Which cruiser: VN800, VL800, XVS 650, XVS1100

[EazyDuz]

Not the best forum to ask ('ello sailor), but there are a few knowledgeable people in this field inc yambabe and i think fatjames among others who may have some riding experience on these bikes.

Still looking to replace the xv535 i sold recently, i want a power upgrade, something that wont vibrate to fuck at 70mph like the last bike did. And something that can carry two up & luggage at motorway speeds comfortably.

I'm 6ft roughly and felt cramped on the 535 which was another reason i sold it. So im looking at the bikes in the title. Budget around £3100 max. The way i see it is:

VN800
- Reliable engine
- Chain drive so can change gear ratios for lower RPM on motorway
- Pretty nice power increase to last bike, should carry two up easily (applies to all these bikes really)
- Cheap
But
- Carbed not FI
- Chain drive is also a negative as its a heavy cruiser so it should be shaft/belt drive really, plus extra maintenance
- Think the valve adjustment is with shims which is a little more expensive and harder work

VL800
- Fuel injected if 2005 onwards
- Shaft drive
- Standard locking nut type tappets
- Supposedly the most comfortable of the 4 bikes
But
- Tend to be at the upper end of my budget especially fuel injected
- aftermarket bits are more expensive
- Suzuki chrome is shite

XVS 650
- Reliable engine straight out the 535 just with more torque
- Cheap aftermarket parts
- Cheapest used out of the 4
But
- Carbed
- Lowest power out the 4, perhaps not much difference to the 535, may buzz like Lightyear on the motorway and struggle two up

XVS 1100
- Reliable engine
- Quite cheap to buy used
- Shaft drive
But
- Exhaust header must be dropped to access the oil filter when it needs changing. Aftermarket relocation kits leak and arent worth doing
- Carbed
- Heavy, similar performance as the VN and VL even though its a higher displacement motor.
- Supposedly quite buzzy again on the motorway regardless of its power

Did look into the VT750 but they tend to be far more expensive and look a bit small.
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[Fisty]

Choose the one that makes you look the least gay?
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[P.addy]

[Lone-Wolf]

[wr6133]

Had a test ride on an xvs650a (classic), vibrates a lot as you get around 70 and I ran out of road before it made 80. If you have the foot boards they grind the road too even at fairly mild lean angles. Brakes worse than my Chinese bike. Comfortable though just felt like it didn't have the power to carry it's weight (or the brakes to stop it that well).

Wouldn't want one 2 up on motorways

[Carvel]

A Honda Fireblade
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[stevo as b4]

TBH, reading down your shortlist and the points you have made, you are quite strongly erring on all the negatives of each bike, and enough to make me think that none of those are an acceptable compromise.

I think the Honda VT750 looks nice, has a nice finish and in the sub 1000cc segment it would have to be a bit of a benchmark for everything else to aim for.

Personally though I would buy a Honda VF750C Magna. Get a late 2000-2004 bike. They are sought after and highly regarded by owners, with stable re-sale values on account of being hard to find.

You then get most of the style of the VT750, some of it's build quality, and 80bhp, 125mph and an 11000rpm soundtrack to go with it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlk-iwpgxKk

[BravoCharlie]

do you commute on it?

my first choice would be the VL800 closely followed by the VN800. i see your point about Suzuki's chrome but i'm sure if you treat it well it will be fine. Shafties a big bonus too. best thing to do? ride em.
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[Teflon-Mike]

Does the VN1400 fall in your budget?
Shaft drive & adjustment free hydraulic tappets.
Not my cup of tea, but spent a fortnight in ones company on the IoM... and it was certainly grin inducing, bar how frequently he had to stop to fill the pathetically small petrol tank; though it did get kaned every where!
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[pyx_e]

VN 900, belt ftw. Like riding a cross between a sit on mower and arm chair.
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Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[Wave2k]

An additional important question would be which assless chaps should i buy ?
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[EazyDuz]

[moonzoomer]

Have a look for a Honda VF750c Magna or Super Magna, you will get all the looks of a big custom V twin but still have the power of sports bikes as it is a V 4 motor, either way it will leave any V twin custom for dead including the big bikes at twice the size.

[talkToTheHat]

the xvs650 engine is an enlarged 535 engine modified for more low down torque and a broader spread of torque, but it's not nearly so revvy or as fun to thrash as the 535. Turning circle is much bigger and won't lean any way near as far before scraping floorboards. It's a load heavier too. The guy who runs the post office near my girlfriend's place traded in a 535 for a 650 and both he and his missus massively regretted it. Had much fuss trying to find something as agile as a 535, has an XJ6 now.

Disclamer: I have a 535. I ride it through the winter and generally thrash the hell out of it. Next bike will not be a bigger cruiser.

[EazyDuz]

[stevo as b4]

Is it the chain drive that's putting you off, or the sound of a proper engine?

For my next big bike, I want over 1000cc, naked and upright, with at least 3cyl motor. I'm very tempted to look into the mk1 Yamaha V-max, but I don't know how much overall ability and handling I would be throwing away to bikes like a ZRX1200 or Bandit 1200 etc?

Or how much the V-max can be modded for better brakes and suspension/more handling?

If buying an tweaking a V-max isn't Viable or affordable, then I might sacrifice some style and image and look at the Benelli TNT which is the 2nd most appealing choice to me currently.

If I come full circle though and I'm back at the Bandit/XJR or ZRX12, then I fancy a CB1000 Big one more than any of it's rivals, as it could be tweaked to compete I reckon!

[qarka]

What's so bad about carbs?
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[talkToTheHat]

Can't remember the exact weight gain between the 535 and 650, but i'd guess it to being like the weight of a size 8 pillion between your legs with none of the benefits.

[EazyDuz]

[_Troy_]

[P.addy]

[EazyDuz]

[Carvel]

[EazyDuz]

[Sid_The_Sloth]

I've not really ridden many cruisers, just a 1600 Harley and my Shadow. The Harley was a fantastic amount of power, and really comfortable. But the finish (for the money) was ridiculously crap!
I love my Shadow. But it lacks in a few ways - the brakes are pretty pants (single front disk, drum rear), the seat makes my arse numb after half an hour, and the power sucks! Its good for squirting through traffic with its low end torque and is quite chuckable. But it really does struggle a lot after 70. It'll do 100 on a very, and I mean very, long straight. I also bottomed it out in a car park so scraped all the paint off 2 welds.

If you're set on going for a cruiser but want a bit more power, you definitely need to look at the 1000cc+ engines. The 750 is good enough for every day riding, and I enjoy back roads with it. But not motorways!
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