-Star 1100 are also being considered, but are priced a bit higher than I want to spend.

I've sat on all of those bikes multiple times, and they are all a good fit. Due to my previous experience and what I want the bike to do, I don't feel like I'm over-reaching with any of those, including the 1100's. Price and gas mileage concerns are taking care of the bigger bikes.

I intend to keep this "first" bike for several years, and due to the commuting aspect, I need it to be VERY dependable. That combined with End of Season Sales this weekend, I am heavily leaning towards new with warranty...though a newer used bike with extremely low miles may also fit the bill.

If you've made it this far, I would appreciate some comments/feedback/criticism on how I'm approaching this.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for providing such a great forum.

Personally, I'd go with the Honda. IDK why, but I like them. I think it was either a 750 or 800 Honda cruiser i sat on at a dealership and it felt nice. Though just get the one that you feel the most comfortable on.

Hey! Well, I owned the Suzuki Intruder Volusia, which is the 01-04 version of the C50. I loved the thing, lots of power, not too much weight (I'm 300 lbs), nimble enough for a cruiser. It was my first bike and I felt like it was just perfect for me!
Wrider
PS If you're looking for reliability and low maintenance, get a shaft drive bike...

I'm 44 and just got my first "real" bike" (although I commute to work everyday on 150cc Vespa in NYC). I was looking at the same exact list of cruisers as you, and narrowed it down to the Aero and C50. Ultimately, I went with the C50T because I immediately wanted the whole tour package (windshield, saddlebags, passenger seat), I like that it's fuel injected, holds about 1/2 gallon more gas, and I just like the looks of it a bit more than the Honda.

The C50 is very comfortable, a great ride and beautiful looking bike. Can't recommend it enough, and there's a great forum of Volusia/C50 owners for help and advice. I believe it's the best selling mid-size cruiser.

That said, I know a few people with the Shadows who are equally enamoured, and I have no doubt that there are forums of Shadow owners that will be as helpful. You really can't go wrong with either bike.

Thanks for the fast replies!!

Yeah, I'm leaning towards either the C50 or the Shadow.

The price (even with current sales) on the baby V-Star, though, is keeping it in the game.
I really don't like the idea of dropping an exhaust pipe just to change oil/filter, though,
so the price will have to be too-good-to-pass-up, considering I would have to do the filter relocation kit ($230 or so).

Because I found a dealer that's offering '07 C50's with no freight/setup fees,
that will most likely be the route I take. It's a very comfy bike for the cost!

Thanks again.

'07 Shadow 750s and V-Stars are carbureted, Boulevard C50's are fuel injected. If you're going to ride a lot in cold, damp weather, I'd go with the fuel injection. Starts right away, first time, every time.

The V-Star is a fine bike if you find it at a price that is considerably lower than the other two.

The Honda Aero is shaft driven and has a bit more power than the V-Star. The Suzuki tends to cost more but is still a good bike.

Actually, all 3 bikes that I'm looking at are shaft-driven.
Shaft drive is almost mandatory with my low-maintenance requirement.

The fuel injection on the Suzuki is drawing me towards that bike exactly for the reason jstark47 stated....cold/wet weather is the norm for my area, even during summer sometimes.

The prices I have right now are:
Honda Aero 750 (black only) = $6,000 + Freight/Setup + Tax
Suzuki C50 (red/black 2-tone only) = $6,500 + Tax (NO freight/setup charges)
Suzuki C50 (Silver w/ tribal graphics) = $6,300 + Freight/Setup + Tax
V-Star 650 Classic (any color) = $5,400 + Freight/Setup + Tax

And while I don't expect those prices to drop much this weekend (several dealers have told me to wait for Labor Day weekend sales),
prices on others (like the 1100 Honda & Yamaha) might go down, widening my choices even further.

I'd also like to see if I could get all or some of the Freight/Setup charges waived on an 1100,
making it even more affordable.
A service tech at a Yamaha dealer (he happened to be the only one on the floor when I walked in)
told me that this time of year it is not uncommon to get those costs waived, but I'd have to ask and be firm about it.

I'm not too picky on color, so that even makes it easier.

decisions decisions decisions

Due to the comparable cost, and the extra cc's, not to mention FI...
I think the C50 is the best choice. But I'd "settle" for a V-Star 650 or the Honda if Freight/Setup is waived
and I'll save $500 - $1,000.
(that much more to spend on accessories!!!)

See if you can find used Honda Aeros and if you're lucky a Suzuki C50 (some already appeared in my area).

Don't just settle for a bike unless you really want to spend less but the Yamaha doesn't really make sense at that price unless you find a used one in good condition for 3 - 4.5k

You might want to check out the sites dedicated to the specific models - lots of honest opinions from owners of those bikes:

C50: http://www.volusiariders.com/
Shadow: http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/