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I would like to know what feels and looks good for a bigger guy (6'3" 270lbs)
I can't afford a Harley, so am looking at used bikes.
Am interested in the 800 Kawasaki Vucan or maybe 1500 Vulcan if the 800's frame is too small. Is there a difference in frames?
I haven't riden for years, but now want to get back into it (cruisers).
Comments ??

You get the frame that comes with the engine... As a returning rider I'll recommend that you take the MSF course to refresh what you've forgotten and maybe learn stuff you didn't know you didn't know.

Go forth and sit on bikes (winter is motorcycle show season!).

Take what the salesboobs say with a BIG grain of salt. Unfortunately, most seem to be interested only in selling you the biggest/most expensive motorcycle they can talk you into, with no thought whatsoever to whether or not you'll be able to ride the monster safely.

P

The lion lady has spoken.....well.

I am 5'3" and I have a 750 Vulcan and a 700 maxim. I like riding the maxim okay, but the vulcan fits me a little big and it feels much more comfortable. I rode a friends 800 vulcan and decided that I could handle a bike that size, I am sure that you can handle a good size bike too. Get the big bike. Be careful and have fun.

The Vulcan 1500 Classic is a great bike at a great price, and would fit you far better than the 800. I would also take a look at the C90, Vulcan 1600 Classic, Mean Streak, and M95.

ebay and craigslist are both saturated with 1500, 1600 and even 1800 cc bikes that owners dropped or had just plain scared themselves on because they are so heavy.

Yeah, they get on down the highway at a nice clip, but they are BEASTLY to deal with in the garage or a parking lot. As a rider, you'll spend more time at slow or walking speed than at cruising speed.

On a heavy bike, no slow or stoplight maneuver can be executed without thinking about the weight. ZooTech knows his stuff, but I get the feeling that he's been riding so long he forgets what its like as a newbie.

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Lion_Lady, the man is 6'3" 270 lbs and has riding experience. He is twice my size I think he can handle a big big bike. I had a problem moving mine around, but I have only dirt floor in my garage. That is no reason for me to ride a 350 cc.

niterider wrote:Lion_Lady, the man is 6'3" 270 lbs and has riding experience. He is twice my size I think he can handle a big big bike. I had a problem moving mine around, but I have only dirt floor in my garage. That is no reason for me to ride a 350 cc.

Size does not equal skill, and it takes skill to hold up a big bike at stop. Or in slow speed/parking lot manevours. And the easiest way to learn those skills is on a smaller bike. Say a V-star 650, Marauder 800 etc etc.

No one suggested that he buy a 350cc bike.

My best suggestion is to go to the store or any bike show that you can find and sit on them. Sit on every bike you can find, sportbikes, cruisers, standards, dual-sports, tourers. Everything.

You will find one that fits you better then we ever could, simply because none of us are built like you are. We cannot tell what position would be most comfortable for you, or what the positioning of the controls will do to your body.

That's how I found my current bike, BuzZz from the forums suggested I try it, and I fell in love. It put my feet and hands exactly where I wanted them to be compared to where they were on my first bike.

And if you want to get really technical last months Canadian Biker compared the suzuki c50 and c90 head to head. The c50 won in handling, comfort, ease of use, and miles per gallon. It was the reviewers best buy. The c90 on the otherhand won out on long highway trips where it's extra wieght made it a little easier to keep in line. However the bigger engine had a smaller powerband that was tougher to utilize for some reason.

I'll see if I can find the full article when I get home.

great -- -- thanks

linz wrote:I would like to know what feels and looks good for a bigger guy (6'3" 270lbs)

Am interested in the 800 Kawasaki Vucan or maybe 1500 Vulcan

Lion_Lady wrote:ebay and craigslist are both saturated with 1500, 1600 and even 1800 cc bikes that owners dropped or had just plain scared themselves on because they are so heavy.

I wonder how many of them were 6'3" and 270lbs.

Lion_Lady wrote: Yeah, they get on down the highway at a nice clip, but they are BEASTLY to deal with in the garage or a parking lot.

And you know this how?

Lion_Lady wrote: On a heavy bike, no slow or stoplight maneuver can be executed without thinking about the weight. ZooTech knows his stuff, but I get the feeling that he's been riding so long he forgets what its like as a newbie.

I can putt around at walking speed on my Meanie and turn the bars lock to lock without putting a foot down. I find it no more difficult to ride in traffic than my NightHawk and infinitely easier to ride than my top-heavy CX500. Furthermore, I started riding in 2003 and am only on my third motorcycle. While "heavy" big-bore cruisers do exist (the obese VTX1800 comes to mind), it's no different for mid-sized bikes. It all depends on the center of gravity, the seat height, and the balance. And after watching all 5'2" of Loonette toss around a bike identical to mine like a Huffy 10-speed, I get tired real quick of hearing about what a chore it is to lug these things around. The folks on this forum who have never even ridden a liter bike are the first to post their analysis of how difficult big-bore bikes are to ride. Beg, borrow, or rent one some time and find out for yourself that you've been afraid of nothing all this time.

niterider wrote:Lion_Lady, the man is 6'3" 270 lbs and has riding experience. He is twice my size I think he can handle a big big bike.

Bingo!

Sevulturus wrote:And if you want to get really technical last months Canadian Biker compared the suzuki c50 and c90 head to head. The c50 won in handling, comfort, ease of use, and miles per gallon. It was the reviewers best buy. The c90 on the otherhand won out on long highway trips where it's extra wieght made it a little easier to keep in line. However the bigger engine had a smaller powerband that was tougher to utilize for some reason.

I'll see if I can find the full article when I get home.

Please post the reviewer's height and weight if you would. I'm only 5'10" and weigh 210lbs and I find my dad's C50 a bit cramped, even with the rediculously high and awkward factory seat. When I sat on the C90 in the showroom, it felt just about perfect. At 6'3" and 270lbs, I can't imagine linz being happy on a C50.