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 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.
Quote from: Blingmasta on October 29, 2006, 12:46:54 PM
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
\
We need pictures!
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 ... :thumb: ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Quote from: jdanna on October 29, 2006, 01:19:46 PM
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.
Quote from: pantablo on October 29, 2006, 10:52:38 PM
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 ;)
Didnt mean anything by it, just saying that more people respond to that kind of bike than a standard or even a sportbike.
That's what cruisers are all about, IMAGE. :laugh:
Quote from: gsJack on October 30, 2006, 08:10:20 AM
That's what cruisers are all about, IMAGE. :laugh:
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?
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 :laugh:.
I did manage to bring her back from the dark side though (joking, of course). She rides a Ninja 250 now.
L-twin because it's got a vertical cylinder, not 2 cylinders that are 45 degrees off the straight-up-right.
Two totally different bikes to compare...cruiser vs. sportbike...Of course the cruiser is gonna be more comfortable... :cookoo:
Quote from: Mk1inCali on October 31, 2006, 06:34:00 PM
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?
Quote
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
Quotebut 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 :icon_rolleyes: ) 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. :cheers:
Quote from: jdanna on October 28, 2006, 10:13:22 PM
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?
:cheers:
Quote from: John Bates on November 01, 2006, 08:27:20 PM
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?
:cheers:
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 ;)
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. ;)
Quote from: ducati_nolan on October 31, 2006, 10:48:28 PM
I think that the angle of the V (or L if it's on it's side :icon_rolleyes: ) 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.
Quote from: RedShift on November 02, 2006, 04:01:17 AM
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. ;)
the bulk definatly takes a bit of getting used to. especially in parking manuevers, and low speed stuff. that stuff is a lot harder to do. If i were to take the mva license test on this thing, i would probably fail it, cause i cant u-turn it nearly as tight as i could with the GS. Im sure with practice that will improve. But once it gets up to speed, it is suprisingly nimble. It wont carve turns like the GS could, by any means, but it can still be a whole lot of fun on the more technical roads. And im sure i will get better as i get more used to the bike, im still being pretty timid with it.
And i love the transmission. It shifts like butter. only problem is that when i get on the highway, a lot of times, i try for 6th gear. But on the GS, i would always try for 7th. In top gear at 80mph, it still has a good amount of pull left in it, where on the gs, you would have to really lay into it to get it to move beyond 80. Dont do this much tho, the bike feels perfect around 60-70, so i keep it around there.
the heel-toe shifter confused me a bit at first too - during most of the test ride i was using it like a normal shifter, until i got comfortable enough with it to use it properly. now that im used to it i absolutly love it, and having floorboards is great.
the grips are a lot meatyer then the ones on the GS. I like that too. Tho the levers are a bit thin, i think im going to add some big chrome harley style levers to it.
Interesting reading. Thanks for posting your experiences.
I can understand the largess of the Boulevard feeling significantly different from the GS500. I think your low-speed skill will improve with experience. Sounds like you made the right choice. Glad you went for it. :thumb: