Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Looking to buy a motorcycle

I am looking at a cruiser streetbike around a 1100 cc, and used. What are your opinions on a good, reliable, comfortable bike for a guy 6'-1" @ 250?

I'm not wanting to race or travel across country. I may ride 100 or 200 miles on a nice day, occationally.

Been looking at a Yamaha V Star 1100 Classic, or maybe a Suzuki Boulevard C90

That Boulevard looks like a fun one to me. I have no experience with em but it sure looks like fun.

I'm a Honda VTX fan. I've got 1800's but the VTX1300 models are nice bikes too. They are in line with the prices of the bikes you mentioned.

V-Star's have a pretty good reputation.

1940s Indian Chief

Harley Road King. Kick back, relax in comfort, and watch the country go by. Doesn't get much better.

Vintage Honda 350 Motosport...

I looked at some imported cruisers before deciding on the real thing, another Harley. Had 6600 miles on it. If you buy one right there's very little depreciation.

My first question is, have you ridden before, or taken the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course?
Not saying bikes are dangerous, but they are pretty unforgiving until you have muscle memory and reflex on your side. That's first hand experience....

I love motorcycles. Started back in 1968 with a Honda CB 350, rode that thing over 30k miles. Even rode it from Woodside, CA to Santa Barbara for the Horse Show. Then graduated to a Honda 450, then a 750 and finally a second year Gold Wing. Had a few accidents. My left shoulder was broken after dumping one bike, then had to be pinned together after arguing with a horse and losing. That same accident broke my right wrist and stuffed my ring finger up into the palm of my hand. Busted some ribs and had contusions when I dumped another after hitting a deer. Got knocked unconscious when I dumped after blowing a stop light. That one bent the forks on the Gold Wing. Had the rear tire go flat at 70 mph on a downhill highway, but avoided a wreck because I remembered the rule to keep the front wheel going straight ahead, no matter what the rear end is doing. Had a complete tail pipe and muffler fall off a pickup ahead of me on the Bayshore freeway one night as I was going home from work. That thing looked like a SAM missile coming at me in a shower of sparks. I dodged it, but decided it was about time to sell the bike.

Yeah, I'm done with motorcycles. It takes too long to heal these days, and my big old Sierra crew cab truck is just too comfortable, not to mention the power of that V-8 diesel.

if your dead set on buying a bike?
Look at Honda.
You will never regret their reliability!
Been some time since I've seriously looked...and when I do the sticker shock scares me off.
But I can't say I haven't been tempted to build another street bike. ( I do so love to tinker with engines and wheels...)
My BIL has an old Bimmer in his shed that would make a great project...

But then I see another splattered on the side of the road by some idiot texting ...and strap myself back into the Xterra!

Take a look at the Moto Guzzis: Stone , California, Etc.
Good value , shaft drive, run forever, GREAT frame, handle better than any Jap bike or Harley.
I have 2 and a Triumph Thruxton.
Cisco

pm sent

I've had a vstar for almost 3 years now, put alot of miles on it. Completely reliable and very easy to work on, I would recommend one to anyone! That being said my wife rides a Boulevard C50 and it is a very good bike as well!

+1

The engine/trans is an updated version of the older Virago powerplant. They've had plenty of time to work the bugs out of the design.
They're as reliable as a stone axe.

Only downside I see with the VStar, and it applies to new riders, is the clutch friction zone is rather narrow.

Normally I would recommend something a bit smaller, but for someone of your stature the size of the 1100C shouldn't pose any problems.
What I WILL recommend is that you attend the BRC (Basic Riders Course) offered by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).
http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx
Check the map for a class near you.

I've looged gobs of miles on Kate with nary an issue.