Another First Bike Thread

Sevulturus · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

Okay, so just from reading the forums for 5 minutes I realize that there are a ton of these threads, and I should realistically just post in an older thread, but practicallity comes to the fore and I cannot help but feel my post might go overlooked, so I'm sorry, but here I am - New Thread.
So first a bit about me, I'm small about 5'10" I wiegh about 120 lbs, but it's all muscle. I'm wiring, and reasonably strong for my size. I also know how to take a beating.
I live in Canada, and have recently passed an introductory motorcycle training course. Which is to say, I'm considered to be a third year rider by most insurance companies (YAY). I've been taught all the basics, and a lot of the more advanced stuff. Emergency manouvers, breaking, speeding up. Things to do in case of..... Slipping the clutch, and all of the important slow speed tough (I still can't believe how tough and then easy it can be to move a bike around underpower at slow speeds. I mean doing 2 km/h is WAYYYY tougher then 30, especially when you have to turn.
Anyways, I'm considering the purchase of a couple of bikes, I know I might be starting a little big, but I've already decided to go cruiser style 650 to 750 cc's as I want this bike to last, and feel I am/will be capable of handling one, with some practise.

After some careful though, I was thinking one of the following:
Suzuki Savage 650
Yamaha V-star classic 650
Honda Shadow 650 or 750 versions

Ideally I'd be getting the savage as it is about 1200 Canadian dollars cheaper, but I was just hoping for a little bit of feedback from anyone out there who might have bought any one of these bikes. Thanks in advance, and sorry if I bored you.
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The Beatings Will Stop When Moral Improves

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

One little bit of advice first. No one gives a shit how big and muscly you are, or how much of a beating you could take.

Right then bikes.

The savage is a bit crap. Its a 650cc single making 33bhp. The vibrations are horrible and its very small. Belt drive is nice though.

The Honda shadow range is ok, but nothing amazing. I'd choose a honda last for cruisers.

Yamaha V star classic 650 is a newer one, but its heavy and unerpowered.

If you want to go cruiser, go for big CCs. They make very little power, so having big capacity doesn't really make it faster, it just makes it lazier.
The suzuki VS800 is meant to be good. I had a VX800, which has the same lump. Its a good engine.
The whole yamaha virago range have always been good sellers. A friend of mine has a virago 535 and loves it.

Best thing to recommend is test rides. Don't buy new, because you will certainly crash it. Try to get a V twin, they suit cruisers best.

RSixer03 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sevulturus · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

hugo-a-gogo · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Karma :

Suzuki Salvage is a dud, don't buy one
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"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them - but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one. That is why they are dangerous."
Hunter S Thompson
clicky 4 bikey