Need advise on new bike.

[lexx9]

First I would like to say hello as this is my first post! This is my second season riding, I started off with a 1983 Honda CM450 that was perfect to learn on. This year I bought a 1985 Gpz 750 that is mint with only 15000 miles. I have been driving the Gpz long enough to know that its not for me and I would like to go back to a cruiser the bike has lots of get up and gp but I do not find it comfortable. The season is coming to a close and the dealers are offering some pretty good deals so I am looking at getting a new mid size cruiser. Most of my driving is in town but I do go on the highways on the odd weekend. I am located in Canada and I don't want to spend over $10,000. I am looking at the 750 Shadow, 800 Suzuki either M50 or C50, 900 Vulcan or possibly a used Sportster.I did not even bother to mention a Vstar 650 because I figure its not big enough. Any advice would be a great help. Thanx lexx

[DaveMc]

Well, you'll find no shortage of advice here. I have the C50T and it is, for me, simply a great bike. Plenty of power, not too heavy, easy to handle, built on a big frame so it feels like a bigger bike (sit on a C50 and then sit on a Shadow 750 and you'll see what I mean), lots of accessories available. We ride 2-up on it all the time and it has plenty of power for us and cruises on the highway just fine. Mechanically reliable too.

Good luck in making your final choice.

[Talarspeed]

Well I just bought an M50 because of reviews and features. Tubeless tires, liquid cooled, fuel injection, shaft. I've read that these require very little maintenance. Mine has too few miles on it to give a justified review, except to say that the 100 miles I've put on it have been fun. I was also looking at the Vulcan 900. Yamaha has a new Vstar 950 that looks nice on the website. (I would have liked to sit on one, but the dealers don't have them yet in the Memphis area.)

[pegjay]

Try this link. It asked the same question. There are 3 pages of replies. Oh by the way


http://http://www.motorcycle-journal...-cruisers.html

[sra4031]

I started on a 2002 Shadow Spirit 750, and when I sat on a C50C I knew it was the bike for me. It has increased my enjoyment immensely. Now I am trying to sell my Honda so I take it out once a week to keep things lubricated and the battery charged, and after getting use to the C50C I feel awkward on the Honda.

Not only did the feel attract me to the C50C, but the things I got with it that the others do not include. I have fuel injection (will never get a carbed bike again), floorboards, heel/toe shifter, and mag wheels (only with the '08 C50C model) Now look at the price of the bikes you are looking at, and figure how much it would cost to add these items, except the FI of cause since you cannot add that. I feel these things will also add to my resale value.

The other thing that had my attention was the reviews I read on the handling and cornering of the bike, and everything I have read on that subject has proved to be true. I have gotten use to the handling of the C50C, which is why it is hard for me to ride the Honda now. The Honda does not handle or corner near as nice as the C50C.

In my opinion no deal that is offered to me for a Honda Shadow is worth giving up my C50C.

[cyclesinct]

The C50 and M50 are, for the most part, the same bike. The biggest difference is in the styling. I have the M50 and my brother-in-law has a C50. We both love our bikes. They are very reliable and low maintenance. I know the M50 has a lot of low end torque so you can really take off and feel it. For speed they'll top off at 100+ so highway traveling isn't an issue (especially when you have to get around those semi's!). After market parts have become readily available in the last couple years. There is a great community on here around the M50 also. They are both great bikes and I think you'd be happy with either one. The hardest choice would be which style you prefer.

[sra4031]

I looked at both C50 and M50. If windshield options is important to you consider the C50. The M50 did not seem to have much beyond the sport sheild as an option. I cannot comment to much more on the M50 since I stopped looking when I could not find a shield I wanted. The placement of the speedometer was what I liked the most about the M50 over the C50

Maybe cycleinst can comment more on the options and differences since he knows both bikes.

[blackie1491]

lexx9

You don't say where you are located.

Here on the Westcoast, we have a few dealers giving good prices on new
C50SE's and C50T's. Just log on to the Buy and Sell, click BC and look thru the
Motorcycle listings for the 500-1,000 cc group and one dealer that pops up is Motorcycle World, a Suzuki Dealer.

The SE and T versions come with saddle bags, windshield including all brackets.
Adding these to a C50 after would cost you a great deal.

I am in my 4th season with my C50SE and am enjoying every ride like it was my first on my old CB 400 18 years ago.

[YoungBloodM50]

Everyone here has good advise. I too have the M50. Best decision I have made. It's my first motorcycle ever and I couldn't be happier. It really depends on your style. I really liked the muscular look of the m50 vs the C50's touring (old man) style. My father in law has the c50, and it's OK, but it's not the M. As far as the shadow or the vulcan, I can't say a whole lot, other than this. The shadow is a little too bland for me, and my bro in law has a vulcan 750. It's just not my style. The performance of the m50 is more than I would think this class of bike could do. And being new to the motorcycle world, I love the low maintenance of it. But love to work on it and customize it to make it my own. It's a lot too consider but I would try to ride each one if I were you and try to make your decision then.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by blackie1491

Motorcycle listings for the 500-1,000 cc group and one dealer that pops up is Motorcycle World, a Suzuki Dealer.

That's where I got mine in Surrey, BC.

If you're in Calgary, check out this link.

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by sra4031

I looked at both C50 and M50. If windshield options is important to you consider the C50. The M50 did not seem to have much beyond the sport sheild as an option. I cannot comment to much more on the M50 since I stopped looking when I could not find a shield I wanted. The placement of the speedometer was what I liked the most about the M50 over the C50

Maybe cycleinst can comment more on the options and differences since he knows both bikes.

As far as windshields go I think there are 3 -5 different brands with multiple types for just about each brand. There is a sport shield, true, but you can also get a 21" Mephis shield for it, and there are ones in between. If an M50 is something you're considering go to the M50 Secrect Hideaway on the MJ forums here under Suzuki. Just search the forum for any aftermarket part you can think of and you'll find plenty of threads. Or post one of your own and tell the guys there that you're considering buying an M and let them know what some of your concerns are. I guarantee you they will put them to ease.

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by YoungBloodM50

It really depends on your style. I really liked the muscular look of the m50 vs the C50's touring (old man) style.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

[bluekat]

Hi Lexx,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm new to riding this year and don't really have any advice, but I have a C50 that I ride for fun, to run errands, and commute to work. Before that I had a Vulcan 500. The C50 handles well in town and does fine on the highway. On the freeway I sometime wish I had one more gear, but she moves right along and I always feel like I have plenty of power.

When I was looking for a bike I tried a Honda 750, which felt pretty good too. The C50 felt bigger and heavier at the time, but now feels just right.

I love the vulcan 900 (especially the green). But no used ones when I was lookin, so C50 it is. I'm very happy with the bike, it hasn't given me any trouble at all.

Good luck in your search!
kari

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by bluekat

Hi Lexx,
The C50 felt bigger and heavier at the time, but now feels just right.

[Swalker0730]

I love the M50s, C50s, and C90s- yes you can get a C90 for under 10k. I love the ride and overall comfort that the Suzukis give.

[lexx9]

Thanx, for all the advice! I am still undecided, I am going looking this weekend. I forgot to mention I am located in Newfoundland. Thanx lexx

[pgman]

I would not rule out the V-Star 1100 - you might want to sit on one of those as well. I bought one as a move up from an 800cc Suzuki, and found it VERY easy to ride by comparison, with exceptional balance. It is old-school, to be sure (it is air cooled, has 2 valves per cylinder and it's carburetted). It does have shaft drive, though, and is pretty fuel-efficient for its size. Also, the V-Stars are very easy to customize - there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of aftermarket goodies for this bike. I recently chose the V-Star 1100 over the Vulcan 900 because it rode and felt so much better under me.

Really, the biggest reason I suggest the V-Star is that I think this may be the final year for it (2009). Assuming this is the case, the deals will probably be smoking hot and you will get more bike for your money. I know the V-Star 1300 is supposed to replace the 1100 and I would expect that they (Yamaha) are not going to run both assembly lines much longer. Find yourself a new 2008 and you'll have lots of money left to add the goodies!

Good luck to you in whatever you choose - there really isn't a bad bike out there these days.

[sra4031]

The new Suzuki line up is out, and I noticed they added 2 spark plugs to the engine. I do not see anything that says they added 2 cylinders so I think it is 2 spark plus per cylinder configuration.

[Fleabag]

lexx9, are you or have you already dumped you Gpz?