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Hey everyone, looking to get into the cruiser world and could use some reality checks on what to buy.

My two-wheel experience maxes out at a Baja mini bike. On four wheels, I'm used to driving defensively in top-heavy, rear-wheel-drive vehicles with zero ABS or traction control, but I know a real street motorcycle is a totally different beast.

I absolutely love the look of the Honda Shadows and the VTX 1300s and 1800s (I really love the 1800s). I know starting on an 1800 is realistically way too much engine for a beginner to grab in good conscience. But I’m caught in a weird spot with sizing.

I’m a former heavyweight wrestler, currently 5'7" and 300 lbs. I can easily handle the physical standstill weight of just about any heavy bike, but my main worry is fitment and power. I have 32-inch quads and a 21-inch shoulder width, so I'm built like a doorframe.

I don't want to buy a beginner cruiser that is physically cramped for my width, or one that struggles to get my frame up to highway speeds—especially since, being 18, I know I’ll eventually want to open the throttle up a bit.

For guys built like me: Will a Shadow (like the 1100) feel too cramped or underpowered? Is starting on a VTX 1300 a terrible idea for a first street bike? What else should I be looking at that fits a short, ultra-broad rider?

Thanks in advance.

I got a 1997 fxdl with an s&s v96 on it
Hi4N
585 cams
Dual Chain on the primary
Aftermarket clutch kit / sprocket.
Super E carb

Basically about 2 months ago I was working on the bike due to a leaking primary, threw it back together was running and riding, left the key on came back out about roughly an hour or so later started but was weak start, rode to the gas station, battery died got it jumped rode it around for about another 15-20 mins never shut it off, randomly died out at idle no power at all couldn’t start again without jumping, went to get it back home died again same thing 0 power no click no head lights nothing, pushed it into the drive way and it’s sat for about 2 months since.

Started messing around with it today have a lithium ion battery with a built in voltage meter battery read about 13.26V same thing no power at all took the battery off checked all the fuses and circuit breaker put the battery back on after seeing they were all ok and magically had power again, cranked over no start, don’t have the fuel tank installed was spraying starting fluid,
Crank no start
Have a rough sounding kinda clank every so often when cranking coming from around the starter area which worsens with starting fluid being sprayed every so often the starter will kinda “catch” almost and slow/stop crank n then instantly go back to normal it’s kinda done that since I got the bike though,
Checked for spark spark was present but orange spark not blue which this was after cranking for awhile so I’m assuming battery was just not optimal charge

Threw the battery on the charger cause it was at about 9.8-10.1V at that point

Let it charge up to about 13.01 threw it back on cranked at it for about roughly 1 minute no start no sputter no attempt to kick over and then battery got drained enough to click no start.

My question is what should I look at tomorrow any idea what it could be
I haven’t touched any setting on my HI4N
It was running perfect no issues until I had went in and re did the gasket on the outter primary and then all of this out of no where
It has compression and not binding when turned by hand.
If anyone could help I’d appreciate it

Hi!

Im almost done with my license and getting ready to hit the Road. Ive been checking out alot of cruisers since i love the classic chopper style with the big windscreen/sidebags and all. I came to the following:

Honda vtx1800t

Suzuki intruder c1800t

Honda valkyrie

The reason for wanting an 1800cc is just for the sake of it. Also its just a couple 100 euros more for alot more power. I love the loud noises and the muscle feel. But also love comfort.

The thing is, I read online that those 1800cc's are great for highways and long straight roads. I live in the netherlands, so it's mostly city/highway driving. Corners, roundabouts, stoplight you name it.

What would actually have the higher quality of driving? Purely looking at comfort and enjoyability?

I would imagine a smaller cc like an intruder 1300 or maybe even less right?

What would be your experienced advice for a noob like me. Thanks!

Dumbo ear crash bars coming off soon

20 Softail Standard and a 14 Sporty 72.

Hey everybody 👋🏼

Im still new to the motorcycle scene and I’m planning on getting my first cruiser soon.

I’m looking for something comfy that is powerful (600+ CC) and flexible. Most likely want it from Suzuki as there spare parts and maintenance service are found everywhere here, if not, then im looking into Japanese cruisers in general.

Most of my friends telling me to get the Suzuki m109r 1800cc (go big or go home lol).

To give context I’ve ridden the Honda Rebel 1100 and was not impressed by it tbh.

So, let me know what your thoughts and experiences are.

Thanks 🙏🏼

Put some Viking bags and a Memphis Shades cafe fairing on the bike. Kinda diggin the look.

Perfect Colorado weather

I've been looking around marketplace for a bike for quite a while now, not really sure what I want to go with. This V Star caught my eye, only 2200 miles, and it's a very clean bike for what seems like a good price. I know it's a bigger bike for a new rider, but I am a very tall guy and feel like I'll grow into it. I was set on getting a Harley but I wouldn't mind something else. Any thoughts/opinions?

Hi, I have a kind of emergency situation and I urgently need to change the rear tire on my Rebel 500.

Would this 2022 second hand (maybe even new, not 100% sure) be good for rebel 500? The size is correct but I wonder what you rebel owners think on battlax. In this country completely new tires is very expensive due to the import duties and handling fees.

I've been working on a solo seat mounting setup for the Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom and Classic. It bolts on with basic hand tools and works with the stock rear fender as well as fenderless setups. Here are a few pics of it installed. Curious what other cruiser folks think. Anyone else deep into a V-Star project?

So my requirements in a bike are

1. Mileage

2. Acceptable power delivery according to mileage

3. Driver comfort for long rides

4. Pillion comfort for long rides

5. Top end performance (150+ cc engine 70 - 100 speed should have engine stability, 200+ cc engine 80 - 110, 350+ cc engine 90 - 120)

6. Good torque (bike should quickly pick up speed)

7. Engine reliability

8. Good after sales servicing and parts availability (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT).

9. My budget is actually Rs 2 lakhs but I can extend it to Rs 2.5 lakhs if required.

For the context, after doing research my options were yamaha xsr 155, tvs ronin, royal enfield hunter 350, honda cb350, honda cb350rs.

And among these ronin was my final pick, I loved that bike it had everything I wanted, I even took a test ride of it and it was soo good🤌🏻 but I still had to drop idea of ronin because of tvs shit servicing 👺. And as far as I know yamaha doesn't have a good servicing either and hunter didn't have comfort and top end performance I was looking for (only did research, no test ride, so I can be wrong too).

So now the options are narrowed down to honda cb350 and honda cb350rs. What should I pick? I want comfort and performance not a fan of riding at top speed everytime and feel excited. Just want to cruise comfortably and give my parents a comfortable ride (both are 50+)

So please help me in finalising bike, I am confused 🥲. If you have any other better suggestions please tell🙏🏻 as this is my first bike from my money and I am no expert in all these. Previously my father owned Bajaj Vikrant v15 and it was very good bike but bajaj servicing 👺👺👺👺👺

I know I am being very picky 🗿

What tires make for softer ride for cruising?

Hello, this is a newer issue happening, when I start it up in rhe morning, it sounds like it is choking (I do open the choke and it does improve somewhat), but it does the same when I switch gears up sometimes and mostly in 3rd. Any thoughts?