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Looking for a cheap cruiser to buy

1641 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  Steadfastly, 
troychambliss973
Hey everyone. I think I'm old enough to finally make my fantasies about being Ghost Rider real. I'm looking for a cheap and reliable cruiser (one that looks like Ghost Riders motorcycle) that I can get. I was thinking about something made by Honda. It dosent have to be that fast either. I also want one where I can have 2 people on there possibly.
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bweighmaster
Honda Shadow , I own 2 . Both Areo shaft drive ... Total cash prices $ 1800. And $ 2200. Found by staying on Marketplace daily till I found great deals ... 05 had 28,000 mi. Now has 55,000 ... 07 had 19,000 mi.
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bweighmaster
Hope you can find nice ones like mine , And , Welcome to the forum ... Here are pics ....
Tire Fuel tank Wheel Automotive fuel system Vehicle
Tire Wheel Fuel tank Automotive fuel system Vehicle
Tire Fuel tank Wheel Automotive fuel system Vehicle

Tire Wheel Fuel tank Automotive fuel system Vehicle
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Calculon
If you haven't taken the riders course and got your license, I would do that before getting too excited about what bike to buy. Your opinions on what bike to purchase may change, perhaps significantly. The riders course will give you a safe environment to assess your skills and if for some reason you decide motorcycling is not for you, which is not unusual, you won't have to sell the motorcycle you bought and likely take a bigger loss than the cost of the course.

The challenge with starting on a larger more capable bike is you have learn the skills you need on the road to save your arse while managing the weight and power of the motorcycle. A lighter more nimble, i.e. easier to handle, is a better tool to learning and your goal should be to learn to become a better rider.

Since you did not define cheap, which is very subjective, more concretely, it makes it harder to help. The Rebels 300/500 are good starter bikes and ABS is nice for a newbie. The Suzuki S40, Vulcan 500 and Virago 535 could work too, though the Virago and Vulcan are probably harder to find. Good luck my friend and welcme.
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wwb
Calculon said:
If you haven't taken the riders course and got your license, I would do that before getting too excited about what bike to buy. ......
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I second that motion. The riders course is a must for a new rider - plus, it will usually get you a break on your insurance.

I would also recommend trying test rides on some different styles of bike before you buy. You seem to have eliminated anything but a cruiser from consideration for no other reason than style. It's your money and your choice, but I (and many others) find a cruiser to be the least enjoyable type of bike to ride.
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RogerC60
+1 on the new rider course.

It sounds like you're trying to create an image. That's not too hard to do while you're sitting still, but to be able to project that image while moving requires skill, and that requires training and practice. Without that, you'll look great sitting still and look like a dope once you start moving.

I'm not trying to discourage you. Just don't want to see you putting the cart before the horse, so to speak.
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T
You need a Honda Fury if you want something close to ghost rider's bike.
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Bitterroot Bugler
<sarcasm ON>100% of my first bikes were all 1972 BSA 650 Thunderbolts. It was very good for me. THAT is the only rational choice.</sarcasm OFF>

There is no right answer, but darn-near everyone offering free advice on this forum are recommending: Step 1 - rider's course / Step 2 - medium-to-light weight bike. The consistency suggests a possibility that the experience may dictate those as good choices.
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bweighmaster
Mr. OP , Just for grinsies , How old are you , what experiance do you have ?
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gunsmoker
Troy, are you talking about a motorcycle that looks like this,

ridden by Nicolas Cage in the movie from back in 2007?

Wheel Tire Automotive tire Vehicle Tread


If so, that looks like a chopper style motorcycle custom-built from a Harley Davidson.
A very old one.
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gunsmoker
Toubikes said:
You need a Honda Fury if you want something close to ghost rider's bike.
Click to expand...

The Fury is almost a chopper, not quite to the same proportions as the one the Ghost Rider used. It has a long wheelbase of 71 inches and it's got a big motor 1300 cc for the 2022 models. It's a heavy bike at about 670 pounds. I'd say that's not a great choice for a first bike for a beginning rider unless you have significant experience on dirt bikes.
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GatorJoe
i agree that a Honda Shadow would be a good choice to start with mind find out in reality that the Ghost Rider Look is not very practical for overall use .. If start with a used Shadow and get confident on 2 wheels then maybe could consider the Ghost Rider look if really suits your needs .. When I went to a Honda Rebel had to modify it some but needed the DCT Transmission after 2 wrist surgeries .. When gave my Victory Cross Country which had more than ample storage space was a tough transition being able to carry things I thought needed to Ride with in about 1/4 the space used to ..


Wheel Tire Fuel tank Vehicle Automotive lighting


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bweighmaster
Looking cool ? I fancy a more conservitive look and value my safety more that ride an ill handling " cool looking " ride ... I've been on those chopper style bikes more than I care to discuss .. Not easy to manuver in city traffic , or winding roads either ...
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wwb
A drive-by poster? Still shows only one post.

And yeah, choppers are for looking at - NOT for riding.... uncomfortable position, lousy handling, poor brakes, diddly-squat for rear suspension travel (zero suspension travel on a hardtail), and annoyingly loud.
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bweighmaster
wwb said:
A drive-by poster? Still shows only one post.

And yeah, choppers are for looking at - NOT for riding.... uncomfortable position, lousy handling, poor brakes, diddly-squat for rear suspension travel (zero suspension travel on a hardtail), and annoyingly loud.
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Perfect description rode more than one ? I have , some really nice ones ... Expensive show stoppers . Just NOT FOR ME ...
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Y
troychambliss973 said:
Hey everyone. I think I'm old enough to finally make my fantasies about being Ghost Rider real. I'm looking for a cheap and reliable cruiser (one that looks like Ghost Riders motorcycle) that I can get. I was thinking about something made by Honda. It dosent have to be that fast either. I also want one where I can have 2 people on there possibly.
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any yamaha, i also love the scout. Used ones under $8,000
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GatorJoe
yoanimal said:
any yamaha, i also love the scout. Used ones under $8,000
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Scout would be a fine choice .. :) Mine after got done with it ..


Fuel tank Tire Wheel Automotive fuel system Vehicle
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ackhack
troychambliss973 said:
Hey everyone. I think I'm old enough to finally make my fantasies about being Ghost Rider real. I'm looking for a cheap and reliable cruiser (one that looks like Ghost Riders motorcycle) that I can get. I was thinking about something made by Honda. It dosent have to be that fast either. I also want one where I can have 2 people on there possibly.
Click to expand...
Honda Aero, 2000 and forward 1100. Ill suite your needs Well! Get a Memphis detachable Windscreen, You'll be ready to hit the road! Not to high on the screen enough to block some wind, but still able to see over! Modular helmet with a sunvisor that Pottstown is really helpful nowadays. It could be yellow or gray. Best of luck
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bweighmaster
Honda Shadow on my list , and 2 in the garages .....
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S
Choppers look cool, but they aren't very practical in the long run. Plus, turning one around on the road is akin to turning an aircraft carrier around in a duck pond. I have owned an '02 Honda VTX 1800 that I bought new (in a crate) in '04. It's been a fantastic bike. Comfortable and plenty of power. If that seems a little large, you could downsize to the 1300 in the same model, or get a Shadow 1100 or even go a little smaller in the Shadow lineup. VTXs are out of production, but there are plenty of used ones on the market.
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