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.