Need to decide on a bike so I can get on with riding

[Doggy]

I passed the msf course. Wow! excelent stuff. I am 53 and had not sat on a running motorcycle for over 30 yrs.

I passed but I have so much to learn. To be honest I wasn't all that smooth for the test(nervous), though I thought I nailed most of the exercises about half the time in practise - no consistency. You will all say to be expected I guess. I have to work on looking into the corner and powering on.

I have been looking at bikes. I like the c50 but am worried that it may be too much bike for my confidence/experience level or my current dissapointment at not doing so well on the test. This I will get over.

The msf gz250 was definitely a little tight. I like a little more room.

I have been told by more than one salesman that If I go any less than a c50 I will want to trade up in a season.

I don't mind going slow and easy in a parking lot till i get my sea legs. On the other hand I don't really want to do the trade up shuffle, but of course $ should not be the overiding issue here. I will if it is in the interest of safety and enjoyment. I do see others have gone with this for their first bike however.

I stopped by my local Suzuki dealer for a c5o quote -he wants 7400 out the door. I was thinking before I took the test if I could get it for 7k I would go for it. I have seen lower on this site. They have an 04 for 6800. dont like the color.

Now I am having a few second thoughts but I am also thinking that this is the bike I keep coming back to/really want. (ok I come back to the v-star 650 once in a while too)

I have looked at used but it is a bit of a hassle and I am not sure if want to fix someone elses problem. Not many used c50's yet or volusias out there. On the other hand I don't want to drop a 7k bike due to inexperience.

Any thoughts out there? I need to get on with it.

thanks
doggy

[Kropatchek]

Dear Doggy
I'm 60 years old and after more than 35 years not riding a bike.

The Savage or S40 is the one I choose for ease of handling, one cylinder, easy maintenance. Riding now for approx one year and enjoiing every minute of it.
Greetz
Kropatchek

[Paladin]

I've just completed my MSF course and need to see the DMV about getting an M1 on my license. Was off bikes for 18 years. Also have a 650 Savage ready to ride as soon as I am fully legal. (A 2000 with 5K miles for $2325, needs tires otherwise fine.)

At 350 pounds on a 58 inch wheelbase the Savage is a light and nimble city bike. With the 652cc engine it has more than enough power to get you into trouble, more so if you uncork the intake and exhaust. If you are overly tall there are aftermarket kits to relocate the controls forward. Single cylinder, air cooled, belt drive -- K.I.S.S..

The C50 at 540 pounds on a 65 inch wheelbase is considerably larger and heavier. It would be more at home on the highway/freeways than the Savage. IMHO, the Savage is overpowered for what it does, the C50 is underpowered for it does.

[c50tiger]

Unlike Paladin, I don't find the c50 underpowered for what it does... although I do wish it had a 6th gear sometimes. Yes, it's heavier than the Savage. To me, that weight adds stability. Maybe that's just me. And yes, I was told several times within a year I'd be back trading in for a C90. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Probably won't because my wife would kill me.

Main point - $7400 out the door is waaaay to much unless the dealers added alot of gear. I walked out with the light bar and windshield already mounted, two new helmets, taxes etc.. and a backrest on order for about what your hoping to just get out the door for.

[Faust294]

Like c50tiger, I feel that the Volusia/c50 is plenty powerful enough. I have an 04 Volusia and can keep up with the bigger bikes when I need to. Every reviews and test drives that I have read have had nothing but rave reviews for this bike. Along with the Vulcan it is consistently the best in it's class. My buddy purchased the V-star 650 a day before I got my bike in June and he's already looking to trade it in for a C50. Every dealer we spoke to have said that the v-star 650's have horrible resale value because everyone who buys one wants a bigger better bike with in a year.

IMHO get the C50 or volusia. If you decide you want more power later on, there are plenty of aftermarket mods that you can do to it. You can probably pick up a new 04 volusia for around the low $6000.

[oldgeezer]

In determining the bike for you, all I can say is "it depends". The C50 is a great bike and will do everything a larger bike will do. However, the 650 Savage is a super bike as well. If you plan on taking shorter type trips, the Savage would certainly fit the bill and is a couple of thousand dollars cheaper. Before I get blasted by other Savage owners, you can take a Savage on long trips, but it would not be quite as comfortable as a C50.

My wife had never ridden until three months ago. We got her a Savage and it was the best bike for her to learn on, light, easy to handle, powerful enough to get on the highway, etc. Unfortunately, she's now coveting an 800 Intruder and we have the Savage for sale. Was it a mistake to buy the Savage to start with. Heck no!! We could have purchased a larger bike and she may not have done as well and given up riding altogether.

So, I reckon this is a lot of blah blah blah to say, "it depends".

[Doggy]

Thanks to all for the input.

As far as price. I talked to a guy today who bought a bike in San Francisco and rode it to Seattle (8.9% sales tax here)and still paid less than he would have if he had bought it here. It was broke in by the time he arrived and he probably had a good time doing it to boot.

I was looking at an o4 today - last one. the lowest I could get these particular guys to go was 7200. NOt.

thanks again. I have just about decided on the C50 but I need to work it till they are tired and just want to see me out the door - with the new bike of course and for a great price.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Paladin

The C50 at 540 pounds on a 65 inch wheelbase is considerably larger and heavier. It would be more at home on the highway/freeways than the Savage. IMHO, the Savage is overpowered for what it does, the C50 is underpowered for it does.

After 2500 miles on a C50, many of those miles riding two up, I have not yet run into the situation where I needed more power. Even running 85 mph passing a truck on the interstate riding two up, the C50 just delivered the power on command. I also found out first hand that a C50 (two-up) will absolutely smoke a Savage (one up) like a 5 cent cigar.

The Savage is a fine bike for learners and small riders - the C50 could be a bit heavy for a beginner to be comfortable with. Riding a GZ 250 or a Savage as a stepping stone bike is a good idea, both are quite fun and less intimidating. I am a re-entry rider who got back into it on a GZ 250 before popping up to a Kawasaki Concours ZG1000 and a C50. I read about so many new riders dropping C50s and Volusias and it makes me very glad that I repolished my skills on a smaller bike before getting the bigger rides. Don't be afraid to jump on a smaller bike and become a better rider!

Pricewise, for the C50 - I paid my dealer $6475 for the bike out the door. $6095 plus 6% tax plus $15 registration. That's for the two tone model that lists for $6799.

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by Doggy

I
I have been told by more than one salesman that If I go any less than a c50 I will want to trade up in a season.

doggy

Doggy,
I'm one of those. For two years did my riding on the back of hubby's bike until he surprised me with a 1988 Savage. Great bike and I have nothing negative to say about it, and in 1988, the Savage only had a 4 speed transmission. After the first season, riding with the bigger Vtwins, yup, I had the itch to move up. I bought my Volusia, with the exception of a couple pictures, sight unseen and have not once regreted it. At first I was intimadated with the extra weight, but the Volusia is so well balanced, the only time you really notice is when pushing it around say in an uneven parking lot.
I would also say don't rule out a used Volusia. There are many out there right now that are for sale only because their owners are moving up, some with very low miles and come with many added accessories.

LindaB

[frozenny]

$7400 for a C50? You seriously need to find a new dealer...

I was in a Suzuki dealer on Saturday, and picked up quotes on two 2004 Volusias. I can get a Limited in the grey ghost flames for an even $5900, or the silver/blue variation for $5675. I'll be picking up my new Silver/grey '04 sometime next week.

I know I'm getting a bit of a deal because they want to move the 2004 models out and its end of season. However, $7400 is WAYYYYY too much

Frozenny

[DakotaRider C50]

I also looked at the 04 and was given a good deal. Than I checked out the C50 with fuel injection and floor boards with heel to toe shifter. The bike with over $1000 worth of acces. out the door at $7200. I took my first ride on it today. All I can say is Sweeeeet........After riding mostly GoldWings and Ventures since 1985 I think I am in love again. As for power it has plenty and has a Sweeeet sound. Also enough room and power for two up. As I put more miles on it I will keep you all informed. Just hope ole man winter holds off for awhile so I can.

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by DakotaRider C50

...I checked out the C50 with fuel injection and floor boards with heel to toe shifter. The bike with over $1000 worth of acces. out the door at $7200... Just hope ole man winter holds off for awhile so I can.

Looks like you got a couple more bolt-ons than I did... and with me going out the door at just about $7k looks like you got a little better deal, but I ain't complaining a bit. I wouldn't have paid $7400 without a LOT of add-ons, though.

As for old man winter... move south, brother!!

[Madura]

Originally Posted by c50tiger

As for old man winter... move south, brother!!

Not so far as Orlandon't, though. Summer here is 9 months of hell.