Suzuki C50(T)/M50 to small??

[jrw69]

Hey guys/gals,

I am new here and a newbie rider and got a lot of help from my "Am I Crazy" post, but I wanted to try and reach more people so here goes.

I was pretty much set on getting the C50 as my first bike until I joined a forum that caters to that bike. Most of the 800cc guys there are saying they can't stand the "buzz" they get at highway speeds. I assuming they mean the 800 is pretty annoying at 70-75mph due to not having a 6th gear. A lot of them are moving up in size.

So, to try and avoid the own a bike try and sale a year later an move up process, should I just go to say the 1100-1300cc range first? I will be doing mostly highway commuting 70-80mph but with in town as well. Is that way to big both weight/cc for a new rider?

Thoughts/suggestion please!!
Thanks!

[jrw69]

P.S. I am 5'9", 175lbs with a 31" inseam if that helps.

[goalie]

jrw:

I am the same size as you within 1/2 inch and 5 pounds. My first bike was a 1200cc. Granted, I had a very experienced friend to ride with, but I had no trouble with the learning curve. Now, I am very happy not to have started with a smaller displacement bike. This is mostly because the type of riding I do is a total mix of around town, country lanes, highways and mountain twisties. I'm not so sure I could have had the breadth of ridability with a smaller bike.

When I looked at the Boulevards, my recollection was that they were about 100 pounds heavier than my HD and about 25 less ft lbs of torque. I don't know if that is still true, but it made a difference to me. I remember feeling that the Boulevard was quite a "heavy" feeling machine.

I personally would have gone to the Honda Shadow or V-Star or HD 883 for the same prices as the Boulevard.

If the buzz over 70 mph concerns you (and your buddies), I'm not certain what you all mean. Obviously, a larger displacement and more money will result in a choice of bikes that are more comfortable at high speeds for longer periods of time. If I was driving highway speeds for hours at a time, I would probably want something bigger (and presumably smoother) than what I currently have.

Then again, many have purchased used first bikes and ridden for a year before deciding what they really want. A good used bike should not be much of a loss at resale if its taken care of.

[Jeff10236]

Any V-twin will vibrate, and any of the smaller ones can be pretty noticeable at highway speeds. The C50 also can be marginal as far as power when up at highway speeds if you need to pass or get away from someone (like if a cager isn't paying attention and they start to change lanes into your lane). From what I understand, the Vulcan 900 and V-Star 950 are a pretty good improvement on the highway.

That said, the C50 is a darned good starter bike anyway. It is well balanced and easy to control at slow speed maneuvers. In about 90% of the riding most people will do on these bikes they are terrific. At 60mph and under it is a lot of fun and actually handles half decently for a cruiser. The first few months you are riding you actually don't want too much power as it is easy to accidentally grab too much throttle. When that happens, the bike throws you backwards, and the tendency is to grab the bars and pull yourself forward, often causing you to roll the throttle more. On a bike with too much power this can be a major problem and outright dangerous. On the C50 it is just a little scary (don't worry too much about this, it only happened a couple times for me, but the first weeks or months, depending upon how often you ride, will be an adjustment). Also, the power delivery is very predictable and pretty smooth (true of many/most of the V-twin cruisers). Finally, while there are applications where I wish my C50 had more power or an additional gear, it is certainly more than adequate (I have had it up to about 80mph on the interstates and it would have done more if I wanted, I've had it out for hours at a time at highway speeds, and since I swapped out the seat, I've started some short tours on it and may do a longer tour on it if I haven't replaced it by the time I go).

While, at times I wish I had started with a Vulcan 900 (I actually liked it a little better, long story on why I got the C50 instead) or a Sportster, I think the C50 has served me very well as a starter bike. My main suggestion would be to start used. No matter what you buy there is a good chance that you'll want to replace it in a year or so. As you ride, you will refine what you want out of your motorcycle and you may find that what you want now isn't what suits your needs in 6 months or a year. Eventually, you'll get used to the power and want more with any beginner appropriate bike. Go used, and when you are ready to trade it, you won't be out very much money in depreciation, and if you shop carefully and then sell it yourself you may actually come out nearly even.

As for starting larger, usually I would suggest against that. With cruisers, weight is a bigger issue than power. Over 600LBS is a lot for a beginner to handle. A bigger, heavier bike increases the chances you'll drop it when stopping or find slow speed maneuvers difficult. As for goalie, he has a Sportster 1200. Different animal than the 1100 and 1300cc Japanese cruisers. Many of the Japanese bikes generally put their engines in a frame about a size larger than needed for the engine size. The 1100cc and 1300cc Japanese bikes will be around the size and weight of the 1600cc Dyna class Harley Davidsons. The 1200cc Sporty is on the same frame as the 883 Sporty which is a good starter bike. They are fairly light for cruisers, quite nimble (for cruisers) and the power delivery is quite predictable and manageable (even though the 1200 has some pretty good torque). Of course, the smaller frame means a less comfortable ride at highway speeds, and most people say that the Sporty isn't the best bike for the highway (though check some HD and Sporty forums, there are people who actually tour on them).

[AikinutNY]

There is a MOD that uses the final drive from a 1400 to reduce engine speed at highway speeds. Beside the cost of buying a used unit you have to have the input shaft shortened.

Take a look at Volusiariders.com

I don't know if this will get you in.

http://www.volusiariders.com/58-moto...explained.html

[jrw69]

Thanks for the info, Jeff what a write up!! Very informational and exactly what I was looking for someone to explain. I think I am actually doing too much research. I am on about 3-4 different forums and just getting more confused on all the info I am getting. Chains vs. shaft, air vs liquid, carbs vs fuel injected, too small vs. too big. WOW I never thought it would be this hard.

I will say that I will pretty much have to be in the 2002-2007 age range and around $3500+/- wit the average being about 6000-8000 miles. Yamaha V-Star 650, Honda Spirit 750, or Suzuki C50(T) seem to be my narrowed down three options. ANY guidance/info/thought are very much appreciated.

[Jeff10236]

Originally Posted by jrw69

Thanks for the info, Jeff what a write up!! Very informational and exactly what I was looking for someone to explain. I think I am actually doing too much research. I am on about 3-4 different forums and just getting more confused on all the info I am getting. Chains vs. shaft, air vs liquid, carbs vs fuel injected, too small vs. too big. WOW I never thought it would be this hard.

I will say that I will pretty much have to be in the 2002-2007 age range and around $3500+/- wit the average being about 6000-8000 miles. Yamaha V-Star 650, Honda Spirit 750, or Suzuki C50(T) seem to be my narrowed down three options. ANY guidance/info/thought are very much appreciated.

Yeah, it is useful to research and get what you want. However, don't do it until you are confused. All the usual middle-weight cruisers (V-Star 650, Shadow, C50, M50, S50, Vulcan 900, V-Star 950, HD Sportster) make terrific starter bikes so don't worry about getting something in that class that is terrible for what you want. They aren't too heavy, they have decent power to reasonably get you out on any road, yet don't have a power delivery that is likely to get away from you. Find something you like and get yourself out on the road, what you want will likely change a bit over the first few months of experience anyway so go used so you can replace it easily when it is time, and just get something decent to get yourself out there...

[jrw69]

Thanks Jeff, I think your the first person that as come out and said I would be good with any of them! I know people are always partial to what they ride and I assume I will be that too one day, I was just getting myself really confused with all the info. With that said, I found a really sweet Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 800 that I like!

[distantThunder]

jrw .. think that the opinions of current owners count for a lot. that's why i suggested that you talk to them. i don't see a problem with the 1000-1300 cc range.

dT

[jrw69]

Thunder you are very correct! Well since all I can do at this point is sit on one and not ride, I went and sat on a few today. I'm not real happy that there isn't a way to test drive unless I meet some dude on craig's list with $4K in my wallet. The dealer I went to said I can only test drive something brand new with in house financing. Ain't happening.

I don't think I have ever bought anything motorized without giving it a spin first. Anyway, I am going with either the Suzuki C50 or the Vulcan 900 Classic. They both felt very comfortable to me. I sat on a large one 1300cc I think and there was a big difference in weight and the seat was huge(wide). I want to try and find either in 2006-2007 (my price range) since that will give me fuel injection on both and everyone seems to agree that is best, and belt or shaft for lower maintenance. I'll just have to work up bigger after a few years.

[nigj]

I just left M50 in the US/M800 in Europe and bought BMV r1100rt. My reason for leaving the cruicer fammily was the fact that it is not made for highway speed. Personaly I think windscreens looks bad on these bikes and since it is a naked bike this kind of speed makes allot of wind. But on a sunny day on low speed it is like heaven riding a cruicer and M50//M800 or VS 50 has allot of power more than enough.

[jrw69]

nigj, pretty ironic that you posted as I was just looking at a used 2006 F650CS. I don't know if I can get around the looks or not, but I think I have pretty much steered away from 500 pound cruiser as my first bike. That can be later when I can road trip. I just wish I was a lot taller to enjoy some of the BMW bikes or could afford a new one!

[Kiwi Steve]

jrw69, I love my 2010 Boulevard M50. Went riding the other day with 3 other (much more experienced) riders, 2 on 1100 sports bikes and the other on a bigger HD. We cruised at about 120km/hr (75 mph) for nearly 300 km - 190 miles - on what you'd call 'country roads'. A couple of times I got held up by traffic so caught up with them with a bit of a burst at about 140 km/hr (85 mph) and felt very comfortable and safe.

I think that mid size cruiser range is an ideal starting point. I did 24,000 km - 15,000 miles - on a 250 cruiser first, but each to their own. But I'd definitely recommend that you take as many bikes out for a demo ride as possible, if only for the fun of it.

BTW, I didn't like the Honda Shadow 750 though, thought it felt overweight and underpowered. Thought the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 was OK, but I chose the Boulevard M50 because there was one at a great price, mags, shaft drive, and I loved the colour (Candy Orange Max!)

[jrw69]

Thanks Kiwi, one day gonna come visit your piece of the world, your a lucky man to be there! Anyway, I have never been more confused on what to get. I do "research" every night and wake up more confused than ever. I like too many bikes, but making myself look small and learn smart with without having to fight with the weight/size of a bike. I've narrowed it down to about 15 bikes now, ha ha!!

[goalie]

jrw,

Don't get hung up so much on the weight of a bike. A low seat height that allows the rider to flat-foot makes anything up to about 600 pounds really unnoticeable. I cannot think of even one occasion in the past year that the weight of my bike was a consideration (537 pounds dry). For a new rider, I would think the smooth, predictable delivery of power and not too high seat height are tremendously bigger factors than the difference between a 380 pound and 550 pound bike.

[jrw69]

Goalie, you have answered on probably ever one of my post so as you can tell I am all over the place! I was dead set on a C50T the one in the picture I am on with my son we sat on at the dealership. Then, like always I get to researching and getting advice. It all became too big (cc's), too heavy, no control at parking lot speeds= dump the bike, foot forwards low seat is better, no higher upright feet under is better. Don't get me wrong, I have learned a lot since joining here and I love it, but I seem to be more confused by what everyone says. But no one is wrong. I've sat on at least 10 different bikes and to be honest they all felt great other than the Rebel and a dual sport. I know no one can pick the bike for me, and I need to narrow it down to what I can enjoy for about the next 5 years. I won't have the money to keep upgrading every few years. I've got three boys 12-20 that get most of our money!

[Kiwi Steve]

Choosing a bike is the greatest time, the perfect excuse for taking bikes out on a test ride! Ride as many bikes as you can.

I am biased, I think the Boulevard M50 is a great bike. But then we don't have many 'highways' as you know them down here, most of our 'main' roads you would describe as country roads. But I have no problems cruising at 110 - 120 kmphr (around 70 mph), at that speed there's more than enough pick up to pull out and pass. But how much highway riding will you be doing?

I chose the M50 over the C50 because it had foot pegs/not plates and I didn't like the ducks arse turn up on the bottom of the mudguards on the C50. And the one I bought was at a great price, and I love the colour - Candy Orange Max!

As a new rider, I agree with goalie and recommend something with a low seat (feet flat on the ground at stop) and low centre of gravity (makes it easy to handle at low speeds). That's where you'll drop your bike if you do, low speed. But a cruiser of up to 250 kg (550 lb) or so is easy to handle because of the low CoG.

Hey, just get as many test rides as you can. That's the only to make a decision.

[jrw69]

Maybe its a Texas thing or the same in different parts of the U.S. but there are no test rides, unless I walk around with the price of each bike in wallet. Every ad I have seen says "let me hold the cash and you can test ride." The dealers are the same, I have to fill out every piece of paperwork and sign that I will buy it after the test ride. Whatever I choose I will be buying having zero miles ridden on it. I will admit, I have a BIG problem with that.

[slumlord]

One more thing in the mix is "where do I put my feet?"
What I really mean by that is the location of the pegs really affects how you ride the bike. on one of your other unanswered posts,you were considering a 70's or 80's bike,and those bikes have your feet roughly straight beneath you.
For me,I like this feature,because it lets me bear weight on the pegs when a sudden dip or bump in the road shows up. Some of the heat related humps are so severe this summer that I place my feet on the rear pegs once I am in high gear at speed, for even more ability to keep my back from getting hammered on my CB360.
I am not you,however,and this your decision and is gonna be tough for you to determine in the show room. As for the modern bikes,Triumph and BMW probably have the most bikes with the pegs where I like them. The closest you can get in the showroom to really testing the pegs is to have a bike on a center stand and put some weight on those pegs.
There is a body-position app I put on here a while back that lets you dial in your body size and shows you how a bike would fit
http://www.motorcycleforum.com/showthread.php?t=105789
And Here it is...

[jrw69]

Thanks Slumlord, I agree with you about feet placement. I sit on a cruiser and its comfortable, but it does feel weird to me to have my feet so far forward. I could see where it would be nice on a long ride, but it town a little be uneasy feeling. I actually went yesterday and sat two bikes I have been considering. One is the Yamaha Virago 535, kind of mix between standard bike and a cruiser, I really liked the feel of that bike. I also sat on a 2012 Suzuki TU250. While I don't really know if I want one of those, I will say it felt awesome to sit on. Almost like being on a dirt bike that I could flat foot. Everything felt really natural to me being up like that. I have heard really good things about this bike too.

[skysearch0005]

Hey jrw, I had the same experience 4 years ago after getting my license. Since there is also no test driving in Ohio, the final decision was based solely on research and testimonials. I wanted to be comfortable, I wasn't looking to go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds, I wanted to be on the freeway for commutes (not cross country trips). As a new rider, I also wanted to plant both feet, and liked the cruiser look. And the winner... yeah, it was the Boulevard M50. Basically, every middle-weight cruiser comparison I read had the M50 at the head of the class. It really was the perfect starter bike, and still really enjoy riding it to this day. In a perfect world, I'd move up to something bigger (I guess), but don't ever want to be on something like a Goldwing, which basically looks like a car on two wheels. The M50 is fun to ride, and find it performs best in the 60 - 80 mph range. Although I see some saying different, the acceleration from 60 - 80 gets me out of any "situation" on the freeway. Also like the wide tires. As a new rider, best to have more rubber on the road.

Good luck!

[Kiwi Steve]

Exactly what skysearch0005 said