Motorycyle Suggestion

[dak0ta_g33k 10+ year member]

check out yamaha (star) silverados

 

[hyperactive]

If commuting is your only use for a bike then take a look at the 250's and 500's from Kawasaki you can usually get a good deal on one a couple years old you could also take a look at the ex 500 from suzuki. Those three would all be considered sport bikes although there ergo's are not nearly as agressive. Others you can look at would be the Honda shadow, yamaha V-star, also some of the smaller cc suzuki cruisers would fit the bill your looking for. And would be considered cruisers. None of the bikes above will absolutley kill your pocket book and are really reliable.

When it comes to carrying things you can buy tail bags,tank bags, saddle bags for virtually any bike made that will allow you to carry what you need to. Happy hunting

 

[duece212 5,000+ posts]

My gf also mention buell, but they look too much like sport bikes.

My buell gets 65mpg. Sucks that it looks like a sport bike, but atleast it sounds good. Decently comfortable too. Yamaha vstars (650cc and 1100cc I believe) are lighter bikes, smaller motors and OHC so they should get good mileage. Cheap used too.

 

[94Mazda626 10+ year member]

The sportster is in the cruiser class. Personally I've never been a fan of HD's, I used to have an 83 Honda VF750S Sabre that I had bought in 92 or 93 and just sold two years ago. Hondas are great bikes, good performance, and reliability. My dad's also has a 83 or 84 Goldwing, my brother has a 81 CB 650 Custom, and my uncle has a newer VF750C Magna. We've never had a problem with any of these bikes.

Id you've never really ridden before Find something your comfortable on and look fo something in the 600 to 800cc range. They are much lighter and easier to handle than anything bigger. Most of the japanese brands have bikes that look as good or better than the Harleys (in my opinion) and are much more reliable. A lot of people I know that have bought the sportsters have mentioned the vibration from the engine. You are also paying for the name on a Harley.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I am kinda ethno-centric when it comes to vehicles as I understand the flaws of domestic cars and am comfortable with them. It makes me apprehensive to chose a foreign made motorcycle.

Are there any US alternatives to HD?

Also, how many of you drive ~44 miles per leg on them???

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I am kinda apprehensive about trying them out as I am afraid of wrecking them on a test drive?

 

[94Mazda626 10+ year member]

There is a newer company out owned by Polaris (snowmobiles and watercraft) called Victory. I've never paid much attention to them because it's not my taste in bikes. I'm not sure if they make a smaller bike or not.

Most of the japanese bikes are extremley reliable, the Sabre I had was 23 years old and I never had so much as a hiccup

 

[alpinetypeR 10+ year member]

SUZUKI SV650 *****

i was getting 48 mpg city ( and thats romping on the motor also)

67mpg highway

its uber realiable...Harleys will kill you on maintance

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

SUZUKI SV650 *****
i was getting 48 mpg city ( and thats romping on the motor also)

67mpg highway

its uber realiable...Harleys will kill you on maintance

an excellent suggestion.

they are fairly light, somewhat of a cross between cruiser and a sports bike styling wise, you can mount some hard or soft bags to them, they are nimble and quick, and a very forgiving bike to learn on, yet they still perform.

also, you can get them new for not much money. and used for even less.

 

[Dingleberry 10+ year member]

You can look at some triumph cycles.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Triumph-1959-TR6-cafe-bobber-chopper-custom_W0QQitemZ110232534036QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110232534036

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I am kinda ethno-centric when it comes to vehicles as I understand the flaws of domestic cars and am comfortable with them. It makes me apprehensive to chose a foreign made motorcycle.
Are there any US alternatives to HD?

Also, how many of you drive ~44 miles per leg on them???

Victory

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

I know you want to buy American, but for a vehicle purchase based on economics, it isn't the right choice. American brands tend to be more "custom" and command more money. For just getting to work and saving money I have considered something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Yamaha-Virago-V535-Excellent-Condition_W0QQitemZ300205462615QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300205462615

A manageable bike with just enough motor.

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

Shadows look nice too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-SHADOW-600-VLX-DELUXE-LOW-MILES-WARRANTY-PRISTINE_W0QQitemZ130203601432QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130203601432

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

driving 44 miles each way, will be quite tiring...

not at all impossible, but after your first few times doing it you will be pretty exausted.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

i always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. but i like sports bikes, and i would look funny as **** on a sports bike considering how big i am.