$6k to buy a used mid-sized Cruiser - your choice?

[Dismount]

Originally Posted by The PacRat

This is a follow up to my V-Star / Shadow thread. Since then I have added Vulcan and Suzuki C50 to the list, thanks to some good advice.

I am now convinced that EFI is worth considering, as is Belt drive. Not interested in chain drive though. Not really sure if I should avoid spoked wheels either. Are tubes a hassle?

I am 6'3" / 210#. I am leaning toward the Vulcan 900 LT, the C50, and the V-Stars. Gotta have big windshield and big saddlebags.

So let's say you have $6000 to buy a used Cruiser, say 800cc to 1600cc. What would you buy and why?

I'm really quite fond of my 05 C50.... but yes spoked wheels are a pain in the ass.

Good points about the c50.
I get about 50mpg, unless I'm on the highway.
It doesn't look horrible, even though it suffers from plastichrome itis.
It's not that loud stock.
It loves 55mph with the stock final. The 1400cc final can be made to fit though and drops the rpm some for better highway use.
Efi makes it a pleasure instead of a pain to start. Even if it's got ice hanging off it and has been sitting a week. And with EFI comes all the electronic goodies like power commanders etc.

Bad points about the c50
stock seat and forward boards lock you in position
Invest in a windscreen.
It's a big fat cruiser. You aren't going to win any races

[Dismount]

Another thought...


If you're planning on long distance, look at a place to stick some cheap mid-pegs in addition to the boards. Especially if you have giant clown feet like I do.

It gets awfully old, awfully quick being splayed open like a chicken in 70-75mph wind and having no options on alternate places to hang the piggies from.

[davevv]

2003 Moto Guzzi California Titanium.

The Guzzi Californias are great mid size cruisers. 1100cc with loads of torque and they like to run in the 4-5krpm range. Fuel injected and shaft drive. Very smooth, reliable, maintenance is a snap, and they're probably the best handling cruiser ever built. They all have spoked wheels, but some versions are tubeless. They can also be bought for very reasonable dollars.

I'm currently gathering up money for a heavyweight (Road King) tourer, so this one is for sale. ~20k miles, $4750. This bike does not have tubeless rims.

The other side and naked.

[The PacRat]

So if there is almost NO chance of EVER seeing a change in elevation, or temps of sub 30f, would you not worry so much about Carb vs EFI?

I can see the value of EFI, and I can also imagine the cost of repairs.

This has been a very helpful thread - thanks.

[davevv]

Originally Posted by The PacRat

So if there is almost NO chance of EVER seeing a change in elevation, or temps of sub 30f, would you not worry so much about Carb vs EFI?

I can see the value of EFI, and I can also imagine the cost of repairs.

This has been a very helpful thread - thanks.

EFI vs carbs, to me, is a wash. EFI works a little better. Carbs are simpler and easier to repair, which is a good thing because, in the long run, you will usually have to do more fiddling with the carb than EFI. When is the last time you actually had a failure of an EFI system other than maybe a fuel pump? I have and still do own both. It has never been a determining factor in whether or not I will buy a bike if everything else about the bike appeals to me. But, if I had the choice of either system on a bike I wanted to buy, I would take EFI every time.

[scapegoat]

Regarding spoked wheels...its sure nice to be able to plug a tubeless on the road if it comes to that. No can do wit dem spokies.

[KingOfFleece]

Triumph America. Bullet-proof motor and punches WAY above it's weight. Handles like a dream.
Most will dismiss an 865 air/oil cooled motor. They'd be wrong.

[Dismount]

Originally Posted by The PacRat

So if there is almost NO chance of EVER seeing a change in elevation, or temps of sub 30f, would you not worry so much about Carb vs EFI?

I can see the value of EFI, and I can also imagine the cost of repairs.

This has been a very helpful thread - thanks.

I've owned carbed vehicles, and I've now experienced the sweet buttery goodness that is EFI.

After trying to fit 4 of those little bastards onto the the head with 4 soft rubber boots, while at the same time attaching 4 ports from the air filter onto the OTHER side also with soft rubber boots, down inside a frame of an I-4 bike...

Fuck carbs. Fuck them long and fuck them hard.

[DannyZRC]

Davevv's pretty Guzzi, or :



Maybe the dresser version,

[JPSpen]

How about 7 thousand..



Probably not what you'd call mid-sized though.

John

[The PacRat]

That Beemer is a beauty, and thanks to this thread (and a buddy of mine) I am now including the bigger bikes as well. I am pretty damn near settling on a Nomad 1500FI, but the Road Star Silverado is REALLY nice. Decision time will be in a few short weeks, so I guess it is time to see about riding some of them.

Hmmm....

[Dieselpwr]

Yamaha Warrior. Had one and loved it.

[vicster]

Not really a midsize, but 6 grand might put you into early Victory Vegas territory. Underappreciated good quality reliable super low maintenance bikes. Local dealer has a several year old Kingpin with 48,000 miles on it he's offering with a one year unlimited miles warranty. Now that's faith in your product.
If you don't wantt to "dress" the Vegas, the V92TC (Touring Criuser) is definitely in your price range. Hard bags. shield, qua;ity components, comfortable, stupid reliable.

[rotten]

I don't know if this falls into Cruiser category....

My Vote... Yamaha Vmax 1200

[kraven]

The VN900 is a good option. It's pretty sizeable, about as much as a bigger bike, but has more power on tap than the other brands in the mid-sized cruiser market.

You might also consider the VTX1300, but mostly because there are a lot of accessories out there for fitment. It's not that much larger than the VN900. It does sound good and later models can be had with FI and whatnot.