Goldilocks and the Suz, Harley, and a decision

[GraeBird]

Goldilocks here. At least that's what I feel like. Looking at bikes. Love the feel when I sit on the Harley 1200 Low- but it's pretty weighty. Learned on the 250 Rebel. But it's really small. Could the Suzuki Blv C40 be the right fit??? Lightweight and pretty comfy, but all of my other three female friends who took the course around the same time I did - they all have Harley 883s and say the weight doesn't bother them. LOVE the feel of the 1200L but is Goldi being a wuss by picking a smaller bike??? Would love to hear from someone. Tried all kinds of bikes and sizes under 1200. The Blvd 650 c40 is coming in 2nd most comfy. Some of the others in the 650 range were as heavy as the Harley - so it seemed silly.... Since I'm babbling I'll say the question again but differently... is it wiser to get the smaller bike, even if you like the bigger bike. NOT ONE PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO HAS SAID TO GET THE KAW. However, I will say, that around my parts, there are a lot of Harley snobs. :)

[Cyclone67]

Don't base what you buy on your friends!! Get what is comfortable for you.

Is there any way you can get a test ride on the C40 to see how it feels on the street -- if it has the power you want?

Bike shopping is fun!

[opaque_machete]

Get whichever bike feels best to you and don't worry about what others ride, think, or say. I ride my little guy everywhere. I've parked the hot little Ninja 250 in favor of my 'ugly' little 225. People look at me like I'm insane...a girl riding a dirt bike? But I don't care. I'm much more comfortable and confident on the XT than I am on the Ninja. And, I don't drop the XT like I did the ninja, because of that confidence. Get what you are comfortable and confident with and not just what looks good. :): Good luck and let us know what you decide. :LT:

[GraeBird]

PS - Meant Suz, not Kaw in the last sentence. And I feel a bit silly getting a 1200 when I'm learning but it just fits me really well..... from the feel of my but to my bike to my reach to my toes and shifting... but I haven't actually RIDDEN either! I will take the motorcycle course again before I'm riding it, but in Illinois, this is the time of the year to buy (cheaper in winter) and the 1200L feels the best. I'm leaning towards the c40 though. Think I'd be more confident in learning. I'm going to get H@#$ from my friends though!!!! uggg.....

[Cyclone67]

Tell your friends to get over it!

Hopefully you can get a demo ride or test ride on that 1200 to check out how you feel riding it!!

[ridingAK]

Ride your own ride! That little phrase should always be in the front of your mind. Choose the bike that fits you. Ride that bike in a way that feels right to you. Stop when you need to. Ride at a speed you feel comfortable with. Any real rider will support your decisions. Anyone who gives you grief (beyond normal teasing) isn't a friend who has your best interest at heart.

[VStar]

You won't find any brand sobs here, just about every make and type is represented. We each have our preference in style and purpose, just like shoes and sunglasses but you'll get no grief for your choice as long as it is your's and what you want/need at the time. I ride a VStar 1300 and most of our 'friends' feel sorry that I don't own a Harley, the joke's on them because I don't want one.

[GraeBird]

Thanks all!!! Good reminder that only three people have to fit this bike and be happy with it: Me, Myself, and I.

[Follow]

Go rent.

[Alcyone]

Being a new rider, chances are you are going to have some sort of minor incident involving the shiny sides of your motorcycle touching the asphalt (or gravel, or dirt). How intense is your wince factor because there is a significant cost differential between repairing a Suzuki and a Harley Davidson?

One of the recurring themes you'll hear around this forum is "Ride your own Ride" (the other prominent ones are "pictures" and "ATTGATT"). There are stories from other members telling us about their motorcycle mismatches. One of the best ways to determine whether or not a bike works for you is to go for a ride on it. At the very worst, think of the Suzuki as a stepping stone towards the final prize of the 1200L.

I'm starting slow myself. I've got aspirations towards a Harley VRSC but I also know that I do not have the skills to handle the greater weight and power that come along with it. I figure I'll move up to a BMW F650GS, Vulcan 900 or a V-Star 950 before putting up the money for the Harley.

Although with the love people here have for their BMW's there is always the chance that once I get one, I'll never get anything else.

[ImaSoftT]

My http://www.pashnit.com/forum/images/smilies/2cents.gif would be that if you aren't completely sure of the bike that is right for you or your not sure what type of riding you really want to do, then you might want to consider buying a good used bike in the size, type or brand that you THINK you want. Used bikes are so much cheaper and much easier to flip (uh resale not crash type flip) if you find that what you thought you wanted really wasn't it at all. You might find that your first impression of the perfect bike is not so perfect for you after a few hundred miles. Unfortunately sometimes the only way to find out what we really want is by the process or elimination. So think twice before diving in head first on a brand new bike no matter what make and model it is.

[GraeBird]

All great advice. The Harley was used, but comes with a great service plan. The Suzuki is a 2011 with 120 miles - service plan but much farther away. We had thought about using the Suz for a step up to the Harley. Uggg... all this talk about bikes... :( It's gonna be a long winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Luna Tique]

Way to go everyone.:wootrock:
Lots of great advise .
I will only say PLEASE sit on every bike you can and know that what ever you buy it will probably NOT be your one and only.
Have fun bike shopping and keep us posted.

[kari-star]

my SIL merebear had a Suzuki Savage, which is the precursor to the Suzuki Boulevard S40. she loved it, though she found the single cyl engine threw off more vibration than she expected.

what was really great, though, is that she was able to sell it right away when she decided to step away from motorcycling - if you do go with the smaller motorcycle expect to be able to pass it on easily, much more easily than a larger bike sells. beginners always will need new small bikes to ride! so don't feel pressured to get THE END ALL MOTORCYCLE. a smaller bike may be all you need, but if you decide it isn't, you can resell it and move on to something bigger fairly easily.

[GraeBird]

Hi all - guess what? Found a used Suzuki Savage 2004 650, just 40 miles from here for $1800.00 with 4200 miles on it, garage kept, that is looking very goooooddd!!!! Have emails in to the owner to get some more info besides just his pictures and Craigslist info... cross your fingers and thanks. All the advise has been very helpful... feelin good about this! Any questions I should ask besides the obvious? Thanks.

[ImaSoftT]

Somewhere around here there is a check list of things to look at when buying a used bike. I will see if I can go back and find it unless someone else can find it for you faster. Got my fingers crossed that things work out for you.

[GraeBird]

That would be excellent. I had one at one time... but derned it all to heck - lost it before buying the bike was an option. :)

[Luna Tique]

:chin: Here are a couple you might not have thought of:
Check the condition of the drive chain and sprocket.

Open the fuel tank and check for obvious signs of rust or corrosion

[zukilady]

What would you like to know about the s40? You can ask me anything !

Kari is correct on the Vibration. You may begin to feel as though you are going down the road on a powerful John Deere. Lol

[GraeBird]

Zukilady - do you drive a s40??? I looked on your profile and didn't see if it was s40... looks like an s40, but I'm still new at this! :) I'm concerned about the wind on our prairie lands with the s40. I've heard they can leak oil some as they get older. When does the vibration start at? I've been on Internationals, but not Johne Deeres... :):

[PaintedMoon]

I'd go for the "feel." I like Harley Dynas because they feel good. If you get the 1200, I'd recommend you have it lowered, because a lower center of gravity will make you feel more secure. I have ridden an XL 883 and I thought my Superglide, which was a much heavier bike, was easier to deal with because its center of gravity is a couple inches lower.

I like Harleys. My Beloved Hubby is after me to go for a Road King for my next bike, though for me the decision is more likely between a Wide Glide, which I like a little better, and a sport-bike (MV Agusta F3 or F4).

Ciao, Moon

[Astir]

Somewhere around here there is a check list of things to look at when buying a used bike. I will see if I can go back and find it unless someone else can find it for you faster. Got my fingers crossed that things work out for you.

Were you thinking of this thread IST?

http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5755&highlight=checklist

There are a couple links to checklists that are very good.

Main thing though, go with your gut. If the guy gives you a bad feeling, walk away.

[zukilady]

Yes, that is an s40 i've got. There are pros and cons to the bike, as there will be with any bike. I'm a new rider too, and this is my first bike, and it was bought new (so it's a 2011).

The best advice I can give is to test ride the bike. It is a large single cylinder. I have not ridden any other bikes than what you get to use in the MSF classes, so I have nothing to compare my bike's ride to (I don't consider circles in a large parking lot to be experience when it comes to judging a bike's ride!). I do not notice vibration until you get up to about 45-55 mph. The bike is as well balanced as a bike of its nature can get, but you just aren't going to be able to eliminate all its vibration. What you will feel is not horrible, but after a while of riding it gets more annoying than anything. I can't really explain it...you just have to experience it to see what I mean.

You will feel wind gusts. It is a light bike.

I don't know how tall you are - I am 5'3" and I have found the bike to be small even for me. I find myself "sticking a leg out" every so often to stretch out a bit, so someone taller than me might really feel cramped.

On the other hand...you cannot ask for a better starter bike and I am not sorry I got it or bought it new. I do plan to keep this bike when I am ready for the next size up because frankly...it's so fun and easy to ride! It turns on a dime and hasn't given me any fits when the pavement turns unexpectedly to gravel...and it's a bike that is easy to "become one with" - once I got myself past the "scaredy-cat" point, I found a lot of joy in not having to work so hard to ride the bike. It's just easy to ride. Again - I don't have anything to compare it to. I don't have issues with power at all, and I live in SW PA in the Laurel Highlands - not exactly flat.

Hmmm...what else can I tell you? It's a very "basic" bike...no bells or whistles..

[GraeBird]

Thanks all. Great information. I had my hubby reading with me. :)

[ImaSoftT]

Were you thinking of this thread IST?

http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5755&highlight=checklist

There are a couple links to checklists that are very good.

Main thing though, go with your gut. If the guy gives you a bad feeling, walk away.

Thanks Astir, I looked and looked but couldn't find it. The link that Zee posted is really super. Hope this helps G-Bird.

[indianscout]

When I got my first sportster I thought it was thee bike but after a few long rides I decided it was not. Being vertically challenged I had to make some changes but then again found out it killed my back to ride on anything over 100 miles or so. My point is that even sitting on a bike and going for a short test ride you only eliminate some of the potential problems. I do like the idea of renting or borrowing a bike and spend a day on it. That will tell you a lot about how or if you and the bike fit. But then sometimes you just have to take a chance and go with your gut feeling.

[kari-star]

I ride a 400cc thumper (single cylinder) and I will say that the vibrations are kind of nutty. I don't know if the S40 is the same as my DRZ400, but when I get off the motorcycle after long rides my hands feel "pingy." if I clap them together lightly it's like the head of a timpani drum, if that makes any sense? If this is the problem with the S40 it's easy enough to get some softer grips or gel-palm gloves. I find that my endurance builds up over time and I'm ok after a while.

having a super light bike can make for interesting times on highways - you do get blown around a little going around tractor trailers and with cross winds. however I never feel like I'm losing control, because it IS such a light bike.

[GraeBird]

Kari-star, (btw- my daughter's name is Carissa and we call her Cari) what does your bike weigh? The s40 is about 360lbs. I know the "pingy" feeling you mean, but not sure why!!

[kari-star]

the drz400 is only about 280 or 290, I think. so the S40 would be a bit more solid in the wind for sure! I love mine, though - it can go fast on the highway if I need it too (just needs a little extra time to wind up) and the maneuverability can't be beat!

(and Cari/Kari is a great name!)