"Pixel" (Improbcat)
05/18/2016 at 09:17 • Filed to: None
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"Pixel" (Improbcat)
05/18/2016 at 09:17 • Filed to: None | 0
| 26 |
I am in the early stages of motorcycle shopping. I am looking to get away from the more streetbike style like my current GS500E and into a more upright/cruiser style.
My question revolves around engine displacement. I am not in need/want of high horsepower or speed, but need something that can comfortably keep up with highway traffic for extended periods of time. The motor in the GS500E was good, enough power to move when I needed it to, but not enough that I was scared of too much throttle causing its own problems.
I see a lot of 500/650 range cruiser style bikes for sale because they are upgrading to a bigger bike. Do the V-twin motors really produce that much less useful power, or is this purely people needing MOAR POWAR! and not an actual deficit of performance issue?
A Kawasaki Drifter 800 for your time:
Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:23 |
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With sidecar. DO IT!
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Pixel
> Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/18/2016 at 09:27 |
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Find me one in the sub-$3000 range and I’d happily do it.
themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:28 |
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Cruisers are a) heavy and b) their engines are more about noise and feel than performance. So a honda shadow V-twin makes 40hp with 750cc of displacement. Meanwhile my old nighthawk made, when new, 70ish hp from 650cc and it wasn’t even a high strung motor. But it sounds like a sport bike and wants to rev.
I know plenty of people at work who commute on 900-1100cc cruisers and like the mild nature compared to the smaller, higher strung motors or the big, burly 100+ hp muscle twins.
BobintheMtns
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:28 |
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I’m confused... Are you looking for an upright bike? Or a cruiser? They're not the same thing...
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Pixel
> BobintheMtns
05/18/2016 at 09:31 |
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I am looking at both, but in my price range there are a lot more cruisers than uprights.
My question is about cruisers.
McMike
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:34 |
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A lot of people love those Honda 750s. Not too big, plenty of power for one-up riding.
I had a Honda 500 for about 10 years, then moved up to an 1100 for 10 more. Decided to get something bigger because we do a lot of two-up riding. The 1100 was good for the two of us, but we were always over the GVWR when we traveled.
Why are you trying to avoid the larger bikes? I dont’ think a 1000-1300 cruiser is going to be dramatically different than a 500/650 cruiser. Hell, I had a hard time noticing the difference between my 1100 and my (current) 1600 - unless we were loaded up with luggage.
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Pixel
> McMike
05/18/2016 at 09:40 |
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Bike weight and size mostly. Lighter bike means it is easier to push around cars and into the garage. Also the smaller bikes are cheaper, so why pay for more motor/bike than I need.
Pickup_man
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:43 |
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V-twins do tend to make less HP, but they usually make up for it with torque. Personally, I wouldn’t get a V-twin under 750cc, they might keep up on the highway, but it’s nice to have some power reserve for passing or quick maneuvers. I have an 883 Sportster and find it great for highway riding (65-70 mph) and would ride at those speeds all day long, but a little under powered at interstate speeds (75-80 mph). Even though it doesn’t do too bad at those speeds, a little more power, or an extra gear would be appreciated.
There’s lots of options for cruisers out there and I would think something like an 1100 Shadow/883 Sportster/Kawi Vulcan 900/Yamaha V star/etc, would be a good place to start looking.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:50 |
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Let me be the first to say, “Potato potato potato potato”.
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McMike
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 09:52 |
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All good points.
I like the Honda 750s
Nisman
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 10:04 |
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I’ll be honest, but full disclosure, I have a Harley Streetbob so I have plenty of power. I have ridden cruisers with 500cc engines and they suck. They are SO not fun, especially with a passenger. Way different on anything remotely sporty. You need at least a 750 on a cruiser to get you started. My first was a Yamaha Virago 750 and that had just the right amount of power for the size of the bike. Also, what’s your price range?
GordonBombay
> McMike
05/18/2016 at 10:09 |
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Completely agree with this - my 1300 is great. That said, my Magna 750 will always hold a special place in my heart.
bob and john
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 10:17 |
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Cruiser motors are tuned more for torque and low rpm stuff. You can easy go to a 1000cc cruiser from your 500.
The 650-800 cruisers are okay. Not going to win any drag races, nor is it going to be ideal for 2-up over long distances. But they work.
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Pixel
> Nisman
05/18/2016 at 10:25 |
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Sub-$3000, with a bit of wiggle room for something truly epic.
Hammerdown
> McMike
05/18/2016 at 10:29 |
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Seconded. I think I recommend that bike more than any other. They look great, are inexpensive, have a huge aftermarket, and are a fun, practical ride.
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Hammerdown
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 10:31 |
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maybe the best question here is “how big are you?” If you buy a 650 cruiser, load it up with lots of luggage, a windshield, and weigh 200+lbs it’s going to struggle to push you down the road.
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McMike
> Hammerdown
05/18/2016 at 10:33 |
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I also think the 750s are all of the single-pin crank variety. I recall the bigger bikes (VTX) went dual for a while.
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Pixel
> Hammerdown
05/18/2016 at 10:37 |
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I’m around 200lbs with riding gear, but tend to have one backpack’s worth of luggage with me at most.
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Nisman
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 10:43 |
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Ah, in that case craigslist will be your friend. I'd just look for something clean in that price range with a medium amount of miles. You want something that's been ridden, not rotting. I bought a 96 Yamaha that sat for 7 years and it was relatively reliable but I had some issues related to improper storage.
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Nisman
> Nisman
05/18/2016 at 10:43 |
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Why not a Harley Sportster? You could also finance a new Street 500 or 750 but those are a little smaller.
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Pixel
> Nisman
05/18/2016 at 10:49 |
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Because I’m not going to saddle myself with a finance payment for a toy.
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Hammerdown
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 11:10 |
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I wouldn’t dismiss an 1100 Shadow or V-Star then. Don’t be put off by their size. They’re not too heavy, ride well, and fall in your price range.
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Nisman
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 11:14 |
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That’s fair. You can pick up a Sporty in that price range though.
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Hammerdown
> McMike
05/18/2016 at 11:14 |
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The 1800s are dual pin, 1300s are single (I had to look it up). Not sure if it’s the single pin or something else, but the 750s sound fantastic.
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McMike
> Hammerdown
05/18/2016 at 11:27 |
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That sounds familiar. My 1100 was a single-pin, too.
And yeah, that’s why (I think) the 750s sound great. They have that uneven potato-potato-potato note as the big ‘merican twins.
They’re down a little on power, but it sounds the part.
The Compromiser
> Pixel
05/18/2016 at 18:34 |
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Honda Shadow 750 Spirit. I used to ride one. Red metallic with red translucent flames. Great bike. Relatively forgiving. Decent power for the size. I am on a 1300 now. Definitely different.