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Crusier options

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:18 pm
by RainDownMyBlues
Well I'm looking for a new to me, used bike. Deffinatly a cruiser frame, can't stand the position on crotch rockets, and the standard leaves a bit to be desired.

I'm 18 and have ridden my grandfathers bikes around back roads and a few short distance runs on the highway since I was 15/16. I plan on taking the Motorcyle Saftey Course here in march. So my time frame for getting a bike is fairly large. But I would rather have it before May.

I've ridden things from smaller Harleys to Goldwings and Anspencades.

So in short I'm looking for a bike... Didn't I mention that :frusty:

Well I want it to be around 750-800 CC's.

It needs to be a fairly large bike. I'm 6'1" and weigh about 210. A reasonably heavy bike wouldn't be frowned upon, I can bench consitantly my body weight (210) and leg press about 650. I'm a fairly strong guy so that's really not a problem. Heavier bikes seem a little more stable to me, especially passing semis.

Well, I do have another limitation. Since I'm only 18, and going to college. I have only about 2000 to spend. So I'm deffinatly open to bikes from the 80's-90's. Paint can be a little scratched/scuffed as I have a guy who is going to paint the tank and a few other parts for me.

Basicly there we go. Suggest a bike for me. And just for Clairification I'm in Illinois.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:21 pm
by Sev
Sounds like you need a suzuki marauder.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:36 pm
by ZooTech
It's gonna be tough to find a mid-size cruiser for two grand, though Sev is right on with the Marauder...assuming you can find a high-mileage specimen for cheap. Might wanna keep an eye out for a 750 or 800 Vulcan as well, or one of the older Viragos before all of them vanished 'cept the 250. The truth of the matter is, $2,000 will go pretty far with an 80's or 90's UJM, but we're talkin' standards not cruisers.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:01 pm
by RainDownMyBlues
I've considered a few 750 Vulcans... Just wondering if the Honda shadows are a viable options? I like the looks, not sure at how big they are. Not to mention my grandfather is a honda bike mechanic.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:07 pm
by jmillheiser
the 750 shadow might suit you well. though finding one under 2 grand may not be easy. Cruisers are in demand and therefore fetch higher prices.

The Suzuki Marauder would definately be a good choice.

Also look at the 90s era viragos

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:19 pm
by RainDownMyBlues
jmillheiser wrote:the 750 shadow might suit you well. though finding one under 2 grand may not be easy. Cruisers are in demand and therefore fetch higher prices.

The Suzuki Marauder would definately be a good choice.

Also look at the 90s era viragos
Hey i'm diggin' the Maruder. What years were they in production? And I do like the bigger Viragos...

I'm in Illinois where a ton of people ride, so finding a used bike under 2K isn't as hard as you all might think.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:21 pm
by jackM50black
I've got pretty much the same comments. Older Kaw Vulcan 750. This bike has a lot to recommend it with alloy wheels, gauges, tach, shaft drive, liquid cooled, and other refinements that were ahead of its time back in the 1980's and early 90's. Weight about 475 lbs if I remember right.

Older Suz Marauder. I don't know as much about this bike, but it has a size and weight and performance that make it pretty desirable.

Older Honda Magna ? I don't know too much about it, except that a buddy had one that he liked.

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:01 pm
by jfeaz
don't get a v-star 650 or 1100. probably not comfortable if you're over 5"10 due to low seat height...especially the custom.