Which cruiser to choose?

[Nick Mystic]

Hi Ken,
My situation sounds somewhat similar to yours in that at age 56 I just got back into riding a motorcycle last year after about a 35 year hiatus! However, I was an avid bicycle rider during most of those years. I'm 5'8" and weight 145 lbs. I bought an M50 and really like it. With a dry weight of 544 lbs. I don't think I would want a bike any heavier. As mentioned earlier, once you are moving the weight isn't such a big factor, but that doesn't mean you can discount the weight factor too nonchalantly. You'll find that you have to move your bike around a considerable amount with your legs while getting ready to take off, during parking, or during very low parking lot speeds.

The one piece of advice that I would most want to leave you with is to give serious consideration to buying a driver's backrest for any cruiser you might purchase. You can get a quality backrest from Grasshopper for under $100 and I believe you'll find it makes a huge difference in your riding comfort. I rode for a month or more without one when I first bought my bike, but noticed that I was starting to experience some low back pain after even moderate length rides (40 - 50 miles) and I've never had any back problems.

Once I installed my backrest I never again had any back pain. What most impressed me about the backrest was how much stress I had been putting on my shoulders and torso during normal acceleration. I never thought much about it when I rode, but once I put on the backrest and started feeling how much support it was providing as I was pressed back against it during acceleration I realized that without it I was having to deal with all that pressure by using just my arms, shoulders, and torso.

[baltimorebayside]

Originally Posted by baltimorebayside

Ken, welcome to the forum!!!

I'm turning 53 this May and have been riding bikes since high school. However, after I married and had kids I stopped. I just started again last summer after a 17 year span.....I bought a used flawless 1992 Honda 750 NIghthawk.....after the summer was over I decided it was time for dear ole Dad here to get something a little nicer.....

Just signed the papers yesterday on a 2008 C50T....I can't wait until today after work....it's being delivered......

It feels nice, but I want to take my time getting used to the cruiser style position, since I'm used to the Old-School Honda types.....

dan

Ok, here it is Monday and I put 60+ miles on my new Suzuki C50T and I love it!! It's the most comfortable bike I have ever riden........

A driver backrest is a very good idea.......You can get after market seats (MUSTANG) with backrests....

good luck...

dan

[TheLostGringo]

Ken,

Not sure if you have decided on your bike yet but I to was looking at the C50 & VSTAR 1100 until I decided on a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. A little more power then then the C50 and I believe more technologically advanced then the VSTAR 1100 which I understand has been changed little over the past few years.

[baltimorebayside]

Originally Posted by kens1948

Hi All,
I am a 58 year old newbee. I rode when I was a young teen but haven't ridden at all since then. I am in the Bucket List part of my life and really want to ride. I will take the MSF soon and want some help in deciding which size bike will be a good starter for me. Your experience speaks plainly. I am 5' 8" tall at 200 pounds. I have tried the C50 and V-Star 1100. The heights feel good but the weight will probably dictate my final choice.
Please help remove my ignorance about bikes.
Thanks to All and have a great day,
Ken

Ken, I am 53 years old and riding again after a 17 year break....(kids)...I recently bought a 2008 C50T Suzuki.....compared to my other bikes I had over the years, this one is like driving a Lazy-Boy.....it's very nice. I am 6'2" and weigh 215lbs.....

The V-Star 1100 has a design flaw!!!! You need to buy a oil filter relocation kit, otherwise you have to loosen the exhaust pipes to change the oil....

good luck in your choice!!!

dan

[PolarBear]

Greetings from Western Pennsylvania! My new bike (see title) is being delivered this week. Although I have been riding bikes since 1964 (that's before the M stamp was required on one's driver's license), I look forward to learning more from those of you who may add some enlightenment based upon your experiences in riding the newer bikes.

[above_all]

Started riding in 1979 on a Honda 185 Twinstar. Moved to a Honda 500(?) shortly thereafter. In 1980, I bought a Suzuki GS850G and put a Vetter fairing, bags and tailtrunk on the bike. Next came the stereo and cruise. Abolutely beatiful ride. In the next 18 months, I put 33,000 miles on the bike as I didn't have a car. After I went in the Air Force, I came home to pick the bike up. Was taking a side trip to my girlfriend's (now wife) and hit a dog at night doing about 60 mph. Totaled the bike, but walked away with a broken wrist and scraped up thumb.

Got married, had kids and really didn't feel like I should be riding. Only rode one other time in the next 26 years. Last year, I started getting the itch to ride again and started looking for another bike. I mean, my son is in college, my daughter is about to graduate high school, and I'm not getting any younger. We were visiting my wife's uncle about 55 miles away and spotted a nice looking Goldwing for sale on the side of the road. Turns out it was an '85 Aspencade 1200 cc with 27,000 miles on it. My wife said go for it and we bought it on the spot. Hadn't been on a bike in 26 years and drove it home that day.

So, it's a year later and I'm thinking I need something a bigger. I'm 6 foot, 280 pounds and my wife is a svelte 6 foot, 175. And I've never really gotten over my Suzuki. Hit Craig's List and find a '05 Boulevard C90T with 762 miles on it and fell in love. Never really had a cruiser, but it felt nice on the road. In the last month, put crash bars, luggage rack, and driving lights on the bike. All I need now is a gel seat and a throtle lock.

Needless to say, my recommendation would be the Suzuki Boulevard C90. Like I said, I'm a big guy and had back surgery 18 years ago. I haven't had any back problems. The Boulevard has a very comfortable riding position, plenty of power and is reliable (can't beat that shaft drive). If I want any more power, I'll lose the weight.

A couple of things about cruisers in general and the C90 in particular. First, expect numbness in your hand and rear (everyone says loosen up on the death grip, but I really don't think that makes a big difference). Stock seats just don't cut it. Once you've been on the road for a while you may consider a throttle rest or lock. Second, my wife says the seat is too small (we're actually too big . Probably not going to be a problem for most folks. Finally, the C90 only has a 3.7 gallon tank. Really doesn't give you the range for the long rides, but with the numbness you'll want to stop fairly often to get your circulation back.

In any case, I really enjoy riding the cruiser. It wasn't that expensive and it's a great looking bike.

BTW, this is the best forum I've seen for bikers. Take Care.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by above_all

If I want any more power, I'll lose the weight.

Amen. I love that line.

[drawflush]

I tend to disagree with most of the comments are about starting on a 250, however, as is often mentioned, it truley comes down to a comfort level. Im a new rider with only about 1500 miles under my belft, however I feel more then comfortable on my M50 and feel it is the perfect size. At this point, I think had I of bought anything smaller, I would be wanting/needing more. I'm already thinking in a couple years I'll want a bigger bike.

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by kens1948

Hi All,
I am a 58 year old newbee. I rode when I was a young teen but haven't ridden at all since then. I am in the Bucket List part of my life and really want to ride. I will take the MSF soon and want some help in deciding which size bike will be a good starter for me. Your experience speaks plainly. I am 5' 8" tall at 200 pounds. I have tried the C50 and V-Star 1100. The heights feel good but the weight will probably dictate my final choice.
Please help remove my ignorance about bikes.
Thanks to All and have a great day,
Ken

I was very impressed with my V-star 1100. Plenty of torque and hp. Great stopping with the dual disc front and low seat.

[Nal]

I had a shadow aero 750 for my first bike and it was great, really light compared to anything else I sat on (with that style of bike "full fender"), and the low seat increased my confidence when coming to a stop, power was decent and top speed was about 100mph, and the best part was the mileage per gallon I got 65+mpg constant at speed limit, if I rode at a 80 constant I got about 45+- a couple

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by drawflush

I tend to disagree with most of the comments are about starting on a 250, however, as is often mentioned, it truley comes down to a comfort level. Im a new rider with only about 1500 miles under my belft, however I feel more then comfortable on my M50 and feel it is the perfect size. At this point, I think had I of bought anything smaller, I would be wanting/needing more. I'm already thinking in a couple years I'll want a bigger bike.

I will agree. You will not only get bored, but also limited on what you can do. I started out on a Honda 750 2 months ago and already upgraded to a '08 C50C and love riding more.

In my opinion 250's are good for kids and MSF class, but quickly outgrown.

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by baltimorebayside

Ok, here it is Monday and I put 60+ miles on my new Suzuki C50T and I love it!! It's the most comfortable bike I have ever riden........

A driver backrest is a very good idea.......You can get after market seats (MUSTANG) with backrests....

good luck...

dan

I have had my C50C one week now and have 200 miles on it. I cannot wait to ride now.

As far as a driver's backrest this site has GREAT prices.

Custom quick release motorcycle drivers backrests by Grasshopper Limited

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by sra4031

250's are good for kids and MSF class, but quickly outgrown.

That is your opinion and I respect it.......as it applies to YOU.

Claiming that it applies the same way to EVERYBODY, however, is simply not true.

Some get a 250 and ride it for a long time because they like it and it is all they need. Others (me) end up there via "downgrade" because it fits their needs better now than other bikes.

My GZ 250 will do anything your bike will do........just not as fast.
And maybe not quite as comfortably.....maybe.

[sra4031]

Easyrider, I should have said In My Opinion and have edited my post. Thanks for catching that.

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by sra4031

I will agree. You will not only get bored, but also limited on what you can do. I started out on a Honda 750 2 months ago and already upgraded to a '08 C50C and love riding more.

In my opinion 250's are good for kids and MSF class, but quickly outgrown.

Not entirely true. My first road bike was an '86 Honda Rebel as it was all I could afford at 17 years old. I kept that bike and did not sell it until early summer '92. I kept it because it was fun to ride around town and on base (I was in the Marines). Although I got my first sportbike in '90. I sold the Rebel sort of spare of the moment. A guy was looking for one for his wife and so I sold it to him without realy thinking it out. I always missed that bike. For short hops and for running errands it is much better on a small bike than a bigger one.

[womper]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

That is your opinion and I respect it.......as it applies to YOU.

Claiming that it applies the same way to EVERYBODY, however, is simply not true.

Some get a 250 and ride it for a long time because they like it and it is all they need. Others (me) end up there via "downgrade" because it fits their needs better now than other bikes.

My GZ 250 will do anything your bike will do........just not as fast.
And maybe not quite as comfortably.....maybe.

i'd suspect that all road bikes can do the speed limit... so just as fast anyways

i started on an 800, and i'm thinking of getting a 250 to learn more technical riding... go figure