Motorcycles

[AFireInside]

I know there are some of you out there that ride. I am looking to purchase a bike very soon. Just curious if anyone has any suggestions on types, where to buy etc.

I am interested in getting a cruiser, kind of bike I've always wanted. Right now I am strongly considering a Suzuki M50 it is 800cc's, and the Kawasaki Vulcan Custom 900. I think I prefer the Kawasaki, but its been difficult to find any in the city. I'm a pretty big guy, but I figure 900 cc's should be lots. I'm looking to spend between 7 and 9 thousand. Any suggestions or know or good places in Calgary to look for bikes fire away.. I've been to several shops already (Walt Healy, blackfoot, and bowcycle although they did not have much).

[Vulcan]

I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 800A. As you can tell by my name, I liked it. I'm not a big guy and it had enough power for me but I've since moved on to something a little faster and nimbler. I'd try and find a used bike for a couple thou less, as most are in pretty good shape and they hold their price well when and if you decide to sell. Suzuki is good also.

A good idea is to find out when dealers have their test rides and book your choice.

[Sample00]

Its been a while now since i purchased my bike, but I quite liked the Honda Shadow Spirit. I think it came in a 750 and 1100 size. nice looking bike, good cruiser.
secondly was the Yamaha Silverado. again, I dont know if they make it any more but great looking cruiser.
I settle on a HD Heritage Softail. Might be a bit big for someone like yourself, but I find it manoevers well and isnt OVERLY huge. its a twin cam 88 though. and I suspect not in your price range.
anyways, I would recommend, dont under size your bike. Get something a little bit bigger because if you end up going out on the highway you may need something a bit quicker to pass etc. j
just my two cents

[MoneyGuy]

I have a Honda Shadaw also, but it's an American Classic, which is a step up from the Spirit. I also have a Gold Wing. I also have more money than I know what to do with.

Many bikes tend to sell on the shhhhh market, sold by word of mouth without advertising. Check the Bike Trader (if that's what it's called), the bike version of the auto trader.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

If you're thinking of a Shadow, I'm currently sort of trying to sell my 2004 Shadow Aero 750.

I bought a new bike and don't need the cash for the old one that badly, so I'm kind of hanging on to it for sentimental reasons (it was my first bike). But if you're interested PM me.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I have a Honda Shadaw also, but it's an American Classic, which is a step up from the Spirit.I also have a Gold Wing. I also have more money than I know what to do with.

Share?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Wes, have you thought about a Moped?


Definitely you.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Wes, have you thought about a Moped?


Definitely you.

Thanks Adam. I've always thought that if rode a crotch rocket I'd look like a bear riding a trike in the circus. But a scooter! Now that would look great. I know what you are thinking, but no I will not double you on the scooter.

I think I am going to go out and look at bikes again today. I don't want to get an undersized which is why I've been favoring the vulcan 900..

As for used bikes, most of the ads I see for used bikes that are within a couple years old are almost the same price as new bikes. My plan was to buy used but after seeing that I'll only save 500 to 1000 dollars on a bike thats a couple years old I'm going new...

[Claeren]

^ I think the rise of the CDN dollar has really helped with new-bike pricing.

I kind of keep an eye on the market too and it seems a lot of new bikes have dropped more in price here (since they are all imported) than used bikes have dropped in price relatively speaking.


Claeren.

[T@T]

Resist the urge, large cities and bikes = bad mix

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I ride a Honda magna and love it...it is a small bike for a guy my size...but with forward control pegs it suits me fine and even though it is only a 750 it has gobs of power at high revs (80+ hp)...(I think the Vulcan has 60+). I do wish the rear brakes were a bit stronger but I am going to put on some new pads and that should help.

I was looking at the M50 but when I asked people in the know which they would prefer it was the Magna all the way...

You can find them used for ~$5000k...use the extra $ for a headlight modulator (trust me) or advanced riding lessons

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by T@T

Resist the urge, large cities and bikes = bad mix

That is what I keep hearing. Although as of right now I'm not really planning on doing too much riding in the city. Actually all I've heard since I've taken my motorcycle course is accidents, accidents, accidents.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by T@T

Resist the urge, large cities and bikes = bad mix

Any particular reason?

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Any particular reason?

My wife and her co-workers don't call them donorcycles for nothing.

[arloiginla]

Was right there on Crowchild when the guy on the motorbike got splattered all over the road yesterday night.

I know this isn't the "help" you wanted, but whatever kind you get don't drive like an idiot.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

You can find them used for ~$5000k...use the extra $ for a headlight modulator (trust me) or advanced riding lessons

O RLY?

not sure how much money he'd have left over after buying that...

[T@T]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

That is what I keep hearing. Although as of right now I'm not really planning on doing too much riding in the city. Actually all I've heard since I've taken my motorcycle course is accidents, accidents, accidents.

Unfortunately, It doesn't take much. sorry... I won't be a preacher but I'll make one last plead to change your mind. I have lost 1 buddy and another will never be the same in this city the last 3 years, neither one drove "much" but they drove enough.
On a personal note I drove bikes since i was 13 years old, considered myself a very good rider and a careful rider but a fluke on deerfoot gave me a new look on bikes and the heavy traffic cities bring...not worth the thrill pal.

Bring_Back_Shantz
Simply put, It's hard to survive even a fender-bender on a bike, this city averages about 40 of those a day in the summer alone.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Dan02

O RLY?

not sure how much money he'd have left over after buying that...

Sorry I meant 5000k yen...

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I don't understand why everyone is so against a bike based simply on the size of the city.
Riding a bike is inherenatly dangerous, which is something I've accepted.
The size of the city is kind of irrelevant, I'll grant that traffic density is an issue, but I'd say that if you're riding around the edges of the city or on the highway, it's no more dangerous than riding through say Medicine Hat.

[Bobblehead]

From today's Herald:
"Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, a 28-year-old man died in Calgary when his motorcycle crashed in the 2100 block of Crowchild Trail S.W.

Police said it appeared the driver was racing with two other motorcycles at high speed when he lost control, striking the centre median."