Your suggestions on cruiser motorcycles?

Ray H

Ray H

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Falling Waters, WV
Im thinking of getting a used bike. I want a V twin. I will be using it to commute and the occational day or weekend trip. Usually be one up on it but sometimes two up. something with a windshield and soft bags. I want to stay under $4000 but dont really want a fixer-upper. I think Harley is out of the question for that money. With the exception of a Sportster or a beat up piece of crap that will need work, It looks like a Harley will be out of my price range. Thats fine, Im not a big Harley fan anyway. Im thinking something along the lines of a Honda Shadow, Yamaha Vstar or Susuki Marauder. what are your thoughts?

This is not mine but is an example of what Im looking for. To me, this is a beautiful bike.
SILVERADO.jpg
 
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I like Honda myself. I have a 750 Four Cylinder that Ilove riding. If it were me, it would be Honda. Theyre known for reliability and longevity. :)
 
Ive always had Hondas as well. I started off 30+ years ago with a Honda XL70, had a couple dirt bikes through the years, My first street bike I got was a Honda 550Four when I turned 16. The last one I had was a Honda Sabre back in 1985. So everything Ive had has been Honda but Ive been away from it for over 20 years now.
 
Ray H said:
Im thinking of getting a used bike. I want a V twin. I will be using it to commute and the occational day or weekend trip. Usually be one up on it but sometimes two up. something with a windshield and soft bags. I want to stay under $4000 but dont really want a fixer-upper. I think Harley is out of the question for that money. With the exception of a Sportster or a beat up piece of crap that will need work, It looks like a Harley will be out of my price range. Thats fine, Im not a big Harley fan anyway. Im thinking something along the lines of a Honda Shadow, Yamaha Vstar or Susuki Marauder. what are your thoughts?

This is not mine but is an example of what Im looking for. To me, this is a beautiful bike.
SILVERADO.jpg
Click to expand...

My wife was telling me about the "fear" media talking about gas being $7 a gallon, so I mentioned the motorcycle thing again. This time she said "well that might be a good idea". I nearly fell down. I may be doing the same thing as you. :D
 
i've been steering away from it too. With the new family I've been scared to ride. Something about people on cell phones and text messaging while driving seems to bother me. I dont need some 17 year old kid rear ending me on a bike because they are too involved in there conversation about the prom!
 
Yeah, Its pretty frieghtening. Ive been putting it off as well. My BIL has been all over me trying to get me to buy one, he wants someone to ride with. Now with gas prices going up and staying up, its starting to make more sense. My wife is finally onboard with it I think. All Ive got to do now is get a job again so I have a valid reason to get a bike.

My BIL is big into Harleys but I cant vustify paying $8000-$10000 for a motorcycle just to save on gas costs, I dont care what the resale is.
 
I've had alot of bikes, started riding when I was 12, I'm 57 now, and could join the AMA to race scrambles and trials. I stopped riding around 95 when I almost got wiped out 2wice on the way home from the post office 4 miles away 8 am on a saturday morning. Kids are grown up and gas is expensive. I'm also going for a bike, My last one was a Yamaha XS1100LH and I loved it, a black chrome and gold cruiser with nads :D. in 92 parts for it were impossible to find unless they were used and that engine/tranny/drivetrain had been built for over 10 years by Yamaha.
I'm going for a 883 sportster, they can be had for under $4K and 4 years old.
My son has a 2003 Marauder, nice bike, chain drive, water cooled. My main complaint is that after about 7 years you can't get parts for them, harleys on the other hand you can almost get parts for them at tractor supply even if they were built in the 40's. Plus the 883 has the option of going to 1200cc.. I don't have to worry about the wife riding with me, with the neck injuries she has neither of us is willing to take the chance of a spill.
 
RichP said:
My last one was a Yamaha XS1100LH and I loved it, a black chrome and gold cruiser with nads :D.I'm going for a 883 sportster, they can be had for under $4K and 4 years old.
My son has a 2003 Marauder, nice bike, chain drive, water cooled. My main complaint is that after about 7 years you can't get parts for them, harleys on the other hand you can almost get parts for them at tractor supply even if they were built in the 40's. Plus the 883 has the option of going to 1200cc.. I don't have to worry about the wife riding with me, with the neck injuries she has neither of us is willing to take the chance of a spill.
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My neighbor had a black and gold XS1100. It was called a nighthawk or something if I recall.

EDIT: t was a Midnight Special I think.

You make a good point about Harley and parts. I have nothing against Harleys except the price. The Sportster is all thats in my price range and its not much bike for the price. If I didnt want the option of making the occational roadtrip with it (strictly around town commuting) a Sportster would be an option.
 
Ray H said:
My neighbor had a black and gold XS1100. It was called a nighthawk or something if I recall.

EDIT: t was a Midnight Special I think.

You make a good point about Harley and parts. I have nothing against Harleys except the price. The Sportster is all thats in my price range and its not much bike for the price. If I didnt want the option of making the occational roadtrip with it (strictly around town commuting) a Sportster would be an option.
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Midnite special, mine was serial number 223 out of 300. Back when I was trading a bike every 18 months Yamaha, Honda and BMW were not issues when it came to parts, BMW is also another good option, I should have kept that one but the black and gold exposed me for the gaudy power whore I was, that was a quick bike for a cruiser and always drew a crowd especially after I had some other accessories gold plated to match.
The HD is simple, no liquid cooling system to worry about and the aftermarket seats and cruise accessories are as plentiful as the jeep stuff. A friend of mine had a fat bob and we used to trade off every once in a while, the HD handled alot different than the XS did but not in a bad way, it just preferred to go straight in the twisties, once I got used to that we got along fine. The sportsters handle about the same as a 60's or 70's triumph/bsa/norton. I've been looking for a sport with mag wheels and belt drive, don't want to deal with wire wheels and chains anymore.
 
i had a v star 650, it was a good little bike, i would suggest getting at least a 1000cc or bigger bike as it will ride/drive better and wont feel like its tached out like a croch rocket all the time. thats the only complaint i had with mine as it screemed at 4500 rpm just to do 65 on the freeway.
 
jpcherokeekid said:
i had a v star 650, it was a good little bike, i would suggest getting at least a 1000cc or bigger bike as it will ride/drive better and wont feel like its tached out like a croch rocket all the time. thats the only complaint i had with mine as it screemed at 4500 rpm just to do 65 on the freeway.
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I was wondering about that. 650 isnt a "small" bike but I wasnt sure if it would be big enough. Im about 215 and my wifes is around 150. Im sure it would be fine just running back and forth to work, but on extended road trips, Im not sure.
I did check out the Road Star. Man, they are sweet and can be had fairly cheap (for a mega cc bike).
 
RichP said:
60's or 70's triumph/bsa/norton.
Click to expand...
My step dad has a bright yellow all-original (I'm pretty sure, minus maintenance and whatnot) 71 Norton. He loves it. Used to be a racing bike.
 
When I can afford it,(in 37 years) I plan to pick up Harley. I'd like to find a retired police bike. Most are in great condition and are well taken care of. Some of them don't have a crap ton of miles either. I've seen them go very reasonably too. Of course the ones with high miles are alot cheaper but, that wouldn't bother me. Most are white, some are black, some are both. I've seen mostly Electra Glides, Road Kings. Either of which would tickle me pink.
Anyway, might be something for you to look into.
 
HaleYes said:
When I can afford it,(in 37 years) I plan to pick up Harley. I'd like to find a retired police bike. Most are in great condition and are well taken care of. Some of them don't have a crap ton of miles either. I've seen them go very reasonably too. Of course the ones with high miles are alot cheaper but, that wouldn't bother me. Most are white, some are black, some are both. I've seen mostly Electra Glides, Road Kings. Either of which would tickle me pink.
Anyway, might be something for you to look into.
Click to expand...

Theres a couple retired cop bikes on EBAY right now. they have really high mileage, which makes sense because they are riden every day, all day long, just like the cop cars I guess. their maintenance is probably very good though.
 
I just got a 2001 Honda Shadow VLX really low miles for $3000. Its a 600cc but a 4 speed so it does scream on highway driving. I would suggest the 750 ace or bigger for highway driving. I like hondas. Good look and comfortable.
 
Ive been looking at the Shadows. Heres a local one Im conversing with the owner over now. Its a 2001 1100 Shadow with only 700 miles on it, it like new condition. I see what looks like saddlebag brackets so Im trying to find out what it comes with. I know the price is high so if he doesnt come down, its a deal breaker.
http://www.marylandjeepclub.org/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=7134&mode=view
 
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