Hi guys, I'm 39 yrs old. I have riden dirt bikes and sport bikes most of my life. Owned a '81kz650 and a '80 something cb750, but those were 20 yrs ago. I am 6'2" and 275 lbs. I have a big suberban that is killing me in gas prices. I am going back to school full-time and have decided to buy a cruiser for the job. Looking to spend between $6,000 and $9,000. On a (most likely used) bike. Been looking at v-star 1100 & 1300, as well as vulcan 900, also roadstar 1700,vulcan 1500 &1600 hondas 1300vtx. I notice ALOT of v-star 1100's for sale. Is there something wrong with those? Any recomendations for type and size for me. I have alot of riding experience, but not with cruisers. I don't want to get something I'll grow out of real fast. It will be my daily commuter. I live in L.A. (I know...lots of dangerous drivers out here).
Thanks  

I ride a Road Star and love it. As big as you are you will need the bigger bike. The Road Star is nimble in traffic and has the acceleration to get me up to freeway speed with no worries. You can easily get 40+ mpg (if you stay off the throttle). I'm 6' and 230 and my R* flies. Big and heavy enough to not get pushed around, but agile enough for commuter traffic. I ride mine to school and am spending about $15 a week on fuel.  

Hello, Sorry to hear you live in "SMELL A" I grew up in San Diego. Rode dirt bikes all my life, Raced desert. For what it's worth. I just bought an 07 V Star 1300 Tourer,And love it, It is my first road bike EVER. I bought a dr650 in July.Then I discoverd my wife wants to ride with me so. I shoped around and I felt that the Yamaha was the best deal. For around Ten Grand you can have a brand new V Star.I have only put about 500 miles on it since October because I live in Oregon and I don't volenteer to ride in rain. Yamaha has a great deal going on until Dec 31. Low interest, cash back kinda deal.. As for Power they say the new 1300 fuel injected make more HPs then the pushrod 1700. I never rode the bigger bike So I don't really know. I do know that even with my wife (REV LIMITER) on board it has plenty of power. My only complaint is it seems to have a flat spot in the throttle at low RPMs. I have read that, That can be adjusted out. I will Find that out come next Spring when I can put some serious miles together... Check out Yamaha web site. (Star Motorcycles.com) Good Luck (Ride On)  

Hello everyone. I'm from NY and bought my first bike ever last week. 1300 vstar T. Love it. Just put it in  storage and spring wont come fast enough. It was a great price for such a bike. plus $1000. in extras and 4 yr  added warranty about $12,000 out the door.  

Thanks alot for the advise. I think that's the way I'm heading towards right now. I appreciate the time you put into the response, it really helps to hear different opinions in detail. Have a great holiday, and when I finally make my purchase, I'll let you know.  

gotta agree with okiestar - since you're over twice my size and i ride a vf750c magna, stands to reason you should look at 1500cc & up. & since you live in the combat zone that is urban socal, i recommend something that can get out of its own way, with superior power/handling/brakes than the average cruiser. according to mcn (nov07) the '04-06 meanstreak 1600 should be in your stated price range, likewise the '05 m95 blvd 1700, the '02-04 warrior 1700, the '02-04 vtx1800, and perhaps my best suggestion - every valkyrie made from '95-03.  

well im a female and i was wondering, what would be the best cruiser to get, if there is one for me haha im 5'3" and im not really sure if theres a bike that might fit me.  

The 5'3" female might want to take a look at the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD.  Classic looks, good power, lightweight, and reliable.  

Females, the best advice I can give for those of you looking for your first bike, is to get the Harley Davidson 883 Sportster.  Normally, and for all large males, I would not recommend this, but sportsters can be acquired cheap, and quickly, because this is the bike that most males start on, regardless of the size.  Most of the time, these bikes can be found on the market with less than 5,000 miles on them, and in perfect condition.  Most men just realize they want something better, and a something better Harley.  So take a look at this catgory.

Otherwise, go with the yamaha  V-star, its a very easy to use crusier!  I back it, because I have it!

Skipper

ride2rally
ride2rally.com  

mciau
My wife rides a Suzuki M50 that has been lowered 2 inches. She is 5'4" and has no problem handling it. Check out the reviews from this magazine on this bike. That is why she bought this bike and we are glad she did.  

I have a vstar1100 -since 2000 - and I have only one gripe and that is the ridiculous situation of having to remove the front header pipe to change the oil filter!!  Never mind, as it handles wonderfully well for what it is and has the power I need and the nimbleness and sure footedness to mix it with the traffic I encounter on my daily 90km commute to work and back. Would siut female cruisers very well I think but a bit small for a 200lb 6 footer - in which case I would not hetitate to buy the Yammie 1600. I'm in the process of upgrading now. The handlebar width is about the same for the 2 bikes so commuting and lane-splitting should be just as easy. There is NOTHING wrong with Vstar 1100's by the way - probably coincidental thats lots are for sale in your area just now.  Good luck with your purchase.  

i own a 97 honda valkyrie.ive had it for 5 years and 52K miles.ive been all over on it.arizona,missouri,minnesota,arkansas,michigan,new mexico and my home state of wisconsin.its a very reliable bike.the best part of this bike is the engine.on tap throttle and long distance durability.whether its a 700 mile day or full throttle take off at a lite racing whatever is going to run with me its still a thrill.ive been riding for 37 years and its one of the best bikes ive ever owned.  

not sure if this helps,,,but i recently bought a bike in mankato mn, and they had a brand new carry-over 2005 suzuki c90 boulevard for around 65oo dollars.  i had an 07, and with the standard pipes did about 50 miles per gallon.  you can find their info, do a google search for suzuki motorcycles in mankato mn.  

Hi,

I'm a new female rider, 5'4" 125 lbs, and I purchased a V star 650 Classic.  I LOVE it.  It rides great and looks awesome.  It also costs less than other comparable bikes.  A friend rode a Honda Shadow 750 for a couple of years and is now riding a v star 650 and she states there is no comparison.  Other friends who ride have several complaints about their bikes of one fashion or another, but I haven't found anything on the  V star I don't like.  I especially like the heel shifter and the floor boards rather than foot pegs.  Go check them out and see for yourself.  

An unlikely candidate that you might consider is a Suzuki 1500, either the LC or C90.  I just recently bought a 2002 1500 LC and really like the bike.  They can typically be bought for less than other models, I bought mine for $4995 with 14K miles in good shape.  It is a 1500 cc (90 ci) bike and have plenty of torque and power.  They typically get 40-50 miles to the gallon.  I think they are an attractive bike but that is just personal opinion.  They have a good reputation among the people who own them.