Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Well, I'm down to the last stretch of decidiing which bike to ride. I will be new to street riding, and haven't ridden in years. I'm gonna do the whole safety course bit for licensing and all, just gotta make my final decision.

Kawasaki 800 Vulcan Classic or Suzuki Boulavard C50.

BOth new. Both same engine. Many same features. Here are some differences I"ve found.

Kawa:
Chain Final Drive
Footpegs and Regular Shifter

Suzuki:
Shaft Drive
Floorboards and Heel Toe.

Now, I leave the rest to you. What are your experiences and what do you think. Money, really isn't that much of an issue, because they are so close. If I got the Kawa, I would be adding floorboards and a heel toe shifter. Both would probably get a drag bar as well.

ANother factor. I live in the same town as the Kawa dealer. THe Suzuki is about 20 miles away. Didn't know if that would matter for matainence or something.

Thanks...oh, and this is my first post!!!! Love the site!!!

Have you had an opportunity to test drive them both? If that doesn't decide it, then go with the shaft drive Suzuki .. less maintenance than a chain drive...

Either way they're both nice bikes , so you can't go too far wrong!!!!

Not really gonna have a chance to test drive. Haven't gotten the License yet, so that's a no, no. I have read that the Kawa will have a little more speed, but the Suzuki's shaft is appealing.

All this talk of shafts

looks like you turned hype on

We'd better not talk about chains and leather then!

Maybe wait to choose a bike untill your able to ride a few, especially if it's been awhile. I thought I would like a Cruiser before I learned to ride, but I found I prefered the Sportsbikes.

Well I love my C50, and having FI and shaft drive was a big factor in my decision. This is my first bike and I wanted something as close to maintenance free as possible. Not having to worry about jetting carbs (or even using a choke in the morning for that matter) frees me to just enjoy learning to ride.

It looks ultra cool, sounds ultra cool, and it didn't break the bank either.

Hi,

This was my decision a few weeks ago. I really liked the size and style of motorcycle (even though my exp was totally on the Rebel before this). If I were going to buy a new bike, it would have been the C50 or M50. I really want to carry a passenger some as more of a touring bike soooo....probably would have choosen the C50 but liked the M50 style better. Who the hell cares what I like? It's what you like but wanted to offer it. Now, what did I get? All of two weeks ago...I bought an '04 vulcan 800 classic. It has a chain and not fuel injected. A neighbor has been riding 50 years. He has seen some FI fail. They are a lot more complicated than a carburator. Is that reason not to get one? Well, no but a few more years of engineering would be nice for them (even the Japanese) to perfect it more. He said the foot boards drag more than pegs(?). Shaft drive? That is the one thing I wish I had. I bought the Vulcan since it had 500 miles on it, windshield, backrest, 3 helmets and 1800 less than MSRP. I believe, after looking for MC for awhile, good used deals are out there and may as well take advantage of them. Here is link to a review. Both bikes are good. TRY to test drive both. Maybe a dealer will let you once you deal on both and say you will one or other based on the test drive. That is what I would do (if buying new). Oh, I love my Vulcan!!

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/800comparo/[/url]

Hey,

Wow! Thanks for all the opinions guys. Jeff, I was really considering the whole FI vs. Carb thing. Seems a little new, but then again so was GPS I'm going today to hop on each one again and get the feel. Then I'm gonna see who will swing the lower deal.

Thanks a bunch guys!!! This is a great site. Any Kentucky riders here???

As I understand it, the FI system used in the C50 has been used on Suzuki sport bikes for quite some time.