[WeaponZero]

The Intruder was originally available as a 750. In the 90s the 750 became an 800 and they came out with a 1400 model. The S40 didnt replace the Intruder, it was sold alongside the intruder all throughout the 90s and early 2000s as the Savage 650. When Suzuki renamed their entire cruiser line the “Boulevard” series, all of the 800cc variants (Marauder and Intruder) were redesigned/renamed M50, C50, S50, etc… And the 1400cc variants (which included the Volusia) were replaced by the 109 series.

EDIT: Confirmed on Suzuki’s website. i was right about the S50 not not the 109.

The pre-“Boulevard” Intruder 800 is now called the S50, and the pre “Boulevard” Intruder 1400 is now the S83. They are completely unchanged from back when they were called the Intruders. And the 800 is the same thing as the older 750 models just slightly increased displacement. The S40 has been in production since the late 80s as well although it has gone through a few name changes: First LS650, then Savage 650, then Boulevard S40. Aside from the name though nothing about it has changed since its introduction.

[WeaponZero]

The current generation Suzuki M50s/C50s/S50s use the same engine, only increased by 50cc, so Sangria would be the person to ask as it’s closest to his bike. His will make a little more power but not much.

I’m pretty sure the Honda Shadow 500 only had a 4 speed transmission, which would make it god awful on the highway even though it has the power to do it. The Shadow 750s being made today are not based on the 750s that were made back then so they’re not a good measuring stick, different engines and all.

As far as whether or not either of them would make good beginner bikes go, I would probably have to say if you can handle the weight, you can handle the power. Cruisers generally are easier to manage than standards/sportbikes in the smaller displacement categories because of much less power per CC, so your only concern there should be weight which is where cruisers are troublesome for beginners.

[WeaponZero]

Fieldsheer Scarab gloves

They’re the industry standard for cold weather riding gloves.

[WeaponZero]

Honda Rebel – $1,000 – Highly unlikely you’ll find a decent bike of any kind, even a Rebel, for this price. Personally I would wait until I could afford to spend double that otherwise you might be in the position my dad is with his $800 Kawasaki that spends more time in pieces on his carport than riding. For $3k however you can get yourself a nice bike worth holding onto. That’s how much I paid for my SV650.

Protective Gear
Helmet – $100 – Unless you plan on buying a discontinued HJC model on closeout, I’d double that. When it comes to safety gear, ESPECIALLY helmets, you should spend the absolute MOST you can afford to. A good budget helmet would be something along the lines of http://sportbiketrackgear2.homestead.com/exo700helmets.html or
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=SHARK+Helmets%3AS+650

The shark is really nice, and I’d be willing to put money on it being the best helmet out there for that price.

Jacket – $100 – Stick the closeouts section at sites like Newenough.com, Sportbiketrackgear.com, Kneedraggers.com, and Motorcycle-superstore.com, and you will definitely be able to find a high quality textile jacket for that cost. For just a few dollars more, you can either get a full leather one. Here are two high quality leather jackets close to that price range:

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/bargain_basement/cortech_by_tour_master/impulse_ii_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/bargain_basement/joe_rocket/blaster_3_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

They both seem to be very good jackets and way better than anything else you could get for the price. Personally I would get the Cortech but that’s just because I like the style better.

Gloves – $25 – You won’t find any full gauntlet gloves (the safest kind) for this price, even on closeout. Best you can hope for is a closeout sale on a “shorty” style glove. Here’s a more realistic expectation for a good sale price on a high quality glove:

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/gloves/fieldsheer/attack_ii_motorcycle_gloves.html

Pants – $100 – As long as you’re not expecting to find leather pants for this price it’s a good price. The Icon ARC riding pants are within this price range and are very good quality. The Firstgear HT 2.0 Air Mesh Overpants are as well. You can also find good riding jeans within this price range, however you’ll want to supplement them with good underarmor.

Knee – $25 – If you’re referring to the underarmor I mentioned above, you can expect to double or even triple that figure. There’s only a few brands making it. Two examples of it are:

http://www.newenough.com/armor/elbow_shoulder_knee_worn_on_the_body/fieldsheer/armadillo_motorcycle_knee_armor.html

http://www.newenough.com/armor/elbow_shoulder_knee_worn_on_the_body/icon/field_armor_leg.html

I have the Icon ones. They’re high quality and protective but won’t fit someone with larger than average calves. Not sure about the other ones.

Shoes – $60 – There are basically two styles of riding boots/shoes. You have the kind that were designed to look and feel like normal street shoes/sneakers, which are usually more comfortable but don’t offer nearly as much protection, and then there are full on riding boots. You MIGHT be able to find the first kind on closeout for that price but you’ll be looking long and hard. The second kind, the really protective kind, no way. Here’s a more realistic price expectation:

http://www.newenough.com/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/tcx/x_cube_all_purpose_motorcycle_boot.html

I really like those. They probably give you the best of both worlds when it comes to riding shoes/boots. If you want one that emulates street shoes, however, then this right here is the cheapest you should expect to pay:

http://www.newenough.com/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/icon/super_duty_2_motorcycle_boots.html

I hope I haven’t burst your bubble, but this is what you should realistically expect.

Also, just an FYI

Scorpion, Joe Rocket, Speed & Strength, and Cortech are brands known for combining quality and low price. Sportbiketrackgear.com is ALWAYS offering sales on Scorpion brand gear making it even cheaper.

[WeaponZero]

I like Motorcyclist because they are obviously sportbike biased but still do just enough coverage on cruisers to keep you informed. Their articles are very informative.

That being said, the most informative and unbiased moto publication I’ve seen is the web-based motorcycle.com

[WeaponZero]

It was probably a last minute decision by H-D. For some reason H-D doesn’t believe that Americans want sportbikes. They seem to be under the impression that every American wants a retro styled cruiser. Maybe if they would have actually given the brand some damn publicity, things would be different.

[WeaponZero]

this is sad. very very sad. ive always loved and wanted a buell sportster-based sportbike because of how unique they were and how well they handled apparently. this is the ONLY american motorcycle company that produced anything other than cruisers and it is a huge blow to the market as a whole. buells were bikes that were obviously designed and built by someone who was passionate about motorcycles.

you can just hear the sadness in his voice

the only mild consolation here is that you now have a valid argument to spit back at the harley-fanatics who come down on you for “not buying american.” “well, what if i want something that isnt a retro cruiser?”

in all seriousness though, buell will be missed, and as someone who was working toward one day trading in his SV650 on a new buell, it’s a big blow to me personally.

[WeaponZero]

Kawasaki is discontinuing both the Ninja 500R and Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (which are built on the same engine) for 2010. I don’t know what they plan on doing to replace the Vulcan in their lineup, but their logic for the 500R being discontinued is that theres no reason to produce both the 500R and 650R as the 650R is still plenty mild enough for a beginner.

[WeaponZero]

He rode an original first generation Ninja ZX900R.

[WeaponZero]

Sport riding:
most any ’80s rock, especially the soundtrack to the movie “The Wraith”
the entire Top Gun soundtrack minus the “love ballad” songs
Coheed & Cambria – Gravemakers & Gunslingers
Guns ‘n’ Roses – You Could Be Mine

[WeaponZero]

Elwood, a forum regular, bought a Sportster 883 for his first bike. And I’ve seen him say many times he wouldn’t recommend that others do what he did.

[WeaponZero]

On my ’00 SVN, I’ve always gone straight to the nearest gas station once the low fuel warning light came on.  No idea how much longer it can go but I’ve never given it more than, say, 5 miles.

[WeaponZero]

I like the idea of ABS but I worry it might add too much maintenance to the bike.  Not sure what maintenane is involved tho.

[WeaponZero]

Motorcycle Superstore tends to be a bit behind the times when it comes to closeouts.  Alpinestars recently announced they are discontinuing a bunch of their jackets and other retailers are selling them at closeout prices, but MS is still selling many of them at full retail.

Anyway, Teknic’s entire model line was revised for ’09 and not a single ’08 model was carried over.  All this because of their distributor screwing them over.  Apparently they’re eliminating the middle man now and handling their own distribution.

It really is too bad because there were some really nice jackets they came out with at the beginning of the ’08 year (Hellion, Impulse, Rage, Diablo) that they were forced to discontinue.  They still make a jacket called the Rage but its completely different, essentially an updated Freestyle.

[WeaponZero]

V-Twins such as in the SV (I own one) have an EXTREMELY linear powerband.  Basically it doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, ever.  Downshifting?  What’s that?  You mean I can’t pass in the gear that I’m cruising in?  Says you!

Basically with an SV650 as long as you’re above 3k RPM it doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, you have the power to do whatever is needed/wanted.

[Author]

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