- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by jeromethechicken.
Tall bulky soon to be new rider
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February 2, 2010 at 11:00 am #3688jeromethechickenParticipant
Hola everyone. I have some questions for all of you out there. I’m a soon to be new rider looking to purchase a cruiser (so no ninjas or cbr’s). I’m 6’4″ and 240 lbs. I want a cruiser that is going to be able handle at least my weight plus going up and down steep hills and mountains. I don’t want to kill myself but I don’t want to top out 70 mph on the interstate as well. I’m responsible and mature and I don’t need anything that is going to jerk me off the bike at the slightest bit of throttling. Also, due to budget constraints, I have to keep it under $2500 so it’s going to be used.
I know this is a lot but all of you seem pretty knowledgable. Thanks a lot for your replies.
February 2, 2010 at 2:40 pm #24356briderdtParticipantSuzuki S40 or even the S50 (big and heavy though on the S50), previously known as the Volushia, is a pretty good bet. Other manufacturers have similar models. Just don’t try to use it for the DMV test — go with the MSF course and use their bikes and class.
February 3, 2010 at 2:20 am #24366eternal05ParticipantCheck out the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and some of the Yamaha V-Stars (older ones will be called “Virago” instead of “V-Star”). They make some great beginner/intermediate cruisers, though they’re popular and may be harder to find used.
Three things:
1) A 500cc can haul your ass up a mountain just fine. Weight doesn’t bog down an engine nearly at all. You’d lose a second on your laptimes at Laguna Seca thanks to weight, but your motorcycle won’t even hesitate before conquering hills. Not an issue.
2) As I think somebody told you elsewhere, Ben (site creator) was referring to 600cc supersport bikes when he said “no 600cc beginner bikes.” The concern is power-to-weight ratio, ergonomics, and road manners. With bigger-displacement cruisers, the big problem is bike weight (hard to handle) and not as much the power, though it’s always wiser to bite off less than you can chew.
3) I really hope somewhere in your budget you’re including insurance and gear. That stuff doesn’t run cheap!
February 5, 2010 at 7:22 am #24411jeromethechickenParticipantI think I will take your advise and go for a Vulcan thought it may have to wait a little while longer now. I just found out that my fiances dad isn’t going to help pay for our wedding so Big Poppa here will have to foot the bill by himself. Awesome!!!! I have pretty good insurance and I already looked into adding onto my existing policy. It’s only going to cost me an extray 20.50 a month if I go through the MSF course.
Thanks again everybody. Elwood, someday you may see me down your way looking for a HD.
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