Bike for daughter

[Tatonka]

I hope they were smart enough to fix that issue. The vstar 1100's were horrible when it came to what had to be done to change the oil on them.

 

I went back and checked my notes on the bikes so I have to apologize. I guess I was looking at too many bikes at the same time.

 

The 1100 had the problem with dropping the exhaust to change oil (although there was a rerouting kit available).

 

The 1300 had the spin off filter where you only needed a filter adapter and socket so they considered it fixed. It did have a Yamaha recommended valve adjustment interval of 4,000 miles, which is what turned me off.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

[Dark Wolf]

Just a thought I use to have a Yamaha 750 Seca it was a very good looking bike, light and nimble. Don't know if you can find one but might be worth a look.

[rcijr]

I had the C50 before the RSV and it was a fun bike. It was quick around town, very light and maneuverable. The wind blew me around quite a bit though. That was my biggest complaint on the highway. On long trips, the stock seat got to feel like sitting on a cement block, but many bikes are like that (not the RSV though ).

[mountainhorsega]

I have a friend with an 1100 shadow - he likes it but I don't feel like he is really safe on the interstate - just not enough go (I think 80-85 is around his top end). I had a c50 - nice bike but no air adjust on the front forks. Took it to 90 several times and still had more. I don't like the drums on the back and the front tended to dive while braking hard, but - I more than double your daughters weight. Dependable as all getout and ran great. my wife took the MSF and then got on the c50 and did 20 miles in a parking lot for practice. Seat height was fine but she was intimidated by just the feel of size of it. Other than that, she liked it and handled it just fine. I know where there is a 02 Vulcan (not sure if is 850 or 1500) looks to be in good shape and you could get it for around 2200 or 2300. 54k miles. Is at a title pawn place and I know the guy is behind on his payments. Talked to the lady there the other day and I know she is about ready to take it over from the guy.

[OutKast]

My wife rode her 1986 vs700 suzuki intruder (now an 800 know as C50 boulevard, the same bike just with new badging) on a 6500 mile round trip from Virginia to Los Angelos and back, sometimes cranking out 700 mile days with no complaints except not enough cold protection when passing thru Vail Colorado. It is fitted with a Corbin Gunfighter seat.

 

When in LA, when 19 yr old average size daughter, who had previously only ridded an old honda CM400t had no problem handling the bike at all.

 

Whenever we get a larger bike for my wife, like a Vstar 1100 or VTX1300, I intend to keep the old intruder cause it is so much fun.

 

If you buy a used one though, stick with the 1988 and newer VS800. The VS700 was only made 2 years, and some parts like rotors, calipers, etc. are different and hard to find. However, a 1988 VS800 Intruder is almost identical to a brand new C50 special Boulevard except for trim and badging. Hard parts are all the same and used parts cheap.

[PBJ]

hey Jerry Bubba said it best. remember too that the basic Intruder/c50 design has been around for at least 15 years. Also its a liquid cooled bike which is a big plus over the Virago. The 800 is a respectable size engine too. Suzuki has sold alot of them because they have power and style. I'd say go for it. It will be a bike that will last her a long time and she can add alot of accessories like a windshield, highway bars,wind gaters, seat, handle bars, you name it. It will get her to Lake George with you and your brother easy.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Are you confused yet by all the choices? Let me throw in some advice here.

 

I'd guide her to a bike in the 650-1000 cc range. With a year of riding, she can handle that size bike, but the weight, insurance costs, and economy of fuel and maintenance will be easy to handle for a younger and smaller person.

 

I'd stay away from chain drive bikes...stick to bikes with shaft or belt drive. Will she be riding primarily around town, maybe to work and the store? Stay in the lower end of that range. Does she want to head for other states and attend rallies or tour the country? Look at bikes in the higher end of that range.

 

Figure out the kind of riding she wants to do, then narrow your choices accordingly.

 

My 2 cents.

[bigbob]

Rick, not sure that Marilyn is a good example. She could be riding a unicycle and still ride rings around everyone.

Hey russ; You have that 100% right, made lots of miles with that couple and have to agree.