Cruiser riding question: M50 resale value: ramblings

[KelvinAng]

I'm really enjoying the ride on the M50, the exception being on windy days (which is like 6 days out of the week!). The winds can be quite a beast to wrestle on the cruiser. Yesterday I had the most amazing ride into work (probably calm or a light tail wind is blowing), but a most frustrating one back home with a headwind of around 30km/hr (according to the Metservice website). I think my neck and arm muscles got a bit of a workout

I think I need a screen.

[KelvinAng]

Interestingly, Dad got 50km more out of his tank before the final bar started flashing. Mind you I am heavier than him and I had a pillion all day (my 14 year old daughter). I got 284 km, Dad got 330.

Got some mileage data now. I reached about 300 km before I noticed the final bar starting to flash, and I rode pretty conservatively after (80-90km/hr) that as I'm still about 15km away from home and don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. In the end I reached the servo at 314km on the trip meter and filled up almost 14L of gas. That gives me almost 22.5km/L (~53mpg USA/64mpg UK) fuel economy. This is based on 80% open road/motorway riding and 20% city riding, mostly sedate riding and early shifts.

I'd like to further improve the fuel economy though...

[munster]

From reading the some US M50 forums, your milegae is very good. I once got 350km's before the bar started flashing, but it must have been all down hill and I rode it like a Nana when I first got it.

Glad you're enjoying your bike.

[munster]

And if you haven't already, these are worth a read

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...96.html?page=1

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...ison-3972.html

[KelvinAng]

Good read, thanks

[KelvinAng]

Just thought I'll update the thread on the results of my fuel economy experiment. In the last tank I did a little experiment by keeping within the speed limits, riding between 90-100km/hr indicated most of the time.

I get 24.1km/L, or almost 57mpg US (68mpg UK).

I think to get any better mileage, I'm going to need fairings and risk getting a traffic cop ticket (for going too slow).

[bluebird]

Have you tried a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom? Different again, in my opinion less likely to be grown out of.

[jasonzc]

Have you tried a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom? Different again, in my opinion less likely to be grown out of.

apparently (i havnt ridden either) after my researching of both bikes,

vulcan has moar torque, whilst the m50 wins in the handling department.

Cant wait till i get to try both out.. the lucky winner will be my next bike

[bluebird]

I don't recal the M50 handling better than the Vulcan, I've ridden both, but not the latest M50 model which is far superior in looks to the old one.

[KelvinAng]

I actually prefer the old M50 look for now, though that's not to say I don't like the new one. Haven't ridden the Vulcan mainly because I prefer a non-classic style cruiser, not too big into the studded leather seats and saddle bags. I wish the M50 has (1) better brakes and (2) a 6th (or 7th!) gear, but as it is, it's a pretty good ride :-)

[bluebird]

Usually studded seats and saddle bags are optional. Personally I do not like them. I would ride a Vulcan because if you have never ridden a bike you will never know how it handles or feels like to own. I had an S50 and my mates Vulcan was a better ride on all aspects especially the fact you never looked for another top gear hiway riding.