[MaxDadAK]

Been awhile since I’ve posted anything new and I’m thankful I haven’t been deleted yet! Any how, I’ve got a question for you all. I got my first bike last summer ( V Star 250) and loved it. Now not so much. It’s a great around town bike and does everything I need a bike of it’s size to do, but I’m ready for bigger. Thanks to an understanding wife I’m allowed to start shopping for a bike for next season. Here’s the rub. Since I love the Star line I was going for the V-Star 950 because I thought of it as a good transition bike from the 250 and a good lead up to bigger displacement cruisers. Now when I showed my wife what I was looking at she asked if that would be the only bike I’d want or if I would eventually go bigger. Since I planned to go bigger after a few years on a 950 she asked me why I just didn’t go for something a step up and call it good. Now I had already settled on the V-Star 1300 as my “Goal” bike seeing as that’s all the bike I’d ever need and would ride it till it died. So now I have the option of either bikes. Both are excellent and would make me happy with the purchase, however, as dumb as it may sound, is 1300 too much to go straight for? Or should I stick with the original plan and get that sweet 950? Bear in mind I have ridden a few bigger cruises from 650’s to an 800 and had no problems with the difference in balance, acceleration etc.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

It is your choice- Ideally, I would keep the 250cc for short trips, and use the bigger bike for long trips.

[WeaponZero]

Going to a 1300 cruiser from a 250 cruiser after a year of riding I don’t think is that big a change. In sportbikes it would be much bigger but I don’t think in a cruiser it would be as drastic as you’re making it out to be.

[Munch]

Heres the thing. That 950 will do more then plenty that you will ever need it to do and also keep a decent MPG. One thing about the bigger cruisers especially our foreign models is lose effeciency on highway runs. I have the Vulcan 900. I can still eek out near 50 MPG…..if I ride conservatively. Normal riding about 40 + MPG. There is no real gain you will have over the 950 with a bigger bike. You will still be able to go 2 up. Travel extended distances and same accessory options….. also normally same cargo options until you get into full dressers.

Average higher CC motors get an advertised 42 and lower. How many times do you get advertised mileage? Some will most don’t.

[madjak30]

I would go in and talk to a dealer…don’t ask which one they would suggest, you know they will probably suggest the more expensive bike…you may be able to talk them into letting you test ride a V-Star 950 (that is a sweet one, I like it too), going from a 250cc machine to that one you will definately notice an improvement in accelleration…and you may not need the bigger bike…

I thought once I got used to my 500cc bike going bigger wouldn’t be a big deal, but I test rode a 1250cc sport touring bike (Bandit 1250S)…HOLY CRAP!! Going from my GS500 to that was like getting out of a Chevette and driving a Corvette…man, hold on…I decided that I just wasn’t ready for that step…and that was just a power difference, you are looking at a large weight gain as well which will change the riding dynamics on top of the more responsive engine. So, my suggestion is to take the middle step…you may find that you don’t need to upgrade from there, like Munch suggested. Those middle weight cruisers are very versatile bikes. They are fuel efficient, torquey, can tour and ride two up with no problems…unless you are planning on running at 100mph all day, but up to 80-85mph it will be just fine.

Good luck and have fun!!

[kirk]

After riding a GS500F for a year I made the jump to a Honda CBR 1000RR. Before I made the purchase I questioned myself if I was ready for such a drastic change but it turned out to be a great move. I had confidence in my riding ability but I was initially intimidated by the big ole CBR. It took me about a month to get used to the power but I was careful and didn’t go beyond my abilities. I soon got confidence and I’ve been riding my CBR for two years.
Some riders may disagree with my drastic change but it worked for me. You have to assess your skill level and definetly be comfortable with your riding abilities. Good luck to you.

[Author]

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