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Seems there are more than a few folks here who ride, or used to ride, and are thinking of getting back on two wheels again. Whether you ride 2 wheels, or 3, as long as they're powered by a motor this is the place to discuss your interest. Tell your related stories. Post pics of your ride, current, past, or dream bike. Share hints, tips and advice. Are you a 'mileage monster', or 'week-end warrior' or are bikes truly a way of life for you? Maybe just another diversion. Dirtbike, highway, cruiser, trike or crotch rocket. Whatever, join the conversation. Trip pics.

I rode for a bit as a kid. Small highway Hondas & Yamahas, which of course doubled for cross country & stunting. I discovered soon enough that these types of bikes, as well as my not so thick hyde, were not meant for such 'fun'!
Got away from bikes for several years while raising a family, but always wanted/wished to get back on 2 wheels.
My 3 younger brothers got into riding and over the years kept after me to "get another bike, and go riding with us". Fast forward to 2010 & I found a nice little Suzuki Marauder VZ 805 cc. Decked out with about 20,000km on it. I bought it from the original owner. Very nice condition. Felt comfortable on it right away. Went and completed the 'Gearing Up' course. Scary how many bad habits a fellow can pick up over the years of just occasional riding!
I enjoyed riding again. No problem keeping up with the bigger bikes at all. I hear from other riders of 750-950cc all the time that "I gotta get a bigger bike so I can keep up". Bullshit. They just won't admit, unless pressed of course, that they are more interested in 'image'.
This spring I decided it was time to start looking around for another bike. Not necessarily a bigger bike, but I wanted something newer as the Marauder is chain drive, and I was looking at a new chain & sprocket, tires. Last year put a new battery in & new fuel pump.
Recently found a 2009 Harley XL Sportster 1200 L for a good price. I've never been taken by the 'Harley Mystique', but the price was too good to pass up. Why not give it a go? It's a nice bike. Plenty of go. But just not my style. Can't see myself looking forward to heading out on a couple thousand mile run with it.

Now I'm looking around for something a bit samaller. Not chain drive. 2006 or newer. 800-950cc. Decked out. I like being able to lean back, stretch my legs out over the 'highways', locking the throttle, having a smoke & enjoying the ride. Leaning towards Suzuki Boulevard or Yamaha V Star tho I will admit some of the Kawi's are appealing. Haven't come across much in the way of Hondas yet.
99 Suzuki Marauder 065.JPG [ 516.5 KiB | Viewed 172 times ]

   

My preference is more sport or touring than cruiser. I did have a Honda VT1100 for one year and then went back to the other side. The bike did what it was designed to do well. It just was not designed to do what I wanted. I now have a GL1800 (shaft drive) and a Kawi 650R (chain drive). The maintenance on a shaft drive is so much easier. Change 4 oz of oil every 2 years or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. With a chain you are always lubing, cleaning and adjusting slack.

Having one bike with ABS and one without I now will never buy another bike without ABS.

As for power, it is entirely dependent on your wants, desires and comfort. For some people it has to be a super sport, for others a cruiser is just fine. Water cooled V twins put out more power per cc than air cooled. Parallel twins, L twins, etc will put out more power than V twins. For example a 650 parallel twin is about 72 HP and redlines around 11,000 rpm, while a Harley 1200 is about 55 hp. The Harley has more torque and is a different ride. It is like comparing apples and oranges.

In the end the perfect bike is one that after a full day you get off, look back over your shoulder and say 'I love that bike'.

   

Brought my 2009 Kawi 900 Custom to South Africa with me and has carried me around the country with ease. Water Cooled and fuel injected make for pretty much maintenance free. Also the water cooled helps in the extreme summer heat. You also can't beat the price at around 10k right out of the box.

The 900 Custom is a great mid range cruiser with plenty of jump of the line and Kawi designs are meant to run hot and take the punishment. Only minor problem is the stock seat is not what I would call comfortable for long rides.

Have you check the Victory Line? Make fantastic bikes with lots of options from broken down bobbers to baggers and loaded touring bikes. Will be testing the judge and gunner when I get back to Canada and trade up.

   

That's how I feel about the Marauder. Got a chance to take it, and the Harley out on the highway today and as far as comfort & ease of riding, I miss that Zuki!

When I ride with my brothers - all younger than me-, they can't wait to get to the motel by 4 pm. I always end up going for a ride by myself in the evenings.

   

I'm seriously considering this bike. '07 C50 Boulevard.

Make Suzuki
Model Boulevard
For Sale By Owner
Colour Red
Engine Displacement (cc) 800
Kilometers 15220
Year 2007

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2007 C50 Boulevard Suzuki Touring motorcycle in excellent condition with two new tires. Only 15,220 kms. Has windshield and back rest for passenger. A must see.


07 Suzuki Boulevard C50.jpg [ 15.83 KiB | Viewed 1272 times ]

   

See a lot of Boulevards in South Africa, they seem to be big sellers. Any of the Japanese made cruisers are worth the money. Will out last most HD's and the price is always right for those who are in it for the ride and not the "I'm a big bad biker image".

Never understood the HD need. Even Sonny Barger (Oakland HA Pres)hated HD and would have made the change to other brands if it wasn't for the image.

   

I knew someone that had the same boulevard. It could go about 300 km on a tank, had a shaft drive for low maintenance and seemed like a reliable machine. I rode it for a bit and found the floor boards would touch down too easy in tight turns, but otherwise it was not bad. Adequate power for the highway and decent range. It depends on your riding style if it suits you. You could always replace the floor boards with pegs and gain a bit of lean angle if that would make it suit you better.

   

Getting rid of the floor boards & installing a crash bar & hiway pegs would be the first order.
I took the Harley out on the hiway the other day and found that I kept sitting forward by about 3 inches. Not a bad ride, but can't see doing a long trip on it. So, it is going to go bye-bye & likeley be replaced with a small cruiser.

   

If you want to do long distances then the best riding position is to have 0* to a few degrees of forward lean. This places your weight on your pelvis and not your tailbone. The worst position is one with you leaning back. My touring bike has 0* of lean and I am good for 400 km until I need gas. Then get right back on and do the next 400, although there may be a meal break in the middle of the second 400 if I am with someone. If I want to get somewhere there will be a third 400 or even a 4th 400. If it is a flower sniffing trip then 500 to 800 km for the day. Other bikes may need gas more frequently, but with the right set up they can still put in 1000+ km days.

When people state there maximum distance for a day is less than 500 km, what they are really sayings is the seating position does not provide enough comfort to go further.

   

Just finalized a deal on a new bike 2010 Victory Kingpin. I go to pick it up this weekend. Now I just have to wait for it to friggin quit snowing!

*Sorry for the small picture, it's the only one I have atm. I'll post a bigger one when I get her home

   

I'm getting too old to get back into crotch rockets (my old bike was a Honda VFR)and I wanted something for small touring trips so naturally I looked at the HD's. I didn't find any that were really my style either. Not to mention I'm pretty sure the "HD" stands for a "Hundred Dollars" as that seemed to be the price for a even a bolt for the darn things.

I think the big thing with the HD's are the events and the community. They seem to have some type of get together or group ride planned just about every weekend in the summer no matter where you are.

   

Yogi you've been out riding again !

   

This was my favourite bike. Owned one identical back in the late sixty's.

Could never get into cruisers.

   

That's where I'm comming from now too! Check out Albertalonewolves.com
they always have rides going on. I know they have a chapter in your area, Dino.

   

I found the Marauder set-up to be really comfy. After riding 5-600 km with my younger bros. they were 'done for the day' and I always ended up going out for a couple hourrs by myself.

   

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