When choosing to purchase your M50

[techgesture]

As I am currently shopping for my M50,... these are questions that are rumbling in my head... and I fail to think that others wouldnt think the same when shopping.

[golftee]

none of the above, wanted a mid size that had muscle look but was a cruiser, wanted shaft drive, FI, watercooled and tubless, M50 was the only 1 that met the requirements and have been happy so far, 9500 miles....

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by golftee

none of the above, wanted a mid size that had muscle look but was a cruiser, wanted shaft drive, FI, watercooled and tubless, M50 was the only 1 that met the requirements and have been happy so far, 9500 miles....

Wasn't looking for any particular brand.....wanted FI in a bike under 1000 cc's, wanted aluminum wheels, shaft drive, water cool. Started to get the C50 (forego the wheels) until I saw the "New" M50 on the web and changed my mind instantly because it had everything including price. 6100 miles later, still happy.

[AndreMan]

Although I picked the best answer in the poll, ditto Golftee and smurf.

I think all of that is what makes this bike simply the best choice in the range. (money and cc's)

Stop shopping, JUST DO IT !!!

[italian biker]

I'm a none of the above. I was thinking of a Honda Shadow 1100 and then saw the M50. The EFI is what sold it the most. Having an Intruder, I knew the 800 was a great engine, and was just as powerful as my buddy's 1100 shadow. No regrets at all.

[Smurf]

Just as powerful?

I think more.......or maybe it's power to weight ratio.....I don't weigh much and he weighs alot.......yeah.....that's it.

[vhmike73]

I'm going to have to chime in with others above me sorta...I was looking for an injected midsize cruiser, and the M/C50s were the only non-sportbike/standards out there, at least in my price range...if the Kawsaki 900 were out when I purchased, that may have swayed me, but then it would have come down to styling, and I don't like the oversized fenders/bodywork of the Vulcan 900 compared to the M50.

Maybe "technical features" should be added to the poll...because in a choice between injected vs. carbed, I wanted the injection.

[techgesture]

How can I add an item to the poll?

[MagnumForce]

I originally wanted a sportbike, but after riding my bro's 600RR, I felt I wasn't ready for one yet. It had been years since I last rode a bike. I figured a mid-sized cruiser was my ticket to two-wheeled adventure. I wasn't sure what I was looking for since I was less familiar with cruisers. As I be-bopped around the cruiser section of the dealership with a blank expression on my face, the salesman pointed out the M50 to me. Then, I look at it's competition. FI, shaft drive, non-spoked wheels w/tubeless tires and a sporty style convinced me the M50 was the right bike for me. Upon searching for info on this bike, this very site validated my choice for me.

I have my own sportbike now, but I'm not ready to give up my M50 unless I somehow get a wild hair up my butt and replace it with a M109R.

[mike79]

i bought the m50 because it has a unique and sporty look compaired to other cruisers.

[gar4mayor]

my choices were the M, Shadow Sabre, Triumph Speedmaster, and V-star 1100. the M got the nod cause it was the cheapest by far, and had what i wanted (FI, shaft).

[BlaznBlu]

Agree with Golftee about the features that make the M50 stand out. I knew it would be a cruiser, nothing about a Harley interested me (look, reliability, cost). Sat on a number of bikes at the dealers for about a month, and read reviews online and in magazines. M50 still stood out. Tough thing is, I live around the corner from a Victory dealer who lives a few houses down, and two other neighbors ride Victory's as well, so I really was leaning towards a Hammer or Vegas. But even with the great deal he was going to make, the M50 was the best choice for me starting out.

[Brackneyc]

We went into the dealership to buy helmets. Walked out with an M50 and an S40. Had them delivered an hour later...to my house.

[Sullyboo]

Originally Posted by Brackneyc

We went into the dealership to buy helmets. Walked out with an M50 and an S40. Had them delivered an hour later...to my house.

Sounds like you got a great deal.

[RedFifty]

I was originally looking for a 4 cyl inline bike such as the Yamaha FZ6, but I realized that I needed a lower seat height. I started considering Suzuki cruisers because they had fuel injection, liquid cooling, and a shaft drive. Of all the Suzuki cruisers, I liked the uncluttered look of the M50 the best. I've had it for 3 months and 1450 miles, and it's been a great choice. -Red

[vhmike73]

Red-- where'd you buy your bike? I got mine at Extreme Powersports in Kinderhook, my buddy got his at, of course, Seymour's....

And if it ever stops raining and thunderstorming....I just hope it stays dry Thursday...My brother and a buddy are doing the MSF course through Stratton, and I get to ride up so my brother can use my old bike for the class' riding portion...if he had any seat-time, I'd consider letting him take my M, but I'd rather he drop the '80 KZ instead!

Enjoy the ride!!

[TITANUP]

Originally Posted by RedFifty

I was originally looking for a 4 cyl inline bike such as the Yamaha FZ6, but I realized that I needed a lower seat height. I started considering Suzuki cruisers because they had fuel injection, liquid cooling, and a shaft drive. Of all the Suzuki cruisers, I liked the uncluttered look of the M50 the best. I've had it for 3 months and 1450 miles, and it's been a great choice. -Red

Nice bike "Red Fifty"....I went in looking for a Honda. But I did not like the way it sat so low. Then I saw the C50. It was cheaper but made me look and feel like an old man. The dearlership guys gave me a sweet deal on the C50 , but I could not get w/ the big flaring rear fender. And once I laid eyes on the M50, It was a done deal. Took me about 3 weeks to get one since they were hard to come by. I also wanted a RED one and I got it. Do not regret getting this bike.

[Brackneyc]

Originally Posted by Sullyboo

Sounds like you got a great deal.

I don't know if it was a good deal, but my wife suggested the new bikes. I said we should think about it for a few days, but she insisted. What else could I do? She had already gone through two "very" used bikes, and wanted something more dependable. She loved the lightweight S40, which was sitting right next to the M50. It was a lightning strike to be sure.

[BlueM50Chick]

i had a savage and wanted something i could actually ride on the highway without being tossed around like dough in a pizza parlor. more weight, more power. tired of cleaning chrome spokes, i wanted something no maintenance in the wheel department. EFI, shaft drive, forward controls, the sport-cruiser look... all majors shwings. after test drives, the M50 was the only one i felt like a fish in water on.

[techgesture]

Lots of good feedback in less than 24 hours!!! - You guys are great.

An interesting note on the poll though... no one voted on "Used to have a Harley, but wanted something closer to a Sport Bike"
Does that mean that the statement is true about Harley's... that "once you buy a Harley, you can't ride anything else" ?

In my shopping for a bike, if I could buy "anything" and money wasnt an issue, I would buy a Harley VRod... love that bike. But I cant spend no 18K on a bike.

With that said though, I'm conflicted with the notion wether or not I will truly be happy with something else. Based on the feedback from everyone on this site, I think I would... but is the feedback biased in some way?

I guess what would make me "sold" 100% is... Are there any testimonials from anyone who used to own a Harley, then switched and converted to an M50 fan?