What to buy, what to buy...

[Jackalope]

I am just clueless on what to buy. I've looked at so many bikes and read about so many that I'm just frazzled. Nothing seems to fit for me. Maybe you guys can help.

I'm getting back into riding after a thirty year layoff. I'll be buying a bike to take with us on our RV in our upcoming retirement....and that's part of the problem.

You see, most RV's are very limited on the amount of weight you can carry on them; usually only about 1500 extra pounds after driver, passengers, fuel and water are loaded. So once you take 280 lbs. off for the lift in the back to hold the bike, you really need to keep the weight of the bike itself down to no more than about 600 lbs. So that pretty much blows out big bikes like big Harleys or Goldwings.

Then you have the fact that I'm only 5'8"...and to make bad matters worse, I've got a long torso and short legs; only a 29" inseam. So there go all the sport bikes (not to mention that I really don't like the looks of modern sport bikes anyway).

So now we're down to medium and small cruisers, damn few of which seem to have enough power or enough ground clearance to do any decent corner carving.

Add in the desire for windshield, bags and a halfway decent short touring bike that my wife can ride on and the list gets tiny in a hurry.

So here's my "short list". Help me out. Which one to buy?

1) Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster
2) Triumph America
3) Kawasaki 900 LT
4) Suzuki C50T

The Sportster is very suspect as far as its ability to be a short tourer with wife on back, the others are suspect because I don't think they have enough beans and the Kawasaki and Suzuki are limited on their lean angle as well because of the floorboards.

Help me out. Where am I wrong or do you have a better suggestion?

[Clint]

Why, oh why, do so many people ignore all the bikes between cruisers and sportbikes? Your needs are screaming out for one of the fantastic standard or dual-sport bikes. Almost any of them can be lowered for a pittance, and they'll give you the thrifty mass, handling and performance you're asking for. They can also be altered with bar risers and seats for a just-so fit. They're really worth checking into. If you're going to dismiss a whole segment of bikes on looks, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

[scrimmer]

Rowdy's got a point. My brother is the same height as you (not sure about his inseam) yet he rides a Kawasaki KLR 650. This bike does everything he needs it to, and his needs sound a lot like yours. He has it fitted with some nice saddlebags which make it into a great tourer in conjunction with it's 6.1 gallon gas tank. I will say that it is probably not something you'd want if you plan on riding two up, however. But this bike is a great ride, and you can go practically anywhere on it.

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Why, oh why, do so many people ignore all the bikes between cruisers and sportbikes? Your needs are screaming out for one of the fantastic standard or dual-sport bikes. Almost any of them can be lowered for a pittance, and they'll give you the thrifty mass, handling and performance you're asking for. They can also be altered with bar risers and seats for a just-so fit. They're really worth checking into. If you're going to dismiss a whole segment of bikes on looks, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Well, actually I haven't overlooked them.

I've checked out the new Bandit, the Honda 999 and the Yamaha FZ1. Again, legs too short. Modern bikes have a lot of travel in the rear compared with yesteryear. Typically, the seat height is anywhere from 31-33". I could ride them, but I'd be really nervous standing on my toes at a light with my wife on the back.

Incidentally, I've also checked out the Honda ST1300, the Yamaha FJR, the Sprint ST and all the BMW's (is every German that works for BMW 6'4"?), all too tall. The Honda ST1300 would be a pretty good fit if the damn thing didn't weigh so much. With a 30.5 inch seat height, it'd probaby be doable with a boot with thick sole, but the little pig weighs 641 lbs.

[sinn]

I'm only 5'8", around 150lbs, and I bought a 2005 Honda Shadow Sabre. Plenty of power for me given it's an 1100. It's also under 600lbs and feels very well balanced to me. I think my seat height is something like 26" so I can flat foot it when I stop no problem. It's also the first bike I've ridden except for the nighthawk 250's at the MSF course...

Just looked at a specs site...seat height is 27.2 inches

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by sinn

I'm only 5'8", around 150lbs, and I bought a 2005 Honda Shadow Sabre. Plenty of power for me given it's an 1100. It's also under 600lbs and feels very well balanced to me. I think my seat height is something like 26" so I can flat foot it when I stop no problem. It's also the first bike I've ridden except for the nighthawk 250's at the MSF course...

Thanks Sinn. If I were to put five bikes on my "short list", the Sabre would be #5. Like some of the others, power is a bit suspect for my 180 lbs. lard butt, particularly when my 110 lbs. wife gets on the back. Otherwise, it would (and may still be) a good choice.

[robertc729]

For your size and your wife size, the C50 will not disappoint. I know it wasn't on your list, and it's only 805cc but I have no problem whatsoever in the power department. I'm 175 lbs, and my wife is 105 lbs. My .02

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

I've checked out the new Bandit, the Honda 999 and the Yamaha FZ1. Again, legs too short. Modern bikes have a lot of travel in the rear compared with yesteryear. Typically, the seat height is anywhere from 31-33". I could ride them, but I'd be really nervous standing on my toes at a light with my wife on the back.

Like I said, they can all be lowered, usually for the cost of a pair of steel straps.

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by robertc729

For your size and your wife size, the C50 will not disappoint. I know it wasn't on your list, and it's only 805cc but I have no problem whatsoever in the power department. I'm 175 lbs, and my wife is 105 lbs. My .02

Actually Robert it is on my list. That "C80T" (which doesn't exist) was a typo. Damn Suzuki and this cubic inch thing. I'm always thinking 50 Ci is 800 cc's and get 'em all jumbled up..oops. Must be my imminent Alzimers.

But now tell me, when you and your wife are on that C50, going up a mountain highway and you need to pass that semi before you lose the yellow line...sure you have enough power with that big cruiser?

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Like I said, they can all be lowered, usually for the cost of a pair of steel straps.

But how does that affect the ride and handling of them? After all, the reason they look like someone kicked them in the azz is to give them a lot of travel. Strap 'em down and you just took technology back 30 years.

BTW, you seem to know a lot about sport bikes. Tell me, what can I do to change out the clipons that come on a Honda Interceptior with some bars that will allow me to sit up more?

[DrBob]

If you are looking for two-up touring, the Sportster has no business being on the list. It's not even good for one-up touring.

The Triumph should be scratched off your list also. With only 44 HP it just doesn't have the umph to carry two adults, bags, and a windshield, plus the passenger area is not very comfortable. If you really want a Triumph, just make sure you do NOT buy it from the dealer over in Cumming. Go down to the one in Atlanta.

The Kawasaki 900 is a great bike, well designed, with enough power to pull two people around.

Which Suzuki are you looking at? There is no C80T- do you mean the C50T, or the larger C90T? Ahhh...now I see you other post. The C50T is a great bike also. You really can't go wrong with either it or the Kawasaki 900- just get whichever one you get the better deal on.

The Yamaha Vstar 1100 has a nice low seat height, and is a good sized bike to ride two-up on.

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by DrBob

If you are looking for two-up touring, the Sportster has no business being on the list. It's not even good for one-up touring.

The Triumph should be scratched off your list also. With only 44 HP it just doesn't have the umph to carry two adults, bags, and a windshield, plus the passenger area is not very comfortable. If you really want a Triumph, just make sure you do NOT buy it from the dealer over in Cumming. Go down to the one in Atlanta.

The Kawasaki 900 is a great bike, well designed, with enough power to pull two people around.

Which Suzuki are you looking at? There is no C80T- do you mean the C50T, or the larger C90T?

The Yamaha Vstar 1100 has a nice low seat height, and is a good sized bike to ride two-up on.

Sorry Bob. The "C80T" was a typo. It was supposed to be the C50T.

After all the talking today (here and on other forums), I've just about written the Triumph off, but you sure about that Harley? Why would you say it's not good for touring?

I agree, given the limitations I've got, the Kawasaki is close to the top of the list. Wish it had a bit more ground clearance though.

[DrBob]

The Sportster was designed as a standard to compete with the British bar hoppers, and only remains in production because it is the only way you can get into a Harley for below 12 grand. The seating position is not comfortable, the suspension barely adequate, the ride is rough, and the power from even the 1200 Sporty is lower than many 750-800cc metric bikes. I love Harley's, but find the Sportster unbearable for anything other than around town or a short spin in the mountains. Everyone I know who bought a Sportster was looking to trade up to something better in a year or less. If you want a Harley, get a Dyna SuperGlide- lower seat height, more power, better transmission, 6 speeds instead of 5, a brand new motor instead of a 20 year old design, 1/3 more displacement, and WAY more comfortable. Its an infinately better bike for only $2500 more.

[Jackalope]

Originally Posted by DrBob

The Sportster was designed as a standard to compete with the British bar hoppers, and only remains in production because it is the only way you can get into a Harley for below 12 grand. The seating position is not comfortable, the suspension barely adequate, the ride is rough, and the power from even the 1200 Sporty is lower than many 750-800cc metric bikes. I love Harley's, but find the Sportster unbearable for anything other than around town or a short spin in the mountains. Everyone I know who bought a Sportster was looking to trade up to something better in a year or less. If you want a Harley, get a Dyna SuperGlide- lower seat height, more power, better transmission, 6 speeds instead of 5, a brand new motor instead of a 20 year old design, 1/3 more displacement, and WAY more comfortable. Its an infinately better bike for only $2500 more.

You are aware that the 2006 1200 has a new engine, right? They're using the one out of the Buell. New frame (25% stiffer) too.

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

Actually Robert it is on my list. That "C80T" (which doesn't exist) was a typo. Damn Suzuki and this cubic inch thing. I'm always thinking 50 Ci is 800 cc's and get 'em all jumbled up..oops. Must be my imminent Alzimers.

But now tell me, when you and your wife are on that C50, going up a mountain highway and you need to pass that semi before you lose the yellow line...sure you have enough power with that big cruiser?

Gee after 30 years. which bring you up to my age or higher do you really want to pass a semi going up a hill before you lose the yellow line.

Well I suggest you buy a VMAX, looks like your sporter, lighter that a C50 or the same weight as a Kaw 900 but almost twice the HP. Death on 2 wheels. Quarter-mile acceleration: 10.87 sec., 124.0 mph


2007 Yamaha V-Max Home, information, info

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

But how does that affect the ride and handling of them? After all, the reason they look like someone kicked them in the azz is to give them a lot of travel. Strap 'em down and you just took technology back 30 years.

BTW, you seem to know a lot about sport bikes. Tell me, what can I do to change out the clipons that come on a Honda Interceptior with some bars that will allow me to sit up more?

They're not up in the back for travel (though they do have a decent amount), but for style. Lowering them doesn't degrade handling substantially, especially if you lower the forks to match. My riding buddy lowered his Bandit and couldn't be happier.

For the Interceptor (or just about any bike), check out Helibars or Convertibars. They're not cheap, but they're the ideal solution. There are other makers of riser-type clipons, too.

[rathr-b-cruisin]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

But now tell me, when you and your wife are on that C50, going up a mountain highway and you need to pass that semi before you lose the yellow line...sure you have enough power with that big cruiser?

I'm 212 5'10'', my wife is 5'9'' 125 and my c50 does great. I couldnt ask for a better bike. It moves out pretty good with both of us on it.

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

You are aware that the 2006 1200 has a new engine, right? They're using the one out of the Buell. New frame (25% stiffer) too.

It's not a new engine- it's just the fuel injected version of the same 20-year old motor. That's why it is going to be replaced with a completely new motor design in the next 2-3 years- the development prototype has already been spotted in the testing phase. The new frame improved stiffness for better cornering, but the ride quality is still poor. Sportsters are fun in the twisties or to hop us as bar hoppers, but for two-up riding or serious cruising they are a poor choice.

[Rickster]

Have you looked at the Suzuki V Stroms?
I'm 5' 8" also, with a 30 inch inseam, and ride a DL-1000 V Strom. It is about 450 pounds, makes good hp, gets up to 50 mpg, and last year, I fitted it with bags, and rode it for 12,000 miles in one month. No comfort problems, even two up.

I had to lower it (like Rowdy said). The cost was $35.00, and took me about 2 hours. I have no trouble flat footing it with tennis shoes on.

If the DL-1000 is to tall for you, try the DL-650 V Strom, it is an inch lower than it's big brother, and can be lowered another inch. Don't let the small engine size scare you, it's a-lot faster than the 4 bikes you listed.

One advantage that the V Stroms have over the 4 bikes you listed, is they don't mind if the road surface isn't 100%, they even work fine on dirt roads. Great for exploring.

[blackie1491]

The C50T would be great. Just add a Mustang seat for 2up and you have all you need.