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

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!

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

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

When I rode a Shadow Spirit,... I kept bouncing off the rev limiter...
Pretty feeble power for a 750...

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.

I rode a Suzuki 800 Marauder once, and was fairly impressed...
Good power, and instantly felt at home on it...

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.