Thinkin of replacing my scooter...

Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
Oh Kay Boyz & Girlz,
I'm a sprotbiler who's lookin to replace his scoot for a more versatile machine. Namely, a crusier type bike that's WAY more comfortable If I'm just haulin back and forth to somewhere far away and relatively easy aorund town too. The scoot is really ideal around town (which IS what I got it for and to keep the miles down on the Sprot) but useless for anything else, except maybe ridin/feelin like a total Hooli (Uh, I meant hooligan) every now and then. I'm short, so something in the 28" seat height range would be ideal. I'm leaning towards a Honda Magna of the 94-03 era. Love the styling, it's supposed to be pretty peppy and maneuverable for cruiser (read, power cruiser) and not too heavy and cumbersome to boot. I read that they get knocked in the long haul comfort department. But hey, I figure it's gotta be better than my ZX6R. I'm makin 550 lbs wet weight the heaviest I'd ideally wanna go, the aforementioned 28" or so seat height and 1100cc's the cut off. It seems that anything bigger than that would just be a bit impractical around town. Hell maybe anything other than a midsize cruiser would be overkill. What are y'all folks' thoughts? What have you guys had or ridden that just gave you that "Damn, this is a fun bike for a cruiser" feeling?

Sorry folks, shoulda mentioned that $4K is the max I'm willing for an outstanding condition bike. Maybe. $3500 is more the reality. Should I raise the debt ceiling? :teeth :twofinger
 
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Cycle61

Cycle61

What the shit is this...
My Yamaha Roadstar gives me that feeling, but it's 1700cc, 800 pounds, and damn sure isn't available for $4k.
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
cycle61 said:
My Yamaha Roadstar gives me that feeling, but it's 1700cc, 800 pounds, and damn sure isn't available for $4k.
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Yeah, lil too large fer everyday around town, isn't it? One of my friends here on teh BARF tried a Vulcan I think and called it a Barca lounger on wheels, heh. I am considering the Vulcan 900. Pretty close to what I'm thinkin of.
 
Cycle61

Cycle61

What the shit is this...
Not too big. I ride it every day, and love splitting lanes past timid noobs on sportbikes. :D
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
vato_loco said:
Do not sell your scooter. I sold my Aprilia SC250 last year and have regretted it ever since... :ride
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Wish I could keep three bikes, but alas, the well is no longer so deep. The pockets rather threadbare, not even lint. Cotton's gone up too, not just gas.
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
larry kahn said:
check this...
http://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/2521266038.html

It's this...
http://motoprofi.com/imgs/a/a/c/g/f/kawasaki_zl_600_1986_4_lgw.jpg


http://motorcycle.2smtc.com/Upfiles/BeyondPic/Kawasaki/2009-01/20090105153020240.jpg


Early mid-size power cruiser, shaft drive 600cc. Your current Kawasaki's cousin too!
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Hmm, intriguing. Looks like a direct competitor to the Magna's of that era. Probably pass on that one. Pismo's a bit far for a guy that doesn't have or know someone with a truck or trailer. But you're giving me other things to consider, thanks Larry.
 
RRrider

RRrider

Enthusiast, Fukrwe Club
Not quite what you spec'd but when my head leans this way, I start wanting a Bonnie. Very comfortable and easy to ride. Great for around town and longer hauls. I'm thinking it might be the perfect complement to my sprotbike.
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
RRrider said:
Not quite what you spec'd but when my head leans this way, I start wanting a Bonnie. Very comfortable and easy to ride. Great for around town and longer hauls. I'm thinking it might be the perfect complement to my sprotbike.
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Thought about that Richard, quite a bit actually. I think I'll have to rent one over at Dubbelju for a day. Thanks, forgot about the standards.
 
xgambit

xgambit

Post Count +1
i used to have one of those 90s magnas. they are comfy for long rides. theyre really more like standardish cruisers. you dont have your foot out in front of you and you dont have your weight on your tail bone. i could stand up on its pegs easy.

its a fun bike actually, and everything you hear about it handling well, accelerating well and all that is true...in relation to other cruisers. its kind of cheating having a v4 motor. its really one of the fastest and quickest cruisers ever.

BUT

if youre thinking of getting it as an all arounder and long range bike. keep in mind that the tank range sucks balls. the tank is tiny, i dont remember the size anymore but it was like 3 gallons. also since its a 4 cylinder, you have to actually rev it to do freeway speeds which burns through gas. in the city i would could get as low as 80 miles before needing to switch to reserve. freeways is not much better, maybe 120 tops.

but ya fun bike but the tank range was really limiting.
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
xgambit said:
i used to have one of those 90s magnas. they are comfy for long rides. theyre really more like standardish cruisers. you dont have your foot out in front of you and you dont have your weight on your tail bone. i could stand up on its pegs easy.

its a fun bike actually, and everything you hear about it handling well, accelerating well and all that is true...in relation to other cruisers. its kind of cheating having a v4 motor. its really one of the fastest and quickest cruisers ever.

BUT

if youre thinking of getting it as an all arounder and long range bike. keep in mind that the tank range sucks balls. the tank is tiny, i dont remember the size anymore but it was like 3 gallons. also since its a 4 cylinder, you have to actually rev it to do freeway speeds which burns through gas. in the city i would could get as low as 80 miles before needing to switch to reserve. freeways is not much better, maybe 120 tops.

but ya fun bike but the tank range was really limiting.
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Thanks Chess, that's exactly the type of info I'm lookin for about these bikes. Is there any way that you know of to fit a different/bigger tank one of those? I would think with so many similar style bikes in that era just by Honda alone, that you could rig up a tank from another bike?
 
xgambit

xgambit

Post Count +1
the bulk of the 'tank' was used up by the airbox. if you added more space for fuel you would have to use up airbox volume (less power) or make the tank bigger to the point that its ugly and impractical.

the only way to get more range was to add an auxilary fuel tank like the tourtank

http://www.tourtank.com/
 
72SBC

72SBC

Doesn't really care
Open to Sportsters? Lots of cheap good ones around. 50mpg and quicker than that Magna, just a idea.
 
louemc

louemc

Well-known member
Darkness! said:
Maybe. Aren't they on the heavier side, though? Do you mean the 883 or the 1200?
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Heavier than what? The Harley-ites call it a girls bike, so what are you? Pre-school girl?

The 883 is 5 lbs heavier than the 1200. The 883 has super thick iron cylinder liners...the things that get bored out, when an 883 gets converted to a 1200, and iron gets replaced with Aluminum pistons and air.


Whatever you do (which ever Cruiser choice you make) you will be getting a less capable bike than your 600.

You're taking about comfort as a reason to get a different bike...but you have done nothing to make your 600 comfortable. You could do that, sit up, with a street fighter conversion kit for your 600.
 
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Gary856

Gary856

Are we having fun yet?
Does it have to be a cruiser? I think of my naked SV650 as my "cruiser" - because of the v-twin and the relative comfort. It's very versatile, and getting a clean one for $4k is no problem.
 
rodr

rodr

Well-known member
What about a bigger scooter? In early 2008 I bought a used Burgman 400 for $3K, and sold it 9 months later for the same amount. Very versatile, freeway-friendly and lots of storage under the seat.
 
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