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is a 750 cruiser big enough to move a 6'4" 205 guy?

50K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  Retired Guy 
#1 ·
Hi, im lookin at buyin my first bike. I am on a tight budget so I am lookin to go bigger right away (i know its bad for learning, but i dont have the funds to do the whole "buy small then trade in" deal... i need something that i will be happy keepin for a while).

I've been lookin at cruisers like v-stars, shadows, and sportsters... im a big fan of the 2000 and up era v stars...

I was mostly wondering what everyones opinions were on engine size versus body size... My friends dad, a big time harley guy, was sayin that i would get bored quick with a 750 vtwin Honda shadow that i was lookin at... everything was perfect (looked beautiful, forward controls, aftermarket pipes, handelbar style i wanted, price was dirt cheap for the miles) but he said a 750 would have a hard time moving me...

On the other hand, my girlfriends dad, another veteran harley guy, said that that was "bullsh*t"... that people always say engines of that size arent big enough but thats not true.... he said that goes for all motorsports, from atv's to motorcycles... this guy is an atv instructor and has just about every man toy available so i listen to him when he talks about this stuff... he is also bias though, because he is about 5' tall and at least 50 lighter than me...

What do you guys think? is a 750 big enough to go decently fast (80 mph) on if you you are over six feet and just past 200 lbs with out the bike sandbagging it? Im not necisarily looking to go that fast, but i have a friend that has a 1200 sportster that i will ride with alot, and i need to be able to at least be able to try to keep up with him, and i dont want to be doubting my bike when i want to get up to speed on the highway...

basicly I don't want to waste my time with a bike i will be over qualified for in a year... any advice?
 
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#2 ·
A 750 will move along very well with you on it. It should be able to take you over 100 MPH no problem.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you want to ride your own ride. Trying to keep up with more experienced riders while you are learning can get you in trouble if they don't make allowances for your inexperience. If the people you are riding with are leaving you behind and making you feel like you have to ride beyond your skills to keep up, find new people to ride with.
 
#3 ·
yeah, thats true... this guy is my best friend though, and hes responsible... im sure he would be very cool about the situation... thanks for the input..

just a question though.. why do people say that lower cc's like that aren't powerful enough? From the people that said i should go bigger there reasoning was that my body size (athletic build, but like i said very tall and broad shouldered) would create too much drag for it... is there some truth to that?
 
#5 ·
From the people that said i should go bigger there reasoning was that my body size (athletic build, but like i said very tall and broad shouldered) would create too much drag for it... is there some truth to that?
Do you have to ride in a car that has a V-8 engine because a V-6 just won't pull the weight? :D

Motorcycles in general have a lot more power than you are thinking they do. Be careful out there.
 
#7 ·
He's full of baloney. The numbers I've found on the net show the Honda Shadow puts out around 40 HP and about 48 ft-lbs of torque. In contrast, the 1200 Sportster puts out around 65 HP and 67 ft-lbs of torque. Not a whole heck of a lot of difference for 450cc more.

V-twin engines are torque machines, not HP machines. A 750cc bike will have no problem matching the speed of a 1200cc bike, though the Sportster will probably accelerate quicker.

If you're thinking realistically, a 750 will be fine. But, if you fall into the "gotta have more cc's" mentality, then you won't be happy until you've got a 1600cc monster.

Did a mention that a Honda is gonna be way cheaper to buy and maintain? ;)
 
#8 ·
Now as you already know, cruiers with V-twin are as someone has alerady said are torque machines. They are much more forgiving than sportbikes with short stroke inlines.

I believe you can go up to 1100cc cruiser if your comfort sitting on it requires so. As far as power is concerned, 750cc is definitely big enough to pull your weight. A 750cc Honda Shadow my friend had could go faster than my 1450cc Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic which weighs about 300 lbs. more than his bike. If the Shadow is comfortable when you sit on it, go for it. All Shadows are such refined bikes, you will be very happy.
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#9 ·
Your taller, but I out-weigh you by 10 to 15 lbs. My 500 works just fine with my weight. Sometimes too quick of accelleration if I'm not careful. It likes to roll along between 60-65 for best mileage, but will ask for more at + 70 mph.
 
#10 ·
we got a used V-star 1100 for 3500. and it came with two jackets and a helmet...
there are great deals out there in any size or shape you are lookin' for. there is no reason you couldn't ride a 750 with no problems. hell, you could ride a 250 and be fine. the cc overinflation thing has happened in the last decade or so. remember 20 years ago a HD 883 was a big bad...
rife...
 
#12 ·
I agree with the others on here. Your buddy on his 1200 sportster will more than likley smoke you off the line if he wanted to open it up. Hell I have a friend with a 1200 sportster and he can slowly pull away from me on my 1100 v-star. That doesn't mean a 750 wont pull you around though, I doubt you will have any problems just make sure you have a comfortable fit you don't want to be bent up rattling your head between your knees when your out cruising for hours.
 
#14 ·
Friend of mine rides a Honda 750 V-twin Cruiser and he rides the dog snot out of it. He's got about 150# on you. Not the fastest; sometimes his mileage ain't the best - but he's there with us. ;)
 
#15 ·
i'm 6'3, 190 and I have a 94 Yamaha Virago 750 that gets me around pretty good. I ride with my friend who has a new 2008 Sportster 1200. We've been on some 200+ mile rides and I can keep up with him.
Also, if you're looking for a used bike, a good option is to check out Craigslist.
 
#16 ·
Weight Limits and CCs

This reply is about a year too late, but I found this thread by searching for weight limits. Here is my experience.

2009 was my first year of riding. I'm a woman, weigh 295 at 5 feet, 10 inches. I opted for a cheap 83 Honda Shadow VT500 for my first bike knowing I would have to upgrade. I wanted enough power to haul me around town & country roads (NO interstates!).

I needed a lighter first bike so I could actually pick it up if I dropped it. I also did NOT want a great looking bike ... I figured if it was pretty, I would be more inclined to show off and then wreck due to my inexperience. My Honda is definitely not a looker, but the 500cc has plenty of power for just me at 65 MPH. And I get 50 MPG.

Hope this helps future riders.
 
#17 ·
imhoffg

Absolutely 750cc is enough for you - in fact, I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you have not test road a Shadow.

I think your problem will be finding a bike that is comfortable for your height. I think a Vstar 1100 with forward controls would be great - even the shadow 750 with forwards would be nice.
 
#18 ·
You should consider the size of the bike's frame firstly. Some are shorter, some have less space for long legs and the seating position also differs.

Find a bike that handles your height. The Shadow 750 will certainly handle your weight. I am about 235 lbs and I ride a 750. No problem.
 
#23 ·
LMAO... good question, and my personal reply is.. If my 245 lb neighbor can get a 250cc scooter to push his a@@ to the speed limits , I would have to say.... well yes! 100%

years ago when i bought my daughter her first two wheel machine, a 49cc pocket bike, she was reluctant to get on it. So dad got his a@@ on there looking like a clown on a unicycle and got it to full speed. after that she was all for it. and rode the Pi$$ out of it. Now its a wall decoration in my garage..
 
#25 ·
Its funny when someone post to and old article
(I seen that, but was responding to the post 2hrs before mine), and dosent pay attention to the OP date, but its even funnier when an OG has to chime in and point fingers.... It takes more to be humble, than to be the one who points the finger. Be Humble!!
 
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