Looking for my first cruiser!

Hi,
I am 44 years old. I am 6 feet one inches tall and weigh about 210 lbs. I want to get in the world of two wheelers, and I am looking at 2008 C50 Boulevard. I have been to few local dealers in Ashburn, Va where I live. Primarely I will be enjoying the motorcycle on the weekends and will not be doing any major commuting. I am little apprehensive, as I am a novice bike rider and do not know if the bike I am looking is the right one for me or not. Will appreciate any feedback.
Thank you.  

I'm amazed at how many people are asking the same question I have been beating myself silly over for the past few weeks.  I just recently made the decision (actually my wife made the decision by letting me..) to get back in to riding.  Like many of the postings, its been about 17 years since I've rode.  A wife, four kids and career later (I'm 39 yrs young) I've decided I need that thrill back, despite all the unsolicited advice about how I'm crazy and going to kill myself.  Unlike my first go-round 17 years ago when I learned how to ride by paying someone $1,000 for a 1984 VF 1100 and riding off, I am taking the MSF basic riding course and will buy the best gear I can find.  

But to the point of the thread, I am absolutely torn over my first cruiser.  My first love is the 2008 Yamaha Star Raider.  Haven't road one yet, but it feels very comfortable and fits me like a glove.  I'm 6'0, 225 lbs and an avid weight lifter.  I also tried out the V-Star 1100 and 650.  The 650 seemed way too small for me.  The 1100 might work but it didn't feel as good as the Raider.  My apprehension is with the size and weight.  An 1854cc mill at a dry weight of 692 lbs and you can seem my hesitation.  I read an earlier post by someone who questioned whether they are considered a beginner, experienced or somewhere in between.  I'm also not sure where I fit and worry whether the Raider is too much power.

I love reading all the posts on this subject as they have been very helpful.  I also would appreciate any feedback and advice.

Great site!  

Hi guys, I returned to motorcycling at the age of 52 and threw myself into the deep end by buying a 99 Kawasaki Nomad, beautiful machine. For the first month it terrified the *** out of me, then one day I thought what the hell, and started throwing it into bends and corners like Valantino only to discover that the bike was far more capable than me at staying on the road. I owned that bike for seven years and did 90.000 miles on it. The only time it hit the pavement was  at speeds of 5MPH or less when the weight of the beamoth caught me out; gravel under my feet didn't help either (moot point). The C50 is a fabulous machine, I had the chance to ride one for a while, and a good place to start. the only thing that will rattle you as you gain experience is that you will need a bit more UMPH for overtaking and extended two up long distance touring, but as a starting bike it's a great machine. Good strong engine too. The kawasaki 900 is a gem too. Hope that helps some?  

Hello, I am 51 years old a hair over 6 feet tall and about 175 pounds. I currently have a Boulevard C50T. It is a great bike. I ride it to work when the weather is nice and a little weekend riding. I have had it for a couple of years and am getting ready to step up to a bigger cruiser. This was a good bike for me to get back into riding, it had been about 20 years. It was not an expensive bike and I did not feel like there was too much power. Good luck  

I'm 5'8" and probably 210 pounds and the C50T does everything I ask it to do.  It's a lot more maneuverable in the city than you would think by looking at it.

I'd say the C-50, the Honda 750, and the kawasaki 900 are the best in their size.  You can't go wrong with any of them.

I used to fantasize about going up to a bigger bike in a couple of years but the gas prices have kind of put a stop to that.  I was looking at the Nomad or the Gold Wing.  I'm actually debating moving down to a scooter in a couple of years so I can get 60 MPG. for my commute.

High octane gas in my area is anywhere from $3.80 to $3.90.  I'm sure that we'll be around $4.15 by the mid summer.

The 750-900 cc range becomes more attractive when you start to think about that stuff as well...  

I to have the same dilema, I haven't rode in about 25 years and want a big V Twin Cruiser. I have researched the V Star 1300 (beautiful bike) and the Suzuki C90T (also beautiful) The only drawbacks of the two are the C90T seems to get reviews citing a small tank and limited range. The Star 1300 seems to have some complaints about clutch noise.
Decisions, Decisions.
Anyone out there have experience with either of these bikes??
Thanks  

Wow, I thought I was the only one returning to riding after 20+ years...then I took the MSF last week and all but 1 were returning after long layoffs.  And I join this site and see the same!  It's good to be in great company.

I went through the same thing and researched the heck out of these middleweight bikes.  Was set on a used C50, but the bike shop had a great deal on an '07 Shadow 750...so what did I get?  An '06 Vulcan 900 (w/ 3200 miles on it) for the same price as the Shadow (and 150cc more engine).  The Vulcan was also the most comfortable bike of the 3.  The tank on the Shadow was too wide at the bottom and bothered me.

Anyway, I've had it a week now and haven't taken it outside of the neighborhood.  I want to be really comfortable before I get out on the road in traffic.  But I love it.  Nice exhaust note, good roll-on power.  It felt too big last week, but every day it starts to feel smaller as I get braver with the corners...

Good luck!  You can't go wrong with any of them, just pick the one that fits you best, get a good deal and practice, practice, practice...and take the MSF course.

Hope that helps!  

How do I post a question?  

I need some advice from an experienced rider. I am taking my motorcycle course in May. I have never rode a motorcycle and I am 6'1" 230. Would you say I would be ok with a 750cc? Should I get something bigger or smaller? I also thought maybe I can get high mounts is that a good idea? I have been reading about the Honda Magna's and I think that would be my first bike.   Thank you for your advice.  

I was in the same boat last year (I'm 39) 6 feet and 200lbs.
Sat on a few bikes Kawi, Yamaha and Honda. I settled for the Honda 750 Spirit with shaft drive. Very stable, sporty, and great stock sound. My butt turned to iron after a couple of hours on the saddle but I picked up a Mustang, and I'm good for 8 hours plus now. It's cheap on gas, extremely reliable and best of all, loads of fun.  

hotrod7:
Hi,
I am 44 years old. I am 6 feet one inches tall and weigh about 210 lbs. I want to get in the world of two wheelers, and I am looking at 2008 C50 Boulevard. I have been to few local dealers in Ashburn, Va where I live. Primarely I will be enjoying the motorcycle on the weekends and will not be doing any major commuting. I am little apprehensive, as I am a novice bike rider and do not know if the bike I am looking is the right one for me or not. Will appreciate any feedback.
Thank you.

  Hello,I also am a late bluemmer I just turned 44..
6 feet 200lbs I raced open desert So Cal for years never had any desire to tangle with automobiles.. Then I moved to Oregon with some of the most beutiful country in the nation.... So first. I bought a DR650 Duelsport Thought that would be the way to go. That way I get the best of both worlds... Wrong!!! Then I descoverd That my wife/ rev limmiter likes to ride with me. So that bike got sold after about 3 months.So the quest began... I looked at the Harleys,could'nt justify the money for somthing that is going to sit in the garage for 6 months out of the year..(Oregon = RAIN )I looked at the Hondas They don't have a cruiser. Never been a fan of Kawisucky.So that left Suzuki or Yamaha I always felt that Yamaha made one of the best machines around not really the fastest but always reliable. The Star line seemed the best way to go.. So for my first Cruiser.. I picked the VStar 1300 Tourer It fit me the best. I was Terrified of it at first... I have a lot of respect for it today... I love it more and more Every time I stradel it.. It's not to big not to small the power is there when I want it. I'm mainly a weekend worrier I ride it to work when The weather is above 40 and dry.. I just love it I have talked with a few people on the road with the same bike and we all agree great choice of bike.. I tell my wife all the time that if I ever get off the bike without a smile, It's time to sell it... So Far so GOOD!!!!!!!!
Good Luck.... RIDE SAFE.... Peace  

I am really new on these forums but not a new rider but also not really a pro either, I recently wanted to get a new bike maybe a step up from a Honda Shadow but not too much bigger so after a lot of research and reviews I purchased a Suzuki M50 and I love it!! it has Fuel Injection and a shaft drive which is alot nicer to drive than my Shadow and fits me alot better.  
I would say when looking at bikes first take the MSF course and after you get your feet wet try to test drive some bikes and see what your overall want is: Fuel Economy, Freeway driving, weekend fun? that is the reall question when you go to buy a bike.

After a while you will start to narrow down your choices(which could seem exhausting to do all the research) and will leave you unltimately with the bike you see yourself riding  
07' Suzuki M50(Purple)

hotrod7

As a fellow noob, welcome to the board.  I'm actually also from Ashburn VA, and just registered for the MSF class (BRC) at NVCC in Sterling.  I'm also looking at the C50, as well as the V-star, and shadows.  I'm 6' and probably about 185 lbs.

Let me know how it works out.  I plan on doing some commuting (we'll see how the logistics works on those days where I need to sport a tie).  Definitely leisure riding though.  

taxman702:
I'm amazed at how many people are asking the same question I have been beating myself silly over for the past few weeks.  I just recently made the decision (actually my wife made the decision by letting me..) to get back in to riding.  Like many of the postings, its been about 17 years since I've rode.  A wife, four kids and career later (I'm 39 yrs young) I've decided I need that thrill back, despite all the unsolicited advice about how I'm crazy and going to kill myself.  Unlike my first go-round 17 years ago when I learned how to ride by paying someone $1,000 for a 1984 VF 1100 and riding off, I am taking the MSF basic riding course and will buy the best gear I can find.  

But to the point of the thread, I am absolutely torn over my first cruiser.  My first love is the 2008 Yamaha Star Raider.  Haven't road one yet, but it feels very comfortable and fits me like a glove.  I'm 6'0, 225 lbs and an avid weight lifter.  I also tried out the V-Star 1100 and 650.  The 650 seemed way too small for me.  The 1100 might work but it didn't feel as good as the Raider.  My apprehension is with the size and weight.  An 1854cc mill at a dry weight of 692 lbs and you can seem my hesitation.  I read an earlier post by someone who questioned whether they are considered a beginner, experienced or somewhere in between.  I'm also not sure where I fit and worry whether the Raider is too much power.

I love reading all the posts on this subject as they have been very helpful.  I also would appreciate any feedback and advice.

Great site!

You'd be nuts to hop on a 1800 plus cc bike after the lay off.  I had one about the same time frame and went with a much smaller bike to get my feet wet again and I am very thankful for it.  I think I would have killed myself on a big one like that...hell, the bike I upgraded to doesn't even carry that kind of wallop...  

I'm a noobie here too... and I'm looking for my first bike at the ripe (young) age of 42. I have a couple of concerns: first, I gotta have a bike that LOOKS right. You know, it's gotta be "me." I LOVE the old V65 Magna and Supermagna, but have heard a lot of bad press about their reliability. And I can't overlook the fact that these bikes are probably way too much for me, having only ever ridden a Ducati 250 and a late 70s Honda Hawk 450. No, I haven't straddled a bike in over 20 years.Another thing is that I love the cruiser look, as long as it's raked a bit, but I hate the V-Twin sound. I really dig the V-4 idea, but hate the gold wings and aspencades. Finally, I'm just plain BIG. 6'4" and a bit over 300 lbs. What bikes are out there for me?
Thanks for your input.
Mark