Hey Pete

[BS Gal]

I think she meant single cylinder. Single cylinder will have a lumpier feel to it. More cylinders is smoother. Single cylinder also means that if something is not working right (i.e. spark plug, fuel jet, etc.) you're not going anywhere. With multiple cylinders, it'll run...just not as well.

Thanks. That's what I meant. So, not a good bike for me? I'm looking for something with more power, but not heavy, like not over 500 pounds. Any ideas on that? Something with more power than the 250, but not too heavy for me to handle.

 

[ylexot]

Thanks. That's what I meant. So, not a good bike for me? I'm looking for something with more power, but not heavy, like not over 500 pounds. Any ideas on that? Something with more power than the 250, but not too heavy for me to handle.

Well, I'm not sure. If you're talking about the Suzuki SV650, that is supposed to be one of the best beginner/commuter/just fun to ride bikes around. In fact, I have a Sport Rider Magazine that compares the Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki SV650, and Yamaha FZ6. The title of the article is called "Fun Factor: Four motorcycles that remind us what sportbikes are all about and do it on the cheap". The notes on the SV650 are:
Pros:
Torquey engine has great top-end too
Great chassis and best suspension
Cons:
Abrupt throttle response
Odd handlebar bend hurts steering
Overall comment: Still the best bike to learn performance riding on

However, the SV650 is ~400 lbs and is a v-twin, not a single cylinder.

 

[ylexot]

BTW, in the very back of the July '06 Motorcyclist magazine, there is a list of all 2006 bikes that includes price, engine, speeds/final drive, dry weight, seat height, and their "verdict". I'm not sure if they list that every month or not, but it should still be in stores for a couple more days.

 

[BS Gal]

Well, I'm not sure. If you're talking about the Suzuki SV650, that is supposed to be one of the best beginner/commuter/just fun to ride bikes around. In fact, I have a Sport Rider Magazine that compares the Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki SV650, and Yamaha FZ6. The title of the article is called "Fun Factor: Four motorcycles that remind us what sportbikes are all about and do it on the cheap". The notes on the SV650 are:
Pros:
Torquey engine has great top-end too
Great chassis and best suspension
Cons:
Abrupt throttle response
Odd handlebar bend hurts steering
Overall comment: Still the best bike to learn performance riding on

However, the SV650 is ~400 lbs and is a v-twin, not a single cylinder.

It's real light, is all I know. It's a 650 that weighs about 350. About $5,000. And the white one was really cute.

 

[ylexot]

Well duh! Using the list I just mentioned, it looks like you're talking about the Boulevard S40. Their verdict is "Formerly the Savage in name only; a pussycat; for beginners". Also says that it's only $4400...gotta watch out for those stealerships.

 

[BS Gal]

Well duh! Using the list I just mentioned, it looks like you're talking about the Boulevard S40. Their verdict is "Formerly the Savage in name only; a pussycat; for beginners". Also says that it's only $4400...gotta watch out for those stealerships.

Hubby didn't want me to buy it. Guess I'll keep looking. Since I dropped the 650 Yamaha on my ankle, I'm a bit timid. I went to go, put my feet up, killed it and fell over. How stupid was that??????

 

[Pete]

I am here now.

Mike is right, I don't think they make a street bike that is 2 stroke. With EPA regs even snow mobiles are all going 4 stroke. 2 strokes pollute too much besides you wouldn't want your bike to sound like a chainsaw.

Don't get hung up on weight so much. As long as you can sit on it flat footed and can lift it off the kick stand thats all that counts. Weight is not always bad. If you drop it you are not going to pick up even a 350 pound bike anyway. 650's are good intermediate bikes and there are some very nice Harley clones on the market for a fraction of the price. Suzuki's Boulevard line are nice bikes. If I were you and this bike is one that you are planning on graduating from your Rebel and keeping a long time I would not shy away from the larger bikes too. Honda 1100 Shadow Spirit is a nice balanced bike. I had one and so did APS. Very comfortable, very smooth. Don't let the 1100 scare you. If you go riding with the boys the 650 will have to work harder keeping up.

With a Jap bike I would also shop around the classifieds. If you buy a new one from Atlantic it will be worth half what you paid for it the day you ride it home. You might be able to get a good deal on a used one.

It is all in what you like and want.

 

[Pete]

It's real light, is all I know. It's a 650 that weighs about 350. About $5,000. And the white one was really cute.

Yle is right. If I were you I would not go for the C40 because it is a 1 cylinder. They don"t run as smooth, and have to really rev up to get power to the wheel which means it will wear out faster. I have a feeling you would really struggle on rides keeping up. Also it is air cooled. Even Harley is going to have to bite the bullet and go liquid cooled soon. The other thing I am not to hot on is that the rear brake is a drum. It will work just fine stopping the bike but you will HAVE to take it to the dealer for new pads because drums suck unless you have a lift, tools, know how and time.

Look for a twin cylinder, liquid cooled bike with disk brakes. Oh yea and fuel injection is nice too instead of carburetors.

 

[itsbob]

Yeah, but a two stroke can SCREAMMMM!!!

I bet BSGAL can pick up my bike.....

 

[BS Gal]

My expert has shown up!!!! Thanks. Hubby says an 1100 would be ok, also, but I have yet to try his. He has the crash bars, so maybe I'll give it a try. I'm just scared because I dropped the 650, but that was just a stupid mistake on my part. The 250 is a fun bike in the neighborhood, but trying to get it up to speed on 235 is a real hassle. I'm scared to ride it on the real roads, but now that we've gone on a couple rides, I will ride it to work next week. I just need something that has more power. I'll look at some used 650's and maybe try the Honda 1100 you are talking about. Can't wait to take the hubby's out, maybe tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have a story to tell tomorrow night.

 

[BS Gal]

Yeah, but a two stroke can SCREAMMMM!!!

I bet BSGAL can pick up my bike.....

What time do you want me down there tomorrow to ride your bike? I'm not a big girl.

 

[ylexot]

I'd go for the SV650. It's ~$6k new but you might be able to find a used one. That's one of the bikes I was keeping a lookout for when looking for bikes. Plus, it's a "standard" style. So, your hubby shouldn't be too ashamed to be seen with you

 

[Pete]

Yeah, but a two stroke can SCREAMMMM!!!

I bet BSGAL can pick up my bike.....

Plastic isn't heavy.

 

[BS Gal]

Plastic isn't heavy.

You know, he isn't sending me directions, but I know where he lives......

 

[Pete]

My expert has shown up!!!! Thanks. Hubby says an 1100 would be ok, also, but I have yet to try his. He has the crash bars, so maybe I'll give it a try. I'm just scared because I dropped the 650, but that was just a stupid mistake on my part. The 250 is a fun bike in the neighborhood, but trying to get it up to speed on 235 is a real hassle. I'm scared to ride it on the real roads, but now that we've gone on a couple rides, I will ride it to work next week. I just need something that has more power. I'll look at some used 650's and maybe try the Honda 1100 you are talking about. Can't wait to take the hubby's out, maybe tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have a story to tell tomorrow night.

Once you get used to it you could ride an Ultra Classic. Balance is balance if it is on a 250 Rebel or a Road King.

The Honda Shadow Spirit is a nice bike. Liquid cooled V twin, peppy, comfortable, forward controls and you can get some aftermarket stuff. It has carbs and a drum rear brake but to get disks all around and fuel injection you get up in the prices.

There is a Harley Dyna Low Rider in the classifieds

Fuel injected, disk brakes all around, chrome
http://classifieds.somd.com/cgi-bin...sults_format=long&db_id=30114&query=retrieval

 

[BS Gal]

I'd go for the SV650. It's ~$6k new but you might be able to find a used one. That's one of the bikes I was keeping a lookout for when looking for bikes. Plus, it's a "standard" style. So, your hubby shouldn't be too ashamed to be seen with you

He said I did "good" today until I killed it at one point. That was NOT MY FAULT. I was having another little problem with the choke thing. Since you can't even HEAR my engine, I didn't know it was dead. It was quite funny. Running fine now without the choke.

 

[BS Gal]

Once you get used to it you could ride an Ultra Classic. Balance is balance if it is on a 250 Rebel or a Road King.

The Honda Shadow Spirit is a nice bike. Liquid cooled V twin, peppy, comfortable, forward controls and you can get some aftermarket stuff. It has carbs and a drum rear brake but to get disks all around and fuel injection you get up in the prices.

There is a Harley Dyna Low Rider in the classifieds

Fuel injected, disk brakes all around, chrome
http://classifieds.somd.com/cgi-bin...sults_format=long&db_id=30114&query=retrieval

Like he's gonna let me get that......I just bought a convertible with payments. I am so not going to be able to get a better bike than his.

 

[Pete]

Like he's gonna let me get that......I just bought a convertible with payments. I am so not going to be able to get a better bike than his.

What does he have?

 

[BS Gal]

What does he have?

An 1100 V-Star.

 

[itsbob]

You know, he isn't sending me directions, but I know where he lives......

Actually you can come and take it for a spin. .I can lower the seat for you to see how you like the fit.

It's an 1150, brakes are touchy, other then that, very fun bike to ride and VERY comfortable. Good thing is you don't HAVE to use the back brake, front brake grabs both the front and back.

I'll even let ya try the Modular CAberg Helmet.. and you can listen to XM while you are tooling around.