Which one??? Classic Cruiser 650? 750? 850? 1000??

[srreynolds2003]

I am sure this question has been asked 100 times before, I searched and can not find what i am looking for......

Within in the next couple of months I am wanting to get a used Classic Style cruiser (V-star, Aero, Ace, Volusia, Boulevard C50) etc...under $3000.
I want to be able to take it out for weekend rides and do 70 mph's plus.....My girlfriend would possibly ride 2 up with me from time to time. I am 5'9 weight about 170lbs my girlfriend is 5'7 weighs about 150lbs.

My question is what size should i be looking for?

I have owed only dirt bikes and dual sports in the past, so this will be my first cruiser.

Also please give any reviews you have of any Classic Style Cruisers.

I have thought about a sportster too....But might be a little out of my price range.

[Doons]

WARNING!!!! This is just my opersonal opinion. Should be taken as just that.

A 750 "Cruiser" is not enough bike for comfortable 2 up riding. It may not be enough for comfortable 1 up riding, depending on your expectations? I'm not in the "Bigger is Better" camp for all bikes but riding 2 up, I think you need more bike than a 750 cruiser can provide.... again, just my opinion.

I think as far as room, the 750 will work for ya.... as far as performance.... well you will have to make that call based on your expectations and the type of riding you plan on doing.

I think with your budget, the current bike market and an ability to negotiate.... you should be able to find what you are looking for.

UJM Cruisers, especialy used, are a great bargin and will normally have some nice farkles already on board. Good Hunting!!!!

[CaroleAnn]

I ride a VStar 1100 and I wouldn't go smaller on a cruiser. I occasionally ride 2up with my daughter and I can feel the difference. I think anything smaller you won't get the power you want in 2up.

:sun:

[DaveAlvarado]

I did a bunch of 2-up riding on a Boulevard M50 when I weighed around 350lbs (with normal-sized passengers). You'll be fine on anything you get.

[1 wheel peel]

If I were looking to do what you described for that price I would be looking really hard at this bike or one like it. (no relationship) http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51048 The V65's had ample power even by todays standards and are great bikes.

[mjjust]

Even the later 750 Magnas are good bikes and would do well, even 2 up. And they can be had for a song too.

[dukey33]

Go browse around www.motorcyclecruiser.com for some magazine style reviews. They have older articles which would equate to used bikes in the $3k range.

If you are certain you will use this bike for two up, the 900cc, 1100cc and bigger is the way to go. The metric cruisers are low on power so a bigger displacement would be justified. You prolly don't need to go all the way up to 1500-1800. Those start getting a bit unwieldy but they are a smooth ride.

If you look at Shadow 1100, but aware early models (up thru 97 I believe) are single crank pin models that vibrate more than the later models. VT1100 are good solid bikes with low maintenance hydraulic lifters and shaft drive. They come in a wide variety of configurations (Spirit, ACE, Sabre, Aero) so shop around.
The V-star 1100 is also a great bike, air cooled so no coolant to mess with.
As you may already know, the Volusia and C50 are the same bike. Rated very highly in the mid-size cruiser range.

V-star and Kawasaki Vulcan have a 900cc offering but they are newer models and likely not in the $3k range. But if you can find one and stretch your budget, they are the fuel injected, which none of the others in this price range will be.

good luck.

[croach1776]

I am sure this question has been asked 100 times before, I searched and can not find what i am looking for......

Within in the next couple of months I am wanting to get a used Classic Style cruiser (V-star, Aero, Ace, Volusia, Boulevard C50) etc...under $3000.
I want to be able to take it out for weekend rides and do 70 mph's plus.....My girlfriend would possibly ride 2 up with me from time to time. I am 5'9 weight about 170lbs my girlfriend is 5'7 weighs about 150lbs.

My question is what size should i be looking for?

I have owed only dirt bikes and dual sports in the past, so this will be my first cruiser.

Also please give any reviews you have of any Classic Style Cruisers.

I have thought about a sportster too....But might be a little out of my price range.

There is guy offering a Suzuki Boulevard for 2K on this site http://forum.concours.org/index.php?topic=78998.msg462721#msg462721

[SilverBullet]

and here is another good deal from this site. Clean Magna 1100 for $2k
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51048

_

[srreynolds2003]

Go browse around www.motorcyclecruiser.com for some magazine style reviews. They have older articles which would equate to used bikes in the $3k range.

If you are certain you will use this bike for two up, the 900cc, 1100cc and bigger is the way to go. The metric cruisers are low on power so a bigger displacement would be justified. You prolly don't need to go all the way up to 1500-1800. Those start getting a bit unwieldy but they are a smooth ride.

If you look at Shadow 1100, but aware early models (up thru 97 I believe) are single crank pin models that vibrate more than the later models. VT1100 are good solid bikes with low maintenance hydraulic lifters and shaft drive. They come in a wide variety of configurations (Spirit, ACE, Sabre, Aero) so shop around.
The V-star 1100 is also a great bike, air cooled so no coolant to mess with.
As you may already know, the Volusia and C50 are the same bike. Rated very highly in the mid-size cruiser range.

V-star and Kawasaki Vulcan have a 900cc offering but they are newer models and likely not in the $3k range. But if you can find one and stretch your budget, they are the fuel injected, which none of the others in this price range will be.

good luck.

Thanks for this review...this is What i was looking for someone to give me insite on all the different models. I will probably start out with something in the 900 to 1100 range.

Thanks for all the great info.

[jnappier]

I had a Shadow 1100, not bad but lacking in power and anything above 70 was uncomfortable and felt like I was pushing it too hard. My neighbor had a Shadow 750, great bikes both but not for prolonged freeway use at 70 plus.

I suggest a Honda VTX1300 as a starter cruiser that you wouldn't outgrow for a long time. It's not too big or small, dependable, tons of after market stuff and looks good too. Then again the v-rod looks better. :lol2:

Good luck with your search.

[SilverBullet]

I suggest a Honda VTX1300 as a starter cruiser

Agree except for "starter" but not in his price range. If you can find a VTX under $3,000 it wouldn't be worth buying.

that you wouldn't outgrow for a long time.

Correction. That you would never outgrow.

_

[cowboyman]

I went from a Honda shadow 650, which was way underpowered with 2 up riding especially at highway speeds and heaven forbid we hit some hills!:giveup: I then got a Honda VTX1300 and I really cant see myself getting anything smaller, especially with 2up riding, and even worse in the hill country. But then again like it was said before it will be hard to find anything under $3000.00 for a vtx. Ive been seeing vstar 1100's for that price range though. Good luck.

[jnappier]

Agree except for "starter" but not in his price range.
I meant starter as in it would likely not be his last cruiser. Not as in beginner or little girly bike. As far as outgrowing it, that depends on how big you get! :lol2::rider: I at least met 2 of the 3 requests with my suggestion, 2 up riding and 70+ on the highway. I found a couple for 4k on cl. I would rather wait and save up and get the vtx1300 than be unhappy with what I spent 3k on. Hence my suggestion.

[The Big Spank Daddy]

I've been riding with a bunch of cruisers lately. One thing I noticed right off is nothing smaller than an 1100 for single riding and if you plan on any two up definitely nothing less than a 1300. V-twins are great out of the hole and pull like a tractor up to about 60. After that they seem to run out of steam. Big torque = good pull but low speed. HP = good Highway manners at speeds above 55.

My buddy got a 1200 Shadow, I have a GPZ1100 (ZX1100E) and Cindy has a '93 750 Night Hawk. Out on the highway, the 1200 shadow has to think way ahead to pass and down shift, while Cindy and I just twist the throttle and motor right around without a second thought.

I totally agree with the VTX1300. Lots of aftermarket goodies and will last a long time. I do not agree with the not being able to find one for $3K though. Deals are always around if you have the $$$$ on hand and are patient for that good deal to come along.

A cruiser is fine and I'm not knocking your choice, but if you are looking for something "standard", how about a ZRX or a Bandit. There are tons of those around for $3K or less.

My GPZ has a corbin seat with a backrest. Cindy and I are no light weights and we probly but close to 50K miles on it two up. It now has 85K and still runs like new. I give this as a comparo because it has the same engine as a ZRX.

[bushwhacker]

If I were looking to do what you described for that price I would be looking really hard at this bike or one like it. (no relationship) http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51048 The V65's had ample power even by todays standards and are great bikes.

The mid 80's V65 Magnas were awesome motorcycles. I have owned two of them in the past. Fastest Production bike made at the time. Quarter mile in the low 10's. The V-Max was originally introduced to compete with it.

If you want a cruiser to drag race this is the bike to get. It runs like a scalded dog, but the ride, in my opinion is harsh. I would never get one for long distance or two up riding. It would be a Saturday Night boulevard special.

The newer 750 magnas would be much better for your purposes.

I am not sure where thie no power is coming from for the smaller displacement bikes. I had an 1100 Virago that would do the quarter in the very low 12's. The 800 Kawasaki Drifter was faster than the 1500 model of the same bike.

Remember, a lot of the 1300 and up bikes they are talking about are shaft drive, which is great for maintenance but **** on getting power to the rear wheel.

The smaller displacement bikes are generally chain drive and put a much larger percentage of the available power to the rear wheel.

I knew one guy who toured 2 up of a V-Star 650. Rode with him to South Padre Island from Houston. I was on a Valkyrie and he kept up just fine. Personally I think the 650 is a bit cramped for two up but he had no problem.

I think any of the late 80's and up 750 or larger cruisers would work just fine for the type of riding you are talking about doing.

Just find one you are comfortable on and go for it. You will be fine.

[perterra]

Just about any cruiser from 750 up will get you where you wanna go if your willing to adapt it to you or you to it. I wouldnt fixate on cc's as much as horsepower, 50 hp up may make interstate trips easier but they all will make it. For myself I would look more at fuel capacity and mileage for a day tripper two up.

[EX500vic]

WOW!!!!! Yall seem to forget the VN900 is out there. I have one and think its a great bike, stock tires suck but that's soooo easy to fix. I weigh in at 206 and have had a few passengers on her and never lacked the power to cruise.