Looking for my first cruiser!

I have a 2005 C50 which I bought new and now has 30,000 kms (approx. 20,000 miles) on it and the bike has been great. The size, longer wheel base, comfort, and purchase price of the C50 is pretty compelling compared to bigger heavier bikes. In fact by neighbor's HD Ultra Classic has a shorter wheel base and smaller tires.

I went on a 630 km cruise several weekends ago and averaged over 50 MPG as well. The bike is just a comfortable cruiser that will provide miles and miles of enjoyment.    

Spencer, I just turned 55 and have been riding for a little over a year. I have a V Star 1100, which would be a Drag Star in Europe. Its 27-inch seat height is very comfortable--I'm about 6"1"--and it's very comfortable all the way around. I will tell you the only problem I have with the 1100 is a design flaw that requires you to remove the pipes when you change the oil filter unless you get an oil filter relocation kit. In the U.S. they go for somewhere around $250, but can be had for a little less of you shop for a good deal.

My father-in-law rides a Vulcan 900 LT and he would tell you he loves it. He's about the same height and weight as me. I would guess anything in that size range would be good. His is an '07 model that he bought new at the end of the model year and he's had no problems with it.

Good luck finding the right bike for you. Ride safe and thank The Man Upstairs for every safe ride.  

HI guys trying to decide between the suzuki boulevard c109 or the yamaha roadliner s  

binky7, look at the article on this site comparing 4 bikes, including the c109. It came in second in their eval behind the Star Warrior. I ride a V Star 1100 and really like the Star line, so I admittedly am biased. One bike I'd love to have is either the Roadliner or it's touring brother, the Stratoliner. There are posts elsewhere in the forum here where Stratoliner and Roadliner riders swear by them. It's a lotta bike and I don;t think a bad decision. The best way to decide, though, is to ride them and see which feels best on your butt.

Good luck, ride safe, watch out for cagers on cell phones, and thank The Man Upstairs for every safe ride.  

Considering a first cruiser also.  

I'm 46, 6'1", 205lbs and have been riding for since I was 9 or 10 with the exception of the past 9 years, since my oldest kid was born.  I now have the itch to get back in and looking at Harleys and metrics.

The bikes I've had in the past have mostly been standard-ish; ranging from a Honda Hawk GT on the sporty side to a 1200 Sportster as the most cruiser-like.  My last bike was a Suzuki GSX1100G, a rather top heavy shaft drive with tons of power.

My primary concern with the cruisers I've been looking at is not so much weight per say, as it is controlling that weight over a long wheelbase with forward controls.  On the Harleys, I'm mostly attracted to the Road Kings which are mostly sit up straight but the buy-in is steep.  I like the larger metrics, particularly the pricing, but wonder how long the learning curve would be in becoming competent and comfortable with the different seating position.  

I'm 55, 6'1" and 250-ish and only started riding a year ago...I LOVE my V Star 1100...and have had absolutely no problem controlling it. It's about 600 pounds. I can feel the weight when I have either of my two large teenagers riding two-up with...one's about 185 pounds and the other about 215. But the weight of the bike itself has never been a problem.

I've also never had a problem with the typical "C" clamp position most cruisers put you in. Don't like how my "boys" get cramped on non-cruisers.

Most cruiser carry their weight low so it's a different dynamic from most standards and crotch rockets. I've read that cruisers carrying their weight low gives them an advantage and helps the rider manage the mass. I'm sure others who regularly contribute...com'on frbock and sloowpoke...can give much better answers than mine.

Welcome back, good luck, watch out for cagers on cell phones, and than The Man Upstairs for every safe ride.  

thanks for your input