View Single Post
  #2  
Old 11-10-2012, 12:36 PM
quick69gto quick69gto is offline
AF Regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 144
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Looking for some advice from seasoned riders

Those bikes are basically the old Suzuki Intruder. They made them in 700 or 800cc and 1400cc. You can pick them up for a whole lot cheaper than $5000. They made them clear back to the mid '80s I believe.
There is the Yamaha V-Star 1100 but you may want to invest in forward controls for it.
Even a 6'3, you will feel cramped on most bikes. Find a bike that you can easily find forward controls for.
The other thing most people consider when buying a metric bike is the sound. Most people look for a metric that sounds close to a Harley when they install aftermarket pipes on the metric.
The Suzuki Intruders and Yamaha V-Star sound real nice with aftermarket pipes but the only metric that sounds exactly like a Harley is the 1600/1700cc Yamaha Road Stars.
My Kawasaki 1500 Nomad sounds damn close also.
But those are very big bikes.
If it's sound you like in addition to looks, do not go for a Honda cruiser. They sound completely wrong with aftermarket pipes.
I would steer you towards a Harley but reliability and price has always been an issue with them. I know to many X-Harley riders (myself included) that have switched to metrics.
Good luck and stay safe.
Reply With Quote