Suzuki M50, Kawasaki MeanStreak or Honda VTX1800

[HellRiderNz]

Hi Folks,

Wonder if any one can help me with a desicion,
I am about a month away from getting my full and I am planning for my next upgrade, I really love crusiers, my choices has come down the 3 options I just don;t know which too choose, as I ride everyday, so I need something that I can Filter through the traffic, so any comments or advice is appricated

The Bikes of Choice are

Suzuki M50 800cc, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1600cc and Honda VTX1800cc Crusier all very slick looking crusier, and they are all within the $13k-$18k range.

Please help

[johnnyflash]

Hi Folks,

Wonder if any one can help me with a desicion,
I am about a month away from getting my full and I am planning for my next upgrade, I really love crusiers, my choices has come down the 3 options I just don;t know which too choose, as I ride everyday, so I need something that I can Filter through the traffic, so any comments or advice is appricated

The Bikes of Choice are

Suzuki M50 800cc, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1600cc and Honda VTX1800cc Crusier all very slick looking crusier, and they are all within the $13k-$18k range.

Please help

Hell, the range of choices you have are as different as chalk and cheese..
1st, You need to decide what you want your ride to do for you, the heavier bike is great for serious cruising but wont be as easy filtering and stop start traffic as the smaller/lighter ride.. (width,Length,Weight)
2nd, Are you up to handling a larger/heavier bike? best you test ride all your selection first, then make up your mind... make sure it is a good FIT for you.
3rd, If you intend carrying a pillion often take one along on a test ride..

[Angusdog]

For what it's worth. I bought a 2nd hand (1 year old) M50, and love it. Plenty of grunt, great lines (more 'muscle cruiser' than 'chopper'), and not too much bulk. I've ridden bikes (trail bikes and sports tourers) for 20 years, and I wouldn't want a bike much bigger. It depends a bit on how big you are, for example if you're over 6' 3" you might want one of the larger bikes, but it would be a mistake to confuse bigger with better.

Especially if you're moving up from a 250 to an 1800 - that's quite a leap, and for most people, an M50 or Vulcan 900 is plenty big enough for everything - unless you plan on doing a lot of open road miles with a pillion. M50s are still quite sizeable bikes, and I'm sure you know that a 1600 isn't twice as fast as an 800...

[bmz2]

vn900 best value for money, if you are thinking of heavy cruisers then you need a cage ,these bikes are monsters in taffic , if you are happy sitting behind cages in taffic then buy a 1800cc , great cruiser and will give you loads of pleasure, these bike are around 300kg ... not good for city riding, m50 or vn900 good all round bike , but if you are thinking of 1800cc then m109r and the vtx honda ,but for me ONE BAD ASS 9 IS THE ONLY BIKE

[jafar]

Hi Folks,

Wonder if any one can help me with a desicion,
I am about a month away from getting my full and I am planning for my next upgrade, I really love crusiers, my choices has come down the 3 options I just don;t know which too choose, as I ride everyday, so I need something that I can Filter through the traffic, so any comments or advice is appricated

The Bikes of Choice are

Suzuki M50 800cc, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1600cc and Honda VTX1800cc Crusier all very slick looking crusier, and they are all within the $13k-$18k range.

Please help

Go for the M50 if you want it as an everyday bike, filtering on a meanstreak or a vtx1800 isn't an option you want to be doing everyday.
The jump from a 250 to a 1600 is a large one , IMHO you would be better off doing it in steps.
The Meanstreak & the VTX both sell for over $18,000 while the M50 is closer to the $13,000 mark

[shafty]

Decisions decisions - nice to hav the choice! My Partner, GoGal had a beautiful Meanstreak - I ride an ST1300, so totally different for me to ride, but I enjoyed a blast from Tauranga to Christchurch on it.

Meanies aren't that common, ie quite exclusive. Don't overlook the VTX1300, which I spotted at around $13000 new in this weeks MC Trader.

Also check gas range if tat is important to you. Test ride heaps, - enjoy!

[Waylander]

Mint 2006 Vmax sitting at Boyd Honda right now with $15K on the sticker.

Power of the bigger cruisers, maneuverability of the smaller ones. Even comes with an extra set of tins (Fenders and faux tank cover, in carbon fibre look) in case you don't like the red with ghost flames.
Best be quick if you're gonna get it too cause I might just be trading in mine for that one.

[jafar]

Mint 2006 Vmax sitting at Boyd Honda right now with $15K on the sticker.

Power of the bigger cruisers, maneuverability of the smaller ones. Even comes with an extra set of tins (Fenders and faux tank cover, in carbon fibre look) in case you don't like the red with ghost flames.
Best be quick if you're gonna get it too cause I might just be trading in mine for that one.

New vmax in tauranga too, very nice looking toy :rockon:

[Waylander]

New vmax in tauranga too, very nice looking toy :rockon:
Where at? Which shop?


Here be the one I'm talking about.
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=2774157&TabID=3553&Alias=motorcycletradernz
And another older one for $10k.
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=2769286&TabID=3553&Alias=motorcycletradernz

[jafar]

Where at? Which shop?

The yamaha/ triumph dealer on Cameron Road. Near 4th ave.
I was there last tuesday & spied it just inside the door :2thumbsup

[Waylander]

The yamaha/ triumph dealer on Cameron Road. Near 4th ave.
I was there last tuesday & spied it just inside the door :2thumbsup
Bayride, I known where I'm going for lunch tomorrow then.

[jafar]

Bayride, I known where I'm going for lunch tomorrow then.

Bayride , thats it, Really nice guys in there :2thumbsup
They have a 250 Virago that my daughter has taken a liking too.

[rainman]

... I ride everyday, so I need something that I can Filter through the traffic...

Suzuki M50 800cc, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1600cc and Honda VTX1800cc

Go the M50. I've got the earlier (and only slightly lighter) version of that, a VZ800 Marauder and it's great for running around town and not at all shabby on longer trips either. Very comfy, solid cruiser. I'd have bought an M50 in a flash when I moved up from my GN250, but the budget did not permit.

Of course, you should do all the test rides you can too :)

[James Deuce]

How many times do I have to say it? Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head.

It's all YOUR decision. You have to live with it.

(I'd buy the Meanstreak. Get one with flames. Shh. Don't tell anyone I said that. )

[Motig]

Got it in one Jim2 (well OK 3). Take on board what others say but remember their only speaking of their preferences. Get the one you like, not them. Notice how you give a list of the 3 bikes you like the look of and then people start telling you to buy something compleely different. Go figure.