2 week (or so) update: boulevard c50

[jdanna]

So ive had my 2005 C50 for a few weeks now, and heres a few observations:

2-up, it feels 234822345243543 times more stable and comfortable then the GS. My girlfriend will ride with me now, and that was a number one priority for me.

It definatly has more power then the GS, but really, its only marginally faster. Lots of added weight.
The windsheild and saddlebags are great.
It is a lot more comfortable (for me, im tall) then the GS. The GS got really uncomfortable after about 2 hours. I can ride the c50 all day and still feel great.

So i think i have found the bike for me. And i love the style. I get TONS of looks on it.

Of course, it doesnt handle like the GS does. Ive scraped the floorboard feelers a shitload of times so far, but that aint never hurt nobody

not tryin to knock the GS, i loved that thing to death, and will eventually buy another.
But this C50 is fantastic. I love every second i am on it.

Just some info in case anybody is cruiser-shopping, ive got no complaints with the c50 so far

[Blingmasta]

I'm not doubting whether or not it's a great bike, but how are you getting TONS of looks on it? It looks just like every other cruiser out there, which are approximately a dime a dozen these days.

[jdanna]

I'm not doubting whether or not it's a great bike, but how are you getting TONS of looks on it? It looks just like every other cruiser out there, which are approximately a dime a dozen these days.

I dunno, but people seem to like it. Lots of smiles and thumps up everytime i take it out.
It looks real nice all dressed up with the bags, windsheild, and especially the big chrome lightbar.

And it doesnt hurt that just about the entire engine is chrome
\

[middlem2]

We need pictures! 

[The Buddha]

People look at it cos they are trying to identify WTH it is ... is it a harley, is it a clone, is it shaft, is it chain ... is it a viol usa or is it a shady ... or a viagro or a volvo ...
Yea that kind ...  ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[jdanna]

We need pictures! 

[pantablo]

I dunno, but people seem to like it. Lots of smiles and thumps up everytime i take it out.

more people can relate to the cruiser styling, particularly the HD's. And most non-riders cant differentiate between an HD and a metric cruiser.

[jdanna]

more people can relate to the cruiser styling, particularly the HD's. And most non-riders cant differentiate between an HD and a metric cruiser.

I know. But i dont care if they know what it is or not, i just like the looks i get

[pantablo]

Didnt mean anything by it, just saying that more people respond to that kind of bike than a standard or even a sportbike.

[gsJack]

That's what cruisers are all about, IMAGE.   

[jdanna]

That's what cruisers are all about, IMAGE.   

SO true. but i love it

completely off topic on an existing completely off topic post:

I sat on a ducati ST3 today. It was smaller then i expected. the bars felt like toys.
and the seat was rock hard.

but that is one MEAN bike

but why do they call it an "L-twin"?
Isnt that just a v-twin on its side?

[sys49152]

The bike looks great!

I guess it's all relative though.  I remember taking my wife on my GS500, and her thinking it was incredibly comfortable.  Then I sold it and she rode on the back of my F4i, once and only once -- the pillion seat is horrendous at best.  Shortly after she got her own bike license and bought a virago 250  .

I did manage to bring her back from the dark side though (joking, of course).  She rides a Ninja 250 now.

[Mk1inCali]

L-twin because it's got a vertical cylinder, not 2 cylinders that are 45 degrees off the straight-up-right.

[melloGS]

Two totally different bikes to compare...cruiser vs. sportbike...Of course the cruiser is gonna be more comfortable...

[jdanna]

L-twin because it's got a vertical cylinder, not 2 cylinders that are 45 degrees off the straight-up-right.

but mechanically is it any different then a v-twin?
whats the advantage? or is ducati just crazy?

[ducati_nolan]

but why do they call it an "L-twin"?
Isnt that just a v-twin on its side?

Yeah a L twin is just a 90 degree V twin layed on it's side

but mechanically is it any different then a v-twin?
whats the advantage? or is ducati just crazy?

V type engines are often 90 but sometimes are 45 or 60
Most of the V8s (like chevy and ford) are 90s as are ducati twins and the honda V4s. Harleys are 45s and aprillas are 60s.
I think that the angle of the V (or L if it's on it's side  ) makes a different kind of vibration. I don't know if any one arrangement makes more power though.

The big difference with ducati is that they don't have any valvesprings. They use a seperate cam and rockers to close the valves. Back in the day it was great because they could rev higher than anything else because it can't get valve float. (mecedes were the first to use this on their race cars) Of course now, valvesprings are so good that it dosen't matter, but it's different and cool. 

[John Bates]

So ive had my 2005 C50 for a few weeks now, and heres a few observations:

2-up, it feels 234822345243543 times more stable and comfortable then the GS. My girlfriend will ride with me now, and that was a number one priority for me.

It definatly has more power then the GS, but really, its only marginally faster. Lots of added weight.
The windsheild and saddlebags are great.
It is a lot more comfortable (for me, im tall) then the GS. The GS got really uncomfortable after about 2 hours. I can ride the c50 all day and still feel great.

So i think i have found the bike for me. And i love the style. I get TONS of looks on it.

Of course, it doesnt handle like the GS does. Ive scraped the floorboard feelers a shitload of times so far, but that aint never hurt nobody

not tryin to knock the GS, i loved that thing to death, and will eventually buy another.
But this C50 is fantastic. I love every second i am on it.

Just some info in case anybody is cruiser-shopping, ive got no complaints with the c50 so far

I'm green with envy. 

I have been looking at the Boulevards for some time now for just the same reasons you mentioned.

Can't get a dealer to let me test ride one yet.

Why didn't you get the "T" model?

What bags and windshield did you get?

[jdanna]

I'm green with envy. 
I have been looking at the Boulevards for some time now for just the same reasons you mentioned.
Can't get a dealer to let me test ride one yet.
Why didn't you get the "T" model?
What bags and windshield did you get?

try test riding a used one - most places are much more leniant with used bikes.
I didnt really choose it, it chose me. i was looking around at all kindsa bikes, and this one dealer had this one on their used lot and i fell in love with it.

The bags, windshield, windshield bag, sissy bar, and lightbar are all genuine suzuki parts that the previous owner had put on, so with all that stuff on there it might as well be the T model, but looking even better because of the bitchin lightbar

[RedShift]

jdanna, what was the hardest control or feature to get used to?  How'd you take to the weight, forward controls, or the sheer bulk of the Boulevard compared to the GS500?

I can relate to feeling "cramped" after a couple of hours - I'm 6'4" myself.   

[MarkusN]

I think that the angle of the V (or L if it's on it's side ) makes a different kind of vibration. I don't know if any one arrangement makes more power though.

Yeah. 90° Vees can best be balanced vibration-wise. As for power, that depends on other issues. Ducati does produce pretty powerful motors, tho.

The ignition sequence also makes for the distinctive Ducati roar.