[Sangria7]

One thing you should remember is even though the S50 is a fairly light bike it is an 800cc bike afterall. Are you sure you want to give her that much power for a first street bike?

The S40 is a 650cc but it is also a light bike and fairly nimble.

These are some seat heights and weights:

Honda Shadow VLX 600cc – 25.6 inches 496 lbs
Honda Rebel 250cc – 26.6 inches @ 329 lbs
Yamaha Virago 250cc – 27 inches @ 302 lbs
Vulcan 500cc – 28.1 inches @ 439 lbs
Suzuki S40 (650cc) – 27.6 inches @ 381 lbs
Suzuki S50 (800cc) – 27.6 inches @ 478 lbs

It is not simply just seat height, but the engine CC’s, and the weight of the bike as well. All these will be factors on fast and well she will learn. Though not impossible to learn on bigger bikes, it is definitely faster and more enjoyable to learn on a smaller displacement bike.

I know a lot of people who started on a 250 and still riding the same bike. It all boils down to what you will use it for and from the sounds of it just crusing from town to town. My first bike was a Rebel and she did fine on freeway doing 70-80mph. I just had to get a bigger bike because I literall commute on mine almost 700 miles a week now and Houston traffic is not forgiving at all.

Just think back when you first riding. It’s not simply if you can fit the bike, its more if the bike can fit your needs and skills. An in my opnion an 800cc is way too much to start on. The MSF course will probably be the decision maker; if she finds the slow tight cornering to be difficult on those 125/250cc bikes then think about how much harder it will be on something larger.

But ultimately its going to be you and your wife’s choice. Just be safe and smart about it.

[Sangria7]

You will be fine on a 250. But if you need more umph there are a couple 500cc that are definitely viable solutions.

Take the MSF first – they usually teach you on 125cc and 250cc. This will tell you if you will be ok with the 250cc.

[Sangria7]

Honestly I do like the nostalgic look of the Harley’s and they do represent an era and a way life. Saying that the only way i would buy one if I had extra cash to burn – which I dont. However, HD could keep thier classic lines but create at least a small line of metric competitive bikes. This way they appeal to two types of markets.

And yes companies asking for bailout money is ridiculous. It basically says companies can be irresponsible and there would be no consequence to poor business decisions.

I really hope they make it through tough times without a bail out. The rest of us have to.

[Sangria7]

Unfortunately for H-D, they do not have a large economic footprint like GM, Ford, or Chrysler, so justification for a bailout is weak. H-D will probably survive long term but they will have to make some serious business decisions and be more competitive. For example H-D’s lowest cost bike is the naked Sportster at $7,000, and a Yamaha V Star Silverado is just $7490 – which a tourer with lots of extras.

Only time will tell….

[Sangria7]

Quieter? LOL jk

[Sangria7]

This is why lawyers make so much money…the create laws that only the can decipher and litigate. LOL

[Sangria7]

In Texas its just as strange:

1. Helmets are required for those under the age of 18 operating a motorcycle.
2. Ages above 18 helmets are not mandatory, unless the operator has taken the MSF course. Individuals with M-Class licenses obtained through the MSF must wear a helmet.
3. Operators can obtain an M-Class License with an helmet excemption clause. Meaning you can go to the DMV/DPS and tell them you do not want to wear one. Then on your license they put it as an exemption.

Very SILLY!!!

[Sangria7]

Maybe they shouldnt charge so much for their bikes.

Dont get me wrong, I like Harleys but their price is not competitive with Yamaha, Honda, or Suzuki.

HD have been depending on their name and sales niche to keep them afloat and not keeping up the market demand on bike style and overall costs.

Damn I wish the government would bail out the common folk…

[Sangria7]

I know I dont have a cat-converter in my pipes so I am good

[Sangria7]

So is there a CC size where there are Cat-Converters on bikes? Or are they just in required states?

[Sangria7]

[Sangria7]

I would opt for a 110lbs female instead….plus it wouldnt probably look right with a 220lb man pressed up against behind you! LMAO

[Sangria7]

What? $50K fine..damn.

[Sangria7]

NICE!

[Sangria7]

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