point me in the right direction.

[nousername]

Hi guys,
I am 28 yr old...180lbs...5.10 feet. I need your advice regarding what bike to buy...out of these three HD V-rod, Victory hammer, Suzuki m90 boulevard....you can also add any other bike that would fit my needs.I have dropped the idea of getting a super sports bike due to pain in lower back ...high insurance and I am planing to sell my car and ride the whole year round ( which is not possible with a SS).I am not into bike modification. Riding distance will be 15 km one way as a daily commuter to my job..no long rides due to kids and wife so the only way i can enjoy riding is going to my job. This will be a long term commitment or until the bike starts eating money on repairs..if all goes well then i'll keep the bike for at least 7-8 yrs. so the question is which one of the above mentioned bikes is reliable, Comfortable, and cheaper to maintain.comfort is the most important.Thanks a lot for your input. Please no brand bashing.
Regards

 

[shadowman]

Go to different dealers and sit on lots of bikes. You may want to consider a standard or sport touring bike. Personally, I find the upright seating position much more comfortable, and ALOT easier on the back than a cruiser. My first bike was a cruiser. I found that it got really uncomfortable, really quickly, leaning back, with my feet way out in front of me.
Having said all that, seating positions are not the same on all cruisers.
Just something to consider.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Gummiente]

If you dropped the idea of an SS because of lower back pain, then I've got some bad news for you with regards to your top three list. Or any bike, for that matter. But putting that point aside, if you plan on riding year round and are concerned about insurance rates then you should consider getting an older "beater" bike, something along the lines of a used Bandit, for example. Winter will take a toll on a motorcycle's bodywork and components - DAMHIK - and you'll need to be riding something that is easy to work on and has lots of aftermarket support. A dual-sport would be a more apropos selection on this point alone, like a KLR650. And if you don't want to worry about falling over on slushy, icy streets you really should get an Ural...

 

[nobbie48]

+1 to Gummiente on the winter ride. I've done it on two wheels and don't recommend a heavy bike.
It's your money but the corrosion will likely destroy the bike in the time frame you mention. If you want to gamble on always having winters like 2011-2012 it's your dime.

 

[suzuki2000]

If the purpose of the bike is simply to cummute, why not find a cheap older std or possibly a dual sport type bike. The bikes you have listed are some (relatively) higher dollar cruisers that you are paying a premium for. Winter riding will quickly take its toll on the bike and devalue it at an acelerated pace

 

[nousername]

thanks a lot for your input guys. High insurance is only on SS. sport touring are too bulky for my liking. I am going to look into dual sport now.

 

[Flywheel]

thanks a lot for your input guys. High insurance is only on SS. sport touring are too bulky for my liking. I am going to look into dual sport now.

Dual sports have tubed tires, which is going to be a pain to deal with if you get a flat while commuting in winter. Maybe a gs500f? Cheap, simple to maintain and insure, tubeless tires, fairing for wind protection (another plus in colder weather). It's not too heavy either and since it's a "beginner" bike, should be easy to resell if needed. Tank range is about 350 km to reserve. If you have a mechanical problem, parts are plentiful and tech support is a click away at GStwins.com.

 

[mototrek]

Hi guys,
...and I am planing to sell my car and ride the whole year round ( which is not possible with a SS).I am not into bike modification.
Regards

You sound like a practical rider - the most practical bike I can thinkk of to replace a car on wet slippery and slushy roads is the URAL with the side car. Wife and kids can share ride too.

good luck

 

[fastar1]

If you can afford the bikes you mentioned, then how about two bikes; a winter beater (that can fit spiked tires) and a nice-enough summer ride? Dunno if you can keep switching the insurance back and forth though, that might be a deal breaker.

 

[Quad_Hunter]

If you can afford the bikes you mentioned, then how about two bikes; a winter beater (that can fit spiked tires) and a nice-enough summer ride? Dunno if you can keep switching the insurance back and forth though, that might be a deal breaker.

I'm riding a 2011 Kawasaki Vaquero. Love it! But's its the little things that makes you comfortable for long hauls.

- Mustang Seat
- Backrest
- Highway pegs.


To each there own, and alot of these types of extra's can be put on any bike to make it your own !

 

[MacDoc]

15 KM ???- snag a KLR650 - who cares if you drop it. Bullet proof and cheap.
You can pick them up nicely configured for commuting with some side bags or a top case or both for not a lot. Upright seating will help your back.

Fun on some of the back roads as well .....not a great highway ride.

 

[V-Tom]

Pretty hard to go wrong with a Suzuki V-Strom. I put 202,000 km on my 2006, and have oevr 10,000 km on my 2012 that I bout mid March.


They are great everyday bikes: The upright high riding position makes comuting easy since you can see so much better. The are fun on twisties, grat for touring (I did two long tours last year), easy to pile stuff on the back, fun on grvel and other surfaces, and ugly enough that you don't have to waste time cleaning them but instead can just ride.

The ony down side is snow riding.. I agree with the above that a lighter bike would make more sense for snow riding. I think a KLR may stil be too heavy unless you are a really large guy.

..Tom

 

[Vroom]

All i can say is ---go to each dealership, sit on the bike and see how it feels, you will know when you sit on the right one! Some dealerships have demo bikes to go for a ride! Thats what we did when i bought my wife her bike, spent a lot of time sitting on different bikes and all of a sudden, she said this is the one!