- This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by owlie.
Hi Everybody
-
AuthorPosts
-
March 24, 2010 at 7:31 pm #3793MikeCalgaryClassicParticipant
Hey guys, my name is Mike and i’ve been reading the forums here for about a year or so, since I got into bikes. I still don’t have a bike yet, but i’m one step closer having just got a job at a bike shop here in Calgary, AB, Canada. I’m in the process of trying to learn as much as I can while I save up some money to do the safety course and buy a bike. Right now a couple of strong contenders for me as far as first bike goes are the Suzuki S40, Triumph Scrambler, and the Moto Guzzi V7 Classic. I’d be happy to know your guy’s opinions on those bikes and I also thought I might throw in a little plug for my shop as it just opened up at the beginning of march and we’re trying to build up our customer base. We’re called Calgary Classic Motors and we specialise in parts for vintage brit and jap bikes. Thanks for taking the time to read all this, and I look forward to getting to know all of you.
March 24, 2010 at 7:33 pm #25142MikeCalgaryClassicParticipantBy the way, i’m 5’11” and 190ish lbs.
March 24, 2010 at 9:00 pm #25143Jeff in KentuckyParticipantThe 650cc single cylinder Suzuki S40 is not the best on the fastest interstates, and there is no coolant to change or chain to maintain. The other two (Triumph, Moto Guzzi) are more expensive to buy and are better for interstate highways, with higher insurance costs.
A beginner would probably be safer with the smaller Suzuki, but you may get tired of it after a year and want something bigger, especially at your height and weight. If you buy used, you will not lose as much money if you ride it for a year and then sell it for a bigger bike. Sit on all of them and others, do a computer search for all of them, and see which one seems the best to you.
March 24, 2010 at 10:13 pm #25144TrialsRiderParticipantThat’s one varied shopping list Mike ! No question the S40 would be the tamest, maybe not the friendliest riding position to learn on though. Classic Scrambler is an interesting choice, you might also check out Royal Enfield, seeing as the distributor is out your way and it’s a thumper like the S40. Now for the classica Exotica. Mmmmmm Moto Guzzi …shaft drive is very cool. At 750cc’ that’s a big first bike though. If you go with that one price in the engine crash guards, it’s nasty to fall over on your head.
Jeff raised a valid point with the insurance question, test the water before you buy. Best of luck with Calgary Classic Motors start-up, keep us posted, …maybe CCM could offer a BBM discount
March 24, 2010 at 11:23 pm #25150owlieParticipantI started with an S40, and I love it. I had a difficult learning curve, but as the other guys point out, it is probably the tamest of the three. Alot of taller people tend to complain about it being cramped though (I’m 5’2″). I haven’t had it above 60 or so, so I can’t comment on highway driving (ask me again in about three months).
Not sure what TrialsRider’s complaint is about the riding position… The footpegs aren’t directly underneath like a standard, but they are not kicked so far forward as to make it difficult to handle. When I was looking for a bike, I didn’t want something with forward pegs due to a bad experience in my MSF class, but the S40 felt just about right for position.
If you are working in a bike shop, take the MSF class ASAP. The riding portion of the class focuses on low speed skills and you will want to have them down pat.
Best of luck!
March 24, 2010 at 11:52 pm #25155MikeCalgaryClassicParticipantThanks so much for all the comments you guys! I do think an Enfield would be sweet and my shop may very well become a dealer for them as well so.. staff discount! One thing that is important to me is being able to ride on the highway and i’m a bit concerned about the s40 or an enfield being able to handle that.
March 25, 2010 at 12:20 am #25156TrialsRiderParticipantCruiser bikes are cool, don’t get me wrong, I would love to have an S40 for tooling around town, but I would buy it fully aware it was not intended for comfort or high speed.
Pegs are either forward, central or rear set and as a rider that spends 90% of the time standing to keep a low center of gravity, central offers by far the greatest control on bumps (specially over the 3 foot high bumps If you look at a photo of a rider on the s40 see: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Suzuki-BoulevardS40.jpg two things are immediately apparent. You can’t stand up on the pegs or even transfer much of your weight onto them, without lifting yourself by the bars. Secondly when you hit a bump with the back tire, the force is transfered directly into your spine.
Rear sets offer the best crouch for speed, but again if you hit a bump, you tend to rag doll and hit your chin on the tank.March 25, 2010 at 1:57 am #25163owlieParticipantI think it really comes down to a difference in how we choose to ride. Personally, I don’t really have a problem standing up on the pegs of my S40, and wouldn’t advocate the bike for either touring or dirt riding anyway. As you say, it is good for tooling around town, or as I prefer, relaxed afternoon rides in the country. I don’t have much experience with highway riding on it, so I can’t really give an opinion on that aspect.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.