Metric cruisers - possible choices for new bike

[jafar]

a mate of mine brought the first 07 model from mt eden m/c and it rides great , but for me after riding the my beast , i was looking for more power, but he rides two up and it goes real well,good riding postion good all round bike

vn900 is the flavour of the month it seems ..... bmz is getting one for his WIFE

[jafar]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the S40 as a serious cruiser, in fact I reckon it's more of a commuter than a cruiser. Tiny fuel tank, only 130-140km on a full tank. They are built to a price, selling for the same price as the VL250 V-twin cruiser. Still, you get what you pay for.

your comparing a VL 250 with a suzuki 650 for the same price !!!!!!
work it out for yourself which is value for money

[Virago]

your comparing a VL 250 with a suzuki 650 for the same price !!!!!!
work it out for yourself which is value for money

Value is relative to quality - as I said, you get what you pay for.

[bmz2]

v-quad for the wife

[jafar]

Value is relative to quality - as I said, you get what you pay for.

so true .... IMHO the 250 cc bikes are way overpriced for what they are but the dealers/importers know they can charge what they like up to 250 because of the learner licencing system .
Is a sad fact that you can buy a 650cc machine for a similar price to a 250

[jafar]

v-quad for the wife

is that as well as or instead of the urban terrorist S U V you just brought her ?

[Angusdog]

Hmm, all good advice. I do like the styling of the Vulcan, plus they've really tucked the radiator away nicely.

Incidentally, the VT1100 has 67,000miles, or 107,000km.

The only problem is finding a similar bike to any of these in Wellington. I feel a bit awkward pretending to buy a bike just so I can see if it's okay. I guess I could walk through Wellington and check out the bike parks, and have a sneaky sit on ones I like

[jafar]

Hmm, all good advice. I do like the styling of the Vulcan, plus they've really tucked the radiator away nicely.

Incidentally, the VT1100 has 67,000miles, or 107,000km.

The only problem is finding a similar bike to any of these in Wellington. I feel a bit awkward pretending to buy a bike just so I can see if it's okay. I guess I could walk through Wellington and check out the bike parks, and have a sneaky sit on ones I like

new vulcan is around $13,000... there are a few 2nd hand though.
surely there is a kwaka dealer in wellys that can help you ?

[Virago]

...I feel a bit awkward pretending to buy a bike just so I can see if it's okay. I guess I could walk through Wellington and check out the bike parks, and have a sneaky sit on ones I like

Oooh, be careful with that sneaky sitting - some people see red if they catch someone doing that... However, bike enthusiasts are usually open to genuine interest in their machines.

You're obviously not a young tyre-kicker - I've found that most bike shops are quite happy to help you find what's right for you. Be open about it - tell 'em you want to try different cruisers for size and fit before deciding.

Good luck.

[Angusdog]

Oooh, be careful with that sneaky sitting - some people see red if they catch someone doing that...

I was joking - it would be very odd behaviour in my view. Unless of course I made "vroom vroom" noises and lean into the wind...

[SlashWylde]

Dude, given that line-up, I wouldn't even consider the Marauder. I rode a couple before settling on my Vulcan VN800B and haven't looked back. Also rode a Yamaha XV-1100, but it didn't compare.

The Vulcan listed on trademe looks sweet. V&H pipes, saddle bags, sissy bar all for less than $7k. OK the miles aren't low but the engines on the 800's are well designed, and if looked after should last a long time.

The 800 will out perform it's stable mates in the 800cc bracket. The light front wheel and slightly higher top tube on this model make it sportier which is good if you want to fang it through the twisties.

There are also several websites on the net with simple but well documented and proven mods for the intake and exhaust systems to improve performance of the Vulcan 800.

That Honda Shadow looks a treat too, and for $7k you get a whole lot of bike. Good for touring with.

[Blueskies]

Check out the Vulcan. You won't be sorry.

[98tls]

For something a little different what about W650........nice looking bike for sure,cruising would be a pleasure on it methinks.

[Big Dave]

Check out the Vulcan. You won't be sorry.

After hooning around doing the Kiwi Rider test on the latest model for much of the last 3 days I agree.

It's a good fun bike. It sounds great and it's a sweetie in the saddle. Handles nice and doesn't have the barge arse feel of the 2 litre jobs.

Nor does it have the 'bam' - but I've been nailing it in first, second, third, and ha! 60kph. And then skidding it to a halt.

The KR test is all about good fun on a tidy, easy to ride, mid power bike that doesn't cost the earth:

Vulcan 900 Classic - Live long and prosper.

(it's a gift - nanoo nanoo)

[peg]

Hi all,

I'm trying to work out which bike to buy, having decided I want a cruiser. I probably can't afford a Sportster, as I don't want to spend over $8,000.

I'll use my first post to give another vote for the Vulcan. I've had mine a few years now, and it's about as bullet-proof a bike as you'll find. Stock it will nearly keep up with it's bigger brother the 1500, and get ahead in the twisties due to the better power-to-weight ratio. (And lets face it, NZ is mostly twisties).

Modified, it's a whole new bike. Stock it produced around 46HP. With simple intake & exhaust mods, it's possible to gain up to 14 more HP. Changing the rear sprocket for one with a few less teeth then gives it much longer legs to use the extra power. We use ours for two-up touring, and it handles the load easily.

The 900 engine is essentially the same powerplant updated, stroked & injected, but the bike is styled more like it's bigger stable-mates.

Happy hunting, whatever way you choose to go.