Medium size cruisers

[skinman]

I have just got my full & looking to go from a 250 virago to someting big enough to ride 2 up but small enough to commute on.
The list of bikes to look at so far....
Honda VT750 shadow
Kawasaki 750 or 900 Vulcan
Yamaha 650 dragstar
Suzuki S50, C50 or 800 intruder
Motto Guzzi Nevada or California
If anyone has some comments or advise it would be appreciated.
I have noticed there seems to be a lot of Honda Shadows for sale, why? It doesnt appear to be a bad bike.

Thanks

[Taz]

Out of all of those the Moto Guzzi's are the only ones any good at going round corners.

[munster]

Don't overlook the Suzuki M50 as well. Has more of a muscle look than the C50, same motor, totally different bike.

I have a friend with a VT750 and the M50 eats it.

Are you looking new or second hand?

[Grumpy]

Triumph Speedmaster or America deserve a mention as well.

[wysper]

the 2 up part of the OP pretty much rules out the Speedmaster (not much of a pillion seat there really), but the America def a nice option.

[Grumpy]

the 2 up part of the OP pretty much rules out the Speedmaster (not much of a pillion seat there really), but the America def a nice option.

Ah, good point. My wife did comment on that when we looked at a Speedmaster.

[hellokitty]

I went from a Suzuki Intruder 250 to a Honda VT750. It was very easy.
I Love my VT750 but it would be no good for the pillion. The back seat is tiny and the foot pegs high. I put my Mum on the back - she is 5 foot 2 inches, and a small person - there was no room! I suggest putting your wife on each bike you try.
The Yamaha has a bigger seat but they are more expensive.

[Gone Burger]

Don't overlook the Suzuki M50 as well. Has more of a muscle look than the C50, same motor, totally different bike.

I have a friend with a VT750 and the M50 eats it.

Are you looking new or second hand?

Agreed - the M50 has a very impressive look and gets many coments anywhere it is taken. Have ridden with my mum on the back also (go Kitty!) and there seemed to be enough room back there and it handled ok.

Plenty of power and it can also just cruise. A little wide for some seriuos filtering in peak hour traffic though. I have had some issues with mine which I hope have got sorted now, but know from riding the demo bike and from the reviews that these are a very solid mid range cruiser.

Am thinking of selling mine soon (done 7000km, 5 months old) as I think I am more suited to a sports bike. PM me if you were ever interested. its a two two limited edition black and pearl white.

[Ocean1]

I think I am more suited to a sports bike.

What makes you think that?

[Gone Burger]

What makes you think that?

Just not very happy on my cruiser... don't enjoy scraping pegs, want to corner a little faster and tighter, and very keen on some track days. Thought I was a cruiser girl, but just love the twisities too much

[Ocean1]

Just not very happy on my cruiser... don't enjoy scraping pegs, want to corner a little faster and tighter, and very keen on some track days. Thought I was a cruiser girl, but just love the twisities too much

Fairy nuff. Opposite end of the spectrum though, have you tried any of the mid-sized sports tourers? They cover way more ground in terms of useability without the sports bike limitations...

[Edbear]

Not being biased at all... By far the best all round bike is the C50T for pillioning. My wife and I really enjoy two-up and having the bags, backrest and screen, it's an ideal tourer. Economical, grunty enough to surprise riders of bikes twice the capacity and probably the best handling of the cruisers.

As Katiepie said, it's a but wide for lane-splitting with the sports bikes, but commuting daily in Auckland I got very good at judging the width and was splitting effectively in no time!

[Edbear]

Fairy nuff. Opposite end of the spectrum though, have you tried any of the mid-sized sports tourers? They cover way more ground in terms of useability without the sports bike limitations...

I agree, try a GSX650F on for size, the latest liquid-cooled version. They have a strong following and are one of the best all-rounders you can buy. They look great, perform strongly and are very smooth but have a more comfortable riding position than the GSX-R's.

One of my favourites though is the underrated RF400. A perfect size for you, Katie with great performance for lighter riders, too. Hard to find one these days though.

[Jackal]

Was in the same boat a couple of years ago when looking for a bigger bike. I took my wife with me and we tried many bikes for comfort for both me and the pillion. Ended up getting the California Jackal. The pillion seat height is nearly the same as the rider and footpeg position is nice and low. My wife is tall and finds the pillion position suits her. She did not want to be taller than me when sitting on the back and did not want her knees up around her ears. (Well, on the back of the bike anyway!) The Cali handles as well as the best of them and likes getting around those twisties. To top it off they look great, sound good, handle well and they are not American or Japanese!!!

[Rhubarb]

I agree with Edbear. My C50T is fantastic.

Nimble enough to ride around town (I don't lane split). Grunty enough for my Wife and I to load it up and go cruising.

I went from a GSX750 to the Boulevard - A change I should have made years ago.