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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Lookin for a new bike /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1308838816 Message started by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 07:20:15 |
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Title: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 07:20:15 I think I want something new, probably brand new, but gently used is OK too. I have it more or less narrowed down to the Harley iron 883, triumph speedmaster, Honda shadow phantom, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, or v star 950. As you can tell, I prefer lots of black and as little chrome as possible. I don't know what drive I'd prefer, I've only ever had the savage. And I think I'd prefer air cooled, just for simplicity. Of all of the ones I mentioned, I definitely think the Honda looks the best, followed by the triumph. I'm worried about outgrowing the Honda really quick though. The triumph and Harley tie for best warranty, but closest triumph dealer is about 90 minutes away. I only wanna spend around $8k. Anyone have any thoughts on those I've mentioned? Feel free to mention others as well. Thanks |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Arnold on 06/23/11 at 07:42:50 The Triumph Speedmaster looks like it kicks more ass. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by HalfPint on 06/23/11 at 07:49:45 I'm not sure about you ending up with an iron for 8k, but they're really nice. I have a friend with one and she loves it! |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 07:52:07 516460736D010 wrote:
They start at 7999 |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Boofer on 06/23/11 at 09:14:18 The Vulcan has as good a reputation as the Savage from what I read. And they have been around a long time. No actual riding experience. jmo |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Serowbot on 06/23/11 at 09:38:32 If you've never ridden one,... a Harley is a "love it or hate it" machine... They look and sound nice, but feel very crude to me... Triumph is the best made, and most bulletproof... Metric cruisers will always function reasonably well, and be reasonably reliable... Too reasonable... The Savage has the most character of any Jab bike I've ever ridden... If I had the money,... I'd have a Ducati Monster, and live in dread of valve adjustment time... The supermodel of motorcycles... high maintenance, beautiful, and irresistible... |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by LostArtist on 06/23/11 at 10:22:12 depending on your comfort level of either paying for or doing the maintenance yourself, look at that before you decide. I don't know what triumph maintenance involves or harley for that matter. the Yamaha 950 is a very very nice machine you should be able to get one for under $7K or so if you don't mind used. going from a savage to a 950 will be very different, the 950 is a couch, a very nice couch that handles very well but it sits you different, the sportster and savage are smaller bodied bikes. the harley and savage are almost too much alike if you want something different, personally I think the harley is a better machine, handles the road better with little wheel wiggle that the savage has from my memory. but I'm a unique body shape but my vote is for the 950 |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by bill67 on 06/23/11 at 10:26:50 Of those bikes I would pick the honda,I think it would be the most comformable,And best for long trips.I thought it was the Honda RS. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Serowbot on 06/23/11 at 10:31:25 When I rode a Shadow Spirit,... I kept bouncing off the rev limiter... Pretty feeble power for a 750... |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by LostArtist on 06/23/11 at 10:40:04 yeah, once you get around 550 lbs you want more than 800 ccs or power like in the 900cc range, the honda is a step backwards in power or seat of the pants ummphfff but maybe be more comfortable but the yamaha has that comfort too, sit on them and see how they feel |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 10:53:07 The savage is too small, space wise. I'm wanting something I can stretch out more on. The bad part is that I'm 5'9" with around a 28 or 29" inseam(yeah, baby legs). I like the power of the savage, so I want something that feels the same or maybe a little more powerful. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by jef.savage on 06/23/11 at 11:01:12 I am not a Harley-hater, they build lots of bikes I like but I rode an 883 Iron once and it was unbelievably slow and clunky. The reviews I've read of the Honda Shadow have not been positive. The Triumph, Kawi, and Yamaha all look very nice. You should Google for demo rides in your area. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Serowbot on 06/23/11 at 12:05:37 I rode a Suzuki 800 Marauder once, and was fairly impressed... Good power, and instantly felt at home on it... http://www.bikez.com/pictures/suzuki/2004/21045_0_1_2_marauder%20800_Image%20credits%20-%20Matt%20Maher%20CT.jpg |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 12:38:10 I don't mind the marauder, other than that hideous rear fender |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by babyhog on 06/23/11 at 13:11:47 Don't mean to be mean, but have you actually sat on any of those bikes? With an inseam that short, you'll be tip-toeing on most of them. I don't think that would be very fun with a bike as heavy as a Vulcan 900. Looking into which ones are easiest to lower might be your best avenue. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by LostArtist on 06/23/11 at 13:21:48 tip toeing a well ballanced bike isn't bad, it's the understanding that if the bike goes down at low speeds, you go with it that can be painful, just need a lot of low speed practice |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Jimmer on 06/23/11 at 13:26:30 Have you considered forward extensions. I'm 5'10" with a 32 inch inseam. After adding a set of 4" extensions, my ride fatigue and cramped leg room has vanished. Just a thought, but a lot cheaper than a new bike. Others on this form will attest to the extension and the comfort changes. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by babyhog on 06/23/11 at 13:32:35 795A46417447415C4641350 wrote:
Maybe, just not something I'd try or advise. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/23/11 at 14:51:26 Sat on the Honda, it was comfortable, feet touched without issue. I just went and looked at bikes, the v star and Vulcan seemed too long, I didn't bother sitting on them. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by Wolfman on 06/23/11 at 15:08:28 Should of sat on the vulcan, nice rides. Your inseam wont be a problem on a 900 vulcan. You like black then look at their 2011 custom special edition 900. LOTS of aftermarket parts available. Reliable bike to. C50t's set pretty nice as well, i just dont like the valanced fenders. According to a local shop S50's are real hard to come by, back ordered. Ill take my savage over a v-star 650 anyday. 950 would be ok except im not real crazy about yammies. To many problems with their bikes in my earlier years. Honda shadow rates about like a v-star as well to me. Harleys are over priced and over rated. For 8 grand or less its the vulc or c50t on top. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by RidgeRunner13 on 06/23/11 at 15:27:26 I bought a 950T about 19 months ago & have 12,000 miles on it now. Paid $7089 OTD. My friend bought a C50 23 months ago which started this whole new, bigger bike thing. After 15 months & 12,000 miles he traded for a 950T. Since October, he's put over 9000 miles on his. He had trouble with the C50 getting his feet down, but the seat on the 950 is lower. Both of us would buy this bike again without hesitation. 8-) Buy what feels good to you. I would also recommend checking out cost of maintenance for each bike, valve adjustments on the C50 are every 6000 miles & are a real PITA!! |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by WD on 06/23/11 at 19:09:41 You'd be better served with an 800 Vulcan. 2005 800As are selling locally for under $5K. I had a 99 800A that saw 18 months of serious riding/flogging, over 44K miles in that time. Maintenance? One chain and a set of brake shoes for the rear, couple oil changes. Low seat height, comfortable seat to peg to bar position. Really comfortable seat, 21" front wheel, 16" rear wheel. With some very minor tab trimming you can run a real rear fender instead of a dorky short fender. Mine ran a VN1500A conversion fender. If you want fuel injection step up to a 1500 Vulcan. I've had a ton of HDs, they are not very learner friendly. VN900 is an okay bike, but the fit and finish is as poor quality as the Savage unless the factory has made some serious changes. V-stars are fine until you need to work on them. Remember Viragoes? Same engine... |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by B1-66er on 06/24/11 at 10:21:22 Well after seeing the Vulcan and v star in person, they're pretty much off the list. Just too much there. And I've added another to the list, a new Bonneville. I know it's completely different than everything else I've listed, but that's kinds the point. I love how old school they look. Don't know about the seat height and riding position though. Anyone ever ride one? |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by LostArtist on 06/24/11 at 10:44:37 the bonneville is a great bike, I want it to be my next bike to replace the two I've got now. They ride well, almost like a sport bike, much more lean than a cruiser, but probably not as much as a sport bike but they are very stable, well behaved and are truly nice all around machines. the only problem I have with them is the pegs hit the inside of my calves at stops, my buell does the same thing though, it's not as irritating as I thought it'd be. and if you have longer legs than my 5'1" body is blessed with you might not have that problem. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by SuperSavage on 06/25/11 at 00:19:24 I have a Vulcan 800A and it is similar in looks and style to the Savage. It has a low seat height, great power, water cooled, great looks, moves real well on highway and around town. One thing about bigger bikes, the only issue is low speeds, like in parking lots. Other than that, most cruisers are quite similar. They're all great choices, but stay away from the 750 shadows, they're not much quicker than the savage, if at all... |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by WD on 06/25/11 at 17:07:24 That's why I recommended an 800A, it will actually turn (unlike 800 Classics). When I find the right one, I will have another 800A, brought my custom rear fender with, brought a spare stock seat so I can color match the seat threads and stud it out like my old one had. Just have to find the right one (BLACK, low miles, aftermarket exhaust- preferably Roadhouse 2 into 1 fishtail). Or an 800 Drifter. Or 1500 Drifter or Classic (BLACK only for the Classic). Vulcans aren't as unwieldy as you would think. |
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Title: Re: Lookin for a new bike Post by SuperSavage on 06/25/11 at 21:57:13 My Vulcan is black, low miles and pure fun to ride, just like the savage. I put a 1.25" T-bar/drag bar with a 8" rise, 7" pullback and 31.5" wide and it is perfect! Cables all fit and the handling is much better. I'm looking to redo the seat or get an aftermarket one, the padding just compresses to the frame. Nice looking seat, so I'll see if I can find an upholsterer who can rebuild it the way I want without changing the lines of it too much. |
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