This is technically my first motorcycle, but im very familiar with the balance and steering issues required (i know its a different ballgame entirely, but DH mountain bike racer) I want a cruiser. no crotch rockets. cant afford a Harley, as much as id like one. so....title gives the main points im looking for. Brand, model, engine size, anything else you can think of.......talk to me people.
2006-08-12 15:24:12 · 11 answers · asked by thomas g 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I know a lot of people say it's meant for smaller riders, but for some reason I've found the Honda Shadow VLX to be one of the most accomodating bikes for tall riders in that price range. I'm about your height and it seems to be one of the few cruisers in a showroom that I feel comfortable on. Most of the others seem to put the widest part of the tank right between my knees - I don't really like that. Well, I kind of liked Yamaha's V-Star 650, too, but the original shifter is a weird heel-toe deal that was so small that I could get my boot stuck in it way too easily. Put a conventional shifter on it and it should work out fairly well.
One other cruiser that I found comfortable was another one that sounds unlikely - the Hyosung GV250. You may also see this under the United Motors name. It feels like a much bigger cruiser than its engine size suggests.
Pretty much any metric cruiser that you can buy new in your price range will be a decent choice for a beginner, though. My advice is to go to dealers and sit on a few bikes, as comfort seems to depend a lot on the individual.
2006-08-14 02:08:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All these answers telling you to buy a Sportster...lmao. Even die hard Harley guys will tell you a Sportster is pretty much bottom feeding!!! I've had hard core HD riders tell me they'd buy a big metric before they'd be caught on a Sportster!!! Here's the real scoop...the best selling bike of ANY metric in 2005 was the Suzuki C50. It's the biggest bang for you buck you can get out there right now. Motorcycle Cruiser magazine has rated this bike tops in it's class since it came out in 2002. FYI the bike is physically bigger than most of Harley's bikes and is within 1/2 inch of being as big as Suzuki's biggest cruiser. It's 805cc's so if size matters look elsewhere. But speaking from an owner's viewpoint you can't beat the thing.
2006-08-13 00:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are probably going to have to settle for a used metric cruiser. Do More homework by looking at Consumer Reports in you library, about which makes and model years, are rated the most reliable, then shop all the dealers in a 50 mile radius, telling them what you want, and you're absolute out the door price. Do not buy from a private party for your first bike, since you'll be out $6k and no guarantee.
2006-08-13 05:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The avatar bike is For Sale
here are the specs
You can view this bike at Yahoo Auctions...
General information
Model: Kawasaki VN 800 Vulcan
Year: 2001
Category: Custom / cruiser
Rating: 72.7 out of 100.
Engine and transmission
Displacement: 805.00 ccm (49.12 cubic inches)
Engine type: V2
Stroke: 4
Power: 55.00 HP (40.1 kW)) @ 7000 RPM
Cooling system: Liquid and air
.
Physical measures
Dry weight: 232.0 kg (511.5 pounds)
Wheelbase: 1,625 mm (64.0 inches)
Chassis and dimensions
Front brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes: Expanding brake
Speed and acceleration
Top speed: 170.0 km/h (105.6 mph)
Power/weight ratio: 0.2371 HP/kg
Other specifications
Fuel capacity: 15.00 litres (3.96 gallons)
Click the link below to get a full size view of the Bike
2006-08-12 15:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't write off Harleys. Try a Sportster; with your height, you'll probably want forward controls and taller-than-stock handle bars (not quite ape hangers, though, that looks silly on a Sporty). You can get a new 883 Sporty or used 1200 for around 6K or so.
Sure, you can get a Yamaha for less but it's just not the same.
2006-08-12 15:35:11 · answer #5 · answered by Gitchy gitchy ya ya da da 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first answer is the best answer i had a vn 800 a loved it want another, but the wife said no im 6'1" 220 and it was a great bike around town and short trips (less than 250 miles at a time) i got mine new in 01 for 5300 now i have a sporty and it spends half the time at the hd dealer broken of coarse there is only one test that must be done by you the comfort test sit on it and see if it fits the way you want ( hieght ,balance ,kickstand lift ,and so on) One man's bias opinion!!!!
2006-08-12 15:48:03 · answer #6 · answered by redneckwelder01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GET A VULCAN 900 its fuel injected water and air cool has a Harley look >>>61 lb torque<<< and bout 45 mpg no problems doing 2 ups 180 mm rear tire looks tough belt drive less maintenance go to Kawasaki.com u should look at them plus u can get them for $6800 if you talk the sales guy down, there new so accessories are still in the making but some cobra pipes and they growl. being a son of a hells angel i can tell you the horror story's of oil leaking,vibrating always needing work done Harley's, there only for the name man,i got buds that go out with the guys on the hogs but commute on japs.. feel free to email me for any answers i researched many bikes to find the perfect one.
2006-08-13 21:59:56 · answer #7 · answered by jlmomaha 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your a big guy so you need a big bike ,if you buy to small now your going to regrett it later , go to dealer ships and sit on them all to get a feel for your bike , take a friend and have him hold it up while you put your feet on the pegs so you can see if your comfortable in sifting and clutching , most dealers dont let you ride untill you buy , try some bike events are personel sellers so you can at least ride and get the feel of what you need ,Happy riding and wave !
2006-08-13 00:30:52 · answer #8 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stay away from sportsters,they break and thats all there is to it.Save some more money and get a used evolution powerd big twin or one of the big jap cruisers.
2006-08-12 16:21:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy a harley sporster 883 they will last longer an if you want
to sell it later it will hold the value longer stay away from
jap junk when you buy it its your because the first year
they loose a third of there value
2006-08-12 17:11:37 · answer #10 · answered by standingbare3 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋