Thinking of a C50 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Lil_Red · 09-13-2006, 01:25 PM

I really love the look of the C50 but my dilemma is the size of the bike. I'm 5' 1" and weigh about 100 lbs. When I sit the bike, I can touch the ground on both sides but I feel like it's huge compared to my GS450. If the handlebars were closer, I think that would help. I'm considering buying the bike but I guess I need reassurance that it won't overpower me.

Ext1jdh · 09-13-2006, 02:17 PM

If you take it easy and have a healthy respect for the bike you should be fine. You may be able to loosen up the handlebar clamps and rotate the bars in to a more comfortable position.
You can also check out the S50, which has a more compact body and may fit better.

Lil_Red · 09-13-2006, 02:39 PM

I have no shortage of respect for bikes

. I've been riding a long time and the C50 is the first bike to catch my attention in a long time.

**drgibson** · 09-13-2006, 02:44 PM

The C50 is a nice bike. It has good throttle response and wond be to demanding.

Lil_Red · 09-13-2006, 02:47 PM

Thanks!

mettech · 09-13-2006, 03:14 PM

You can get it lowered.

EasyE · 09-13-2006, 03:54 PM

Welcome Lil Red! I've had my C50 about 6 weeks or so and my wife (about your size) has sat on it and said the same thing. Since she doesn't ride we haven't made any adjustments. However, i did loosen up the handlebar and lower it to better fit me (I'm about 5' 11") and I let her try it in a lower position. It was better, but not quite right. I have heard guys talk about using risers or even different handlebars. The bike is great and once you get it fit, you will love it!

good luck!

Lil_Red · 09-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyE

Welcome Lil Red! I've had my C50 about 6 weeks or so and my wife (about your size) has sat on it and said the same thing. Since she doesn't ride we haven't made any adjustments. However, i did loosen up the handlebar and lower it to better fit me (I'm about 5' 11") and I let her try it in a lower position. It was better, but not quite right. I have heard guys talk about using risers or even different handlebars. The bike is great and once you get it fit, you will love it!

good luck!

Thanks! I would definitely need risers. I can handle all the controls but it would be more comfortable if the handlebars were a bit closer.

c50tiger · 09-13-2006, 09:57 PM

No offense to mettech, but don't bother lowering... I guarantee within a year you'll be thinking of a gel seat, so go ahead and get it as soon as you get the bike - usually that'll drop you're seated height at least an inch. When I first saw the C50, I expected it to be a bit heavier than it is. Actually, a lot heavier. But it has a low center of gravity and rides "smaller" than it looks.

blackie1491 · 09-13-2006, 10:04 PM

There are risers that bring the bars back to you. Before you buy any go to your dealer and talk to a rep. about diff. bar positions and diff. bars.

Some riders have lowered their bikes up to 3"s, the drop is at the rear.
Another alternative is to shave the seat an inch or 2.

A good dealer will let you test ride a used one if they have one in stock, I have seen a local dealer let exp. riders test new bikes.

ZukiChaos · 09-14-2006, 12:03 PM

Lil Red, I like you am on the "low side". I have done the following mods and it has made me more comfortable:
-Replaced stock risers with a pair from Sco0tworks $105 Scootworks - Suzuki Handlebar Risers, PhatRisers, Riser Extensions, & Riser Accessories
-Replaced "phonebook" like seat with Corbin Young Guns seat (I get compliments ALL the time about the seat) $370 (I must have hit a sale Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Suzuki Intruder Volusia 800 & Boulevard C50 | 800-538-7035
-Lowered it 2" - looks better from the rear too. $35 + labor Custom Lowering bones and forward controls for Volusias and New Boulevard C50

92Notch · 09-15-2006, 11:41 AM

Well if there's anyway you can gain 1 foot and 65 lbs I can assure its comfort to you.

My sister is probably about 5'3" and rides my c-50 with no problem, don't know it that helps at all.

09-13-2006, 01:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lil_Red Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 1985 Suzuki GS450L Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 4	Thinking of a C50 I really love the look of the C50 but my dilemma is the size of the bike. I'm 5' 1" and weigh about 100 lbs. When I sit the bike, I can touch the ground on both sides but I feel like it's huge compared to my GS450. If the handlebars were closer, I think that would help. I'm considering buying the bike but I guess I need reassurance that it won't overpower me.

09-13-2006, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ext1jdh Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Sold Location: Elgin, IL, US Posts: 5,252	If you take it easy and have a healthy respect for the bike you should be fine. You may be able to loosen up the handlebar clamps and rotate the bars in to a more comfortable position. You can also check out the S50, which has a more compact body and may fit better. __________________ I am lurking. I am likely to be eaten by a grue.

09-13-2006, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,683	The C50 is a nice bike. It has good throttle response and wond be to demanding. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

09-13-2006, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
mettech Newbie Joined: May 2006 Bike: 2006 C50 Location: Indiana Posts: 21	You can get it lowered. __________________ '06 Black C50

09-13-2006, 03:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	Welcome Lil Red! I've had my C50 about 6 weeks or so and my wife (about your size) has sat on it and said the same thing. Since she doesn't ride we haven't made any adjustments. However, i did loosen up the handlebar and lower it to better fit me (I'm about 5' 11") and I let her try it in a lower position. It was better, but not quite right. I have heard guys talk about using risers or even different handlebars. The bike is great and once you get it fit, you will love it! good luck! __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

09-13-2006, 02:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lil_Red Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 1985 Suzuki GS450L Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 4	I have no shortage of respect for bikes . I've been riding a long time and the C50 is the first bike to catch my attention in a long time.

09-13-2006, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lil_Red Newbie Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 1985 Suzuki GS450L Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 4	Thanks!

09-13-2006, 09:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,058	No offense to mettech, but don't bother lowering... I guarantee within a year you'll be thinking of a gel seat, so go ahead and get it as soon as you get the bike - usually that'll drop you're seated height at least an inch. When I first saw the C50, I expected it to be a bit heavier than it is. Actually, a lot heavier. But it has a low center of gravity and rides "smaller" than it looks. __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

09-13-2006, 10:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,243	There are risers that bring the bars back to you. Before you buy any go to your dealer and talk to a rep. about diff. bar positions and diff. bars. Some riders have lowered their bikes up to 3"s, the drop is at the rear. Another alternative is to shave the seat an inch or 2. A good dealer will let you test ride a used one if they have one in stock, I have seen a local dealer let exp. riders test new bikes.

09-14-2006, 12:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
ZukiChaos Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05 BlacknBlue C50 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 284	Lil Red, I like you am on the "low side". I have done the following mods and it has made me more comfortable: -Replaced stock risers with a pair from Sco0tworks $105 Scootworks - Suzuki Handlebar Risers, PhatRisers, Riser Extensions, & Riser Accessories -Replaced "phonebook" like seat with Corbin Young Guns seat (I get compliments ALL the time about the seat) $370 (I must have hit a sale Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories \| Suzuki Intruder Volusia 800 & Boulevard C50 \| 800-538-7035 -Lowered it 2" - looks better from the rear too. $35 + labor Custom Lowering bones and forward controls for Volusias and New Boulevard C50

09-15-2006, 11:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
92Notch Birthday Boy Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05½ C50 Limited Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 860	Well if there's anyway you can gain 1 foot and 65 lbs I can assure its comfort to you. My sister is probably about 5'3" and rides my c-50 with no problem, don't know it that helps at all. __________________

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