[madjak30]

I have been riding my GS500 for a couple of months now, and I love riding.

I don’t like the sore knees that I get after about 90 mins riding. If I wiggle my butt back and just hook my heels on the pegs, the pain fades but I am thinking of my bike for next year…I like the performance level of the GS, maybe a little more grunt but not too much.

I have been drooling over the Suzuki Bandit GSX1250S,

but I don’t know if that will fix my knee problem. Two years ago I really liked the Suzuki M50 Special Edition

and I still do, but the performance of that bike is nearly identical to the GS…last year they came out with a new design with a different head light…I hated it…..but now it is growing on me to the point that I actually prefer the new look, and this year they came out with an M90.

Better performance and still decent fuel consumption. I sat on the bike yesterday and wow…comfortable…I think I will take one for a test ride to see if I could get used to the feet forward position.

I mentioned to the “Boss” and that I was glad we bought the GS when we did, as the season is in full swing and the prices are reflecting the demand. Then I told her about my plan to look into a cruiser (which she prefers) and she said “we should just buy the cruiser in the early spring and worry about selling the GS in June”…I am having a great year!! I just hope I get a really good bonus next year…lol

Later.

[Gary856]

I haven’t stopped thinking about the next bike for a moment over the last 17 months that I’ve been riding.

A big guy like you looks good on a heavy cruiser. I’m not a cruiser person, but I like the looks of the Harley Nightsters a lot – trim and understated.

The knee pain – I get that after a couple hours of riding, to the point of not being able to straight my leg for a few seconds. Only my right knee’s like this; my left knee is totally pain free through out a typical weekend ride lasting 4-8 hours. This happens even when riding the DRZ, which has a bolt upright position, and plenty of leg room. The only way to deal with it is to straighten my right leg periodically while riding. I suppose a foot-forward riding position would not give me knee problem, but I’ve heard some people say the cruiser riding position is hard on the back. Not being able to weigh the foot pegs means you can’t dance with the bike for high performance cornering.

[stu]

so a “little more grunt but not too much” means to you going to a 1500cc m90??!:!:! wow. that does 82horses, the bandit does 104.. The GS500F does 47… I’d say the bandit and M90 exceed your “not too much”. The M50 has 56… but you know your capability best.. and the bandit is sure sexy looking

[madjak30]

I am actually going to test ride the M50 SE…horse power is about the same, but with more torque. I really don’t need to have that much more Hp…but it isn’t much more money…lol

The M50 only weights 25% more than the GS500 and has 50% more torque, so it should be a little faster…I’m really more concerned about the comfort (read my knees). Speed has never been a big thing for me, I crave accelleration…I really like the look of all three of those bikes…atleast I didn’t say I was concidering a B-King as a second bike, which is rated at 170Hp ish…I’m just not ready for that kind of kick…

I still really enjoy riding the GS, so I may decide to keep it longer. Who knows…the only real downfall with the GS is the physical size and the suspension doesn’t like my weight (275lbs), I just feel too big for it…like a bear on a bicycle…

[briderdt]

I was “looking” to replace my SV650s a few months ago (actually, my girlfriend wanted my bike, so I’d be shopping for another bike for me). My short list started out as the Honda RC51 or the VFR800. I called my insurance company (Safeco) to get quotes… The Viffer was about 50% more than my SV, and the RC was just over twice what I’m paying now.

Then I saw a pristine Triumph Daytona 675… I’d been told by the insurance company that the premiums are based on engine displacement, so I figured the Daytona would be pretty close to the SV (675cc vs. 650), and was JUST about to call the seller. I called the insurance company first, just to be sure… That Daytona was over FOUR TIMES what I’m paying for my SV, for the same coverage.

So I still have my SV…

[gitchy42]

I think those are all nice looking bikes. I’d listen to the “Boss”, she seems to have it all figured out. Remember, not all cruisers are bad in the corners.

A note on insurance: For me, through Progressive the GS500 was less than the Ninja 250, the SV was a little more than either, but still not bad. Even the Monster wasn’t ridiculous.

[wbsprudels]

Interesting thoughts about those bikes. I had similar impulses. After nearly 4000 miles, I went from my Buell Blast to a C50. I rode my Boulevard for about 13,000 miles and bought a Bandit 600. I have had tons of fun on both. Not sure what is next, but I rented a HD Road King while on vacation this week. I am now thinking again about a cruiser.

Best of luck with your decision, and enjoy the process!

[eternal05]

Damn supersports cost an arm and a leg to insure. Then again, no insurance means I can only ride on the track…which is ok

[TrialsRider]

If track racing is anything like my competitions you still pay big bucks for insurance, they just call it entry fee’s

[TrialsRider]

If you appreciate quality, performance and you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, you should check out BMW

[romalo]

if you like the Daytona, look at the Street Triple R. Same engine re-tuned for a lower end torque and more consistent power band. The riding position is more upright – which I prefer, and the insurance is less than a Daytona. It has been a blast to ride.

[Rab]

You might consider a Suzuki GSX650F instead of the Bandit GSX1250F.

It’s essentially the same bike but with a 650 c.c. FI engine instead of the 1250.

I’ve had one for almost 2 years now (~25,000 miles on it) and for street riding, unless you’re very heavy, it’s almost certainly as much as you’ll need in terms of power and speed (I weigh ~200 lbs). It’s also just fine for the week-end two-up ride with my (slimmer than me) Wife.

Looks like a sport bike but has a more upright riding position, goes 130+ mph and is very smooth and comfortable at any speed I’ve taken it to (including over the ton). Very sure-footed too.

You’ll get better fuel mileage (~50 mpg freeway), lower insurance, less heat and less weight.

Extracts from reviews below:

“It’s aimed at novice riders looking for their first sports bike and older riders after something less frantic and ergonomically challenging than a GSX-R600; it deals with both tasks supremely well. The riding position leans you forward slightly without imposing too much weight on the wrists, while the seat is a reasonable height and comfortable too.” – telegraph

“The new motor is the same 656cc, water-cooled inline four that powers the Bandit. It’s a strong, solid motor that made a notable difference to the Bandit, and it works here, too. To quote Al, from his launch report, it’s “reasonably spunky”, and a vast improvement over the air-cooled unit it replaces. The power delivery is fairly linear, with plenty of low- and midrange, albeit lacking sparkle at the top-end.” – superbike

“For really defiant overtakes and a more focused feel, you can stir the silky smooth six-speed box and keep the revs between 6,000 and 8,000rpm, only licking the 12,500rpm red line if the buzz of the ride takes over. During the launch in France, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the bike adapted to my various demands.” – cars

“The Suzuki GSX650F’s chassis is, for the most part, Bandit 650, too, being centred around the same, no frills, cost-conscious steel tube cradle and conventional forks. Yet in GSX-F guise it gets a more sophisticated shock for added sporting ability and subtly adjusted poise thanks to the fairing, new one-piece, rubber-mounted…” – MCN

“Overall handling on the Suzuki was quite balanced and agile. It turns in well, sticks to a line, and can be gassed hard out of a turn. While not being the most sophisticated chassis, the GSX650F isn’t going to do anything to get you in trouble. That is, of course, if you don’t push it far beyond its limits.” – motorcycle

“The Suzuki GSX650F, in my opinion, felt like the perfect motorcycle for somebody who wants a mean-looking bike that’s not a mean ride. Think of it as a kindred spirit to the ever-popular Kawasaki Ninja 250R, only heavier and more powerful.” – motorcycles.about

[madjak30]

But it has the same riding position as my GS500, which in itself isn’t a bad thing…but my knees take a beating after more than an hour on the bike. The one thing the Bandit has is a higher seat, so my bend of the knee is less…I have decided (the Boss told me) that I will wait until next year before buying my next bike. It is a good idea, and I may just get used to the riding position…especially if I lose some weight (which is another issue with the GS), I might become more flexible…and the 650 would be a nice bike to step up to. I am planning on doing some longer rides this summer, if the weather ever cooperates…

But right now I am leaning towards the cruisers…I just have to go on a few rides to see if my butt will get sore riding more on my tailbone…I am also finding that I am being more aggressive on the “sporty” position, which is another reason to concider the cruiser. I have lowered my taste a little and am leaning toward the M50, instead of the M90…but if I wait until next year…who knows where I will end up.

The one thing I do like about the GSXF bikes is the full faring…I like the idea of the wind protection, not that you can’t get windshields for cruisers…they just look more natural on the sporty bikes…

[madjak30]

With their “unique” head light treatments and their styling in general. A buddy of mine at work has a BMW and says it is worth the extra to get the quality…but I really don’t know if it has that much quality over the Japanese bikes. The other downside, I would have to drive 1.5 hrs to get to a dealer…that would kinda suck…all the Japanese dealers are within 20mins of my house…

The F800R model is nice though…

[Jeff in Kentucky]

I have rode a cruiser for 8 years, and before that a standard for 6 years. The main problems with cruisers are:

1.your butt gets sore- buy a Mustang brand seat, or add a gel or air cushion seat pad. I have a Travelcade gel pad with a gardener’s foam knee pad under it.

2. you have to use your arms to lift up off the seat for bigger bumps, which somewhat compromises your handling while you are holding up most of your weight with the handlebars.

3. the footpegs scrape very early, but this is good for making you do corners at a saner speed on the street. They would make terrible track day bikes. The upright seating position is good for seeing further on public roads, because your head is higher.

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