new bike input

[cheyne911]

To all input greatly needed..... I haven't ridden in year and bikes have changed a lot but here are the ones I'm looking at.

Honda Shadow sabre 1100

Kawasaki 900 custom

Harley sporster 1200

longevity questions? Maintainance and upkeep questions? User comfort and happiness?

Looking to the vast knowledge of the form.

[hsartteacher]

I think Shadows and Sportsters are good re-entry cruiser bikes; not familiar wtih the Kawi.

I know you 've ridden before; but, have you thought about taking the local MSF class as a refresher? Good luck to ya!!

[cheyne911]

Already have signed up for the class.

[hsartteacher]

Great. You might want to post a Q about Harley Sportster in the Harley forum, the Shadow Sabre in the Honda forum, etc. because a lot of people don't read this particular forum. I personally think there are TOO MANY sub-forums, but there ya go!

I ride a Suzuki SV 650S and started on a Triumph Bonneville, so again sorry I can't be of more help! :confused: but welcome and good luck!!;)

[primalmu]

I personally think there are TOO MANY sub-forums, but there ya go!

Seriously... this forum could easily be integrated into the New Rider's forum. By itself it is just superfluous.

[cheyne911]

Seriously... this forum could easily be integrated into the New Rider's forum. By itself it is just superfluous.

Great reply and thoughts ....glad that you put in the effort.

[Dodsfall]

Seriously... this forum could easily be integrated into the New Rider's forum. By itself it is just superfluous.

This forum was put in place as an introduction forum for new members who aren't riding yet, but want to say hello.

[primalmu]

This forum was put in place as an introduction forum for new members who aren't riding yet, but want to say hello.

That may be true, and that's fine, but I'd say at least 25% of the posts here should be on the New Rider forum.

[Dodsfall]

longevity questions? Maintainance and upkeep questions? User comfort and happiness?


I'm partial to the Sportster myself. Maintenence is a snap. There are members here with over 100,000 miles on their Sporties.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the bikes you listed. All would be excellent to own and last for many, many miles if properly cared for.

[cheyne911]

I have been on a couple of the models that I have listed. So far the fix seems right . I have noticed a couple of things that I we want on which ever bike I get.

So far what I am seening in my choise comes down to what I can find at the best price. All the research that I have done has shown that each bike looks good.

My next step is to ride a few and try and narrow it down some.

thanks again

[Dodsfall]

The Vulcan will probably have the lowest price of the ones you listed.

[gammaqueen]

Like Dods, I am partial to the Sportster. I think all your choices would be fine though. Are you planning on buying new? If so the 2007 and up Sporty's have EFI and I believe the 2009 Vulcan's do also.

[Gills]

Cheyne, thanks for doing some of my dirty work for me. Makes my job easy when some one else is looking at the same bikes I am. It comes down to comfort. When we get our Class out of the way, we can start taking some test rides. Narrow it down from there.


That may be true, and that's fine, but I'd say at least 25% of the posts here should be on the New Rider forum.

Just for your info...Your Intro section states this, "Please don't start an Introduction thread if you're not yet a rider "

[cheyne911]

That we will and I can't wait.



But what prey tell is with flicking me The form says.....

"NO MOTORCYCLE YET BUT SOON WILL A place for non-riders to introduce themselves and discuss plans."
I see how you are.
:):):):):):):):)

[Gills]

That was directed at the other guy.

We should go check some out next week. I have yet to hop on a Vulcan.

[Dodsfall]

You are posting in the right place.

[cheyne911]

We text....we call...we email....now we blog what is going to be next??????


It needs to be a 2 fer I'm thinking that we might need a day of bike shop tours, research, food , and ?????

I say Wed?

[Gills]

Works for me.

Does any one else reading this have any more input on what models bike mentioned above is the better of the three? Or another suggestion?

[Goliath616]

I have a suggestion, while you are out and about looking at bikes, stop into a Suzuki dealer and look the Boulevards over, the C50's are 800cc and the C90's are 1400cc, I have an '08 C50 and I love it.

[Gills]

I've seen a few of those already. Need to find more used ones for differening peg placement. The 800cc is a little cramped for me. and the larger one is just too much bike for now.

[Goliath616]

you can get a forward control kit for the C50, it moves the stock floorboards up 3 1/2 inches, and it is only $140. I read about them on another forum and I bought the kit, it comes with a new bar for the brake, an extension for the shifter, and 2 brackets, it also has an instruction sheet with pictures. I am just a shade tree mechanic, I can fix some things, but not real complex stuff, and it only took me about 45 min to install this kit on my bike. I bought it from here http://www.johnskits.com/ I am not affiliated in anyway with this site, I am just a satisfied customer. He also sells lowering bones for these bikes, check it out.

[Gills]

That's good to know.

This week we are going to be checking out a few more places and sitting on a few more bikes. Still have a month to go before we take the class, so we have plenty of time to look and feel.