So with a typical WA day today (rain, cold), I decided to go to Skagit Power Sports north of here to check out "stuff", and as I walk into the shop I see a gorgeous 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50.
As big as the bike looked, I thought, "must be heavy". When I got on and picked it up I was very surprised at how light it really was. Overall, it felt better than a couple of the Hondas they had. Nice wide bars, forward enough that I didn't feel cramped, good peg location, although at 6' 6" I can always go for forward controls. And shallow I may be, but I love the low, stretched-out look of it. I would've gotten a test ride if it hadn't been for the weather.
There was an Aero 750 and a VTX1300 that I checked out too, doing a little "musical chairs" bit to see how comfortable I was on each of them compared to the M50. I was surprised that the Aero felt as cramped as my VLX as far as peg position and the grips. Also, both were much heavier that the M50, which weighs about as much as the VLX.
I love my VLX, no doubt there, but a couple things I've noticed: at anything over 60 it feels like it's straining a bit. I've also had some experience with hip cramps while on it if it's a cold day out because it just isn't long enough. I thought the Aero would be a better fit, but even the 1300 still felt cramped.
I really have no desire at this point to go for anything over 1100cc's. They're simply too big and bulky feeling when I sit on them to be comfortable taking them for a spin. I tried out my friend's 1100 last summer and it felt like a tank.
So I've been do a bit of research and most of the web reviews are very positive. Anyone here have any experience/thoughts on the M50? If the weather had been nice today, I think I might've ridden home on a new bike.
Naughty.. naughy boy I am.
As big as the bike looked, I thought, "must be heavy". When I got on and picked it up I was very surprised at how light it really was. Overall, it felt better than a couple of the Hondas they had. Nice wide bars, forward enough that I didn't feel cramped, good peg location, although at 6' 6" I can always go for forward controls. And shallow I may be, but I love the low, stretched-out look of it. I would've gotten a test ride if it hadn't been for the weather.
There was an Aero 750 and a VTX1300 that I checked out too, doing a little "musical chairs" bit to see how comfortable I was on each of them compared to the M50. I was surprised that the Aero felt as cramped as my VLX as far as peg position and the grips. Also, both were much heavier that the M50, which weighs about as much as the VLX.
I love my VLX, no doubt there, but a couple things I've noticed: at anything over 60 it feels like it's straining a bit. I've also had some experience with hip cramps while on it if it's a cold day out because it just isn't long enough. I thought the Aero would be a better fit, but even the 1300 still felt cramped.
I really have no desire at this point to go for anything over 1100cc's. They're simply too big and bulky feeling when I sit on them to be comfortable taking them for a spin. I tried out my friend's 1100 last summer and it felt like a tank.
So I've been do a bit of research and most of the web reviews are very positive. Anyone here have any experience/thoughts on the M50? If the weather had been nice today, I think I might've ridden home on a new bike.
Naughty.. naughy boy I am.