800 vs 1300cc

So, my current ride is a marauder 800.  However, I don't like it cause:

it gets 38 mpg
it isn't comfy for long rides
it has a puny tank so it can't go that far anyway
very fussy when cold

and so on.

So, I am thinking of trading up to a V-star 1300.  However, the 800-900 class is cheaper, been out for a few years, and has amazing reviews.

I would like more power than my marauder, but I wouldn't need a lot more.  A smoother powerband and a bit more torque down low would probably do me.

I am a heavy guy, so pretend I am riding 2up all the time.

do I need something as big as a 1300?  Will the smaller bikes do ok?  

I am a 300# rider and am looking at the Vstar 1300 also but I plan to ride 2up with my wife. If I was looking for a mostly single bike I would go with the Vulcan 900. just moving from a carberated to a fuel injected bike will take care of the fussy when cold issue and will increase power.
if you have a chance try to ride one.  

I'm a relatively new rider (less than a year, but around 5K miles under my belt).  I've owned a 2008 Star V-Star 1300 Tourer since August and couldn't be happier.  2009 is the 3rd model year for the bike, so any kinks should have been worked out by now.  The 2007s apparently had some clutch noise issues (only an annoyance) and I've heard about some complaints about other random noises in that model year too.  However, the 2008 clutch design was apparently changed.  I've had no issues with my 2008.  It's very comfortable on long rides; gets anywhere from the low 40s to the low 50s for gas mileage (dependi g on how you ride).  Has plenty of power.  Also has great fit and finish.  I couldn't give it a higher recommendation.  I'm a pretty puny guy (5' 9", 168 lbs.), but the power should still be plentiful for a larger rider.  Got mine for just over $10K new, and I've heard of better deals (particularly with the poor economy).  

I've read the Marauder 800 was underpowered and a gas hog, compared to most 800's, so your complaints don't surprise me. However, low end torque is more a matter of the heavier counterweights necessary for the larger displacement V-twins, so to improve low end torque, you'll need a bigger engine. 800's and 900's can do quite well on the road without a passenger, but with the bike loaded you need to be prepared to use the transmission more than on the larger bikes.

Loaded for a trip, my and my gear comes to about 325 pounds and my VT1100 handles that with ease at any rpm and still gets 45 mpg at 75 mph. The VN800 I traded in for it needed the rpm raised before starting to slip the clutch under that load. I'm a relaxed rider who's never in a hurry. If you like to jump on it occasionally, you might want a little more than 1100cc, but it's plenty for me while the 800 wasn't.

regards,
Joe  

Yeah, the Marauder had to have the clutch slipped to launch with me on it, esp. when cold.  It liked to stall a lot.

Basically, the question is do I need to drop the cash for a 1300 or will one of the 800-900 class do me?

I mainly ride 1-up, but I would like to have a girl on the back on occasion.  

It sounds like the vulcan 900 and the V-star 950 both have a significant amount more torque (60 ft/lbs) than suzuki's offerings.  

I wish local dealers had test rides.  

Stalling when cold, on a bike running that rich, is usually due to the idle being set too low. The only engines that are worse than 2 cylinder engines for that are one cylinder engines :-)

Set the idle to the recommended hot rpm, while the engine is cold. It'll make a world of difference and you can always just reach down and readjust the idle knob while at a light once the oil gets hot.

regards,
Joe  

actually, the marauder is like that LEAN.  It takes a ton of choke when cold and is set lean from the factory.  MPG starts at 38 and goes south from there if you mess with it.  

38 mpg is not lean for a two cylinder engine. A naked bike that gets less than 50 mpg while traveling at a steady highway speed is running a little rich.

A two cylinder bike with a windshield should be getting around 40-45 mpg when running a little rich.

If your bike acts like it's running lean, at 38 mpg, something else is wrong with it.

regards,
Joe