Looking for my first cruiser!

I am 52, 5' 7", 185 lbs and first time motorcycle owner/rider.  I bought my Raider-S a day before I took the course, the course was delayed a week due to weather (Colorado in January).  A lot of people thought I was crazy buying a 1900cc bike.  But the bike is so well balanced and I can sit flat footed that I feel very comfortable on it.  The salesman did not over sell me.  I was interested in the Vstar 650 but as soon as I saw the Raider-S I couldn't go through with the 650cc.  And my wonderful wife said to get what I wanted.  I am not into speed but love the corners.  The foot pegs have extensions on the bottom to protect the pegs in cornering.  I never thought I would get close to dragging those but I hit both on one trip. The power issue is all in the mind.  Your mind controls the throttle.  I have 1200 miles on the Raider and I am comfortable with the weight and power of the bike.  I ride in within my capabilities and the class' SEE training keeps me on my toes.  

Pheonix9, thanks for the info. I sat on the M50 and it was quite comfortable. The benefit to buying the Suzuki is that the dealer is only 20 miles from home. I have yet to try out the Honda's, as they are located on the other side of the island, about 100 miles one way, so servicing is also a concern. I do however like the styling of the Honda's and have been considering the Honda VTX 1300. My intention is for longevity so I am not too concerned with reselling. Any info on the VTX 1300's? Thanks for all the help!  

I got back onto a bike after 30 years of no riding whatsoever.  I am 60 years old, and I am riding an '05 Victory Hammer.  I would advise ANYONE looking for a cruiser to look at the Victory line.  They're the best American bike out there.  Since 2005 on the Hammer model & 2006 all models, they feature 100 ci, (1634cc)fuel-injected motors and 6-speed overdrive transmissions. I love the look of them too--the best-looking production cruisers on the road.

The Hammer was a real beast for me--the bike I rode 30 years ago was a 250 or 360 Honda or something like that.  Small.  Too small.

While the idea of a big cruiser made me a bit nervous, I decided to jump in with both feet and don't regret it a bit.  Buy your second bike first.  And one bit of advice for new riders--get a lot of practice handling the bike at slow speeds.  Learning how to perform slow turns, swerving, controlling the friction zone & throttle are important skills gained with practice, experience and attention.  This will make you feel comfortable & confident with any bike you have, small or large.  Performing a U-turn at 4 or 5 miles an hour is really a tricky maneuver at first.  But work on these things until they become second nature.

Some of this is taught in the MSF Rider course.  For more advanced handling, have a look at ridelikeapro.com.  I have their DVD and appreciate what it represents, but I haven't had the time to really work on the slow-speed maneuvers covered.

The Victory hasn't missed a beat--it is responsive and delivers power when you want or need it without hesitation.  They are belt-driven, which is probably the best drive method to have; shaft drive presents some rideability issues.

Someone asked about the Honda VT1300s.  One thing to note is that Honda doesn't make a fuel-injected bike--they all have carburetors.  Personally I would only look at injected bikes.

I don't know what to say to the guy who says he doesn't like the V-twin sound.  Get a Suzuki SV or BMWs--they are quiet.  

HI folks looking to purchase my 1st cruiser,have not rode in over 20 yrs , I am 6 feet tall , 235lbs athletic build & 40years old.I have gone to different dealers to sit on many bikes suzuki c50,c90  bit too small for me felt uncomfortable .Sat on a suzuki c109 & kawasaki vulcan 2000 felt very comfortable I KNOW THESE ARE BIG BIKE'S but they feel great.I wiil be taking the M.S.F courses.What bike should i get.  

HI; First take the MSC. Then get the big bike that fits you. If you get one that is sooo small that you'll want to get rid of it.Just get the one that fits.  You will be way happier and you won't be looking for another bike within a year or so. I have a C50T and like it. It fits me great. The C90 and the 109 were way to big for me. I don't have to have the bigiest and badest bike anymore.. This one fits my size and riding style. I have changed some stuff. Lots of chrome... .
Get the bike that fits you. They all have throttles so you don't have to use all the gas all the time. It's fun though..RIDE SAFE and have fun scruffy..  

38, 5'9", 180 and also looking for my first bike. I knew right off that the frenetics and seating position associated with a crotch rocket were not for me. I have been wanting a Guzzi but didn't really want to afford what that would cost me. My ideal bike, then, was a Yami Warrior. But, after much soul searching, I felt like, after taking the MSF class and getting the feel and learning what role weight would play, I decided to scale back for my first bike. Yamaha doesn't seem to make anything that is like a Warrior but lighter. The M50 was as close as I could get. I haven't bought yet, so if anyone has any other similar ideas please feel free to throw them out there. I don't like the "big wheel" look of the custom bikes and the tourers are quite sporty enough. It's been a tough search with a lot of research and dealerships that give test rides are far and few between. I just really don't want to buy something and then want to get something else 6 months down the road.  

I have been riding for nearly 40 years and one thing I have found out in that time is that bigger really is better and the power saves you more times than the brakes. People who buy small 750's and even 900's move up quickly to "mid-size" (that seems so funny now) 1500's pretty quickly. I see no difference in the innate drivability of those two sizes of bikes. When you are in trouble though, many times, horsepower is the savior. It has been for me many times over the years. I ride an old (95) 1500 Kaw Vulcan. I love that old bike, love its power, love its looks and it is nimble. I love them all but think HD is sooooo overpriced for the "quality". Have a blast looking and riding, hope it is as good for you as it has been for me. See ya long the road.  

Thanks guys definetly will be taking the MSC, hope to see you guys on the road ride safe. Could anyone tell me which bike is better SUZUKI C109R OR KAWASAKI VULCAN 2000.  

If you are considering those two bikes you owe it to yourself to try a Yamaha Stratoliner (or Roadliner)!!!  I am 60 years old 5'7", 160 lbs and am VERY comfortable on the Strat!!!  When I tried out the Suzi and the Kaw I found them to be heavy-feeling, top-heavy, and hard to maneuver.  The Strat is balanced, easy to ride, easy to stop..........and most importantly.......FAST!!!  Do not let the size intimidate you, test drive it.  You will be sold.  I went from an HD softail to a Roadstar to this Strat and am totally sold!!  The MSC is THE most important thing you can do to raise your level of confidence and capabilities.  And don't forget to drive like everyone is out to get you and you will probably be all right.  

I spent the past six months doing struggling with the same question. I looked at the Vulcan 900 and the Boulevard C50T. I kept coming back to the C50T. Not sure why. I liked the bigger motor and belt drive over the C50T. I liked the styling and feel of the C50T over the Vulcan. In the end I got the C50T last week. I put 275 miles on in in short order and without a doubt made the right decision for me. I am 52 years old, 5'8", 200 pounds and a short 30 inch inseam. The Vulcan and C50T both felt good between my legs. The C50T felt better on my arms and shoulders as I held the handlebars and the seat felt better. Cruising on the freeway at 70 mph is comfortable. Riding in town is easy as the bike is light enough to twist and turn in most any situation. I have several friends who are 5'10" to 6' 1" who have all taken a ride on my bike and ALL loved it. Most ride Harley's and were suprised at the feel and ride. I have owned three Harley's in the past (Dyna, Springer and FLHTC) I have a hip problem and could not handle the weight of a bigger bike. The C50T is the perfect bike for me. Good luck with which ever one you choose.  

I was basically in the situation. The last bike I owned was 1980 Yamaha 400. I rode my brothers 04/05 Honda 1100 about three years ago, very different feel and handling, not to mention the foward controls instead of footpegs. I now own a 02 Honda VTX 1800. I started out looking for a 1300 VTX, but got this one at for about the same price. I don't regret it! Depending on how much time you spend on, it all comes back to you rather quickly.  

Seems to be a lot of us old farts out of riding for 2 decades getting back onto 2 wheels.  I am also back on 2 wheels after 2 decades.  Bought a used 78 GL1000 in beautiful shape.  I'm 6-3 and about 250 (and losing).  It's a naked Goldwing and the 'standard' position makes me feel exposed and 'gangly', plus it seems vulnerable to wind gusts at higher speeds.  I'm searching for a heavier bike and am torn between a Touring bike and a cruiser with a touring package.  Have eliminated H-D because of cost (but would love a Road King or Electra Glide Standard, or etc..), and the newer Goldwings because it's basically a 2-wheeled convertable (plus it just feels too small).  Am looking seriously at the Honda VTX1800, but the Vulcan has also caught my eye.  I eliminated the Boulevard after sittng on it - it was like sitting on a cow - a big cow (not being critical, becuase I didn't ride it, it was just so very bulky).  I'll post once I make my decision.  I did find the article in the August 2008 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser very helpful, and would like to find more similar comparing the Vulcan to others in the same class...regards  

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.

Hi. I am 6'4 and 290, a newbie at 45 years of age.  I bought a 2004 Honda VTX-C from a used bike dealer for $5,500.00 < 10K miles.  It's very reliable and has plenty of power to carry all this meat.  Very comfortable bike, though it needs highway pegs. Tips?  Big guys need > 1200 cc's. Avoid spokes- inner tubes; too hard to fix a flat on the road. Get an AirHawk seat cushion.  Cruisers let you stretch your legs but put all the weight on your tail-bone area.  Ride it before you by it.  Bikes are like women.  A pretty one that hurts you will get old fast.  

I purchased a 2007 Suzuki m50 (very similar to the c50) in March and couldn't be happier.  (I'm in maryland and just last weekend rode into VA over White's Ferry).

The bike has planty of power for highway cruising (I'm 6 ft and 210 lbs) and it's very easy to manage and ride around town at slow speeds

I picked up a s40 used first but I ended up trading it in for the m50 after only 750 miles.  it was just too small  

Newbie here,

I'll be taking the MSF Course in early October. I was looking at the Suzuki and Yamaha 650s and the Honda Aero 750 as a first ride , but I'm a little worried that they may not big enough. I'm 43 - 5'7" 180lbs. I'll mainly be commuting back and forth to work with the idea of upgrading to something bigger in two or three years. Of the three bikes the Honda felt the most comfortable, any input?