What Motorcycle should I buy?

Question

I started riding again on a CM400 about 4 years ago. 3 years ago, I bought a Harley Electraglide Classic (FLHTCI). After putting 3500 miles on it, I sold it. It was too top-heavy and awkward for the back road curvy riding that I like to do with my son. I carried my wife on it a couple of times for maybe 200 miles and stressed the entire trip worried about dropping her and the bike. I went too large, too soon. It was nice getting to 90 that fast...but I don't normally do that.

I am almost 60. Wife and I combined weigh about 350 lbs (210 me; 140 her). After searching the choices, I like most everything about the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 and Suzuki C50C. Especially the look and feel of the Suzuki. The Yamaha 1100 is out due to air-cooling, carburetion, and having to take off the exhaust to change the oil filter. Honda Shadow 1100 has poorly placed exhaust for me and overpriced for a 2007 here.

Am I gonna be happier with the Kawasaki or the Suzuki? Is there a better choice???

Answer 1

Check out a Victory Vegas, Kingpin or Hammer. The Vic is oil cooled 100 CI and 6 speed. Lower CG than Harley thus better handling. Victory dealers allow test rides which you can take the wife on as well. It cost nothing and will help you make a informed buying decision.

Answer 2

The Suzuki C50C is a cheap made, generic bike, and is too much underpowered for a passenger.

I own the Suzuki M50 (same engine as the C50) and its a POS, lackluster speed and performance, vibration, black smoke from the exhaust, wobble above 60 mph and the rear drum brakes are dangerous, It won't stop even standing on the brakes!

The Yamaha 1100 V Star is a much better choice, or for only $500 more the 1300 V Star that's fuel injected and water cooled.

The Kawasaki 900 Vulcan is almost the same bike as the Suzuki C50, a cheap and generic bike.

I admit, I made a big mistake buying the Suzuki M50 and i know you will end up hating the C50.

A much better choice would be a touring- sport bike the Yamaha FJR1300, or Honda ST1300 for an example.

No offense about your age, but a cruiser bike takes more body muscle and effort to ride and handle and you will be physically exhausted after a long ride, tougher with a passenger.

A sport bike is lighter, more fuel efficient, easier to ride and handle and far more comfortable

Answer 3

Personally, I don't own a bike, but many of my family members do. I would have to recommend a Honda. They are comfortable to ride, don't vibrate excessively, get excellent gas mileage (Then again, most bikes do!), and they're priced right (unlike a Harley where you can end up paying a few extra thousand bucks just to own the name). Also, the smaller models handle VERY well. I live in TN and often borrow my fathers Honda to ride up in the mountains, so it has to handle lots of sharp turns well.

Also, if money is not an issues, Honda Gold Wing. I would KILL for a Honda Gold Wing...

Answer 4

yes, get a honda!! better gas saver or a 150cc scooter or bigger like a 650cc

Answer 5

suzuki seems to be a little bit more popular then kawi. What about a smaller Harley or a different honda {shadow, vtx etc..}? It needs to be your choice not yahoo answers. Test ride everything under the sun if possible then make "YOUR" choice.

Answer 6

Sounds like you like the Suzuki better.

Why not stick with the Harleys.  They do have some of the most balanced bikes around.  The glides have too much weight up high, that's where you went wrong.  The center of gravities on most of their motorcycles are much lower than on most bikes.  I found the Deluxe to be the most balanced bike on the showroom floor.  Even my husbands Fatboy is more balanced than the Kawasaki I used to ride.  Many woman have the Deluxe because they feel incrediably light.

Good luck with whatever you get.....enjoy the ride.

I do ride the Lowrider.  Even though it is the most awesome balanced bike it is a bit harder to get off it's stand than my husbands Fatboy or the Deluxe; I got it for it's midmount controls and lack of floorboards (that I'd trip over).  So, just go and give all those bikes a sit, stand up, and wiggle.  And h**l, put the ole gal on the back to see how it feels loaed- that's realistic, right.  Good luck......I'd like to hear what finally worked for you no matter the make or model.

Happy riding

Chantelle