Cruiser Motorcycle recommendations?

Question

I'm looking for an entry level Cruiser or Standard motorcycle:

Mission: Commute to/from work 36 miles round trip (10 highway, 16 city) approximately 3-4 days per week on average.

Secondary Mission: Fun

Criteria (in order of importance)

1) Safety

2) Reliability

3) Good gas mileage

4) Comfort (taking into account mission profile)

5) Purchase price (lower is better, obviously) - Less than $8000 if possible.

Bikes I'm strongly considering: Yamaha V Star, Suzuki M50, Honda Shadow 750.

Answer 1

V-star

Answer 2

I'm a fan of liquid cooled engines, Honda in particular.

Its been a couple of years since I worked in a shop, but we got in VStars because their book called for fairly frequent valve adjustment, which might be a spoiler for your budget.  It seems the oil filter wasn't easily accessed, either.

Answer 3

V Star , all the way !

www.650ccnd.com

www.pacificcoaststar.com

www.sscoustomcycles.com

Answer 4

Yamaha V Star

DO NOT GET THE SUZUKI M50,   ITS A POS,,,, I CAUSE I OWN ONE, ITS UNCOMFORTABLE, IT VIBRATES SOOO MUCH YOU CAN'T HOLD IT ON THE ROAD ABOVE 50 MPH, IT HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT NO DEALER CAN FIX. IT BLOWS BLACK SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, WHEN I GO TO TRADE IT IN THE DEALERS ONLY OFFER ME $1200 FOR IT

I HATE THE M50

I HATE THE M50

I HATE THE M50

I HATE THE M50

Answer 5

V2C 650c United Motors

Triple disc brakes

aint had any problems yet, drive 100 miles a day 5 days a week

59 miles to the gallon so far <-- you wont get that on any 750 of bigger

the seat needs a gel cushion to be comfy

under $6000 is you can find an 07

I was going to get a Shadow custom.

Answer 6

Have You sat on these machines? I rented a Shadow 1100 last Year in the Smokey Mountains and found that I dislike the cruiser riding position and hate foreward controls. If You like those things then any bike You listed will work. There are other options, Suzuki SV60, Ninja 650, and the New Kawasaki Versys.

Answer 7

The obvious answer is it must be Japanese to meet your guidelines. You will not find a Harley worth anything for any price let alone below $8000. I would recommend a standard over cruiser. I had a Suzuki Intruder 1300 cruiser and got rid of it  quickly because it is not nearly as fun as a standard. If you want to take corners at more than 15 mph, get a standard so you can actually lean in the corners. Suzuki SV650 or Yamaha YZ6..keeping you under 8k. I have a SV1000 and love it. My wife has a SV650 and it is more fun thatn the SV1000. SV650 has good low end power due to it's V-twin, i would belive the YZ6 would not be as good at low end power. (I-4) Honda has not impressed with their standard category. another mention is the Suzuki V-Strom 650 if you are looking for more of a sport-touer/adventure bike for your price range. Dont even think of Ducati or Harley. Overpriced and inferior. Both of my reccomendations will be VERY fun, comforatble, reliable and with comfort in mind.

Answer 8

Any of the above would be good.  If you're a first-time rider, I'd strongly encourage you to consider a used bike.  You will drop your bike at some point.  It's a lot less painful to drop your "learner" bike than your dream machine.

It might also be wise to consider something with a windscreen.  You'll be able to commute longer into the year, and it'll tire you less if you don't have to fight the wind so much.  

Don't forget to set aside some money for decent gear.  Get a helmet that fits, along with m/c specific gloves, jacket, and boots.  It'll keep you safer, as well as make you more comfortable on the road.

Answer 9

V Star 650 or Honda Shadow 750. The latter gets 58mpg and base lines at 6700.00

Answer 10

I would recommend you also look at the Hyosung GV650 it is in that size range and well with in the price range . It is a cruiser and Hyosungs are very good bikes not made in China. in fact they use to build motors for Suzuki.

Answer 11

Also look at the Kawasaki Vulcan 900.

Answer 12

I don't know anything about the M50 (the 109 .. yes) and, as far as the Shadow goes, it's alright but I myself would even pass on that bike.

The V-Star is a nice ride and I do know a few who rides them and you can find them new or used for 8-grand or less, it just depends upon the size.

I own a fuel-injected, liquid cooled, shaft drive, hydraulic brake & clutch (with adjustible leavers), self canceling turn signels and fuel gauge ...it is a Vulcan 1500 from Kawasaki.