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I just completed my motorcycle safety course about 3 weeks ago. I am 57 years old and can't wait to live out my fantasy. I'm planning to buy a 500cc to650cc cruiser. I have narrowed down to the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, the Honda shadow VLX (Deluxe), the Suzuki Boulevard S40, and the Yamaha V Star Custom ( or Classic)
I would appreciated anybody sharing the positive and negative features of these bikes before I make my purchase

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Robe56 from New Jersey

S40
I used to own one of these, once known as the savage. It's a good starter bike if you're a smaller person. But you get a lot of buzzing off the engine at highway speeds. a 650cc one thumper has a lot of vibration.

The 'leaned back' cruiser riding position with feet forward can be really rough on the back. The vibration compresses the spine.

Yeah, they look cool, but if you think you may be riding for longer than 30 minutes at a time, you may want to rethink and look at some of the more standard motorcycles.

P

Hah, the seat on my LS650 is more comfy then my 599. But the 599 is better on my legs and arms... not to mention for wind blast.

It all depends on who you are, and how much... natural padding you have.

I'm talking about getting vibes through the footpegs and handlebars. Not to mention the fact the mirrors are useless after about 110km/h. You run out of steam at 130 btw.

i like the vstar personally...man those seats are comfy...and the look and sound healthy too.

I'm a brand new biker too, and I'm riding a Suzuke Boulevard C50. It's a little bigger that your specs, but I haven't found it to be too big for me. And since it's a v-twin you probably won't outgrow it as fast as you would the S40.

BTW, I'm 45 so I'm not much younger that you and I just got my endorsement today.

My money would get the V-Star Classic. Has a nice fuel tank size (4.2 gal), has a shaft drive, it is a 5 speed, has 649 actual ccs, and is dead sexy. It also feels extremely light, although it is actually 550 lbs. I just sat on one today, in fact, while I was getting a tire fixed. I dont own one yet, but I'm looking at one as a second bike... Once get a little extra cash, this bike will be #1 on my list.

I looked at Shadow VLX's... but I think the V-stars are way better. The shadow only has a 4-speed tranny, chain driven, 2.9 gallon fuel tank, and only has 583ccs

Vulcan was a little on the small side physically, and it has a parallel twin, not a V-twin... I just prefer the V-twin sound. It's engine is from the Ninja ex500, and is very good.

The S40 seemed a bit small to be physically compared to the V-Star as well. I did really like the M50 though.

All sound like great starter bikes and you won't be making a mistake with any one of them. I just purchased my first new bike, Shadow VLX Deluxe. I choose it simply cause it fit me. It's very light, easy to manuver, and responds very well. The 583cc's might make it small and not very powerful, but that's not the case at all. I've taken several long road trips on it now, and have been pretty comfortable around 70-75mph on it. The chain drive is a put off for many people, but lubing it takes about 2min of work once every two weeks or so.

The VStar was my first choice, but it didn't fit me very well. The Savage I couldn't stand the look of, and there isn't a Kawaski dealership any where close by so I couldn't really sit on the Vulcan. Go and sit on everyone, and try to get a test ride on each.

HELLO ,THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD BIKES OUt THERE,ITS HARD TO PICK ONE ,TEST RIDE AS MANY AS YOU CAN , TO SEE ,WHAT BIKE FITS YOU BEST,HAVE FUN,