Scholarly replies I hope

[varminter]

Ok, please be gentle with me. I've just this week checked out some larger bikes, larger than a 250 that is. I've been looking at road bikes like the SV650 and the RF900. Trouble is her indoors can't pillion for long on these, she likes the look of cruisers (I think, who knows a woman's mind) then I had a go on an M50 (VZ800) with, to me, the most amazingly loud pipes. Well, you would have needed a chainsaw to get the smile off my face.

Now, being the impetuous type, I'd have bought it on the spot (can't afford more than about $8K) but the boss said to try other one's, ok fair enough, but given my pocket and ignorance of what to look for, makes etc? The one I liked has fuel injection and shaft drive and these seem good things to me (well, I did say I'm ignorant) so given the price range can I have some opinions. That should cause a shit fight. Oh yes, she wants pannier bags to FFS, you know, change of shoes, coffee flask, kitchen sink, any idea how much. Sorry if it's all been asked before searching's a pain with dial up.

[Molly]

So, you're looking for some reassurance now you've made your purchase? A man after my own heart.

I think it's a good buy as it happens. Flexible motor, shaftie. Good stuff. Some people think the're neither one thing or the other but I'm surprised there aren't more like them.

Post a pic la.

Ah... Just realised I was thinking of the VX.

[varminter]

Not actually purchased it yet, still got to get the chains off the purse.

[Molly]

Oh. OK. How much did you say? $8,000? You can buy almost anything for around that money. No need to make a rush purchase.

What about a nice Harley Sportster!

Sorry, I should put another record on...

[Shadows]

I reckon 800cc is too small for a cruiser especially if you're going to be dragging the Mrs around.

[munster]

Buy this bike!!!

Right now.

I recently bought an M50 and absolutely love it. 2007, 8300km's, sissy bar & K-Drive removable saddle bags $8000 buy now off trademe (check my profile for pics). A very good price as the guy was cashing up & heading to Oz.

Been for several long rides with the Mrs and I can honestly say that 800cc's is fine. A lot of people told me it wouldn't be and that I'd soon be wanting more / bigger, but I don't see it. With the wife on it's 5th gear up every hill I've comes accross at legal (and slightly non-legal) speeds and I'm 6'3" and 102kg's, the wife is 5'11" and none of your business. With my youngest son on (12) and gear for 2 nights, no problem over Kaimai's at all.

I do reccomend the sissy bar for the pillion, they can lean back and releive some back pressure, also an alternative place to hang on. Sadddle bags are great, means I can go to the market on Saturday mornings and bring home all the vegies.

PM me if you want more details.

[Laxi]

get a monster and leave her at home:2thumbsup

[The Stranger]

get a monster and leave her at home:2thumbsup

+1, she sounds like a control freak.
If she needs an opinion give her one to keep her happy but get what YOU want.

[Tink]

You need to prob rephrase your words... your lovely wife would like but is negotiable.... lol

Honestly if she wants to ride so much why can't she learn... !

But on another thought, I see pillions sitting so high up it looks dangerous and stupid, plus they don't have the right gear, because there bf's prefer the sports style. (not saying thats wrong, just not my thing if I jumped ont he back)... :)

Good Luck... took me 4 months!

And now I want a sports bike AS WELL!

[munster]

My Dad's the same, Mum want's to pillion and go / be with Dad and he wants her to, but there's no way Mum's going to get her bike licence and her own bike.

Personally, you don't get to 20 years in a relationship without some give and rtake, it can't all be me me me.

In my own case, I got the exact bike I wanted. But did also take into consideration that my wife's right knee cartelidge is shot.

I still 100% stand behind my previous claim.

BUY THIS BIKE!

[H00dz]

Buy an FJ1200 mate and you'll get the best of both worlds, plus you'll save ya self 4k, their cheap as chips

[rainman]

M50's a great bike, and 800cc is fine grunt wise for cruising. I have the older, chain-drive, version of the VZ800 (Marauder) and if I upgraded I'd give serious thought to an M50. But get the sissy bar - pillioning is a bit crap without it. Also, the pillion seat on mine is like a brick - maybe they fixed that on the M50, dunno.

FJ1200 for $4k? They are nice, but the ones on TM are more like $5.5k, and they're older bikes...

[DMCD]

If you can squeeze an tad more you can get a nice Triumph or Harley, but the Suzuki's are nice I was looking at an M50 before I fell for the Triumph.

just remember your playing with torque now not power, so you will find with a cruiser they will just go any gear any load.


I reckon 800cc is too small for a cruiser especially if you're going to be dragging the Mrs around.

800 is plenty enough for your first cruiser, my baby will do 2up around town and on long trips without any trouble what so ever, barely even notice someone is on the back.

[Shadows]

Just so long as you don't try to overtake anything I guess.

[vifferman]

Is she aware that panniers can be added to any bike? I think you need to talk to her more about the VZ800, and see if she was happy with it apart from the panniers. Also, if you want buy-in, get her involved in test-riding. My current bike wasn't on my shopping list (as I wasn't even looking for a bike) but we test-rode it together and my wife made me buy it.
It sounds like she holds the power of veto over whatever you buy, so if you want marital happiness and something that's acceptable to both of you, be patient and get her involved. There are lots of bikes out there, so you should be able to find summat if the VZ's not "the one" as far as she's concerned.
However, having said this, make sure that you've come to some arrangements / compromises so that you're not buying something she likes but which is no good for you, or something that you like but she's not happy with. Get the issues sorted beforehand.

[DMCD]

Just so long as you don't try to overtake anything I guess.

I don't know what kind of experance you have with 800cc bikes but I don't have any trouble calling for HP when i need it ask some of the guys on the ATNR, no disrespect to you of course, just saying.

[varminter]

Ok, I confess, I'm a downtrodden male. She seems to like the M50 so I'm hoping to get her out for a ride on it this week. On the test ride I called in to show her (frightening the neighbours, did I say it was loud) and she climbed on the rear by swinging a leg over the sissy bar (back seat thing)rather than standing on the pegs which I thought was rather athletic of her considering she's had a knee replacement. Being a smart lady she also suggests that we check out some more bikes in that class, so it looks like a trip to Tauranga for a day of bike testing, what a hardship. Ta for all the replies so far, especially for the heavy endorsements. Actually she's not that bad, it's just that I sometimes need a conscience.:yes:

Oh yes, is it obligatory to wear a black helmet on a cruiser, Mine's coloured:gob:.

[The Stranger]

Oh yes, is it obligatory to wear a black helmet on a cruiser, Mine's coloured:gob:.

No, really, it's ok to have a rainbow coloured helmet.

[varminter]

So, what you're really saying is that I'll look gay.

[munster]

I don't know what kind of experance you have with 800cc bikes but I don't have any trouble calling for HP when i need it
+1


So, what you're really saying is that I'll look gay.
No, not at all. Just sexually ambiguous! LOL!

But seriously, you won't go wrong the M50.

BTW, my helmet is matt black, the wife's is gloss yellow & black. I even wore hi-vis when I took my 12 year to Tauranga & back the other weekend.

[Jiminy]

Test riding a few more bikes is never a bad thing, even if you end up buying the M50.

The M50 won't be a problem with a pillion. It could do with a bit more punch, but then it's no sport bike. Funnily enough, I find it nice and "quiet" (with stock pipes) compare to most other cruisers.

[varminter]

This sucker has after market pipes and I find the noise enthralling (small boy at heart) as regards the coloured helmet I think I'll go the whole way and wear the dress and high heels too.

[bluebird]

The M50 is an excellent bike, I had an S50 before I went insane and bought the M109, the only problem with an 800 is the 100kph to 120kph overtaking speed, but if sedate cruising is what you want great. And yes sissybar is essential.

[Shadows]

The M50 is an excellent bike, I had an S50 before I went insane and bought the M109, the only problem with an 800 is the 100kph to 120kph overtaking speed, but if sedate cruising is what you want great. And yes sissybar is essential.

Finally somebody agrees with me :brick:

[munster]

So come on Varminter, what's happening? Have you joined the cruiser club yet?

[Angusdog]

Love my M50. More than enough power, especially if you're moving up. It won't snap your head back cracking the throttle at 100kph, but I've noticed wanting more power. I bought mine as with three kids now, I wanted to move away from sports bikes.

Chicks do seem to like the M50 - My wife's always telling her mates to get me to take them (unfortunately only for a spin on the bike...)

I'll take some pics of mine in the weekend, as it looks much better when you start to remove some of the more gaudy details. I ditched the tank badges, the PAIR valve and the fake swing arm brace, and painted the air cleaner matt black, fitted drag handle bars (requires a riser kit), V&H Cruzer pipes and lowered it 2 1/2". I think I'll keep changing the chrome to matt black and fit a sissy bar (Damn you, whoever outbid me on the one on Trade Me...), but it's really a lovely bike.

[Edbear]

I reckon 800cc is too small for a cruiser especially if you're going to be dragging the Mrs around.

I guess it depends on how big the wife is... On our C50T with the big screen, bags and backrest, the wife loves it and as for power, okay, in top while I'd call it adequate for most situations, if you give the 805 a rev it will perform!

Top speed indicated two-up, 170, and last Summer on a tour with a GSX1400 and Bandit S1200,. all two-up, after the Coro Loop and back to Kaiawa for dinner, the guy with the 1400 asked me if my bike was actually 1000cc. When I assured him it was the 805 he asked if I'd hotted it up!

Cruising with four others, C90, Dyna Low Rider 1450, Softail 1450 and Softail 1600, again all two-up, I was only wanting in top on the steepest hills but of course a flick down to fourth and no problemo!

The bike is revving a bit higher than the bigger bikes, but after nearly three years with it, I bought it Feb. '07, I love it and see no reason to trade "up". 60mpg average and enough grunt to get out of the way or impress riders of 1200S Bandits and GSX1400's and it looks great!

If we weren't so often two-up and I was looking for similar I'd definietly go for the M50, but the pillion is not as well catered for there, you may have to change the back seat and of course add a backrest.

[nallac]

This sucker has after market pipes and I find the noise enthralling (small boysurely you mean't Girl at heart) as regards the coloured helmet I think I'll go the whole way and wear the dress and high heels too.

you go girl......:whistle:

[wainui]

both M50 and C50 or t are good bikes for 1 and 2 up C50s more comfy as proper touring but can still perform .S50 are sleeker but may need extras if touring depends what you want to do.

[DMCD]

Going down with the Auckland group for the BIKEOI I can confirm 800cc's is plenty of power, I had no trouble keeping up with most bikes and i found that i lost the ability to hold on to the bike before i ran out of top speed.

I had enough power up to 170kph to pass a SV650 passing a truck with both of us on full throttle.

[Angusdog]

I forgot to take a pic of the LHS showing the lack of the fake swing arm brace - there's a surprising amount of fakery which does them no good at all.

Notice there's no chrome testicle on the LHS of the motor. The PAIR valve does nothing apart from cheat the emissions sniffer, so removing it is no problem (Google the kit form the states, about NZ$45 to your door). Also dropping it 2 1/2 inch drop shows little effect on its cornering ability but makes it look a little meaner.

I also think the drag bars are the best improvement you can make. But the problem is the throttle cables hit the tank on full lock, so a set of risers from The M50 Secret Hideaway Forum (http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/forum/marauder-m50-secret-hideaway/41383-hanglebar-risers-m50-available-again.html) and buy better quality ones than the set I got from a Harley shop - rubbish chrome which is showing rust spots.