Medium size cruisers

[Old Steve]

While 5 months away from my full, I've been doing a lot of research. Up to firing the bike up and riding it away for a couple of hours.

My thoughts have centred around three bikes, I'm definitely a cruiser guy, and I've only considered V-twins (once bitten, stuck for life).

Honda Shadow. Lots available, though that could be damning for them, why? Shaft drive, less maintenance. Shaft drive tends to lock up if gear changed under stress.

Suzuki Boulevard C50. Fewer available, maybe Boulevard owners don't turn them over. Shaft drive advantages without the lock up problem.

Hyosung ST7. Only available new, or ex-demo, so a bit dearer. Higher ground clearance than a lot of other cruisers, good looks, though I would orefer it in burgundy. While only 700 cc, powerful enough.

[Pussy]

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.

The liquid cooled 650 Bandit may well be worth a look, too.
I have ridden PrincessBandit's 650 Bandit... it would rate as the nicest fuelling injected bike I have ever ridden. Turbine smooth, too

[skinman]

Thanks for the input guys
I will be looking 2nd hand probably max of 8 grand at a push.
The feeling seems to be that people with boulavards really like them.
Not sure about the look of the M50, prefer the C50 look. Full rear guard.
I see a Guzzi Nevada on TM at the mo at 6500 ish. Looks like it might be a bit small to 2 up on though, but it looks like a fun ride.

[hellokitty]

Honda Shadow. Lots available, though that could be damning for them, why? Shaft drive, less maintenance. Shaft drive tends to lock up if gear changed under stress.

Suzuki Boulevard C50. Fewer available, maybe Boulevard owners don't turn them over. Shaft drive advantages without the lock up problem.

My Honda has never locked up, however I had a Suzuki s50 which would lock when changing from first to second - very scary for someone who had just got their full license.

[Festo]

For what its worth heres my experience on the boulevards. Started on the M50 a bloody good all round bike. Took it down to Wellington last year for the ACC protest and found over distance that my arse was positioned rather uncomfortably right at the rear of the seat probably due to my 5'11" height and this became an issue. Traded on the C50 and what a totally different and comfortable ride. Larger seat and footboards mean I can position the posterior much more comfortably for longer periods. Went down to Wanaka for the warbirds and thoroughly enjoyed the ride without even having to use sheepskin as i had to on the M50. Will be keeping this one for a while already run up 16000 km since January. Hope this helps.

[dilligaf_nz]

Started on the M50 a bloody good all round bike. Took it down to Wellington last year for the ACC protest and found over distance that my arse was positioned rather uncomfortably right at the rear of the seat probably due to my 5'11" height and this became an issue.

The M50 has a unique "feature" of having the rear mount right where your tail bone sits if you are over about 5'11". I'm 6' and ended up cutting the poxy mount out and modifying it for some more comfort. I've also padded the rear seat out a bit after complaints from pillions on 3 hr trips.

I think the C50 is definitely the more comfortable than the M50, but I like the look of my M more.

Perhaps it's cause I'm still a hoon at heart

[AllanB]

Keen an eye out for a clean VN800 Kawa too - very nice bikes. There was a Suzuki model (Maurader 800?) for a couple of years too that was a Kawasaki with Suzuki badges and a few different details (same donk as VN) - some sharing thing they did for a bit, did it with some dirt bikes too.

[YellowDog]

My two penny worth from 2008 when I thought I wanted a cruiser:

Suzuki always seem best value for money. Loved the look of the M50 but didn't have enough power for my liking. The C50 seemed to be a better ride, but more money. Tried the M109, but hated the big rear wheel cornering qualities. The Kawasaki Vulcan was very good all rounder. Honda had nothing to show me. I do now think the Shaddow looks fantastic.

My verdict was:

Cruisers are a great ride if you want others to look at you on your beautiful bike. The feet in the air thing is not for me, so I rode some other bikes before settling on thr most comforable bike I have ever ridden.

The best bike for you is the one you like best and can afford without having to sell bodyparts.

Good luck.

[jasonzc]

For what its worth heres my experience on the boulevards. Started on the M50 a bloody good all round bike. Took it down to Wellington last year for the ACC protest and found over distance that my arse was positioned rather uncomfortably right at the rear of the seat probably due to my 5'11" height and this became an issue. Traded on the C50 and what a totally different and comfortable ride. Larger seat and footboards mean I can position the posterior much more comfortably for longer periods. Went down to Wanaka for the warbirds and thoroughly enjoyed the ride without even having to use sheepskin as i had to on the M50. Will be keeping this one for a while already run up 16000 km since January. Hope this helps.

might be a bit out of ur price range, but if your looking for a new bike..

the 2010 M50 has a completely new seat design and its comfy as. I can testify! haha and you dont have to perform the lumptosectomy operation for the seat as for previous models, and passenger seating is more generous than previous versions. Great bikes..

[hellokitty]

Cruisers are a great ride if you want others to look at you on your beautiful bike. .

Or if like me, you have arthritis in your hands and wrists and are unable to ride a sports bike for any length of time. If I wanted a bike for people to look at and admire, I would have a sports bike as I think they are beautiful.
Sadly a sports bike is just not an option for me.....

[Gone Burger]

might be a bit out of ur price range, but if your looking for a new bike..

the 2010 M50 has a completely new seat design and its comfy as. I can testify! haha and you dont have to perform the lumptosectomy operation for the seat as for previous models, and passenger seating is more generous than previous versions. Great bikes..

My M50 is a 2009... and I'm a short arse! I end up sitting almost right on the tank as I can only just reach the bars, making the seating very hard for me, and I get the shock of every single bump right up my back. I do feel if you were a little taller than me (5'4") it would be a much more comfortable ride. Generally seem to be a really great bike, and I if liked just cruising, and not trying to keep up with all my mates of their sports bikes each weekend through the twisites, I might consider keeping it and adjusting it to be more comfortable and handle better for me. Hasn't quite felt right from day one, but I don't think my size and weight is helping.

Looks bloody GORGEOUS though, especially the two tone. mmmm yummy.

[O2R]

Go the C50 they cover all the bases for mid-cruiser, loved mine.
Sadly upgraded to a C90 - BIG MISTAKE.
Just looked on TradeMe, this looks like it fits your requirements, and no, I am not the seller
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-325633781.htm

[jasonzc]

My M50 is a 2009... and I'm a short arse! I end up sitting almost right on the tank as I can only just reach the bars, making the seating very hard for me, and I get the shock of every single bump right up my back. I do feel if you were a little taller than me (5'4") it would be a much more comfortable ride. Generally seem to be a really great bike, and I if liked just cruising, and not trying to keep up with all my mates of their sports bikes each weekend through the twisites, I might consider keeping it and adjusting it to be more comfortable and handle better for me. Hasn't quite felt right from day one, but I don't think my size and weight is helping.

Looks bloody GORGEOUS though, especially the two tone. mmmm yummy.

oh yea.. thats the only downside.. frekin scraping every corner thruogh teh twisties.. and roundabouts hahah. But lucky my mates ride at a resonable speed.. can always catch up on the straights though.

Im 6'2 so fits pretty much perfect if not a tad small hahah. Sorry about ur bike though.. im sure you'll find sth that will fit and be fun around the twisties..

i think my next bike is gonna be the speed tripple or a buel so i can take teh corners while not breaking my back + knees.. but thats at least 10 years away ahaha

[Edbear]

Go the C50 they cover all the bases for mid-cruiser, loved mine.
Sadly upgraded to a C90 - BIG MISTAKE.
Just looked on TradeMe, this looks like it fits your requirements, and no, I am not the seller
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-325633781.htm

Not sure why, but most C50T's advertised don't have the accessories fitted. Mine has the adjustable screen, Kentucky Drive bags and Givi backrest and looks fanatstic. In a pinch, if I was offered the right price, I might be tempted to sell it...

I bought it over the C90 for the reasons of liquid-cooling, lighter weight and at the time, $5k cheaper. We, (Mrs. Bear and I), love it and I planned on keeping it forever! Performance? My mate with the GSX1400 couldn't believe it was only 805cc and the other mate with the 1200S Bandit couldn't keep up, but then he rides like a Nana...

170km/h two-up on the straight and level is plenty fast enough and not what cruisers are for and although it doesn't have the cornering clearance of a sports bike, again, that's not what cruisers are for and of the cruisers, the C50T is probably the best handling. On a trip around the Northern Loop, (Waipoua Forest), in company with my Bro-in-law's C90, and three Harley's, a 1340 Softail, 1450 Dyna Low-Rider and a new 1600 Softail, only the 1600 would leave me behind and through the forest, my C50T and the C90 effortlessly pulled ahead of the Harley's without even trying. We were all two-up with gear and if the others started pulling away on the steeper hills, I just had to change down a gear to keep up.

The Harley riders were very impressed with the performance and handling of the C50T.

[skinman]

Has anyone got or had an S50. Theres a couple for sale. Although from what people are saying the C50 might be the way to go I am a little concerned about trying to split with something that wide. Or theres always the Guzzi Nevada just because its cool.
Havent seen a Kawa 900 Vulcan yet