Beginner's cruiser?

[isoplus]

Hello,
new to the forum here.

I am looking to take a motorcycle safty class this weekend and probably purchase my 1st cruiser by next week.
Last time I rode was over 15 yrs ago when I was in college...

I was looking '2000 Yamaha V-Star 650' as my starter cruiser and was hoping to get some input from you more experienced guys.

I am about 5' 10" tall average built guy.
I don't need anything powerful or big, just looking for an easy handling bike which will cruise me through this or next year till I'm comfortable riding.

Thanks for your input. :notworthy

[Candy]

Sorry, don't know much about cruisers but welcome!

[Dub_B83]

Not a bad bike, sound engine. Comfortable too. I was looking into those for long rides.

[Solracer]

the honda shadows are good starters....

[isoplus]

Thanks for your input :)

I was also looking 2002 Honda Shawdow 600.

Do dealers let you test ride before purchasing?

Are there things I should look for, things to avoid before purchasing a cruiser?

[ImG]

hmm i dont' know if this is a beginner cruiser but i like the new kawi 900 custom.

http://kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=214

[isoplus]

Heh, it looks very nice... but,

900cc scares me... maybe later... AND

The cost, gotta keep it under 5G... within WAF (wife approval factor:eh: ).

[ImG]

try craigslist , they usually have a bunch of older and newer crusiers for sale. GL.

[Mr. Unassailable]

gz250

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h256/kywind/mybike.jpg

[maskale]

you rode before, can you still ride?

Those bikes would be good starter bikes, but do you think you need a starter bike. If you can ride then go for something bigger, you have to be honest with yourself are you ready.

[ysr612]

I have always like the Yamaha 650 but jack says it is a pain to change a tire on.

PS I hate cruisers but that Yamaha I hate least.

[witchdoctor575]

I had a shadow 600 vlx years ago and it was a solid cruiser. After that one I moved up to a 1100 shadow spirit. Both were great bikes with great reliability and good handling characteristics for a newer rider. I prefered the 1100 because it was shaft driven and there was little maintenance to be done.

[BigComfy]

vtx 1300 if your not a new rider (1800 is much better though)

[Nox]

VMAX BABY.:headbang: :evil4: the only cruiser youll ever want.

[Flying Scot]

95% of dealerships do not let you test ride - they only let you sit on the bikes which I understand but is really crappy when you are a serious customer ready to buy.

I would recommend you check out British USA on College Avenue East of I45 South SIMPLY because they DO let you test ride. All you need is your M class license and vehicle insurance.

Ask for Jon (friend of mine)- tell him Jamie sent you and he will be sure to get the best deal he can. I am by no means saying you should buy from there but they have a small selection of used bikes to test and there not all Triumphs. At least this way you can feel for what you like/dislike.

G/L

[witchdoctor575]

Jon rocks! I was there last week and they have a large selection of used bikes there...even a harley dyna glide. Check em out

[IAHKAT]

AJ offered to let me test drive my bike I purchased this last April. I could have test drove anything in there I was interested in actually. Don't know if this is a recent change.


If you have not rode in a while and feel your on the novice end I would suggest purchasing a beater (used), something cheap you won't get too upset over if you drop it. The MSF class is a good place to get your feet wet as well, again, if you drop it no biggie. Once your comfortable go get something you really want. I started off with a 750 learner bike and went up to a 1800 after the BRC and once I felt comfortable on a bike.

Good luck in which ever direction you take...

[Paradox]

Thanks for your input :)

I was also looking 2002 Honda Shawdow 600.

Do dealers let you test ride before purchasing?

Are there things I should look for, things to avoid before purchasing a cruiser?


Get the one of the 750's rather than the 600. Better parts and you won't outgrow it quite as fast. They are docile 38hp bikes but have very high fun factor. Very Affordable bikes. I love running around town on mine. Spirit's are a bit more performance oriented than the Aero. Dual carbs vs single chain vs Shaft and the 07 added a "Spaero" version with 21 inch front rim Spirit styling and shaft drive.

[Chris24]

I was also looking 2002 Honda Shawdow 600.


the shadow 600 isnt a bad bike, but imo it has a couple shortcomings. the capacity of the tank (2.something gallons) is significantly smaller than that of the shadow 750. one customers complaint was that when going on rides with other riders, he always had to fill up first, and the other bikes still alot of mileage left before a fillup.

its also a little underpowered and a bit small.

just $0.02 to help you out.

[Paradox]

Even the 750 is hitting reserve at 110 miles. It's only got about 2.5 gal before reserve.

[MagnaMan]

Welcome.

You want to talk cruisers? I'm your man. OK. Well I haven't owned that many, but I know a fair amount about buying starter bikes. Here's my recommendations.

Go used
For a starter bike, I would go with a used bike so you won't lose a ton of money on resale value in a year or so. Also, if you're practicing, or getting your skills back after a long time off, chances are good that you may drop the bike. If you have a used bike you won't care near as much as if you dropped a new one. On a related note I would suggest engine guards. Can save you a ton of trouble and $$.

Once you have your license, it's easier to test drive used bikes. You generally can not test ride new bikes unless you want to rent a Harley.

Good starter bikes:
Honda Rebel 250. The classic starter. Not intimidating to anyone. There's a guy that commutes in the 290 HOV lane with one. It'll get you up to freeway speeds and sips gas at about 60 mpg I believe. Easy to find used ones.

Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It's a 6 speed bike based on the Ninja engine and will do highway speeds. It just won't get there very fast. But set on one and you'll find it has great balance and weight distribution. They are harder to find used.

Suzuki Intruder. I hear these things run like a tank... and kinda shake like one. I believe they're 1 cylinder.

Yamaha Virago 750. This was my first bike. It has a little bit longer rake on the forks than I like but it's tough. With the engine guards you will not damage the bike if you drop it. This one has some nice grunt in the low end right off the line, but that's the nature of the v-tsin engine.


Not-so-good starter bikes:
The Honda Shadow 600 (I think that's the model). The problem I have with this bike is that it's only a 4 speed bike. It was originally designed when the speed limit was 55. And that's what it's best at cruising. You're pushing it to get to freeway speeds of 70 to 80, so I hear.

VStar 650.
Not a bad bike by any means... Just a little underpowered. I know a guy who owned one as a second bike. It didn't take long for him to sell it. He was sorely disappointed.

Starter bike and possible keeper:
Magna VF750. This is the bike I currently have. It is no slouch. The reason why I suggest this bike is that it could be your first and last cruiser for a while. The Magna's power comes in the higher rpms (from 5 to 10K). So as a beginner if you ride in the lower rpms you will find this bike very tame. In fact it will be tamer than the V-twins in the low rpms.

When you're ready to move up, you can ride in the higher rpms. You'll find the bike really comes alive then and it will easily outrun all the bikes I listed above... not to mention 1300 and 1500cc cruisers.

The engine is bullet-proof reliable. I have heard of little going wrong on them. And I get about 43 mpg. You can pick these bikes up for about $3,000. If you need me to help you find one, just let me know.

[GrandeLatte]

Suzuki Intruder. I hear these things run like a tank... and kinda shake like one. I believe they're 1 cylinder.

not ONE cylinder, it's v-twin, and don't shake like a tank.

come get my 95 intruder vs800. i will make you a motohouston deal.

:icon_thum :icon_thum :icon_thum

[MagnaMan]

not ONE cylinder, it's v-twin, and don't shake like a tank.

come get my 95 intruder vs800. i will make you a motohouston deal.

:icon_thum :icon_thum :icon_thum

Thanks for the clarification. What cruiser is it that's a 600 or 650cc one cylinder? It's either a Kawi or a Suzuki but I can't remember which.

[Chris24]

Thanks for the clarification. What cruiser is it that's a 600 or 650cc one cylinder? It's either a Kawi or a Suzuki but I can't remember which.

i believe the suzuki s40 is a single cylinder 650cc. belt driven. its also kind of smallish, but not as bad as the shadow 600. the s40 also has a classic kind of look. not a bad bike either.

if you had the $ though, id get one of the slightly bigger boulevards, or a shadow 750.

[Chris24]

...then on down the road get something like

vtx1300 or vtx1800
or
m109r

[stlal]

I would get something a little bigger. imo

[GrandeLatte]

Thanks for the clarification. What cruiser is it that's a 600 or 650cc one cylinder? It's either a Kawi or a Suzuki but I can't remember which.

chris24 has it right. the name of the single cylinder cruiser is "savage", but now called s40. there are three engine sizes for the intruders, 800cc, 1400cc, 1500cc now called s50, s83, and c90 (or is it lc1500? i can't remember).

my intruder vs800 aka s50 is really easy to ride. isoplus, i bet you can re-learn on it. and it is still for sale $$$$$. :nod: :nod: :nod: pm me. :icon_smil

[isoplus]

Thank you guys very much.

I've just signed up for this forum yesterday and already I feel a whole lot more prepared than I did two days ago.

I'm scheduled to take BRC tomorrow, after the course is completed then I'll be shopping for the cruiser.

I gotta say though, that I'm leaning towards 700+cc after your input.

Thanks agin, :notworthy

[ImG]

might be a good deal if you can bargin the price down a lil.
http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/338190081.html

yea i am biased towards kawasaki =p.

[silverceptor]

I rented a v-star 650 in San Francisco to ride through the hills. I thought it was an 1100 and didn't realize it was a 650 until the end of the ride. It handled fine at freeway speeds.

I would still recommend the 1100 shadow or v-star. The shaft drive makes them maint. free. Also, an 1100 v-twin cruiser is less powerful than 600 in line four.

[isoplus]

I'm scheduled to take BRC tomorrow, after the course is completed then I'll be shopping for the cruiser.



What the... today is only Friday!? :BangHead:

My class is on Sunday... the day after tomorrow...

Err... I guess I'm looking foward to it a lil' too much :hs:

[BikerBabe]

My first bike after I took the class was a Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750. Keep in mind, prior to taking the class I had only been a passenger on a motorcycle, never having ridden solo. Also, I was 43 when I got my motorcycle license. When hubby bought his Custom Fatboy, I had the choice between keeping the 750 or taking his Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 and selling the 750. I chose the 1100 because on the highway, going 70 or better, I always felt like the 750 needed to shift up one more gear. I rode the 1100 for two plus years and loved the heck out of it.

I feel that if you buy anything smaller than a 750, you are going to be disappointed with your highway performance. Your in-town won't be affected. However, any trip you take, you will feel "bogged down" for want of a better description.

[IAHKAT]

What the... today is only Friday!? :BangHead:

My class is on Sunday... the day after tomorrow...

Err... I guess I'm looking foward to it a lil' too much :hs:


How many days is your BRC class & which school are you taking this class at?

[isoplus]

How many days is your BRC class & which school are you taking this class at?

It's Sunday~Monday class @ AwesomeCycles.
One of my friend refered me to it.

[Greenway Smokey]

You sound like you know what you want. 700+cc is good for a cruiser to start on. My first bike(also my current bike) is a 1200cc. It was pretty mild when i got it. it was nice getting familar with riding on this bike. I did a few upgrades to kick up the HP by 20. Now it sits at 73hp, and that is plenty for me. It keeps up with the 600cc sport bikes on the highways and in the city.

let us know when you get your bike and want to go on a ride. We can set one up. ;)

[Hoguer]

My first bike was 600 vlx I liked the bike. Kept it just over a year it was small for me I am 6'4" but a good l learner for me. I moved to the VTX 1300. I think a boulavared is a good bike for you since you have experence. I agree to get your feet wet use the MSF bikes to do that and that will also help with your MC Lic.

[criticalerror]

It's Sunday~Monday class @ AwesomeCycles.
One of my friend refered me to it.

I took my class a few months ago at awesomecycles. Good group I suppose. I was bored as hell 99% of the time and it gets REAL REAL hot out there. You spend a lot of time sitting on the bike with it running on black pavement. You have to have full finger gloves, a helmet, long sleves, and ankle high boots. They will supply the gloves and helmet. I highly recommend wearing a very thin long sleve shirt because of how hot it gets. We spent the mornings in class and afternoon on the "course" (parking lot of that country bar over there). All the bikes are 250s and dont bother trying to pop a wheelie .. it doesnt work. Best part of the class was the quick stops. The lot was wet because it had been raining and slamming the brakes doing 25 mph on those tiny bikes was a blast. Only 1 person dropped their bike and he had never ridden before plus they put him on the 1 dirt bike they had. He missed a gear (you never leave second gear in the course), got scared, hit the gas and laid her down. No injuries.

As far as a starter bike. Get 750 at least man. 750 is a lot of power on a sport bike but on a cruiser it aint much. I rode a sportster for awhile and was sick of it after 50 miles. Thats just me ... i know many love sportsters but it was just to small for me. For a starter bike in your price range I would recommend a used sportster. Can't go wrong starting on a Harley!

[isoplus]

Well, just finished BRC yesterday.

It was fun, I even got a 'gremlin bell (a lucky charm)' as a souvenir :icon_thum
It rained hard during the classes so it was cool and wet (better than hot and sweatin' wet, I guess).

I'm sure there are a whole lot more I need to learn (or get used to) before I can consider myself a 'rider'.

Anyways, after your inputs and few searches on internet I'm thinking about purchasing a used Honda Magna (2003) or Suzuki VL800 (2006).
I'll let you know once it is finalized. :notworthy

[isoplus]

Err... ok,

It looks like I'll be getting '07 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750C2.
I was looking for 03 Magna, but those are hard to find in low mile and right color (black).
06 Intruder VL800 (low mile) was alomost high as brand new... (owner was asking $5,900).

Anyone tried Shadow Spirit?

[IAHKAT]

Congrats on passing the BRC!!! Who were your instructors?

[jar675]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned gear? A must have. Its the time of year you can find used bikes. Take your time and get what you want!

[isoplus]

Mike & Mike were my intructor @ BRC.

And yea sir, I already got the gear, thanks for your concern:notworthy .

[criticalerror]

Mike (mohawk guy) and I got in an argument the second day of class because he was telling the class that loud pipes were in no way related to safety. This was 5 minutes after he told the class anything you can do to make yourself more noticeable (like putting stupid reflector stickers on your helmet) makes you safer. Of course all the instructors rode rice burners that were about as loud as my wife's hair dryer. He went as far as to say loud pipes should be outlawed because they annoy other people. I agreed to disagree. Total BS to be teaching new riders that IMHO.

[RogerT]

Get a Vulcan 1500, 1600 or 2000, Many good bikes on Craigs List
Biker Babe said it best, you will be wanting more power on the highway. RPM will be higher than most cruisers. Weight difference is not much

[flipboy326]

eliminator 125

[NisAznMonk]

eliminator 125

Would that even go freeway speeds?

[isoplus]

Ok, thanks for all of your input guys.
I am now riding 07 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750C2.
:notworthy
I only had time to ride about 30 min. today but I was having a blast!
I just had this big grin on my face thinking to myself 'where the hell was I for last 17 years?'. It was fun!
I even thought about going up to 1100 or 1300, but chickened out...
This will have to last me for next year or two I guess.
Enough time to get my groove back before moving up.

Again, thanks for all of your input.

[leprechaun]

just so happens my wife has decided 2 moveon up & we r thinking of getting rid of a 02,750SS honda,ready 2 go, lots of chrome,bags,windscreen,ask Carbon1 , r Carbon 1/2, they know the bike &how its been taken care of. PM me 4 a test ride r whatever.
james

[flipboy326]

Would that even go freeway speeds?
haha...no, i dont think itll hit faster than 55...redlining

[criticalerror]

Ok, thanks for all of your input guys.
I am now riding 07 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750C2.
:notworthy
I only had time to ride about 30 min. today but I was having a blast!
I just had this big grin on my face thinking to myself 'where the hell was I for last 17 years?'. It was fun!
I even thought about going up to 1100 or 1300, but chickened out...
This will have to last me for next year or two I guess.
Enough time to get my groove back before moving up.

Again, thanks for all of your input.

Congrats man! Ride safe! If we dont go to ROT this weekend we should try and get a local ride going.

[BikerBabe]

Ok, thanks for all of your input guys.
I am now riding 07 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750C2.
:notworthy
I only had time to ride about 30 min. today but I was having a blast!
I just had this big grin on my face thinking to myself 'where the hell was I for last 17 years?'. It was fun!
I even thought about going up to 1100 or 1300, but chickened out...
This will have to last me for next year or two I guess.
Enough time to get my groove back before moving up.

Again, thanks for all of your input.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You won't be disappointed. I rode my 750 for two years before hubby bought the Fatboy and I took his 1100. Still miss both of them!!! The 750 had the looks and the 1100 had the power. On another note, never had a lick of trouble with either Honda. Both were well maintained and with the exception of regular maintenance expenses, tires, chain, etc., they were fairly economical machines.