We are planning to buy a cruiser for my wife. We went to check some out yesterday. On our list were the following:

Harley Davidson Superlow
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom
Suzuki M50


We have some specific criteria that excluded everything but cruisers (= seat height) and narrowed it down to these based on other criteria:

Ease of handling
Cast wheels (for the ability to patch while riding)
Touring capability (reasonably large tank, availability of bags, a windscreen, etc)

I was surprised that #2 really reduced the candidates, though was happy to see that the Suzuki C50 was also available with cast wheels (one dealer had two).

So far it has been easy. The Vulcan 900 custom feels pretty big and the front wheel is tiny. We didn't care for that. The HD was beautiful but uncomfortable (seat). The M50 and C50 both felt great (I preferred the M50). We're not sure if the floorboards are to be preferred or not (C50 has them, M50 has pegs). My wife was only able to ride a Vulcan 900 Classic, but not long enough to decide if she liked the floorboards or the heel-tow shifting.

So I think we're deciding between an M50 and a C50.

Anyway, I was surprised by how much I liked the cruisers, especially the M50 (or any Suzuki M* cruiser). I am not sure I will ever own one, and neither of us got to ride one, but who knows. :guilty:

low seat... ducati monster? suzuki gladius?

Not sure about the Ducati, but the Gladius is not low enough. She actually got to sit on one Saturday and it was quite a bit too high. She needs a seat height around 27-28 inches to be comfortable.

I find Harleys have great paint, chrome and powder coating finishes and interesting styling but seem to be over priced and under performing for what they cost. The Japanese seem to build better VTwin engines and smoother shifting transmissions, at least that was the impression I got after riding a Fat Boy and XR1200 on a demo day the local dealer had.

One of my riding buddes has the M50. Very nice bike (for a cruiser) He has hard bags on that look good and is considering a widshield. The brackets for the windshields cost as muchor maore that the damn screen!

All in all that Suzuki looks very good, performs well, is very reasonably sized at some 800 ccs and works for touring. Ususally found at a great price too for all that it offers. So yeah, I see your point.

Thanks, ATYC. Do you happen to know what bags your buddy has? Hard bags would be an improvement over those leather things.

I just came off the C50. I rode it for 4 years. No problems at all. I loved the floorboards and the heel toe shifter. The engine sounds like a sewing machine on steriods, lots of tapping and clicking. It also screams pretty hard at 65MPH & up. The Versys purrs like a kitten in comparison. The C50 is ~150 lbs heavier than the Versys, but has a low seat height.

My good friend had an 09 Kawasaki Vulcan and he came off the C50. He has had zero problems with both.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks, ATYC. Do you happen to know what bags your buddy has? Hard bags would be an improvement over those leather things.

Not exactly, and the bike is currently in storage. He installed real low profile ghost racks so there would be really nothing to see when the bags are off. Funny thing is, he never took the bags off all year!

They are high gloss, black plastic, lockable and top opening and are very similar to (if not exactly the same as) these:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/GA-MOTORCYCLE-V-ROAD-STAR-C50-C90-M109R-Hard-Saddle-Bag-/230591368521?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35b0510d49:goodluck::goodidea:

Thanks very much!

I see a lot of national cycle hard saddlebags on the Suzukis...

http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/Cruiseliner.shtml

I really like the styling on the M-50 and one of it's best points is that it is fuel injected. That eliminates a lot of problems. I wouldn't recommend the M50 for two up riding. Just a little under powered for that. The big wheels get a lot of attention. I had an S-50 for a while but I'm just not into cruisers.

While straightaways and bars may not be the only means(to an end) your wife may have....This bike and article I found interesting. M-109

http://www.nationalpost.com/cars/story.html?id=725936&p=2

I've heard the term "garage ornament" used on this site before,
this may be an almost perfect example, but take it out of the garage and she'll surely be noticed.:cheers:

Did you look at the Honda VT750's?

Low mile C50/M50's seem to be readily available and dirt cheap. At least the few times I looked around for one.

I was leaning hard toward the S50 when i saw the versys then it was game over.

.................................................. ........................................

We have some specific criteria that excluded everything but cruisers (= seat height) and narrowed it down to these based on other criteria:

Ease of handling
Cast wheels (for the ability to patch while riding)........

I was surprised that #2 really reduced the candidates.........


Ease of handling, enough to patch a tire while riding?
I'd like to see anyone do that on any bike!!!:D
Okay I'll shut-up now.:teetertooter:

Ease of handling, enough to patch a tire while riding?
I'd like to see anyone do that on any bike!!!:D
Okay I'll shut-up now.:teetertooter:You've never seen me ride. :topsecret:

Did you consider Triumph Speedmaster or America?

My wife has a Suzuki C50 and has just finished a track day, we have gone all over the South Island NZ on some really challenging roads and the C50 has performed very well. She is 5'6 and weighs 60 KG's or 132 lbs and handles the bike really well but it is a heavy machine to park and handling on twisties is not even on the same planet as my mighty orange V.

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad231/philandkeri/keribullergorge.jpg

Here one of fastoman's daughter sitting on my wife's bike when she came to visit us
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad231/philandkeri/loshonKerisbike.jpg

I see a lot of national cycle hard saddlebags on the Suzukis...

http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/Cruiseliner.shtmlNice! Thanks!

I really like the styling on the M-50 and one of it's best points is that it is fuel injected. That eliminates a lot of problems. I wouldn't recommend the M50 for two up riding. Just a little under powered for that. The big wheels get a lot of attention. I had an S-50 for a while but I'm just not into cruisers.Yeah, one up is the plan. I think the only area where that engine is not ideal is highway. But I've also read of people changing the gearing ... not sure how big a deal that would be.

I've heard the term "garage ornament" used on this site before,
this may be an almost perfect example, but take it out of the garage and she'll surely be noticed.:cheers:That was how I first really "saw" the M-bikes. There was an M109 as I was leaving the racetrack one day (I take my car on the track, not my bike ;) ). I talked to the owner about it for a while. That's a lot of bike!

Did you look at the Honda VT750's?That was one of the first bikes we thought would fit. But one thing took it out of the running: spoke wheels. We could always replace the wheels, but it there were other options that had them stock. Also things took it out of the running: spoke wheels and I kept reading that it

Did you consider Triumph Speedmaster or America?I did look briefly Triumph, but we didn't go sit on any to see if she liked them. I think they are both nice bikes, especially the Speedmaster. I think if she hadn't felt good on either the M/C50 or the Vulcan we would have considered one. They're a little more expensive though, and there are far fewer dealerships in case we needed one in backroads Texas.

Now, if the Tiger 800 was 4 inches lower, that might have been irresistible. ;)

My wife has a Suzuki C50 and has just finished a track day, we have gone all over the South Island NZ on some really challenging roads and the C50 has performed very well. She is 5'6 and weighs 60 KG's or 132 lbs and handles the bike really well but it is a heavy machine to park and handling on twisties is not even on the same planet as my mighty orange V.
I'm sure of that! :) Good to know. Does she like the footboards over pegs?

I'm sure of that! :) Good to know. Does she like the footboards over pegs?

She loves the footboards and was all excited at our track day as she scraped the spike on the boards for the first time last sunday so she happy to make it to the big league haha.

If she rides with you much at all she'll be scraping stuff a LOT. If you're interested, my wife is now trying to sell her Sportster Low (cast wheels, touring seat, larger tank, she'll let you test drive) so she can get a bike that will safely go around curves.
My advice to you, from someone that's been there, is buy used/cheap as you may be buying often.

Right now we're just having a hard time finding a M/C50 she can actually test ride. Hopefully we'll find one so we can be more confident in the purchase.

Right now we're just having a hard time finding a M/C50 she can actually test ride. Hopefully we'll find one so we can be more confident in the purchase.


http://www.yamahasuzukioftexas.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=09879724X3K1K2011J8I16I 08JPMQ2354R0&veh=88123&pov=1947104

That's a serious bike! $20k in upgrades in says. Including a stereo.

Damn its got a cup holder too. i say get it.

That's a serious bike! $20k in upgrades in says. Including a stereo.
It does not look like there is any room left in the hard bags for gear after the speakers and sub woofers where installed. A 200watt stereo on a motorcycle with that many speakers? Guess you need that kind of power to drown out the after market loud pipes. :dgi: I wonder if the previous owner had tinnitus? You could play your own entrance music while you ride... "Get your motor running, head out on the highway, Born to be wild..." just so people know your a "real biker" and "freedom loving badass". With that kind of volume people would hear you long before you even roll into view in your chaps and bandanna. :yeahsmile:

The dealership is not too far from where we had lunch at spring creek bbq

Heres a couple. Were we met for the glen rose bbq run. the second one is the same color as your V..

http://www.hondakawasakiwest.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=02241175X3K3K2011J8I05I 47JPMQ3495R0&veh=22008&pov=1969120



http://www.hondakawasakiwest.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=02241175X3K3K2011J8I05I 47JPMQ3495R0&veh=88075&pov=1389922

Wow, that's a tough call, choosing a cruiser for your lady! I'm guessing it's the height/inseam issue that has you looking at the low riders. I just wouldn't want my mrs trying to hang with me on the twisties, knowing she would be draggin floorboards or worse. Have you considered the new Honda CBR 250 or a Kawasaki 500? Maybe a lower seat is an option. I can say it's hard to ride with my buddies on their cruisers on anything but a straight highway. Just my thoughts.

We wanted something bigger than what she has (Buell Blast which is a 500). We have done a couple longer rides (about 700 miles) and want to do more. The M50 is not ideal at 70mph but it's okay (the Blast does fine at 70 but the range is not good with its small tank).

The CBR is pretty leaned forward, so I don't think that would work out. I don't know much about the Kawi 500.

She is not terribly aggressive in the corners so I think she'll be fine in a cruiser. The M50 is like a cruiser take on a sporty bike so it might be a little better in the corners than your average cruiser.

She is not terribly aggressive in the corners so I think she'll be fine in a cruiser. The M50 is like a cruiser take on a sporty bike so it might be a little better in the corners than your average cruiser.

Sharper than the average cruiser seemed to be the line on the M50 in many of the write-ups I found when I was researching bikes. Never had the chance to ride one before I decided that the cruiser riding position doesn't work for me.

Check out http://cycle-ergo.com/ Lots of great bikes out there for touring, even consider one of the maxi scooters like the Bergman or Kawasaki 500 or 650.

The M50 is like a cruiser take on a sporty bike so it might be a little better in the corners than your average cruiser.

This is correct on the m or muscle bikes, the reason my wife went with the C or classic was because of the look she likes. Love having her on about that her bike is a great HD imitation.

I was finally able to get some pictures. I think it looks great. A complete mismatch with the Versys though. ;)

Opposites attract.....Looks great

I was finally able to get some pictures. I think it looks great. A complete mismatch with the Versys though. ;)

Now you can play the game my wife and me play, guess who's bike is who's ;)