CP Bikers - In here please
 

I've been informed that for our 2 year wedding anniversary, the missus is going to buy me a motorcycle. :D GDI I love that woman.

I've owned several bikes in the past.... dirt, crotch rockets, and cruisers. In the past I would have always prefered the CR bike but I'm getting old and am more concerned with comfort than with speed.

I'm a big guy, so I am definately looking at a 850cc + (preferably 1000cc +) bike and am looking to spend about 6k. I have not owned a bike for 4 years now so I am not really up on what is available, new, or what I could even get for around 6k.

So.... I have a year's worth of research to do now before this happens for me and I want to be as knowledgable about this as possible.

Also, buying a junker and restoring it is not an option for me as I have ZERO mechanic skills.

So.... what am I looking for and what can I expect to get for around 6k?

Did some searching around eBay - seems like a 05 HD Sportster with under 2k miles could behad for around 6k.... thoughts?

If you're a big guy, you're not going to be happy with a Sportster.

Why?

http://a1276.g.akamai.net/7/1276/734.../gallery_1.jpg

2006 Sportster® 883 - XL883
$4,995
2,509 miles
BRILLIANT SILVER
Sportster 883

You might be fine on one, but it just felt too small when Bob Dole has ridden them(6'2", 230).

Do the rest of the world a favor and buy one that's cheap enough that you can also afford the exhaust. Simplex3 is f**king sick and tired of motorcycles so loud they shake the windows in his house.

For that ammount of money, find a nice used Import cruiser.

Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda all have some real nice cruisers.

I have nothing against HD but for the money you have,buy an import and get the most bang for your buck.
They are also much cheaper to service.

I also find they're quieter when I'm on the roof of my house overlooking the street through my scope, contemplating if today's the day I'm going to start picking off the riders.

I've driven honda's and kawasaki's and this is a true statement. I would love to have a harley, but I wouldn't want a sportster, it's a girl bike - basically.

If your interested in Road tripping with MRS. maybe a Gold Wing....

I second the Honda Gold Wing.

I have had a couple of Kawasaki Vulcan 750 motorcycles. They are comfortable, quiet, super-reliable, have good balance and they are smooth (shaft driven).

I also like the Honda Shadow, although I have never owned one, myself. They do sit a little lower than the Vulcan, though.

Yeah, a girl's bike. Idiot.

do you own one, did I offend you?
I am only stating my opinion and repeating other opinions I have heard from Harley Owners. I never said it for you to take personally. I was only trying to sum up those opinions I have heard, "I'll get a Harley sportster for my wife if she wants to ride her own and not on my bike", is that better? Cause that's how its been explained to me from people I would believe sooner than your dumb ass.

?

My last bike was a VTR Interceptor 1000, the one before that was a CBR600. I've had a KZ1100 and a Special 500 but I did not keep those bikes for long. I really don't know the first thing about cruising bikes.

As for the Goldwing - that was nixed the first time I saw one. The ferring and the hard luggage cases on the side are not what I had in mind. lol.... I just don't like the way they look.

As for the Yamaha, Suzuki, and Hondas.... any particular models in mind? Again, I'm a big guy (6'1 - 320lb) so I dont believe that a 750 Shadow will quite fit the bill.