Need larger bike

[Nightrage]

I currently ride an 08 C50T & for the most part it does everything well 95% of the time. However, after the last two long road trips the bike could use a bit more when riding at 85+ MPH.

I don't want to mod my C50 & the C90 is out due to the small tank. I think a 1300 - 1500 would be enough but there's not many bikes out there in this range that I like.

What's everyone's thoughts on the following: Nomad, VTX, 109RT, Road King, Heritage

Again, most of my riding will be around town but I need something better for touring than my C50.

[grandpatractor]

I had an 07 C50T and felt the same way. It just seemed a little small when the wife and I were doubled up on it. I got the C109RT and now when I have someone on behind me I have to look once in a while to make sure they are still back there, because I don't "feel" like they are even there. I have pics of it in the big bike barn.
J.D.

[DrBob]

make sure you look at range, not just tank size. you should also not let tanks size rule out a bike you otherwise like- for example g-man industries makes a very cool hidden auxiliary tank for the c90 that adds quite a bit to its range, and there are oversized tanks available for most Harley models.

[tallannie]

I ride an '05 C50 and you are right about the lack of power up there....
My husband rides a VTX 1300 and it is a bigger frame and a hundred pounds or so heavier...but it definitely has more power at speed. It is worth considering..... and he gets longer range on a tank than I do too. ( I get around 145 mi per tank... he gets around 160 mi and doesnt even have to shift to reserve. Both bikes have been very dependable at 12,000 mi each now.

Originally Posted by Nightrage

I currently ride an 08 C50T & for the most part it does everything well 95% of the time. However, after the last two long road trips the bike could use a bit more when riding at 85+ MPH.

I don't want to mod my C50 & the C90 is out due to the small tank. I think a 1300 - 1500 would be enough but there's not many bikes out there in this range that I like.

What's everyone's thoughts on the following: Nomad, VTX, 109RT, Road King, Heritage

Again, most of my riding will be around town but I need something better for touring than my C50.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by tallannie

I ride an '05 C50 and you are right about the lack of power up there....
My husband rides a VTX 1300 and it is a bigger frame and a hundred pounds or so heavier...but it definitely has more power at speed. It is worth considering..... and he gets longer range on a tank than I do too. ( I get around 145 mi per tank... he gets around 160 mi and doesnt even have to shift to reserve. Both bikes have been very dependable at 12,000 mi each now.

Annie, sounds like a bigger bike is in the horizon for you?

[frostbitevinnie]

With my g-tank my range is 240>300 miles on one fill depending on my speed.

[alby]

have you thought of the yamaha royal star tour deluxe, i just upgraded from a m50 [nothing wrong with the m50 but just love the royal star] about 3 months ago and have just done a 2000km plus ride up the queensland coast and she ran like a dream, sitting on 120km to 130km in overdrive and just tap the gas and she was off, but the royal is 100kg's more than the m50 or c50 and dont get me wrong nothing wrong with the c50 the wife rode her's too

[tallannie]

yeah, well I have to admit I am considering a bigger bike. But I cannot find one with a longer range... a very comfy seat... and the right price range.... and it doesnt look like grandma's bike.

Originally Posted by Elvis

Annie, sounds like a bigger bike is in the horizon for you?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Nightrage

the bike could use a bit more when riding at 85+ MPH.

[frostbitevinnie]

I would think your range would suck at 85 mph no matter what bike you have. As ER stated and I quote..."" WTF do you expect at those speeds??? With my bike I can go up to 300 miles on one fill doing 65 mph. Maybe you have not taken a long trip yet but at 130 miles your azz will be ready for a break. I have gone 185 non stop and I was lucky to be able to dismount. I bought the g-tank because I go on quite a few group rides. I ride 70 miles to the meeting point, ride 100 miles on the group ride and 70 back home all on one fill with gas enough to go to work the next day. Now mind you this includes three stops with no need to fill. While others are filling up I can get my coffee, have a smoke sit and relax.

I see nothing wrong with your C50, it is an excellent bike. I tailed ShonR for 4 days at the Dragon this summer, he has a 50, and in those conditions I would say the 50 had the edge. I bought the 90 after years of riding 800cc bikes and it was time to move up.

[pegjay]

If you are looking into Harleys, you might check out the Victory Kingpen T. My father-in-law has one and he love it. It is a good looking bike with the classic style like the C50.

[tbsS50]

In June, I traded in my '06 Suzuki S50 on an '08 Yamaha VStar 1300T. Although my wife and I enjoyed the S50 for 6,500 miles in almost 2 years, we couldn't be happier with the 1300 (now with 3,000+ miles). Its power, stability, fuel injection, luggage capacity, tall windshield, super-comfortable seats, etc., etc., are just what we were looking for.

[Nightrage]

I looked at the Victorys & V-Stars today but I don't think they are for me. Right now I'm liking the looks of the new 2009 Road King & 2009 Nomad. Can't wait to see them in person. I'm really liking what I'm hearing about both and the price of the Nomad is not bad either.

Also, has anyone rode the Suzuki 109RT? How does it compair to the two I mentioned above?

[Oaksong]

Originally Posted by Nightrage

I currently ride an 08 C50T & for the most part it does everything well 95% of the time. However, after the last two long road trips the bike could use a bit more when riding at 85+ MPH.

I don't want to mod my C50 & the C90 is out due to the small tank. I think a 1300 - 1500 would be enough but there's not many bikes out there in this range that I like.

What's everyone's thoughts on the following: Nomad, VTX, 109RT, Road King, Heritage

Again, most of my riding will be around town but I need something better for touring than my C50.

How much more power do you need? Larger bikes have more power, but they also weigh more - greatly reducing the real world effect of the extra power.

I ride a Marauder 800, which is similar in terms of power to your bike. I weight 365 too, so I am about as heavy by myself as a lot of people doing 2-up riding.

I have NO issue passing even with average speeds on highway here at 80mph.

But, yeah, I could pass with more "authority". I too would like more power. But... I wouldn't need a lot more.

So, the new v-star 950 is definitely in my sights.

That said, consider doing some performance mods to your bike. With it's light weight, a few performance boosters would equal REAL power gains. And a new exhaust, air filters, and a powercommander with a re-map cost a LOT less than a new bike. You might lose some fuel efficiency, but you would lose it with a larger bike as well.

Personally, I love the light weight of my marauder. I love how easy to move it is. With a few performance mods, I might keep it for a LONG time (unless the desire for fuel injection gets to me).

[Nightrage]

It's not the fact that I need more power because I don't. The bike will pass at 80+ MPH with no problems...the bike has lots of torque. If you are touring on the highway at 80+ MPH the engine is just under too much strain thus causing vibration through the bars. If you haven't noticed take a ride on a larger bike. Many don't notice if they have never rode a larger bike at the same speeds.

All bikes are different so I'm trying to ride anyone's bike that will let me to help me with my decision.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Nightrage

If you are touring on the highway at 80+ MPH the engine is just under too much strain thus causing vibration through the bars.

I think a few of us have been trying to politely suggest that you should NOT be doing that......on any bike. It is, of course, your skin.

[Nightrage]

I see no reason at all NOT to go 80-85 MPH (with) the traffic on the open highway. When the speed limit is 75 & the traffic is going 85+ I believe it's more of a hazzard NOT to at least keep up with traffic. It's not like I'm on a sport bike going 100+ through the twisties. I always wear FULL gear & ride defensively.

I'm NOT wanting a bigger bike to go faster but to not strain so much on the highway.

[frostbitevinnie]

For me the trick is not to keep up with traffic but to keep myself isolated from the packs. At times this means accelerate and other time decelerate. Gotta keep in the open zones.

[grandpatractor]

Originally Posted by frostbitevinnie

For me the trick is not to keep up with traffic but to keep myself isolated from the packs. At times this means accelerate and other time decelerate. Gotta keep in the open zones.

[cruznut6]

Try a Vulcan Nomad or Classic 1600; the tank is 5.3 gallons, FI, averages 40+ mpg and will run 90 mph all day long without a problem . If you really want the torque, try the Vulcan 2000. Mine has a 5.5 gallon tank and averages 40 mpg. Even at 80 mph, it still just barely cruising!