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

[The Stranger:Me]

get a monster and leave her at home

+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.