Not even a Newbie yet, but just as excited… - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Sandman · 02-13-2006, 03:57 PM

Hello all! I have been a lurker here for quite some time, quietly gathering info to make the most informed decision on my first bike purchase ever. Was considering Suzuki’s GS500, C50, or the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 or 750. I chose the C50 based on my needs (wants?) & situation.

1) My commute is 45 miles total each day, 35 being highway miles @ 70-80mph. I would feel more comfortable with a heavier bike (more substantial), and so as not to get blown around as much when trucks pass or on windy days.
2) I will be riding solo until feel comfortable enough to take on riders. When that happens, the total weight will tip around 350-370. Need adequate power for 2-up riding.
3) I don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to find a smaller used beater to learn on only to have to turn around and trade it a few months later for the C50. I plan on keeping the bike for a LONG time. (I still have my 93 GEO Prizm,191K & still going)
4) I am lucky enough to have an elementary school 1/10th of a mile from my driveway, so having a place close by to practice before I am ready to hit the open road is not an issue. I am a very conservative driver anyway, (I can’t but help it, 93 Geo 191K!) so I can’t see me racing around, just cruzin’.

5) With the exception of some wanting a 6th gear, I was hard pressed to find any user complaints with the C50. Other makes & models I was considering had rants about disk brake squeal or hot start issues to name a few.
6) C50 = low maintenance! Shaft drive, FI, liquid cooled (=longer engine life IMHO), no carbs, no choke. My motto has always been “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” BUT, I am a stickler for regular fluid changes.
7) The C-50’s looks are just %%%%%in!

All in all, this bike just seems the best fit for me. I sat on it numerous times and am comfortable with the weight leaning it side to side. I have been on motorcycles before, but not as the driver, and I am familiar with shifting and braking as I use to beat on 3 wheelers in my younger days. I have taken a “Jump Start” course which is basically an “intro to motorcycling 101” offered by the MSF to get my feet wet, and am signed up for the BRC (3-days 5 hrs each DMV road test waiver if pass, $120) for the end of March. I will be purchasing an “06 C50” in early April. ($7k OTD is average in Richmond, will keep looking, but am limited distance wise b/c dealers around here “take care of their own” first)

Oh, and thanks for a laundry list of accessories I will be adding periodically to personalize it. Cobra or MCE Bars (haven’t decided, but this will be the first addition), Kisan SignalMinder & VectraLight, Memphis Fats 19”, & chrome lowers, to name a few.

Sorry for this being so long of a post, just wanted to introduce myself, give some background, and say thanks for all the help!