Dreaming of my cruiser...

[Badger8]

Evening Chaps and Chapesses.

Looking for some advice on my cruiser dreams of the (hopefully) not too distant future.
Currently riding a GN250 (YEAH!), and looking to upgrade to a worthy hog sometime next year, so have been looking around and drooling already :D

i'm about 6 foot 2, and over a hundred kg's, so obviously the GN is just too small, so hoping once i'm on my R an exemption should be pretty easy to obtain (also, anyone who's gone through that process, advice would be appreciated.)

aaaaaanyways...

Been looking around a bit, and have currently got my eyes set on a Boulevard C50. anyone who has/does ride one with their thoughts on them? You reckon i'll handle the step up from the GN okay?
Have straddled a couple and they fit me like a glove, also fired one up and nearly needed a new pair of pants, so it seems like a pretty good bike for me.
I'm also very open to any other suggestions people may have. Still plenty of time left to look around and drool before i get my baby yet!

Criteria:
Not wanting to go to anything tooooo big in engine (at this stage anyways), but need something with a bit of boogie on the open road (as i havent ridden anything above the GN, so i really have no idea how powerful an 800cc V-Twin is), comfort for a long days riding, but can still get around in the traffic (i do live in auckland after all). Looking at doing a little touring (but not to the extent of spending weeks at a time on the road), so storage capabilities are also a factor (though not such a biggie so long as i can throw in enough for a three day weekend).
And of course, gotta have that dead sexy V-Twin grumble baby! *Grunts*:Punk:

Any advice appreciated.
Cheers! :D

[bmz2]

dude , sit on m109r you will love it :rockon:

[Badger8]

dude , sit on m109r you will love it :rockon:

Not such a fan of the M109R, the looks dont really do it for me. The front end just feels wrong on a cruiser. I'm sure she'd be a mighty powerful ride though.

How've you found her quality wise? i'd assume that'd be fairly similar across the boulevard range...

[Tank]

Evening Chaps and Chapesses.

Looking for some advice on my cruiser dreams of the (hopefully) not too distant future.
Currently riding a GN250 (YEAH!), and looking to upgrade to a worthy hog sometime next year, so have been looking around and drooling already :D

i'm about 6 foot 2, and over a hundred kg's, so obviously the GN is just too small, so hoping once i'm on my R an exemption should be pretty easy to obtain (also, anyone who's gone through that process, advice would be appreciated.)

aaaaaanyways...

Been looking around a bit, and have currently got my eyes set on a Boulevard C50. anyone who has/does ride one with their thoughts on them? You reckon i'll handle the step up from the GN okay?
Have straddled a couple and they fit me like a glove, also fired one up and nearly needed a new pair of pants, so it seems like a pretty good bike for me.
I'm also very open to any other suggestions people may have. Still plenty of time left to look around and drool before i get my baby yet!

Criteria:
Not wanting to go to anything tooooo big in engine (at this stage anyways), but need something with a bit of boogie on the open road (as i havent ridden anything above the GN, so i really have no idea how powerful an 800cc V-Twin is), comfort for a long days riding, but can still get around in the traffic (i do live in auckland after all). Looking at doing a little touring (but not to the extent of spending weeks at a time on the road), so storage capabilities are also a factor (though not such a biggie so long as i can throw in enough for a three day weekend).
And of course, gotta have that dead sexy V-Twin grumble baby! *Grunts*:Punk:

Any advice appreciated.
Cheers! :D

I can help you loads.

Im also over 100kgs. Was on a GN250 and got dispensation to ride a M50 - same engine as the c50 - just a different style.

The dispensation is easy as - I wil search my threads and it gives you all the information you will need. if anything is missing just PM me.

Mine allows me to ride the M50, and to go directly for my full licence - no need for the restricted period. I'm sill on my learners - so of you are waiting for your R it will be easier.

Moving to the C50 is easy and actually easier than riding the GN250 (hard to believe but true). go for it - you wont regret it.

[Tank]

here you go http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=59445&

[Badger8]

Thanks for the help matey, muchly appreciated!
i'm gonna wait till next year, then i'll have my R and be 24 with more riding experience, so will all help. plus i might almost have paid off my debts so i can get another loan for my new ride! :)

[Rockbuddy]

check out a VN900 you wont be dissapointed

[Badger8]

check out a VN900 you wont be dissapointed

Cheers for that. Just did the good ol' 5 minute google, and she's been added to the list :)

[The Lone Rider]

Honda Magna V4 750cc, just slap on some forward controls.

Revs past 9000 and hits red just under 10,000... can knock other cruisers on their ass at times because of that :P

[Angusdog]

Although the Magna's a nice bike, cruisers have move on somewhat in terms of style. The Magna uses the VFR750 engine and looks lit: pipes and tubes everywhere, plastic covers etc. And he's moving from a GN250, so there's a substantial boost in power.

The C50 is ideal. Like Tank, I have an M50. Easy spread of power, with enough grunt to shift but no powerband to catch you out. They are also large bikes, with room to stretch out. There are a range of aftermarket accessories too, not as much as harleys, but enough to satisfy. Mine has V&H pipes and drag bars, with the PAIR valve removed using a kit from the US.

The VN900 is probably pretty much the same, and the new VT750 has had good reviews. Funnily enough Yamaha don't have a mid range cruiser, they go from the XVS650 (a bit small in my book) to the 1600 bikes. In other words, the mid-size cruisers are great and a lot of different people get a lot of fun from them.

[Bruiser]

looking to upgrade to a worthy hog sometime next year, so have been looking around and drooling already :D

...... have currently got my eyes set on a Boulevard C50

Ummmmm is it just me or is someone confused here :msn-wink:

[Edbear]

Can only concur with the sentiments here. If a comfy cruiser is what you're after, either the Kawa 900 or Boulevard C50 will be ideal. Main difference is the Suzuki is shaft drive which I personally prefer compared the the Kawasaki's belt. If a bit more sporty, the M50 is a great bike, period! The Honda 750 is nice but a bit down on performance by comparison, though owners rate them very highly.

You won't notice any difference power-wise between the two and overseas comparison tests rated both bikes very highly with the decision coming down to the shaft v. belt or style. The Boulevard was noted as being a bit smoother. I increased the rear pre-load two notches and it made a huge difference and is now about ideal whether solo or two-up. I'm about 97kg and 177cm.

After 5,000km we love our C50T and find that two-up it's great with enough power for top-gear passing and so far a 155km/h top with a bit more to come.:shutup: I reckon solo would see an easy 160+ but that's not what cruisers are about. It's great at 95 or 115! We get up to 20km/l or a bit more and have no difficulty keeping up with bigger cruisers.

First service on the C50 is a bit dearer due to the valves needing adjustment, but I found Bikesport to be very reasonable.

[Badger8]

Ummmmm is it just me or is someone confused here :msn-wink:

hush now, noobie on the prowl :p

[jafar]

Funnily enough Yamaha don't have a mid range cruiser, they go from the XVS650 (a bit small in my book) to the 1600 bikes. In other words, the mid-size cruisers are great and a lot of different people get a lot of fun from them.

WRONG Yamaha have the XVS 1300A a very nice bit of kit it is too, Also the XVS1100 - V-STAR CUSTOM & XVS1100A - V-STAR CLASSIC
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/index.asp?main.asp

[The Lone Rider]

Except of course you do all know the 750 Magna out performs an m50 (not to mention m50 sounds like a squirrel farting in a can until you put on different pipes). Also rated to out perform harley 1200 kitted sporster, and hold it's own against a valkyrie.

Proven fact. In all the reviews.

Even can bite hard against a 109 due to the revs. Less gear changes, flys out of turns faster. Up to speed very fast. Not the same engine as VFR. Different gearing, and other changes to make it suitable. But rev height shows where it counts because of the original VFR design they started with.

Lame excuse that it's old fashion styling (not to mention pipes and tubes everywhere). Four pipes, four cylinders. Only other tubes is from radiator (and they make chromed covers for radiator and tubes). There are plenty of aftermarket parts that change anything and everything on them.

Forward controls, light fittings, different tanks, different covers, spoiler, chromed anything and everything in aftermarket parts. Different fenders, bars, lowering kits, grips, mirrors, risers, goes up to 180 rear tire with no modification and with a Cyclist rod linkage. Vance N Hines pipes (number of varieties), various Jardine pipes, Hard Chrome Pipes, sissy bars, stowage racks, mustang and other seat types. And is solo convertible as factory standard.

Maybe lower top speed then the new bikes, but fucks sake you can only do 100 legally and Magna will hit 190 easily enough if for some strange reason that speed is needed.

Only real issue at all that I can think of is that the brake system could be better. Drum brake, and single disc - for a bike at 250kg tanked up and rather ass hauling you could be better and safer with some better stuff. But there is a dual disc mod you can do. And fuel injection on the other bikes is a nice touch, but hey - how fussy do you want to be? By the time you got your helmet, gloves, and others on, the bike is going sweet.

The latest is not always the greatest.

I've tried all the bikes mentioned (only sat on a 109 though, but have ridden with people on them on my own bike) and Magna won out for me hands down. Even my "occasional" misses agreed as a pillion.

I'm 6'2" and 115 kg, no problems on this bike.

\/ Looks pretty good even stock

[Waylander]

I've got the answer for you right here.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=61503

[Waylander]

Except of course you do all know the 750 Magna out performs an m50 (not to mention m50 sounds like a squirrel farting in a can until you put on different pipes). Also rated to out perform harley 1200 kitted sporster, and hold it's own against a valkyrie.

Proven fact. In all the reviews.

Even can bite hard against a 109 due to the revs. Less gear changes, flys out of turns faster. Up to speed very fast. Not the same engine as VFR. Different gearing, and other changes to make it suitable. But rev height shows where it counts because of the original VFR design they started with.

Dude put the pot down. It may be able to out do an M50 but a kitted sportster? In a fools hope maybe. Keeping up with a 109 is just right out of the equation. The 109 can keep up with a GSXR1000 straight line accell. No way a little 750 can do that. Hell man, my full spec Vmax gets beaten once passed the 60ft mark.

[The Lone Rider]

Dude put the pot down. It may be able to out do an M50 but a kitted sportster? In a fools hope maybe. Keeping up with a 109 is just right out of the equation. The 109 can keep up with a GSXR1000 straight line accell. No way a little 750 can do that. Hell man, my full spec Vmax gets beaten once passed the 60ft mark.

Read very carefully what I wrote - very carefully for you.

Yes, it can beat a kitted sportster

"that sort of engine intensity with the Magna's modest 538-pound wet weight, and you get a 750 that's capable of outrunning not only big twins but even Honda's big six, the Valkyrie."

" it isn't as strong as one of the 800-class V-twins down at that speed and does not have as much flywheel mass, either. But as soon as the revs begin to build, the Magna leaps ahead of those other middleweight cruisers and will quickly vanish up the road if it becomes an all-out race."

"True to its musclebike moniker, the Magna still smokes most any challenger off the line (and I do mean "smokes"). It's amazing how immediate the throttle response is."

"Maybe I was distracted by other newer bikes (which is almost anything) on the other occasions we tested it. Certainly the V-Max was a bigger attention-getter when it and the Magna showed up for our musclebikes issue. I expected the Magna to place respectably in this group, but I wasn't prepared to like it so much at the end of a day of romping around the same little triangle of demanding roads. However, somewhere on the second leg of its lap, having experienced most of the other bikes on the same loop, it became very clear that I was having a lot of fun and feeling pretty damn confident too. Some of the appeal is the engine which--for my money--is the best sport-cruising powerplant around, delivering plenty of acceleration, crisp shifting, a wide (3000 to 9700 rpm) powerband and light flywheels."

Can't find the bit where it says sporster 1200 eats dust, but its there somewhere.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/

Theres also plenty there about why NOT to get a magna. But the general consensus was the Magna was pretty mint, achieving most biking aspects very well but not spot on perfect (minus the brakes which most agree could be better). In comparison the other bikes in their reviews were amazing (spot on perfect if you will) in some areas, and left a lot to be desired elsewhere. Reviews on there I believe are pre-boulevard etc.. but I stand firm that it can be slapping a boulevard in the ass on anything that isnt a nice long straight. I'd never deny that.


As for vmax, I couldn't find an uglier than usual pic of one, but heres one of a V-rod.
Makes ya feel quezy!

http://www.le.ac.uk/pc/gjr7/gabhomepages/images/Vomit%20VRod.JPG

[scumdog]

I'm a Harley man and if your budget goes that far a late model Superglide Sport would suit you, however most of the bikes mentioned in the posts above will keep a smile on your face, they're all good.

All this talk about 'power' and 'accelleration' is academic to me - I cruise at a modest pace (that's why it's called 'cruising) and both my T-Sport and 1200 Sportster (now the missus scoot) are easly enough for us.

All day cruising in comfort (we did 2,300km on each bike in the last week) and both of us never felt knackered after a days ride, get near enough 100km for less than 4.5litres of gas, cruise at just under 3,000rpm at 100kph and hardly ever need to be pushed beyond 4,500rpm - (and then just when overtaking on an uphill).

Have a look at the profile of Free2Be, her bike looks very smart and goes well plus she has done quite a few km on it and claims it's very comfortable.

[P38]

Mate Check out the Boulevard C50T.

You cant go wrong with a bike like this.

Very easy to ride, especially long distance and being taller this bike would fit nice.

I've done 15,000k on mine now and loved every minute of it.

Awsome ride, real head turner too.

Me an the C50T are doing the Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge next year and the Southern Cross in 2009

Boulevard M109R, M109RZ or the M109RT is certainly tempting but remember They have got insane torque and tons of accelleration.

Check it out http://motorsportssuperstore.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=54893&pov=669086&

Only beaten off the line by the Triumph Speed Triple.

Might be too much of a jump from a GN250.

Best to take it in stages or if you do make the big jump take it easy untill you are sure you can tame the beast.

Dont forget to compare with the other offerings, Test ride heaps of different bikes until you settle on the one you like best.

Cheers
P38

[Badger8]

I'm a Harley man and if your budget goes that far a late model Superglide Sport would suit you, however most of the bikes mentioned in the posts above will keep a smile on your face, they're all good.

All this talk about 'power' and 'accelleration' is academic to me - I cruise at a modest pace (that's why it's called 'cruising) and both my T-Sport and 1200 Sportster (now the missus scoot) are easly enough for us.

All day cruising in comfort (we did 2,300km on each bike in the last week) and both of us never felt knackered after a days ride, get near enough 100km for less than 4.5litres of gas, cruise at just under 3,000rpm at 100kph and hardly ever need to be pushed beyond 4,500rpm - (and then just when overtaking on an uphill).

Have a look at the profile of Free2Be, her bike looks very smart and goes well plus she has done quite a few km on it and claims it's very comfortable.

Yeah, a harley may be in my future, but for now it'd definitely be the distant future. Lookin at stretchin my budget a bit, but not quite that far unfortunately (one day when i earn my millions, heheh)
i am of much the same cruising ilk as yourself by the sounds of it. sitting at a moderate pace, but want to be able to twist the throttle and whip past traffic when needed without having to wind her up for a kilometer beforehand.



Mate Check out the Boulevard C50T.

You cant go wrong with a bike like this.

Very easy to ride, especially long distance and being taller this bike would fit nice.

I've done 15,000k on mine now and loved every minute of it.

Awsome ride, real head turner too.

Me an the C50T are doing the Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge next year and the Southern Cross in 2009

Boulevard M109R, M109RZ or the M109RT is certainly tempting but remember They have got insane torque and tons of accelleration.

Check it out http://motorsportssuperstore.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=54893&pov=669086&

Only beaten off the line by the Triumph Speed Triple.

Might be too much of a jump from a GN250.

Best to take it in stages or if you do make the big jump take it easy untill you are sure you can tame the beast.

Dont forget to compare with the other offerings, Test ride heaps of different bikes until you settle on the one you like best.

Cheers
P38

The C50 is my current choice, prefer it's styling a little over the M50. Not so keen on the T version myself, little too much of a lean toward the tourer side of things. Prefer the open front end styling (no screen), and not gonna spend a lot of time going 2-up, so prefer the minimalist passenger seat.
I think the 800cc is going to be the engine of choice, at least for now. from what i've heard the M109R's are all power all the way, and far more than i am looking for in a bike (at this stage at least :D )
She fits like a glove, but there's only so much you can tell from a leg over in the showroom. gotta get the license and get out on the test ride to be sure :)

[Waylander]

Read very carefully what I wrote - very carefully for you.
Snipped to shorten post

Reviews are personal opinions mate. Which is all that really matters to be sure, and it may be an incredibly fun bike to ride but I don't see it keeping up with a well ridden M109 or 1200 sporty.
And I know my Vmax will beat it in the twisties. Vmax has a shorter steering rake so faster response. Plus the bigger tyre profile and higher ground clearance means I can take corners faster than you and with more torque and HP I can boot it out of the corners with more punch than the Magna can produce.

You may be able to keep up with n M109 or sporty in the corners as well but unless it's a road with corner after corner after corner with no straight bits in between, it wont happen.

[Waylander]

Yeah, a harley may be in my future, but for now it'd definitely be the distant future. Lookin at stretchin my budget a bit, but not quite that far unfortunately (one day when i earn my millions, heheh)
i am of much the same cruising ilk as yourself by the sounds of it. sitting at a moderate pace, but want to be able to twist the throttle and whip past traffic when needed without having to wind her up for a kilometer beforehand.




The C50 is my current choice, prefer it's styling a little over the M50. Not so keen on the T version myself, little too much of a lean toward the tourer side of things. Prefer the open front end styling (no screen), and not gonna spend a lot of time going 2-up, so prefer the minimalist passenger seat.
I think the 800cc is going to be the engine of choice, at least for now. from what i've heard the M109R's are all power all the way, and far more than i am looking for in a bike (at this stage at least :D )
She fits like a glove, but there's only so much you can tell from a leg over in the showroom. gotta get the license and get out on the test ride to be sure :)
Mate seriously have a look at my Virago in the link I posted earlier. It fits damn close to what you want.

[The Lone Rider]

Reviews are personal opinions mate. Which is all that really matters to be sure, and it may be an incredibly fun bike to ride but I don't see it keeping up with a well ridden M109 or 1200 sporty.
And I know my Vmax will beat it in the twisties. Vmax has a shorter steering rake so faster response. Plus the bigger tyre profile and higher ground clearance means I can take corners faster than you and with more torque and HP I can boot it out of the corners with more punch than the Magna can produce.

You may be able to keep up with n M109 or sporty in the corners as well but unless it's a road with corner after corner after corner with no straight bits in between, it wont happen.

Other then incredibly ugly that the vmax is, ya haven't ridden much of NZ then eh. :stupid:

Should post something that isn't a plug for a bike you are trying to off load.

Waylander for governor of cali.

Cruisers - a combination and ratio between style, personality, cost, and performance to suit the rider. Due to cost of what I'd get if I had the money, an m50 would have been my second choice after the magna.

But in the end we are all wrong and scumdog has made the biggest and most true point. If you are riding the speed limit, and not being a show boating cock, then you are best getting something comfortable and stylish within your price range (and availability of spare parts and maintenance) as performance means far less as long as you can keep the bike going how you want it to be on the road.

[Badger8]

Mate seriously have a look at my Virago in the link I posted earlier. It fits damn close to what you want.

She looks around what i'm lookin for, but not actually lookin to buy right now (got license and finance issues to sort first), probably sometime mid next year. Mainly lookin for some advice and ideas / alternatives from the people who ride the sort of bikes i'm after. Figure it doesn't hurt to start looking now and have a dream to aim for :)

[The Lone Rider]

I had a virago, if you are very tall don't get it. I got rid of mine as my size compared to virago just doesnt work. It wasnt that it wasn't ridable. I was very ridable. I was just too tall. Legs out stretched and you had them at the front tire.

[Virago]

Advice and suggestions regarding a mid-size cruiser have been requested, not a stream of pathetic "my bike is faster than your's" taunts with insults and chest-thumping.

[Virago]

Okay, have you checked out this site:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/index.html

They've got some great reviews and comparisons.

[The Lone Rider]

Okay, have you checked out this site:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/index.html

They've got some great reviews and comparisons.

Already beat you to it a few posts back :P
Same place I got my quotes from.

It's got heaps and heaps on there. Very good site. Has info on the advantages and disadvantages of different bike mods as well.

[Badger8]

Yeah, have been looking through it for the last couple of hours, full of some bloody good info. Much reading (and drooling!) to be done :)

[Virago]

Already beat you to it a few posts back :P...

Doh...!:lol:

[Blueskies]

check out a VN900 you wont be dissapointed

My thoughts exactly. Read the reports on these bikes. Awesome.

[Winger]

Evening Chaps and Chapesses.

Looking for some advice on my cruiser dreams of the (hopefully) not too distant future.
Currently riding a GN250 (YEAH!), and looking to upgrade to a worthy hog sometime next year, so have been looking around and drooling already :D

i'm about 6 foot 2, and over a hundred kg's, so obviously the GN is just too small, so hoping once i'm on my R an exemption should be pretty easy to obtain (also, anyone who's gone through that process, advice would be appreciated.)

aaaaaanyways...

Been looking around a bit, and have currently got my eyes set on a Boulevard C50. anyone who has/does ride one with their thoughts on them? You reckon i'll handle the step up from the GN okay?
Have straddled a couple and they fit me like a glove, also fired one up and nearly needed a new pair of pants, so it seems like a pretty good bike for me.
I'm also very open to any other suggestions people may have. Still plenty of time left to look around and drool before i get my baby yet!

Criteria:
Not wanting to go to anything tooooo big in engine (at this stage anyways), but need something with a bit of boogie on the open road (as i havent ridden anything above the GN, so i really have no idea how powerful an 800cc V-Twin is), comfort for a long days riding, but can still get around in the traffic (i do live in auckland after all). Looking at doing a little touring (but not to the extent of spending weeks at a time on the road), so storage capabilities are also a factor (though not such a biggie so long as i can throw in enough for a three day weekend).
And of course, gotta have that dead sexy V-Twin grumble baby! *Grunts*:Punk:

Any advice appreciated.
Cheers! :D
dude just go out look around and see what you like,we can all tell you lots of shit and at the end of the day it means shit unless you no know what wher talken about. all the jap cruisers are good, it just ends up with what you like looks and performance wise good luck. and remeber you make the choice

[Solly]

All the bikes suggested are good machines....but to answer your query 'bout the C50......I have the C90 [and love her]. My neighbour has the C50, as does my boss.....they both swear by them, comfort, grunt, reliability...the lot!!. In fact my wife & I are heading to our local dealer to pick hers up in the morning....what more can I say.

[Jerry74]

The Kawasaki Vulcan is a good option, nice ride.

Not to be confused with the Harley by any means but has a cult following around the world.

If I was going to buy a cruiser this would be my choice.

[Darth Fader]

Go and test ride a M109R...it looks heavy and fat, but sit on it and you'll be very pleasantly surprised. I also did not like the front end, but trust me, it grows on you, and it most certainly helps with wind protection... the Japs know what they're doing. Ride one and I promise you that you'll not even look at any other bike.

DF

[Gizzit]

As has been said ... those M109's are great bikes .... but honestly, they are a HUGE step up power wise from a GN250 !
I'm starting to look at cruisers, and have ridden and owned all sorts of bikes, the biggest being my CB1300S. I am currently riding a CB900 Hornet, but will be looking at a C50(T), M50, or VN900, or something similar.

If your looking to ride a cruiser ... as a cruiser, maybe you don't need the horsepower that the bigger bikes put out ? I'm sure I won't, even with my pillion on board, but I tend to ride mainly between 100 - 110kmh, so more grunt than needed to do a quick overtake ... isn't really needed by me. My Hornet has a heap of grunt .... but I don't really make much use of it in normal riding.

According to others here that own 800cc - 900cc bikes, they have more than enough power even two up, and easily keep up with the bigger cruisers in real world riding.

As others have said .... ride them. We all have ideas and opinions. Like you though, I enjoy reading what others have to say regarding their bikes. You can pick up a common theme about certain bikes .... good points or bad, and that helps in gaining ideas to help with choosing bikes to try.
Good luck. :niceone:
Grant.

[AD345]

As has been said ... those M109's are great bikes .... but honestly, they are a HUGE step up power wise from a GN250 !
I'm starting to look at cruisers, and have ridden and owned all sorts of bikes, the biggest being my CB1300S. I am currently riding a CB900 Hornet, but will be looking at a C50(T), M50, or VN900, or something similar.

If your looking to ride a cruiser ... as a cruiser, maybe you don't need the horsepower that the bigger bikes put out ? I'm sure I won't, even with my pillion on board, but I tend to ride mainly between 100 - 110kmh, so more grunt than needed to do a quick overtake ... isn't really needed by me. My Hornet has a heap of grunt .... but I don't really make much use of it in normal riding.

According to others here that own 800cc - 900cc bikes, they have more than enough power even two up, and easily keep up with the bigger cruisers in real world riding.

As others have said .... ride them. We all have ideas and opinions. Like you though, I enjoy reading what others have to say regarding their bikes. You can pick up a common theme about certain bikes .... good points or bad, and that helps in gaining ideas to help with choosing bikes to try.
Good luck. :niceone:
Grant.

If you get a chance to get down to AKL - check out the Victory range as well. A guy up your way (Whatitiri) just bought a Kingpin. PM me if yer interested and I'll drop him a line to see if he might let ya have a nosey at it.

Failing that - there will be about 10 or so of us at the Kumeu Hot Rod show on Sunday

[Gizzit]

If you get a chance to get down to AKL - check out the Victory range as well. A guy up your way (Whatitiri) just bought a Kingpin. PM me if yer interested and I'll drop him a line to see if he might let ya have a nosey at it.

Failing that - there will be about 10 or so of us at the Kumeu Hot Rod show on Sunday

Thanks for that. I'm still in contemplation stage .... not sure "her in doors" would see the obvious need for another new bike just yet !! LOL.

[retro asian]

Is Badger still looking for a cruiser?

:laugh:

[Badger8]

Is Badger still looking for a cruiser?

:laugh:

No, this thread was put up before i got my hornet :bleh:
Not lookin for a cruiser just yet, i'll be on one one day tho :)

[TOTO]

when you turn 70 ?

[Daffyd]

Funnily enough Yamaha don't have a mid range cruiser, they go from the XVS650 (a bit small in my book) to the 1600 bikes. In other words, the mid-size cruisers are great and a lot of different people get a lot of fun from them.


Yamaha do an XVS1100, now sold under the "Star" name. Very nice, too.