Lams cruiser for big boy?

[Akzle]

WHAAAT THA FUCK??!


this is not caps.

[St_Gabriel]

It's proving a bit difficult to find what is LAMS approved and what is not. I was looking at a GV650 on Trademe, emailed the dealer and he informed me that that bike was not LAMS approved.

Dont know how many LAMS GV650's are around, they are a restricted form of the normal GV650, something about slide stops in the carburetor or some such thing. They were available in Australia as VicRoads (Victorian roads authority) started/developed/refined the scheme before it rolled out to most of Aussie.

Currently in the new market Hyosung sell a ST7 LAMS and also a non restricted ST7 http://hyosung.co.nz/cruisers.html

[PorkChop]

Have a look at a Yamaha XVS650. LAMs aproved and a far better bike than those who've never owned or ridden one would have you believe.

My one.

Awesome bike mate. You reckon it'd plod along the motorway with me on it happily? Was just wondering how you can tell which bikes are LAMS approved and which are not. Was looking at a GV650 last night, assuming all GV650s were LAMS approved, and I was wrong.

Does the same go for the XVS650s?

[awa355]

The XVS is not a performance machine. It will cruise all day at 120 but the 100 limit is a lot easier. Mine would pull up the Waikato side of the Kaimais two up all the way in top gear. It is only 39hp, but pulls well from about 60k in top. Bloody heavy for a 650 ( 246kg), but corners well. For the money they want for a new model, you would find far better performance bikes, but if at a reasonable 2nd hand price they are good value.

My main niggle with the bike, was the instrument dial on the tank. Speed numerals too small to read at night, and the turn indicator light down out of sight below the helmet chin piece. I made a home made back rest and it turned the bike from a 1 1/2 hr machine to a 3-4 hour ride. Best modification you could add.

I have sold the bike, loved it, but wouldn't get another. For a LAMs bike they are great but at 6'2" you may find the riding position a bit cramped. Like most bikes, replacement parts would be expensive.

[PorkChop]

Dont know how many LAMS GV650's are around, they are a restricted form of the normal GV650, something about slide stops in the carburetor or some such thing. They were available in Australia as VicRoads (Victorian roads authority) started/developed/refined the scheme before it rolled out to most of Aussie.

Currently in the new market Hyosung sell a ST7 LAMS and also a non restricted ST7 http://hyosung.co.nz/cruisers.html

Cheers bro, just got word that GV650's from Oct 2012 and newer are LAMS approved. The model code after the GV650 should be PL for LAMS approved.

[PorkChop]

The XVS is not a performance machine. It will cruise all day at 120 but the 100 limit is a lot easier. Mine would pull up the Waikato side of the Kaimais two up all the way in top gear. It is only 39hp, but pulls well from about 60k in top. Bloody heavy for a 650 ( 246kg), but corners well. For the money they want for a new model, you would find far better performance bikes, but if at a reasonable 2nd hand price they are good value.

My main niggle with the bike, was the instrument dial on the tank. Speed numerals too small to read at night, and the turn indicator light down out of sight below the helmet chin piece. I made a home made back rest and it turned the bike from a 1 1/2 hr machine to a 3-4 hour ride. Best modification you could add.

I have sold the bike, loved it, but wouldn't get another. For a LAMs bike they are great but at 6'2" you may find the riding position a bit cramped. Like most bikes, replacement parts would be expensive.

Hey mate, thanks for the great information and input. It's really helpful. What would your reasonable second hand price be? The lowest price I can find on Trademe is for $9k (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-581812956.htm) quite a lot more than the S40 at Colemans (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=687552973) which is going for $6k. $9k would be the very upper range of my budget but would rather save the pennies for a bike I would enjoy. What are your thoughts on that price?

Cheers in advance.

[awa355]

It's not worth $9k. The dealers ask that much because they can finance it on about $2-3000 deposit. 9g would probably get you a decent C50 ( not lams approved ). Dont spend too much on a bike which is bought mainly for LAM's reasons. It wont be long and you will want to upgrade.

If I was looking at the S40 and a XVS650 for the same money, I would go for the S40. Lighter, simpler, similar performance. cheaper (prob) to maintain. Also, I've owned a 650 and something different is always more appealing.
What you pay will depend whether you have the cash or have to finance. Privately, I wouldn't pay more than $5500 for a tidy used XVS.

[PorkChop]

It's not worth $9k. The dealers ask that much because they can finance it on about $2-3000 deposit. 9g would probably get you a decent C50 ( not lams approved ). Dont spend too much on a bike which is bought mainly for LAM's reasons. It wont be long and you will want to upgrade.

If I was looking at the S40 and a XVS650 for the same money, I would go for the S40. Lighter, simpler, similar performance. cheaper (prob) to maintain. Also, I've owned a 650 and something different is always more appealing.
What you pay will depend whether you have the cash or have to finance. Privately, I wouldn't pay more than $5500 for a tidy used XVS.

Cheers mate, what are your thoughts on the 2005 s40 for $6k at Coleman's? In terms of getting up and down the motorway you think there would be much difference between the S40 and XSV650? Looking at the S40 it doesn't look much bigger in frame than the GN250.

[awa355]

Both bikes are really on the short side for a 6'+ rider. Perhaps looking at a road/trail bike would be a better bet.

[iranana]

Cheers mate, what are your thoughts on the 2005 s40 for $6k at Coleman's? In terms of getting up and down the motorway you think there would be much difference between the S40 and XSV650? Looking at the S40 it doesn't look much bigger in frame than the GN250.

The smaller the frame, the lighter it is, the greater the power to weight ratio... Are you uncomfortable or cramped up on a GN? You could always swap out the handle bars for a more suitable riding position if the S40 feels a bit cramped. Just a thought

[PorkChop]

The smaller the frame, the lighter it is, the greater the power to weight ratio... Are you uncomfortable or cramped up on a GN? You could always swap out the handle bars for a more suitable riding position if the S40 feels a bit cramped. Just a thought

Will go in on the weekend and have a sit on the S40. Don't feel uncomfortable on the GN. Maybe I just like the idea of having a bigger looking bike?

[PorkChop]

Iranana, how much would you recommend spending on a second hand s40?

[PorkChop]

Both bikes are really on the short side for a 6'+ rider. Perhaps looking at a road/trail bike would be a better bet.

Something like the BMW F650?

[iranana]

Iranana, how much would you recommend spending on a second hand s40?

Honestly, I have no idea sorry. At the end of the day, the greater majority of bikes greater than 250cc should sit on the motorway just fine... Also, the chances are you'll outgrow your LAMS bike pretty quick, most of them are kind of sluggish. That also kind of comes down to your riding style I guess... If you want the ultimate LAMS bike, try digging up one of the old LAMS approved smokers and pop some chambers on it - you'll be popping wheelies in 3rd Whoever the fuck thought those old two strokes (RD350, RD400, GT380, GT550... and I think the smaller Kawi triples?) were suitable for the LAMS scheme... I don't even...

[ggreen]

I am a bigger bloke, and have a LAMS approved Suzuki LS650. Its a good bike - obviously not all the power of a bigger bike, but great to learn on. It puls my 110k frame along at up to 140odd.