Questions on C50 and Yamaha 900

Hi, new on post. I have a couple of questions. I'm looking at the Suzuki C50 and the Yamaha V-Star 950. Are these good first bikes and eventually I seen a couple of post that some ride with their wives or girlfriend. Are they ok for two up. I was thinking about Harley Sportster but was talked out of it because of the suspension.  

Hi,

I have a c5oT and really love it.  I ride with my wife on occassion up into the mountains.  The passes around here are 9,000 feet and we do ok.  It has plenty of pick-up.  I weigh about 215 and my wife weighs 100.  

I mostly use the bike for commuting and it gets me about 50 mpg at an average speed of 60 mph at 100 feet above sea level.

I took it to Utah by myself in May and fully loaded it.  It did fine but had a little difficulty in Utah with the faster highway speeds.  I found that it started shaking about 85 mph.  That was a 2200 mile round trip and I carried a weeks worth of camping gear including food, water, tent, sleeping pad, tools, etc.

It was my first bike in over 20 years and found it to be a good first bike for me.  I wish I had more power to do loaded bike camping with my wife, but she doesn't seem that into it anyway.  It's much more maneuverable than it looks.
 
A guy I work with doesn't own a car but has 2 sportbikes for transportation.  He average 20-30 k miles a year on his bikes and he said my bike is like a couch but has good acceleration and is really maneuverable.  I guess he thinks the couch remark is a bad thing...  Anyways, he's suggesting my bike to people who want to get a small cruiser.

The V-stars are great bikes.  The 950 is new and some would recommend caution because it doesn't have a lengthy repair history, but that line of motorcycles is known for quality.  I don't know if it's more powerful than the c50.  The c50 ratios are actually similar to that of the star 1100.  I like the liquid cooled aspect of the suzuki.  It gets hot here and the only problem I have is cooling down the rider.  The suzukui is capable of commuting in 116 degrees, which I unfortunately had to find out the hard way.

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike.  It probably comes down to how well the bike fits you when you sit down on it.

Good luck and have fun.  

Thanks for the reply. There's a dealer in Orlando, Florida that selling the C50 for $5399.00 and that's a 2009 model. Waiting to see if they will have a special on the C50T. My wife can't wait and neither can I. Thanks again.  

Hi.The STAR 950 Tourer is an excellent bike as is the Boulevard C50T. These are both very good choices for first time bikes. I would highly recommend you do 2 things before any two-up rides:1) get your MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation - training & certification, 2) get some solo miles on the bike so you are comfortable and familiar with the handling. Whichever bike you choose, enjoy the ride!  

Thanks, now I'm really torn between the two. I'm taking the MSF course next month. The bike will be use mostly to go to work and back and go to bike night with the wife. Also to go to the beach which is 5 mintues from the house.