Any motorcyclists here?

[jp0160]

Hey everyone, This year i've been doing a bit of dirtbiking with a friend of mine, hes been nice enough to lend me his spare bike to rip around this year, its an early 2000's Suzuki 400cc 4 stroke dirt bike (not really sure on any other specs). He's made it street legal and I've ridden it a few times on the road, and I think I've been hit by the Bike bug.

Just wondering if anyone else rides? I'm looking to purchase a used 400-600cc cruiser soon, does anyone have any suggestions for a good starter bike? I need power, but I don't plan on going super fast, just some backroad cruising. I'm looking for something relatively easy to fix/find parts (i have basic knowledge of 2 stroke engines, tranny's, suspension, etc), just an all-around good bike to start with. Any suggestions?

Feel free to post a pic of your bike, cruiser or not, I love seeing them!

 

[schmaged88]

I had a honda shadow 600vlx it was ok until I had a passenger, got off that for a Honda shadow spirit 750 that was a good bike (until the wife said after a 300 mile run "we need a bigger bike!!) so we stepped up to a Harley Heritage Softail Classic, that was a damn good bike, but some dip shat wanted it more than I did, now we are shopping for a ultra classic.....it is really what you feel comfortable with, bigger cc's doesn't mean screaming ass power, it just means if you want to be comfortable riding with a passenger you need a bigger cc bike, if you are just buying one for yourself to cruise I would look at the 750 shadow or the 1300 vlx from Honda. Don't ever buy brand new unless you are willing to take the depreciation hit (I am too cheap, I buy all my stuff 1-3 years old). It also depends on how tall or big you are. I got a buddy who is 5 foot and rides a heritage but we lowered the hell out of it and built a custom seat....

Just my 2 cents
Justin

 

[jp0160]

I had a honda shadow 600vlx it was ok until I had a passenger, got off that for a Honda shadow spirit 750 that was a good bike (until the wife said after a 300 mile run "we need a bigger bike!!) so we stepped up to a Harley Heritage Softail Classic, that was a damn good bike, but some dip shat wanted it more than I did, now we are shopping for a ultra classic.....it is really what you feel comfortable with, bigger cc's doesn't mean screaming ass power, it just means if you want to be comfortable riding with a passenger you need a bigger cc bike, if you are just buying one for yourself to cruise I would look at the 750 shadow or the 1300 vlx from Honda. Don't ever buy brand new unless you are willing to take the depreciation hit (I am too cheap, I buy all my stuff 1-3 years old). It also depends on how tall or big you are. I got a buddy who is 5 foot and rides a heritage but we lowered the hell out of it and built a custom seat....

Just my 2 cents
Justin

Thanks Justin, We have the same name! I've read a lot about how the extra cc in a cruiser doesn't do much except for torque, thats why I'm looking for a 400-600cc, I was told a 400 could cruise at 80km/h no problem, that's about the fastest I plan to go aside from passing/merging.

I've been looking at the Yamaha V-Star from the mid 80's. Any input? I'm under the impression that a bike that's a bit older will be a little more noob friendly (in some circumstances).

EDIT: I'm 6'0, I think I should fit on most bikes without an issue, but once again I'm new to this, I really have no idea.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

My cousin is 6'3" and he has a suzuki 450 enduro with street tires. Or you could get just about any other street legal enduro or bike that can be made street legal. KTM makes a bunch of bikes that might work.

 

[jp0160]

My cousin is 6'3" and he has a suzuki 450 enduro with street tires. Or you could get just about any other street legal enduro or bike that can be made street legal. KTM makes a bunch of bikes that might work.

I've been keeping my eye on any type of Enduro bike, but the cruisers I'm looking at seem to have a bit more personality to them than an old enduro.. I'm going cheap, but i want the cruiser style.. I know I'm asking for too much! haha

I'm looking specifically for the "Cruiser" style bike, the old enduro's just seem a little off to me.. I'm researching as I type so I might find one suited to my liking and change my mind!

 

[riflerockmafia]

Get a ducati Hypermotard :twisted:

 

[Scale_Crawler]

Honestly im not too informed on cruisers. But they do make some very comfortable sweet sportbikes such as Buell xb Lightnings and Yamaha FZ series as well as Kawi z series if those interest you at all. And I ride a 1997 Suzuki TL1000s. Very sweet vtwin superbike. Good luck and have fun bike shopping"thumbsup"

 

[desertmaxx]

i ride this around:

8)8)8) KTM 530 street legal. not the pic of my bike, but looks just like it.

 

[MR.VERTICAL]

Here my duelsport and rice burner :mrgreen:

been brunen for 35yr.

 

[Deerhurst]

Trials rider here. Ride a 2002 Gas Gas 280 pro. Great little bike, 141lb wet with a 280cc 2stroke tuned for low torque. Love it and love messing with the MX guys on their hill climbs and creek crossings.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Hydro-Tank]

I wish I had one, there is a, what I call, a night rider around here. Every night at 12:00am literally, like every time its exactly 12:00am, the "night rider" breaks the sound of the silent night. And it sounds freakin sweet! He/she has inspired me to get a bike when I'm older and out of the house. My mom told me I have to be moved out in order to get one. :roll:

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O7IL-Ms6T2Q" allowfullscreen="" width="640" frameborder="0" height="480"></iframe>

 

[filotr14lsdude]

I've got a few bikes. I love riding bikes. I've grown up on bikes. I would prefer to ride a bike then drive every where. Unfortunately if i rode everyday I wouldn't have a license.

Currently in my shed I have
Ducati 1098
Honda Sparda 250(misses bike)
Bultaco Sherpa t 250x2 ones a model 10,the other is a 198(these bikes are oldschool trials bikes)

I will be bringing a gas gas raga home in the next week or so,I just have to organize picking it up.

Typing this has made me want to ride, I'm going to go scrub some rubber in

 

[MAXXMASHER]

I have a Harley Sportster (with a few upgrades) and I love it! It might be a bit cramped for you, though. I'm 5' 10", and it feels a bit cramped for me at times. I grew up on motorcycles and started with an XR80 Honda, graduated to an XR250 & raced hare scrambles, then got an RM250 2-stroke Suzuki. In still have that same Suzuki that I raced in high school, and at fourty it kicks my ass. I had 650 Honda Nighthawk before I got my license to drive a car. I still smile and enjoy the hell out riding my Harley everytime! It just gets in your blood....

 

[binaryterror]

I've ridden this, though its time to sell. With my car and RC Crawling I never ride it, sad.

 

[mmatthews]

Love two wheels. Since 2008 I've owned three new Honda's (love Honda).
2008 Honda XR 650L
2010 Honda Gold Wing GL1800
and the current bike 2012 Honda CBR 600RR

Honda has released a new dual sport in 250cc for 2013 http://powersports.honda.com/2013/crf250l/street.aspx. Nice bike and can be picked up new for around $5000. If you want just street in a cruiser platform you can get a 750 Honda Shadow Ace. They can be picked up in really great shape used for under $3000 2000 Honda Shadow ACE 750 Reviews. Buying Guides & Consumer Product Reviews - Epinions.com.

and just for fun this is a pic of my current bike:

 

[jp0160]

Love two wheels. Since 2008 I've owned three new Honda's (love Honda).
2008 Honda XR 650L
2010 Honda Gold Wing GL1800
and the current bike 2012 Honda CBR 600RR

Honda has released a new dual sport in 250cc for 2013 2013 CRF250L Overview - Honda Powersports. Nice bike and can be picked up new for around $5000. If you want just street in a cruiser platform you can get a 750 Honda Shadow Ace. They can be picked up in really great shape used for under $3000 2000 Honda Shadow ACE 750 Reviews. Buying Guides & Consumer Product Reviews - Epinions.com.

and just for fun this is a pic of my current bike:
View attachment 203179

Thats a beautiful bike! I've heard good things about most of the honda bikes, I'll definitely check them out. Thanks!

 

[XcrawlerkidX]

Not my bike but I do ride it. It's my dads bike. 2007 Suzuki M109R 1800cc FAST bike!! power comander, chiped, whole 9 yards. 280mm rear tire. I dont know what else other then its shinny and its the 1 year pearl white color where they only did this color in 2007. Fun bike oh and it will beat a v-rod and pushin a little over 130hp to the rear wheel

 

[Harley]

My current bike, although it's going up for sale this month. I've had it since it was new but it's going to kill me or get me put in jail if I don't get rid of it. It just invites me to do dumb shit every time I jump on it. :evil:

 

[bigstu]

This was my bike. Suzuki Bandit 1250.
Was not a high revving bike, but had gobs of torque and carted my 6'6" frame around very comfortably. With a few mods she came to life and I am regretting the sale every day.

Best experience on my bike.
At a gas station taking a break and fueling up the bike. A little kid in the back of a soccer mom mobile says to me, hey mister is that your bike. I said yes it is. He says back, that's a cool bike. It looks like something Darth Vader would ride. I smiled so big you could see it through my full face helmet.

Also a pic of a helmet I built for a buddy.
Yes, I know that isn't safe or street legal.

 

[Donziikid]

1978 Honda XL 350

1979 Honda XL 250

Not my images, but those are the exact same bikes in the exact same color schemes. Dual sports, so I can ride them into town for a good breakfast, then straight to the trails. No trailers required. "thumbsup"

Cheers,
Kyle