Best motorcycle/bike for a big man? Bigguns come hither!?

Question

I am a 6'1, 300 lb man who has just completed MSF basic rider course and am now looking to buy my first bike (cruiser/chopper type) to save $ on gas. I would like to spend $2500-3000 or less on something that easily handles city/highway riding for 300-470 lbs (with wife), and possibly more if I add a small trailer later on (for camping trips 3 hours away). Year/make/model are really of little (no) issue. Comfort and "ride-ability" are of most importance, followed by price and available aftermarket options. Just wanted to get some input from the more experienced, "density challenged" folks like myself!

Any help would be much appreciated, and thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Harley is the official bike of fat people.  Get one of those and you will fit right in.

Answer 2

honda goldwing, yamaha venture.  harley will blow your budget out of the water

Answer 3

Something big and beefy like a Vulcan or a Roadstar would be perfect for you....

PS. Goldwings are so stereotypical...

Answer 4

for that money the only new bike you can really get that I know of would be a Honda Rebel however there are others but i think they would be small or sports bikes not what you are looking for really. I would get a used bike for the money maybe on ebay? you could try it anyways. Cruiser's will work out nicely for you but your going to want a bigger bike like a Kawasaki vulcan good luck!

Answer 5

You'll need a bike with large enough displacement to handle the kind of loads you are talking about.  At least 1000cc or larger.  The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 has been made since 1987 and can be had within your price range.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search-r...

Another bike that fits that category is the Honda Shadow 1100

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search-r...

The Yamaha Virago 1100 can also be had for $3k.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search-r...

One more choice is the Suzuki Intruder 1400.  However they seem to hold their value more than the other brands.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/search-r...

Answer 6

I was going to say "get yourself a hog" for class and the pure pleasure of owning one but I don't think you can find a good one in your price range.  Honda always makes a quality product and I think I would suggest, if not a Harley then you gotta go with  Honda.

Answer 7

Honda goldwing .... Harley Davidson (although very expensive and probably out of the price range quoted)

Answer 8

you need to come up with a little mor money

Answer 9

On your budget you could probably get an older Honda Goldwing or a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. Also a Yamaha Venture would be a good choice. All of these bikes could handle your needs. Good Luck.,  

Answer 10

Honda Goldwing Aspencade 1500cc

Suzuki 1800cc models

Honda Rune

Answer 11

Listen to Harley Mike. Your weight- than adding the another hundred or more for your wife - is putting a lot of strain on a motor, so you have to have a motor that can take it. I would not go with anything under 1000 cc - and I doubt seriously you will find anything in great shape in the price range you are looking- that hasn't been ridden for a while. No Harely at all. If you go Harley, you are looking for something of 1340 cc or bigger (the Sportster is not for you). For that, you are looking to spend from 7500 if you buy it privately or at last 10k from a dealer.

Many of the metric dealers are selling bikes with very low financing charges. Even with lousy credit, you can get a bike (even a Harley) financed with easy to make payments.

Aftermarket- the best bet is still a Harley. My husband and I have both bought used Harleys with very low miles and were able to sell them for close to what we paid for them. I paid 10.5 K, sold it for 7.5K after riding the tar out of it for four years.Could have gotten more, but I didn't want to wait.  

Answer 12

Nothing in that price range can remotely suit your needs unless you happen to find a good bike on the used market. HOwever buyer beware when swimming in the used market oceans....Lots and lots of deals out there but make sure the deal is working for you and not the seller.......If you want new manufacturer product then you will have to up the pot by 10000 minimum.....that would get you a big Kawasaki/Suzuki or Yamaha...If you want a big Honda/Polaris or HD then you have to go up in the high teens or lw 20,000. After that it is whatever your wallet can bear.......I really think that your size would be an issue with BMW and/or Moto Gzzzi and they are not a very easily repaired bike should you live far from any metropolitan area....Parts and skilled mechanics to work on these less popular ( not less quality) are hard to come by in the hinterlands....ALso the Tiumph 2300CC and or the Boss Hog, both suitable for a man your size , aare diffcult to maintain when the inevitable happens....Unless you are near a major metroplitan area....Honda GOld Wings and Hartley Davisons as well as the big Kawa/suzuki and Yamaha are all easily maintained and very easy to find mechanics trained in their maintenance at just aobut every corner on main street....All of the bikes I mentioned are of high quality but all of them will need maintenance at some time in their lives so keep this in mind