Buell opinions?

glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
itsbob said:
I got a 650 for a service loaner one time (not the WeeStrom though) and it sounded like it was in pain when i was trying to reach my normal cruising speed.

Current bike has never sounded like it's broke a sweat, even two up.
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Mine gets up to speed fine, and thanks to the six speed, she'll cruise 70-80 easy. The V twin difference maybe? Or, if it was the F650, it could be the 15-17hp difference. The F650 makes 50hp at best, and 44tq, while the Wee makes 67hp and 60ft-bs of torque.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
Larry Gude said:
At 6' 2" and 1/2 of that is legs so, I sit totally comfortable on the V.

So, you are not in the '1200 cc or more' camp that says I'll outgrow a smaller engine in short time?

:popcorn:
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TOTALLY agree with YLE on this one..

It's NOT about the size..

SOme of these cruisers have car engines in them for cripes sake.. for LITTLE gain. And it's not a Harley thing.. Yamaha, Honda.. they all have cruisers in the 1600cc area. That's a LOT of weight to try to throw around.

And I THINK the most powerful Harley motor is in the 1150 cc area..

I know a lot of people that are VERY happy on their 800 twins... but most with the 650 size move up within 6 months to a bigger bike.

BUT it is very possible to go right off the bat to a bike too big, too heavy to be comfortable or surefooted on.
 
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itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
glhs837 said:
Mine gets up to speed fine, and thanks to the six speed, she'll cruise 70-80 easy. The V twin difference maybe? Or, if it was the F650, it could be the 15-17hp difference. The F650 makes 50hp at best, and 44tq, while the Wee makes 67hp and 60ft-bs of torque.
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Yeah, it was the thumper.. the F650. It strained at 70 - 75.

FUN bike.. I had the F650 Dakar.. and it sat TALL, and was a blast around town, but it wouldn't be my choice for a long day.
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
itsbob said:
Yeah, it was the thumper.. the F650. It strained at 70 - 75.

FUN bike.. I had the F650 Dakar.. and it sat TALL, and was a blast around town, but it wouldn't be my choice for a long day.
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So.... as long as it's not a BMW, a 650 is OK?
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
aps45819 said:
So.... as long as it's not a BMW, a 650 is OK?
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Well, I know Suzuki makes a few VERY nice 650 models..

If I were in the market for a 650, I don't think BMW would be my first choice, though I haven't had the chance to ride the new(er) 650 model.

I think a 650 would be a perfect first bike..
 
A

Arista

New Member
Larry Gude said:
I suppose it's not really much better at highway speed either?
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Honestly, I don't feel it as much at highway speeds. All that air rushing at you helps, I'm sure. The tank is still warm (if it's low), but not as noticable as it is sitting stationary at a stop light or stop sign. You really don't feel the hot air venting from the fan at all when you're riding (probably blows more towards the back of the bike).
 
Pete

Pete

Repete
If you go 650 you will hate it in 6 months, especially if you are used to riding a dirt bike with a ton of torque.
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
My GoldWing is about 900 lbs., 1500cc. After a number of hours of riding, I find myself getting a bit fatigued. I'm seriously thinking of moving down to 1000cc. I'm pretty sure the overall power-to-weight ratio will be close and I won't miss the extra HP.

Still looking at the Can-Am for the stability factor.
 
Pete

Pete

Repete
ylexot said:
Which 650s have you ridden?
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Come on, I have ridden dozens of bikes and owned a crap load of them too. CB 350, Suzuki 380 3 cylinder, 650 Nighthawk Honda, V45 Magna, 750 Intruder, 650 shadow, 1100 Shadow Spirit. Remember he is a big guy and he is not looking at a inline 4 sport bike that red lines at 9K.

But hey I am sure you all know more than I do so I will just exit stage left.
 
ylexot

ylexot

Super Genius
Pete said:
Come on, I have ridden dozens of bikes and owned a crap load of them too. CB 350, Suzuki 380 3 cylinder, 650 Nighthawk Honda, V45 Magna, 750 Intruder, 650 shadow, 1100 Shadow Spirit. Remember he is a big guy and he is not looking at a inline 4 sport bike that red lines at 9K.

But hey I am sure you all know more than I do so I will just exit stage left.
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Is he looking to get a cruiser?
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
Pete said:
If you go 650 you will hate it in 6 months, especially if you are used to riding a dirt bike with a ton of torque.
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Not always. And Larry, thats okay, Id rather be mistakenly thought an idiot that the other way around:buddies:
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
Pete said:
If you go 650 you will hate it in 6 months, especially if you are used to riding a dirt bike with a ton of torque.
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When I did the Strom Trooper GTG in TN summer before last, there were several folks on the 650s. One guy was a shop teacher who rode down from Canada with wooden side cases he had his students design and build in his class. They all said there was plenty of power, even riding 2up.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
Pete said:
Come on, I have ridden dozens of bikes and owned a crap load of them too. CB 350, Suzuki 380 3 cylinder, 650 Nighthawk Honda, V45 Magna, 750 Intruder, 650 shadow, 1100 Shadow Spirit. Remember he is a big guy and he is not looking at a inline 4 sport bike that red lines at 9K.

But hey I am sure you all know more than I do so I will just exit stage left.
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I agree, just from the experience I've seen.

A lot of people (women especially in the BMW community) start with the 650, and within 6 months they want something bigger for multitudes of reasons.. AND for that reason, I think EVERY model 1100 and bigger comes with a lowered suspension and seat option. BIGGEST reason is usually to keep up with their riding partners, which isn't a concern for solo riders.

NOT saying Larry would be like a woman rider..

I think I may know of one or two that bought a 650 and two years later were still riding it.
 
Asmodeus

Asmodeus

....=o&o>
ylexot said:
It's not the cc's unless you're a Harley rider (sorry, but it's true). A 250...sure, you'll outgrow it. 600+ depends on the bike.
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CI's for Harleys... Not metric... lol...

Riding buddy bought a brand new HD Sporty 883 in 2006... Everyone told him he would want a bigger bike after a couple of months... He rolled over 84,100 miles on it last week... His first bike... He's been two-up on it from MD to Georgia...

I have my '99 Valkyrie Interstate, '07 Road King Classic and my son's '86 Honda Magna 700 in the garage... If I take his bike out I feel like I'm cramped and riding a mini-bike... It's his first bike, so for him it feels great and has everything he needs... To each his own comfort level?
 
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