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Here’s Why Every Pickup Owner Needs a Quality Truck Bed Mat
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AtlAggie
ParticipantParticipantA good-looking older bike, but I have to ask if you have any riding experience? That’s an in-line three cylinder, four-stroke engine, and it was originally rated at 74 HP in a 566 pound bike.
I realize you’re on a tight budget, and the bike looks to be in very good shape for it’s age. But I just personally think that may be too much bike for a beginner.
ParticipantExcellent advice from Owlie. There is no substitute for butt testing. But as a relative newbie myself, let me point out something that I was not really aware of when I began sitting on prospective bikes. Some of the ergonomics on many bikes are adjustable!
My first ride, a Rebel, felt very cramped when I first started riding, even though I’m only 5’8″. Then I realized the adjustable handlebars were set up for the 5’0″ original owner. DUH! Adjusting the bars upward 2-3″ improved the comfort tremendously, and even helped with the knee clearance with the bars at full lock. I was able to put a comfortable 2,000 training miles on the bike in the six months I owned it.
Other bikes like the Vulcan 500 are not nearly as flexible. I understand how a shorter person like Owlie would think it feels like a larger bike. Despite a low seat height, the foot position on the Vulcan is much further forward than the Rebel. Personally, I liked that, but if my legs were any shorter, I can see where it could be uncomfortable. And the bars on the Vulcan are NOT adjustable. If you find the reach to be a bit long, like I did, your only option is to add riser extensions.
So when you are sitting on that bike on the floor, and you decide something does not feel quite right, don’t automatically eliminate the bike. Look around, or ask the sales people if the bike can be adjusted to fit you better.
ParticipantIs a nice bike, as Spool mention above. But you have to understand what it is, and that is a single cylinder “thumper” that is rated at about 30 HP, with a 5-speed transmission.
The Vulcan 500 is about the same size and curb weight as the Savage, but it’s rated at 46 HP, about a 50% increase in HP, and the 6-speed helps you get the most out of that HP.
I started on a Rebel, and I had a test ride on a Savage before I bought my Vulcan. I have to say that the performance of the Savage is closer to the Rebel than it is to the Vulcan.
ParticipantThe Vulcan 500 is a nice lightweight cruiser that makes a good first bike if you favor the cruiser style. Anything smaller would be cramped with your size. And with a parallel twin engine and 6 speed gear box, the Vulcan will have no trouble with your size. My wife and I ride 2-up quite a bit on my 500, and together we are close to 450 lbs. The bike has no trouble carrying us at highway speeds or in the north Georgia hills.
The only reason I plan to move up to a 900 this year is because no one makes a custom back seat for the 500, and my wife finds the stock seat a bit too narrow.
ParticipantJust because the Vulcan 500 is discontinued doesn’t mean you can’t find a good used one to practice on. I visited many forums before I bought my first bike, and there is one thing they almost ALL agreed on. Most say that your first bike is your learner bike, and you are almost sure to drop it at least a time or two. Besides being a good “learner” bike that you can develop skills on, it doesn’t hurt for it to be a little used so that it won’t break your heart when you drop it.
I bought a used Rebel 250 to learn on. I put 2,100 miles on it in 6 months, and then sold it for almost what I paid for it. I bought my Vulcan 500 new in January, and I just turned over 6,000 miles on it last week. I LOVE that bike. Amazingly quick for a 500, but almost as nimble has the Rebel. Together, my wife and I total well over 400 pounds, but we have ridden the Vulcan 2-up all over the north Georgia mountains, and I have no trouble keeping up with the couples we ride with on H-Ds, or V-Star 1100s, or C50s.
To be honest, the only reason I’m considering a move up to a Vulcan 900 in the spring is because my wife wants a bigger back seat, and NO ONE makes a custom seat for the 500. So if you want to wait until spring, I can tell you where you can find a well taken care of 500 that will probably have about 10,000 miles on it by then.
ParticipantA reference I found on line says that in 2000, Harley was down to 41% domestic content, and had lost the right to the “Made In USA” stamping privileges. They weren’t happy, though, when the Marysville Honda plant started putting “Made In USA” on the back of their seats, and went to court to stop it.
ParticipantI was getting interested in the jacket, until I read the caution at the end of the Product Details.
“Caution: Do not smoke the jacket!”
ParticipantI had a chance to look at and sit on a TU250X at the local dealership yesterday. Personally, I think I’m still more comfortable with the “cruiser” style ergonomics, but I can certainly see the attractions of the TU. It really is a return to ’60s style standard setup, isn’t it?
ParticipantOwlie, nice list, and I continue to be impressed by the thoughtfulness and writing style of your posts.
Most importantly, though, I am very gratified to see the returning confidence that shows in your latest message.
Be safe, and continue to practice and improve at your own pace. I am predicting that there are many happy miles in your future.
ParticipantI noticed we are still missing some of the performance data on the S40.
I can’t find anything official, but most of the literature seems to list it at around 30 HP, which seems about right for the big single. You also might want to note the final drive type. I think the S40 is probably the only belt drive among the recommended beginner bikes, which might be important to someone who doesn’t want to mess with chain maintenance.
Participant4,800 on the Vulcan in the 7 months since I bought it (Jan. 9). 2,100 on the Rebel in the 4 months before that learning how to ride all over again, after 30 years away.
Agree with eon above. Maybe not a “beginner”, but still a “learner”!
ParticipantSorry, didn’t realize from your original post that you already had a Ninja. And that you were only interested in the sportbike style.
Then I saw the other thread where you plan to try the BRC again this weekend, and hope to pass this time.
IMO, if you already have what most folks call the ideal starter bike for the sportsbike fan, and you haven’t been able to pass the BRC yet, then you need to put in some serious miles on the bike you have before you start shopping for a liter+ bike of any style. And don’t assume an older 750 will be less power to handle than a newer one. Just not true.
ParticipantNot sure where you are located, General, or your size. But if you’re really looking for a small, inexpensive bike for back road rides or low speed commutes, and your inseam is not more than 30-32″, I’d recommend a used Rebel 250.
Lightweight, low seat height, 75+ mpg, and there’s at least a dozen of them on my local Craigslist for under $2,000.
If you have little or no experience, I DO NOT recommend a 750 or larger as your starter bike, especially in a sport bike design. If you’re really set on a sport bike style, I’d recommend either the 250 or the 500 Ninja.
ParticipantI have the “Lazy Rider” bag myself, and I really like it. Not as many size choices as the Biker’s Friend, but I like some of the small features better, and the cost is also less than even the smallest of the BF’s.
Here’s a link:
http://www.lazyrider.com/lazy_rider_bag_sizes.asp
And to see the large size (12″) diameter bag on a Vulcan 500, here’s a picture:
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