Moving to a cruiser...possibly.

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by VFRkat, Aug 8, 2014.

  1. zoom-zoom

    zoom-zoom Member

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    Keep in mind that just cause you bought another bike, doesn't mean you can't still be a part of the community still. Enjoy the new bike dude and do post up some pics of the new purchase once she is acquired.
     
  2. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    Thanks zoom.

    Rode it back yesterday. Just over 3 hours and I'm loving it. Definitely down on power compared to the VFR but cruising at 120 - 130 was fine. That's the most I'll ever really need anyways. Passing power was adequate. Comfy though. Does it ever carry it's weight low. Tool a bit to get used to that.

    Here's a few pics. Cleaned her up last night, so much chrome! Bot good for someone as compulsive as I am!
    photo 9.jpg photo 10.jpg photo 11.jpg photo 12.jpg photo 13.jpg
     
  3. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    It looks great!
    I switched from Cruiser to VFR 1200.... It would be ideal to own one of each :)
     
  4. zoom-zoom

    zoom-zoom Member

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    Nice looking bike there Kat. If you ever feel the need to go whipping down a twisty road at break neck speed and wear the sidewalls off, I suppose you could always ride the wife's Katana. Either that or you could holiday out here, and you could borrow my other VFR (as long as the wife doesn't mind that is). LOL

    You DO realize that keeping the VFR looking shiny was a lot easier. Now you have to clean the bugs off the chrome, the engine fins, paint, headlight, instrument pod, radiator fins, handlebars, switches, AND your teeth. Gives ya something to do on the weekends though, Right??
     
  5. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Nooooooooooooice :love:
    Congratulation on your new ride :thumb: Enjoy the ride with your girls and be safe.
     
  6. tyarosevich

    tyarosevich New Member

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    I owned a 2007 Honda Shadow Aero before getting my '09 VFR. Unless I'm grossly mistaken, it's a more or less identical bike to the one you're looking at.

    The 750 Shadows are great bikes. They're indestructible, fairly comfortable, and both easy and cheap to modify so that they're *very* comfortable (I miss my highway bars every time I ride the VFR more than 300 miles).

    That being said, I agree with a few other posters - you should look for an 1100. After riding a VFR, the 750 is going to feel really pathetic in the power department. At 65 MPH, it has no power band left for passing, so you're accelerating slowly with way, way less than peak torque. Furthermore, it has a good deal of vibration at high cruising speeds like 75+ and this will affect your comfort.

    The Shadow 1100, on the other hand, which I have ridden, is one of the best damn cruisers ever made. 1/4 the price of a harley, looks better (imo), 10x as reliable, cheap to work on cheap to own, good mileage. Pure Honda rock solid.

    *edit: Saw that you bought the Suzuki. Nice bike as well, buddy of mine had one. I hope it has a good 10 horsepower on the Shadow, hopefully that will make all the difference at highway speeds!
     
  7. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I think the M50 has about 15 or so horses on the Shadow 750 and fuel injection. I've done about 400 kms so far and although it's nowhere near the VFR it feels adequate for what I need. I love the look of the M50, the low seat height, the wide bars at about chest height and the foot / leg positioning. Comfortable with some vibration over 100/110 or so. It's going to take a bit of practice at slow speed manoeuvres too sure carries itself different.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2014
  8. bocare

    bocare New Member

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    Hmmm,
    I just got rid of my cruiser M109R
    I had enough of that da-da-da-da sound.
    I am looking forward to get one new VFR1200. Hopefully 2015 model


    Sent from my iPad
     
  9. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    I see your point. I just got one (I'll post the pictures in the morning) for riding 2 up. It's just easier and more comfortable for the passenger I have to admit. But my preference is definitely my VFR.
     
  10. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    Love the M109R. It would have been great to go to one of those but they're a little pricey. Post a pic if you have one. They're a mean looking machine.

    Having never owned a cruiser I never really realized the difference in power between an 800 VFR and a 750-800 twin. Never thought about it. But now I am understanding why people go to 1600+.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  11. bocare

    bocare New Member

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    I had M109R2, 2009 model (see pict.) and I loved every moment of riding. On the other hand I was disappointed in some elements of engine, gear box and some details
    how Suzuki has done is and I have a reason to believe there is a bit of design flaw in some respect, but I will not go in more details here as it is my personal observation.
    I am sure Suzuki could have done it better but price tag would be unrealistic to follow.
    Same thing is I believe with HONDA VFR 1200, they perfected engine and user interface / commands but they let go shocks and dashboard is a bit old fashioned by today standers.
    If you look at Ducati 1199 Panegale dashboard, you will understand what latest HI TECH design means.
    2014-07-29 12.24.51.jpg
     
  12. mofo

    mofo New Member

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    Nice ride, but remember, a bike is as good as parts available.
     
  13. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    I bought a Honda VTX 1800. I'm posting some pictures in 5 minutes.

    Thank you
     
  14. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    Ordered and installed some Givi side cases recently. I think they look pretty decent on it. I never was a fan of leather saddlebags. I do miss the top case I had on the VFR though. It was so much more useable and could easily hold my helmet.

    photo17.jpg
    photo16.jpg
    photo18.jpg
     
  15. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    I just got a cruiser in addition to my VFR and you are right there is a lot of chrome to keep clean and shinny and a cruiser has definitely it's advantages..

    20140910_111313.jpg 20140910_124056.jpg 20140910_124110.jpg 20140910_163856.jpg
     
  16. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    Looks sharp.
     
  17. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I too have been thinking of a more upright riding position. I still can't see myself going all cruiser but I did test ride a Honda NC700X today. It was nice, upright and neutral but I missed my VFR power. I also found that, in my brief ride, my back started to hurt. When I ride, body forward, my back is straight and my arms are straight. When I sit upright my arms sag and I tend to slump into a bad posture. I am going to take the NC700X on a longer ride and see how it goes but so far I am not convinced a more upright posture will buy me anything.
     
  18. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    If I remember correctly you sold your VFR recently? If yes do you miss it at all or are you perfectly ok with your cruiser?

    Thank you
     
  19. E.SLC.

    E.SLC. New Member

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    NC700X is nice but it may not be enough power... if you are switching from VFR. Why not look at something closer to 1200-1300 like Honda VTX 1300.
    I just got an 1800 and it's very nice.
     
  20. VFRkat

    VFRkat New Member

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    I do miss the VFR. That bike had personality. I miss the V4 sound and the power.

    But that being said, the way I drive is far from aggressive and I generally don't speed or go corner carving any more. I spend a lot of time out with my daughter on the back and my wife riding with me. I found that I just like to sit back and enjoy the ride and scenery. The M50 seems to suit me very well. With me it was mostly my knees that would get sore from being bent at such an angle and my wrists would go numb from the weight on them. This bike has totally solved those issues and I find the position very comfortable.

    The only thing I guess I could wish for would be an extra few HP for the highway.
     
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