Motorcycle.com

tdubbs · 03-30-2009, 09:34 PM

I know you have heard it before, looking for a new bike and cant make up my mind!
I currently have an older bike, 85 Kawasaki LTD750 and thinks its a great time to step it up. I have been riding dirtbikes and cruisers for quite a while now.
Im eager to get myself on something a bit larger but, of course, dont want to sacrifice fuel efficiency.
Been looking at the suzuki m50, vstar 950 1100 1300, and kawasaki vulcan 900. I dont want to go to small and be dissapointed in a few years.
Any input would be much appreciated!

The_AirHawk · 03-30-2009, 09:40 PM

Find the bike that gives you a hardon, that you can't quit thinkin' about - then shop around for the best deal (new or used).

Really, buying a motorcycle is not a rational decision. So don't try. Just feel.

seruzawa · 03-31-2009, 04:50 AM

Since the Kwacker 750 gets about 45mpg you aren't likely to equal that with larger motors. Except maybe a Sportster.

pushrod · 03-31-2009, 06:56 AM

tdubbs,

+1 on the 'Hawks comment.

Almost any bike you look at will run quite a bit 'better' than the old LTD. Shop around until you find the bike that hits you where you live.

AFA mileage, unless you buy a Honda 1800 or a Boss Hoss or a new V-Max, you will probably get better than 35mpg on any bike you choose, unless you ride really aggressively, or live on top of a mountain like Seruzawa.

seruzawa · 03-31-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushrod

tdubbs,

+1 on the 'Hawks comment.

Almost any bike you look at will run quite a bit 'better' than the old LTD. Shop around until you find the bike that hits you where you live.

AFA mileage, unless you buy a Honda 1800 or a Boss Hoss or a new V-Max, you will probably get better than 35mpg on any bike you choose, unless you ride really aggressively, or live on top of a mountain like Seruzawa.

Gotta disagree. I'd bet that that 25 year old KZ750 still runs better than a new Shadow750, Vulcan750, Boulevard80... etc etc. Certainly it's faster and handles better. Long live the KZ750.

They don't wear out. You have to kill them.

And we get great mileage on top of my mountain! Not much horsepower, but really great mileage!

pushrod · 03-31-2009, 08:09 AM

By 'better', I meant that ownership of a new bike is a bit easier.

I agree the old KZ's are great machines, though.

acecycleins · 03-31-2009, 09:59 AM

Keep the old bike thing going- 1987 Kawasaki ZL1000 Eliminator. If you want to go a bit newer- 1993 Kawi ZR1100 Zephyr.
Sportbike motor packed into a nice frame. Add some new fork springs and change the shocks to Works or Progressive and you are in the house.
A late 90's V-max would be a solid ride.

tdubbs · 03-31-2009, 09:17 PM

I agree with all of you, and by no means am I ditching the old bike! It will stay in the family, passed down to my younger brother. I just took a suz m50 and c50 out today for a ride and I have to admit I thought it would be a bit more powerful (no reason why). seruzawa was right, the ease of ownership is what I am after. After testing out the C/M 50 I feel I need to jump up to the vstar 1300 or at least 1100. I have heard good things about the vstar 950, but need to ride one. My dream bike has always been the yamaha warrior but fuel economy would be lost.
I dont want to be one of those guys who needs the biggest bike on the road, but it sure seems nice to have a bit of power under the seat, just in case you do need it (I know, its a terrible excuse!). So many choices! My fiance is going crazy because all I do is study up on bikes all night long!
Thanks all!

Terry

tdubbs · 03-31-2009, 09:22 PM

I guess I should have specified. I am looking for a relatively new bike, 2007-current. With the economy in its terrible state, the gap between new and used seems to be closing. I just cant seem to find any outstanding deals on craigslist/seattle. Yes thats right, seattle....and yes the riding season is ridiculously short here due to rain!

mugwump58 · 04-01-2009, 02:32 AM

I thought rain meant you don't have to wash the bike?

03-30-2009, 09:34 PM	#1
tdubbs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Indecisive Rider Needs Help Picking out New bike I know you have heard it before, looking for a new bike and cant make up my mind! I currently have an older bike, 85 Kawasaki LTD750 and thinks its a great time to step it up. I have been riding dirtbikes and cruisers for quite a while now. Im eager to get myself on something a bit larger but, of course, dont want to sacrifice fuel efficiency. Been looking at the suzuki m50, vstar 950 1100 1300, and kawasaki vulcan 900. I dont want to go to small and be dissapointed in a few years. Any input would be much appreciated!

03-30-2009, 09:40 PM	#2
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Find the bike that gives you a hardon, that you can't quit thinkin' about - then shop around for the best deal (new or used). Really, buying a motorcycle is not a rational decision. So don't try. Just feel. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

03-31-2009, 04:50 AM	#3
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Since the Kwacker 750 gets about 45mpg you aren't likely to equal that with larger motors. Except maybe a Sportster. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

03-31-2009, 06:56 AM	#4
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	tdubbs, +1 on the 'Hawks comment. Almost any bike you look at will run quite a bit 'better' than the old LTD. Shop around until you find the bike that hits you where you live. AFA mileage, unless you buy a Honda 1800 or a Boss Hoss or a new V-Max, you will probably get better than 35mpg on any bike you choose, unless you ride really aggressively, or live on top of a mountain like Seruzawa. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

03-31-2009, 08:09 AM	#6
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	By 'better', I meant that ownership of a new bike is a bit easier. I agree the old KZ's are great machines, though. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

03-31-2009, 09:59 AM	#7
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	Keep the old bike thing going- 1987 Kawasaki ZL1000 Eliminator. If you want to go a bit newer- 1993 Kawi ZR1100 Zephyr. Sportbike motor packed into a nice frame. Add some new fork springs and change the shocks to Works or Progressive and you are in the house. A late 90's V-max would be a solid ride. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

03-31-2009, 09:17 PM	#8
tdubbs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	I agree with all of you, and by no means am I ditching the old bike! It will stay in the family, passed down to my younger brother. I just took a suz m50 and c50 out today for a ride and I have to admit I thought it would be a bit more powerful (no reason why). seruzawa was right, the ease of ownership is what I am after. After testing out the C/M 50 I feel I need to jump up to the vstar 1300 or at least 1100. I have heard good things about the vstar 950, but need to ride one. My dream bike has always been the yamaha warrior but fuel economy would be lost. I dont want to be one of those guys who needs the biggest bike on the road, but it sure seems nice to have a bit of power under the seat, just in case you do need it (I know, its a terrible excuse!). So many choices! My fiance is going crazy because all I do is study up on bikes all night long! Thanks all! Terry

03-31-2009, 09:22 PM	#9
tdubbs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	I guess I should have specified. I am looking for a relatively new bike, 2007-current. With the economy in its terrible state, the gap between new and used seems to be closing. I just cant seem to find any outstanding deals on craigslist/seattle. Yes thats right, seattle....and yes the riding season is ridiculously short here due to rain!

04-01-2009, 02:32 AM	#10
mugwump58 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 43.47N-76.48W Posts: 586	I thought rain meant you don't have to wash the bike?