Streetbike or Cruiser??? Around 1100CC

[JARichard]

HEy GUys,

Since I trust you to help with my truck problems (or lack there OF ). Maybe you can help with this.

I am looking for a reliable bike in the 1100 to 1500 cc range. I like the Shadows, V-Stars, MeanStreak, and I even looked at a sweet Suzuki Bandit(naked Sport Bike). I have not really found any one bike that says BUY ME!!!

( Hell, my Dodge cried, kicked, and screamed buy ME) I have thought about a smaller bike since this will be my first bike in 11 years. I have also never ridden on the street. I will enroll in a course and plan on trailering whatever I buy until I go to a course.

Ok I ruled out anyhting smaller than 1100 because I am 6'3" 245lbs. and whatever I get my wife will ride with me. I hate Sport Bikes due to that leaning forward feel. That Bandit I looked at is pretty much Straight up and is OK. I like the chassis and engine on the V-star but do not like the front rake angle. I prefer the rake of the Shadow but it is kinda Boxy. I like the Meanstreak Most of all in the Cruisers BUT i can not find any used. The Bandit is not first choice but if the price was right I would probably by one. ( i think I would kick myself in the proverbial ARSE later for it though)

So, What do you guys think? Any personal experience with any of these?

By the WAY, If I had to pick and money was not an OBJECT I would get an HD Deuce!!

Thanks for your input!!!

 

[PJereb]

What about a used Buell?



They can be found for $4,000-8,000

 

[TGreschuk]

I am very pleased with my 03 Vstar 1100 Classic. I bought it primarily because it was air cooled and my research indicated that they were bulletproof. I don't care for the look of the radiator on any of the liquid cooled models. I changed the rake of the handlebars by installing a riser kit, which changed the angle and pulled them back 3 inches. I find that more comfortable.

Good luck

Trent

 

[XJSuperman]

My first bike was an '02 V-star 1100 custom. I am also 6'3" and 245 and I can tell you the V-star is a great bike... BUT you'll be needing to get off and walk around after about 40-50 miles. I had to.



With that said if it is a first bike at your size I highly recommend it... and then once you get comfortable with the size and power... get something bigger.



I opted for the 1700 yamaha roadstar this year... not for the engine but for the size of the bike as the 1100 v-star was plenty powerful BUT was not a big enough bike. (of course having 102 ft lbs to the ground is NICE) I have ridden 200 miles on the roadstar without getting off the bike at all... and could have easily kept riding. Fits me PERFECTLY. And all yamaha bikes are virtually impossible to beat for price as well as durability... bulletproof. You can get a loaded silverado v-star for under 10K... a comparable harely would run you 15+ easy. My roadie ran 10,500 with 0 miles... plain bike. A buddy of mine bought a used fatboy... . PLAIN bike with 12,000 miles on it... cost him $16,000 from a harley dealer!!! Not knocking harely... but come on... the new harely 1700 runs $27,000!!!

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Have you tried a Yamaha V-Max? They are somewhere in between the sport bike and the cruiser style - plus they have plenty of power (1200cc).



I do not own one - only because that money thing keeps getting in the way. :{

 

[XJSuperman]

gonehuntingagain... good point. I never thought to mention the V_max. But I know for certain one day I will own one!

 

[Hohn]

I've always been comfortable on the Suzuki cruisers. For some reason (ugliness?), they don't sell worth crap, but they're comfortable and pretty reliable.



Of course, that new K1200 from BMW is looking pretty amazing... .



jlh

 

[JARichard]

What about a 750 Honda??

My wife might ride this 10% of time with me. Will a 750 be enough? She weighs a WHOPPING 110 lbs. .

Really find a lot more 750's than 1100's

Thanks for the input !!! The V-max does look good!

 

[TGreschuk]

"Really find a lot more 750's than 1100's"



I think this is true as many people see the 750 as a learning or stepping stone bike. IMHO you will be bored with it as it won't have the power to carry you comfortably at highway speeds. Also, I prefer a heavier bike as you are less likely to get buffeted around and it just tracks better.

Trent

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Having gotten a lot of riders started my recommendation would be to buy a cherry 10+ year old 6,000 mile ~750 sized bike to get started. A 750 not having the power to carry you comfortably at highway speeds is hogwash. Any 750 that know of will allow you to do at LEAST 110 mph. Bikes of that age are available cheap and in perfect condition. You should be able to buy a bike for $2,000-$2,500 and ride it for a year or two and then sell it for what you've paid for it and be out nothing. Once bikes get down into that price range they don't depreciate from there (unless you wreck it bad). Getting a 1000cc + bike as a first street bike is a mistake IMO. Sure, plenty of people do it and some make it through the learning process without wrecking but it's not the best route. You will learn the skills that will keep you alive a lot faster on a smaller bike because you'll be more comfortable on it.



I'm not that familiar with cruisers to know what is available and a good bike in that size and price range but I'm sure there's plenty of them. My dad bought an 82 750 virago in the late 80's for $1200 (remember we're talking about 80's dollars) and sold it after riding it for 5 years for $1300. If you are more interested in an upright style bike like the Vmax (would would make a HORRIBLE first bike btw) then take a look at early 90's Honda Nighthawk 750's. You should be able to pick one up in the $2,000-$2,500 range and it would make a great first street bike. When getting back on a bike (after a 10 year layoff due to a racing crash) in 99 I bought an 86 Nighthawk 700s (which I would regularly take up to 130 mph btw) for $1600. I put a couple of sets of tires on it, one battery, and changed the oil, rode it for 16,000 miles and sold it for $1800.



The MOST important thing is to get good riding gear and wear it ALWAYS. By good riding gear I am talking about a quality full face helmet (none of those beanies!!), a good pair of leather gloves, a quality leather riding jacket (not fashion leather), and a good pair of boots at a minimum. You can get draggin jeans which are kevlar lined in the seat of the pants and the knees to protect your legs fairly well. That is the bare minimum that I wear when riding and I don't care how hot it is. If I'm going for a ride just to ride then I'll suit up in full 1 piece leathers. My riding gear has saved my life and I don't chince on it or leave it behind EVER.



Once you get through the learning faze if you like standard bikes take a look at the Kawasaki ZRX1100 and see if that floats your boat. You can pick them up in perfect condition with low miles on them for $3,500 and there's an awesome online community much like the TDR for them at http://www.zrxoa.org . I would not recommend one to anyone as a first street bike though.



JMHO

 

[ladyjaine]

How far are you planning to go for the 10% of the time your wife will be riding? Frankly, I weigh a whopping 120 in full leathers, boots and helmet and I found a 500 to be fun for the short haul for just me, but for longer rides, I ride solo on something three times that size. A 750 hauling close to 400 pounds, (with fuel, tools, rain suits, a bottle of water, a lipstick, cell phone, and some Kleenex... ) is probably an overloaded 750.



Jean

 

[TGreschuk]

With all due respect...



Wrong...

Having gotten a lot of riders started my recommendation would be to buy a cherry 10+ year old 6,000 mile ~750 sized bike to get started. A 750 not having the power to carry you comfortably at highway speeds is hogwash. Any 750 that know of will allow you to do at LEAST 110 mph.



Right...

I ride solo on something three times that size. A 750 hauling close to 400 pounds, (with fuel, tools, rain suits, a bottle of water, a lipstick, cell phone, and some Kleenex... ) is probably an overloaded 750.



A 2 stroke 125 will get you to 100 mph, it won't be pretty and it won't be comfortable but you will get there. The original post was an inquiry as to a good streetbike that was safe, comfortable and fun to ride.



Trent

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

He also said it would be his first streetbike. You also have to look at what bike your talking about. There are a ton of 750's out there (like nearly every one made since the mid 80's with a 4 cylinder engine) that will out accelerate 99% of the v-twin cruisers out there. I have over 160,000 street miles (plus a bunch of race miles) and my current bike (ZRX1100) is my first over 750cc bike I've ever owned and I've never felt unsafe because my bike was underpowered. I've ridden in nearly every environ you could imagine including heavy SF bay area traffic (I commuted almost daily on a bike for 3 years in the bay area). I stand by my recommendation - you are far better off starting on a smaller, lighter, more nimble bike to learn the skills you need to stay alive on the street and then move up to larger, heavier, more powerful bikes once you have them. Again, JMHO - take it for what it's worth.

 

[Ncostello]

Yamaha FJR1300 Supersport Touring. High performance... yet refined upright seating and hard box storage. Really a great all around bike. They look superb and sporty. Yet have that appeal of a comfortable touring bike.



Will ride two up with ease and its full size. Smooth proven 1300 cc of power. I caught myself staring at two parked side by side at a restaruant the other night. My favorite was the metallic silver with black wheels.



Even if you don't like them... check them out while our looking. Also don't forget BMW's. They've got some sport touring bikes good for two riders.

 

[scootergmc]

This is going to turn into one of those "this is the right bike... no this is the right bike... no no no... this is the right bike" threads.



If I'm you, I'm buying something cheap and reliable. Something to learn on that you won't be all heartbroken over when you drop it after washing it in the driveway. I would say buy the Bandit 1200 (and get your wife a Bandit 600). You'll be able to find them used and cheap. It's easy to work on and not as heavy as some of those fatty cruisers. And don't even think about the V-Max unless you want to fill the tank every 90 miles. I'm not a Suzuki guy, just my 2 cents based on your wishes. Have fun with your decision and buy appropriate gear too.

 

[BigPapa]

JA,



I've been in the motorcycle business for almost 20 years. I'll have to go with Steve on the Honda 750 Nighthawk. They don't come any better(unless you want shaft drive, then look for the Nighthawk S, I've had 3 of them!). As far as power and smoothness at highway speeds, the Nighthawk will knock any of the cruisers in the head. Also, the straight-up, feet-underneath-you riding position is much better to learn with than the flat-on-your-butt, feet-out-in-front-of-you cruiser position. The Bandit will be a little too much for a first bike and the V-Max is way too top heavy and torquey(?) for most "experienced" riders. Don't rush into riding your wife either, it will take a while for you to settle into riding a street bike by yourself much less with a passenger. I saw an inexperienced rider and passenger head-on a pick-up once when a bug got under her face shield and she freaked. And the most important thing as many have mentioned, equipment. Don't go for "cool", go for safety!



Scott

 

[ladyjaine]

Wait, didn't he say it would be his first bike in 11 years as well as his first street bike? I took that to mean he had some dirt riding experience. He isn't a complete newbie, he's just looking for help making a choice on getting BACK to riding, this time on the street. What kid never even once took his dirt bike down the block to a friend's house or by the school?

 

[JARichard]

Lady

I never rode the dirt bikes on the STREET. But If you take out the other drivers THE STREET has to be much easier. Add the other drivers worse. I mean if money was not an object I would be riding a DEUCE right now. No question about it!! Now let me give you guys a little more info. I am through adding mods to my truck. It is driving me nuts not to continue bombing. I am thinking a V-twin would be easier to modify being only 2 cylinders. PLus I am an addict of chrome and polished aluminum. BUT I have found several nice 750's in the $4000. 00 range with less than 3000 miles on them. I am fortunate in my neighborhood I have about a 1/4 mile stretch to learn on with no through traffic. I have also found a 750 bombed for about $3000. 00. My wife and I will make 2 or 3 140 mile round trips a year to tailgate at LSU games. Other than that, the bike will be a dinner and a movie type bike for the 2 of us.

Now, I am hoping to use this hypothetical bike to relieve my truck of some miles. I am fortunate enough to have a warehouse to park it in at work and a shed at home. So, If i drive the bike to work and the weather gets BAD can always drive the truck and the bike is still inside.

Thanks GUYS & GAL your info is GREAT!!!

Steve,

I was impressed your laptop wasn't on your bike. I mean if you take it to the toilet A guy has to wonder . Just messing with you.

They have a school here called Top Gun Schools it is run by a Police Officer motorcycle trainer BUT I think his advice will be the same as Steve's.

 

[JSmith]

What Steve said is right on. I just went through the MSF course. Worth the time and money.

 

[JARichard]

750 or 800 options

OK,

Here is what I have narrowed it down to NOW.

750 to 800 cc

I really like the cruisers but have not knocked out the Standards(naked sport bike).

So, being the Tinker BUG I am. How much can you bomb the V-twins versus the inline 4's?

How much more is it to bomb a V-twin versus inline 4?

Is it as detrimental to the life as bombing a Cummins?

Could I get a 750 to perform like a stock 1100?

See, I really love to spin wrenches. I have been researching this a lot and found a lot of things can be done with the Shadows and the Suzuki's. There are not that many Suzuki's around the used market. Is that a GOOD or bad thing? Is there somewhere I can go to see wich sells more?

Guys and GAL again you are great!!!

Thanks for any advice you have or will give from your own experience!!