Metric cruiser quality?

[Tank]

Hi,

Hopefully if my exemption is passed by LTNZ I will be in the market for a cruiser. Now we have decided to paint the house and build the MOAD (Mother of all decks) so budget is stretched and I probably wont end up with the Triumph that I wanted (the joys of being all grown up )

So looking at metric cruisers - are any better than the others in terms of quality / ride etc?

Are there any that should be avoided at all cost?

I like the looks Kawasaki VN900 custom but know nothing of them. I have not had any service from the Yamaha dealer when I went there to look so they have kind of put me off their offerings. Honda - all I know is that they are gay OK - I know nothing about the Hondas either.

Im looking to do some significant rides over summer, but still use the bike as a day to day commuter.

Most of my riding will be solo, but when allowed some 2up.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Tank

[Edbear]

You can pretty much take metric quality and reliability for granted these days. Very much down to what fits your budget and physique.

The VN900 is getting great reports around the world and I recommend having a chat to Spectrum about them. Personally I prefer shaft drive and we love our C50T. Great value with the screen, bags and backrest, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled and plenty of grunt even two-up.

My Bro-in-Law's 1340 Softail could only match my acceleration with both bikes two-up and couldn't gain on me. The only cruiser which had a significant advantage last ride together was the new 1600 Softail, even the Dyna 1450 was only about level with our "little" 805cc!

If a tourer doesn't quite suit, the customs, or "muscle cruisers" like the M50 may. As I said, though, just choose on style, price and fit. Can't really go wrong.

[Toaster]

You can pretty much take metric quality and reliability for granted these days. Very much down to what fits your budget and physique.

If a tourer doesn't quite suit, the customs, or "muscle cruisers" like the M50 may. As I said, though, just choose on style, price and fit. Can't really go wrong.

So in my case you mean big and muscular? hehehe

[The Lone Rider]

Ive heard only good things about the Vulcans.

There are a lot of comments floating about in talking about Japanese. Some take it as "Technology superior, great design.." etc.. others simply say "Those jap bikes just have to much to them".

The Suzuki M50/C50 range are both nice.. although to me they sound like a squirrel farting in a tin can. Nice bikes overall and some quite cool technological points.

[johnnyflash]

Hey what can I say Im biased, but any of the Suzi Boulevard cruiser range are great value for money and solid reliable rides (real metal in my case
I have ridden some Vulcans and must admit they also seem a good choice...
Only one thing to do is visit the bike shops, dont buy the first hing you ike, take a few versions out on a test run and see what FITS you best..

[Toaster]

Honda - all I know is that they are gay OK - I know nothing about the Hondas either.

Jafar rides a Honda He will love it when he reads that post.

Suzuki Cruisers dude. Nice.

[Edbear]

So in my case you mean big and muscular? hehehe

Mmmm! You mean you or da bike...?

In my case, big and round and soft in the middle...!

Not sure a M109 would make the best commuter, though

[Toaster]

Mmmm! You mean you or da bike...?

In my case, big and round and soft in the middle...!

Not sure a M109 would make the best commuter, though

Yeah the bike is a reasonable size too hehe!... half a ton fully fuelled with me on it (clothed) and a small pillion.

The M109R is a great little scooter!!

[Bren]

I have been looking at the vulcans recently and also at the suzuki cruisers... (just dreaming of the next bike)...and I would have to say for me the Vulcan looks the better of the two....but give me a trumpy speedmaster and I would be beaming from ear to ear....

have a look at this article about the Vulcan 900 vs the Boulevard C50

[johnnyflash]

I have been looking at the vulcans recently and also at the suzuki cruisers... (just dreaming of the next bike)...and I would have to say for me the Vulcan looks the better of the two....but give me a trumpy speedmaster and I would be beaming from ear to ear....

have a look at this article about the Vulcan 900 vs the Boulevard C50

Yep I think I agree with most comments in the artical, after riding both I still preferred the c50 for fit & feel reasons but as I wanted it mostly for 2up touring I looked for more grunt to the C90T and 109r, (same price) settled on the C90T as the best allround touring package..

[s8306]

I have been looking at the vulcans recently and also at the suzuki cruisers... (just dreaming of the next bike)...and I would have to say for me the Vulcan looks the better of the two....but give me a trumpy speedmaster and I would be beaming from ear to ear....

have a look at this article about the Vulcan 900 vs the Boulevard C50

Have a look at the intruders,800 or 1400.Super realiable enough power for what you need and easy to ride.I agree with your comment on the speedmasters as that is what i was looking at in the beginning but could,nt justify the extra 4 to 5 grand i,d be paying.

[bmz2]

Hi,

Hopefully if my exemption is passed by LTNZ I will be in the market for a cruiser. Now we have decided to paint the house and build the MOAD (Mother of all decks) so budget is stretched and I probably wont end up with the Triumph that I wanted (the joys of being all grown up )

So looking at metric cruisers - are any better than the others in terms of quality / ride etc?

Are there any that should be avoided at all cost?

I like the looks Kawasaki VN900 custom but know nothing of them. I have not had any service from the Yamaha dealer when I went there to look so they have kind of put me off their offerings. Honda - all I know is that they are gay OK - I know nothing about the Hondas either.

Im looking to do some significant rides over summer, but still use the bike as a day to day commuter.

Most of my riding will be solo, but when allowed some 2up.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Tank

i ride with a mate who has new vn900 ,goes realy well , well finished , good seating, all in all nice bike for a 900,

[Angusdog]

I really, really like my M50 (with V&H cruzers so it doesn't sound like a squirrel farting in a tin can). The only thing I don't like about the metric cruisers is the use of plastic for parts that would be metal on a Harley, but that's reflected in the price difference.

I do like the way they take advantage of Harley styling - the fat arse "harley gearbox" on the M50 actually houses (under a plastic cover) the coolant tanks and other bits and bobs. And I very much like the Japanese engineering like fuel injection. I don't like some of the fiddley bits - the M109 has quite a few heatshields and so on which make it look less tidy than it would otherwise.

Also the standard exhausts on the M50 are actually about 2/3 the width they appear - the "exhaust" is just a heat shield for much thinner pipes underneath. The V&H pipes are much larger in diameter but the stockers probably work just as well in terms of flow and back pressure.

If you think you'd like a M90, check out the Kawa Mean Streak - it's a joint effort between Suzuki and Kawasaki and is effectively an M90R.

[cowboy]

Don't knock the Hondas till you try one.
I love mine & with the Vance & Hines it sure dont sound gay

[The Lone Rider]

I'd love a VTX! Can't afford one though - have to stick to my 1990's Honda Muscle bikes

That thing in your avatar though is a VT1300

The VTX has different lines to it. Doesn't have as long a rear fender, rear disc brake.