ON the Fence

[TomBongi]

Getting back on after moving from the Southwest to South CArolina. (new exploring to do).

I had a Honda Shadow 1100 and loved that bike. Considering getting another one till I ran across the M50. I have a couple of concerns or questions.

1. HAS anyone who has one rode an 1100 anything? How does it compare?

2. Are dealers discounting the M50s as much as Honda is discounting the VTXs and Shadows. (VTX1300 $7600 OUT THE DOOR. Chute of KAnsas)

3. How is it really on the freeway two up <300lbs total. ?

The configuation I would get is an M50 bagger. (Dont care for spoked wheels (tubes) or the cleaning whitewall tires. Would like the C50T Bags,seats and sheild

4. How good is the EFI really? any backfires, smoke?

Thanks I have narroed my search down to the Honda VTX, Shadow, Kawi 900LT........V Stars out,

[tlwisner]

Check out the C50C, with cast wheels. IMO, The C50 makes a much nicer bagger than does the M50 - it just looks better with the windshield and bags than does the muscle styled M50.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...6/Default.aspx

The EFI is simply awesome. After 12,000 miles, I am very impressed with how smooth and responsive it is.

Dealer pricing varies at the dealer's whim. Honda has had a big backlog of unsold VTX 1300s and 1800s and blew them out cheap to dealers some time back. Suzuki is having no problems selling M50s and C50s. My dealer sells the M50 for $6095 and the C50 Black is now $6195 with no add on fees.

If you want to do most of your riding on the Freeway at high speeds, you may want to get a heavier bike with more power. My C50 does fine on the Interstate 2 up, but I'm a fairly mild rider and I much prefer the backroads. I don't do long Interstate Freeway rides, they're no fun to me...

[Rickster]

Can't coment on the V Stars, or the Kawa 900, but I did get a chance to ride a VTX1300. On the plus side for the VTX, is the breaks, the power, and high speed (over 80mph) stability. The M50 getts better marks on gas mileage, a lighter more nimble feel at lower (under 70mph) speeds, a better sound with aftermarket pipes on both, cheaper to buy, the spedo is up high where you can seeit better, and I haven't found a VTX yet that can hang with my "M" in the twisties. The VTX has a very heavy feel to it compaired to the M50, some riders like that, I don't.

[MagnumForce]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Check out the C50C, with cast wheels. IMO, The C50 makes a much nicer bagger than does the M50 - it just looks better with the windshield and bags than does the muscle styled M50.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...6/Default.aspx

I believe this to be an honest assessment. If the C50C was available when I bought my M50 in Apr 05, I may have chosen that over the M50. The fact of the matter is that I have the M50 now and I absolutely love it. I haven't made too many modifications to mines because I'd like to pay it off first. However, there are many here that have gone buck wild with their customizing projects on the M50s. Anything from performance parts to shiny bling, every angle has been explored. Just point-and-click your browser to the M50 forums to see them for yourself.

While the C50 may make a better bagger than the M50, the M50 seems to make a better 'canvas' for one's customizing projects. While I agree that the M50 looks better as a lean and mean machine, you can add extra chrome and/or leather to achieve the desired effects. I would also argue that the M50 is more than suited enough to perform the duties of the interstate road warrior if that's your flavor. To illustrate this, I would like to submit the picture below of a bike which I shall affectionately refer to as the "American Rose." LIVE TO RIDE, BABY!!!

[Atlas68]

EZ...You had me going until the curtain came down. You were just looking for an opportunity to post that pic again weren't you? he,he

Time to get the visene for the eyes.












j/k the monologue was eloquently worded and carefully articulated.

[texrider]

Blinded by the bling, baby! I'm inspired by custom bikes... How do you like my new light bar?

[intimid8er]

There she is! Miss America!!

[blackie1491]

EZ
I think you are just in love with this bike. Maybe the owner will trade you for your M50 and the CBR, you would really attract those girls on that island in the Pacific.

[MYC50T]

Is it my imagination or has he posted this several times, now he either really likes the bike or he likes causing "BLING AFOBIA"

[MagnumForce]

Oh... either I'm wreaking havoc or I aim to please.

[zot]

TomBongi
I happen to ride a V-Star 1100 and my wife has a C50 ltd. There isn't that much difference in power since the C50 has EFI which seems to make the engine much more responsive. It's wheelbase is longer than the V-star therefore more room and comfort for the passenger. I've ridden the C50 with a passenger a few times and I was pleasently surprised. It handles like a charm and carries the extra load with ease. If you're riding freeways constantly for extended periods of time and huge power is your thing you may find a C50 or an 1100 too small for your tastes. All in all, if your tastes run to cruising regular highways and side roads, I 'm sure you would be very happy with the C50.
Hope that helps.

[MYC50T]

Originally Posted by texrider

Blinded by the bling, baby! I'm inspired by custom bikes... How do you like my new light bar?

Are you sure you didn't read it wrong, and that is a "Wind Anchor" or are you prone to riding too fast so you installed something, anything to slow you down

[TomBongi]

Wow Thanks a lot for all the replies.

I am not condisdering 300 mile treks on freeways. A bike is more then a mode of transportation. If I need to get to NYC (from Myrtle BEach) in a hurry I'll take the car. If I am not in a hurry but want to see a lot and ride. I'll take a bike and stay off 95,

I really like that R E D M50 look Bagged. The C50 is nice as well except for that Air cleaner triangle thing. My favorite Shadow is the 1100 Spirit (had one) But its pretty old news (a testament to it's popularity and reliability) and still above $7200!!! For $1000 less it seems I can get a better handling bike and EFI (which could be a nightmare to repair).

A new entry for $8500 out the door is tthe KAwasaki 900LT bagger which I had the pleasure of seeing up close. Another EFI but BELT driven ( I understand shaft drives steal some HP and torque) That 900 may ouperform the 1100. HOnda's relaibility, fit and finish are hard to beat.

Cast wheels are a must. I need to be bale to plug and fill a tire anytime anywhere. TUbes just don't give me peace of mind should I stick a nail. Although spokes look classicly beautiful.

Tough decision.

[blackie1491]

The C50C has cast wheels.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by TomBongi

A new entry for $8500 out the door is tthe KAwasaki 900LT bagger which I had the pleasure of seeing up close. Another EFI but BELT driven ( I understand shaft drives steal some HP and torque) That 900 may ouperform the 1100. HOnda's relaibility, fit and finish are hard to beat.

The Vulcan 900 has a mechanical counterbalancer, which also steals some power. I'm waiting for the promised MCN tests of the Vulcan 900 to see how the power and performance compare. At this point, I will pull out of my butt that the C50 and Vulcan 900 are probably very close in power and performance.

[S83]

C90