Bike suggestion for noob, blast or virago

Hello All,

Just got my license and I'm looking for my first bike. I'm looking at a used 2002 Buell Blast and a 94 750 Virago.

While I do like regular cruisers over sport cruisers, the blast looks pretty cool. I think the blast would be easier to ride at first, but probably would not be as comfortable for me as it’s a shorter bike. I'm 6'0 160 lbs, tall and lanky. I’d probably grow out of the blast quicker than the virago. In either case, if I continue to enjoy riding I would probably replace either bike in a couple years with something like a boulevard.

Most of the riding I would do would be to and from work...on fairly busyfast roads. There would be some interstate travel.

Any suggestions? The price for both are pretty close to each other.

You'll be happier with the Virago for longer.

Because of a personal bias I would not recommend the Buell.

As far as the Virago 750, I would think the ergonomics might not be as comfortable for someone your size. Probably just a little to short in the leg comfort on longer rides. Also the seat height may be a bit to low for a 6 footer.

As far as mechanixs I think the Yahama would be a longer lasting nike and be more dependable overall, You did mention a specific model year on the Virago and so my recommendation would be tempered by the mileage and obvoius wear and cosmetics.

Normally I would strongly recommend the 750 Virago (and smaller cc) series for shorter riders. It is a good looking MC and well balanced, with a good record and history. If you could find a clean 1100cc Virago I would not hesitate to say go dor it.

Perhaps you should broaden your search to include other models before you buy. This time of year there will be lots for sale.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

Thanks for the info.

I can't seem to find out which bikes are better for riders built like myself. I'm interested in a cruiser.

Any suggestions on what might fit me better?

Thanks for the info.

I can't seem to find out which bikes are better for riders built like myself. I'm interested in a cruiser.

Any suggestions on what might fit me better?

Tough to recommend a cruiser until you give some more info. Budget range?, looking for used only? more on how you intend to use it, just a commuter? open road? street cruiser? Your age ( insurance)? Is this starter MC or something more long term? Any info you can provide will help with good suggestions.

There several cruisers you might start to look at for ideas though. Like I said before an 1100 Virago, 1100 Honda Shadow, Yahama V-Star or Roadstar series (larger than 750cc).

I really am not familiar with Kawasaki or Suzuki cruisers, but suspect other enthusiaist will fill you in on their experiences and what to look for.

Ride safe and Long,
Colorado Fats

Burnsy1, question for you. Why don't you just go buy a new C50T Boulevard? The 50 cu in is about 800 cc's, so it's about the same size engine as you want. I've seen lots of them on the road, and everyone I've talked to who owns one says they are easy to handle and have plenty of power to tour on. I bought a C90T (1500 cc's) a few months ago and love it. The driveshaft is a little noisy, but that's the nature of the beast. Everyone says to get a smaller bike to start with, but I disagree with that. It's really what you get used to riding, not the size of the bike. Of course a smaller bike is easier to handle, but a larger bike will be just as easy once you get used to it. I'm 6'0" and weigh 230 (a little overweight), and my bike fits me fine. The C50T is the same size bike with a smaller engine (and costs about $3,000 less). If you're going to trade in your first bike for another, why waste the money on the first one when, for a few bucks more, you can have the one you'll ride for years? (My 2 cents worth)

Bike height/size is much less important than the distance from the seat to the pegs. Your feet are only on the ground a small amount of time, and on the pegs all the rest. My wife's bike is the exact same seat height as mine, but the pegs are different and I'm very uncomfortable on hers, perfectly fine on mine. Your best bet is to search for what you want, and then sit on it and see if it fits. A 750 is more than enough engine power, but seating position will really determine how comfortable you are.

Bike height/size is much less important than the distance from the seat to the pegs. Your feet are only on the ground a small amount of time, and on the pegs all the rest. My wife's bike is the exact same seat height as mine, but the pegs are different and I'm very uncomfortable on hers, perfectly fine on mine. Your best bet is to search for what you want, and then sit on it and see if it fits. A 750 is more than enough engine power, but seating position will really determine how comfortable you are.

Uesque, hate to, but got to disagree with the 'Forum Legend' on this one.

Two of my wife's 4 MCs were too high for her. She could reach the pegs/controls fine, but not the ground. That is when she dropped the bikes lots of times. Not being able to touch the ground with both feet flat is a safety issue.

If you can only get one foot down flat and there is sand or gravel and you lose footing... Down you go! If you can only get one foot down flat and good on a clean dry surface, but have to lean the MC to do so and over lean the MC, Down you go.

Not even considering the severe damage to ego, you can burn a leg, break a leg/ankle, smack your brand new helmet into the ground, get road rash, and tear a tendon from the groin down to her calf which bruises horribly,...which YOU have to hear about endlessly and look at for MONTHS and somehow is YOUR fault for... err, ahh, but I digress.

Correct ergonomics is VITAL to safe enjoyable riding! If you are worried about what is going to happen when you come to a stop, or worse you do any or all of the above, you won't enjoy the ride enough to make it worth the stress.

ps. Or the wife then seriously suggest the solution is she should get a $25-30K trike, your life becomes a living he ... well you get the point I am sure.

Ride safe & long,
Colorado Fats

Burnsy1, question for you. Why don't you just go buy a new C50T Boulevard? The 50 cu in is about 800 cc's, so it's about the same size engine as you want. I've seen lots of them on the road, and everyone I've talked to who owns one says they are easy to handle and have plenty of power to tour on. I bought a C90T (1500 cc's) a few months ago and love it. The driveshaft is a little noisy, but that's the nature of the beast. Everyone says to get a smaller bike to start with, but I disagree with that. It's really what you get used to riding, not the size of the bike. Of course a smaller bike is easier to handle, but a larger bike will be just as easy once you get used to it. I'm 6'0" and weigh 230 (a little overweight), and my bike fits me fine. The C50T is the same size bike with a smaller engine (and costs about $3,000 less). If you're going to trade in your first bike for another, why waste the money on the first one when, for a few bucks more, you can have the one you'll ride for years? (My 2 cents worth)


I'd love to get a new boulevard, thats actually what I see as my second bike. There are a couple reasons for not getting one though.

First is that...since aside from the course i just took...I've never ridden. I figure there is a decent chance I'll drop my first bike. The next reason is that..my budget right now is kinda low... I can't afford to finance anything at the moment (my house is on the market) so I'll be paying with the cash I have saved up...a little under 2k. I also figure that, at this point I don't know whats really important to me on a bike...as I don't have enough experience to know my likes and dislikes about a particular ride.

Those are good thoughts, and I can't argue with them. You seem to be a very sensible person, so you'll do ok no matter what you buy. My second bike was a GS550 Suzuki, and I bought it new. BUT, at that time, the brand new bike was a little under $600. I thought I might want to buy a dirt bike to fool around the hills with around here. I looked at a Suzuki and about croaked - it was $6,200!!!!! So, I understand what you're saying!

By the way, I dumped my new C90T, and because it had driver floorboards, it skidded along on the side of the floorboard and put one barely visible scratch on one of the saddle bags. As they were picking it off me, I could see in my mind all kinds of dents and scratches. Luckily, I was wrong. Whew!