NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 So in about 2-3 weeks i'll be going out and purchasing/financing a new motorcycle. I have been looking at the sportbikes, but realized i'm more suited for a cruiser. I have looked the at the Honda Fury's. Very nice looking bikes. Just too slow. 50-56 hp starting at 12,999. No thanks. I think i have it narrowed down to 2 bikes. Either a Suzuki m109....or a Yamaha Raider. I personally think they both look great, both have over 100 hp. Some dislike the pipes on the raider, i like them. I could get a M109 for 8-10k, and a Raider for 12-15. So....thoughts, opinions, suggestions. All welcome. Just having a hard time deciding. Pics of bikes!M109RAIDERDecisions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 M109. Or you could do what I did and have the best of both worlds... FZ6 or FZ1...aka comfort AND speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 M109. Or you could do what I did and have the best of both worlds... FZ6 or FZ1...aka comfort AND speed.I sat on a sportbike for the 1st time, Friday. Way too much leaning forward, i could do it for riding around town....but taking a trip or long rides...not gonna happen. What's the riding stance like on those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Personal preference would be the Raider. Have you looked at the Vulcan? Depending on year they are anywhere between 1500 and 2000 cc, styling is similar to the Raider but less swept on the tank (see my pictures if you want a sense, mine's an 800 but they all look very similar if you get the custom editions).IMO the M109 is too bastardized... tries to be retro from the tank back, and futuristic from tank forward.... I just don't like it, but if you're looking for the futuristic take a look at the VMax I fucking love that bike...Either way, all of this is just my opinion! What do you like best for style, Retro? Chopper? Spaceship?What's more important, style or power, mix of both?What kind of features do you want? FI, SoftTail, luggage?And seriously..... WHAT'S COMFORTABLE?! I can't stress that enough, I wish someone warned me when I bought my cruiser it's NOT a couch... it's much more comfortable than a sport bike (only my opinion) but what feels good on the floor quickly starts hurting.But lastly, let me know when you get your cruiser, we'll go for a nice ride , we could meet up in Canton or you can come up closer to me and do a ride through the Canal Way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I sat on a sportbike for the 1st time, Friday. Way too much leaning forward, i could do it for riding around town....but taking a trip or long rides...not gonna happen. What's the riding stance like on those?its like a sport bike with dirtbike bars and risers and rearsets that are about halfway between sportbike and cruiser. pretty darn comfy actually. Any Yami dealer should have one in stock...go sit on one...youll see what I mean. Its like sitting straight up compared to a pure sport bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dweezel Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 go for the M109, inverted forks, real brakes, all the good stuff not just for show. If I HAD to get a cruiser, that'd be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unc7237 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Go with the M109R it is liquid cooled & has a fat rear tire. The Raider is air cooled, maybe not so good if caught in traffic alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I sat on a sportbike for the 1st time, Friday. Way too much leaning forward, i could do it for riding around town....but taking a trip or long rides...not gonna happen. What's the riding stance like on those?They are "standard position" (as are a lot of the tourings), heels are (for the most part) directly below your hips, personally I'm not a big fan, my knees aren't wonderful so I like to be able to keep them straighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Personal preference would be the Raider. Have you looked at the Vulcan? Depending on year they are anywhere between 1500 and 2000 cc, styling is similar to the Raider but less swept on the tank (see my pictures if you want a sense, mine's an 800 but they all look very similar if you get the custom editions).IMO the M109 is too bastardized... tries to be retro from the tank back, and futuristic from tank forward.... I just don't like it, but if you're looking for the futuristic take a look at the VMax I fucking love that bike...Either way, all of this is just my opinion! What do you like best for style, Retro? Chopper? Spaceship?What's more important, style or power, mix of both?What kind of features do you want? FI, SoftTail, luggage?And seriously..... WHAT'S COMFORTABLE?! I can't stress that enough, I wish someone warned me when I bought my cruiser it's NOT a couch... it's much more comfortable than a sport bike (only my opinion) but what feels good on the floor quickly starts hurting.But lastly, let me know when you get your cruiser, we'll go for a nice ride , we could meet up in Canton or you can come up closer to me and do a ride through the Canal Way.No offense brother, but the only Vulcan i would consider owning would be the mean streak. This look just doesn't do it for me. Just looks to run of the mill. Ohhh...trust me i'm with you on the Vmax's. Old and new. Love them both. 200 hp for the new ones. 17-19k bike though. I prefer the more chopperish look. Something that stands out from the crowd. If the Fury, was a little faster...it would definitely be a tough choice. 50hp just isn't gonna cut it. Me....i'm a power guy, but...it can't look like shit either. So a mix of both. Not really worried about Fi, but most new bikes are. Aren't they? I just need some nice looking soft saddle bags and i'm good. No gaudy looking hard luggage. I have sat on BOTH of these bikes. Both felt good. I sat on a v-rod. That was uncomfortable. I felt like the tank was in my chest. Absolutely man. I haven't been on a bike of my own in a LONG time. Been looking forward to getting out their and ripping up some roads. How far is northfield from Canal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dweezel Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Ohhh...trust me i'm with you on the Vmax's. Old and new. Love them both. 200 hp for the new ones. 17-19k bike though.They appear to hit a wall around 145ish, and he couldn't keep up before then, but after that point it got really bad not too impressed for '200HP' considering I put down 153 later that same afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 (edited) No offense taken man, it's YOUR bike!Northfield to Canton is 40 miles, Northfield to Boston Mills is about 5 miles, not sure if you meant Canton or Canal (not sure where Canal is).FWIW, Raider over M109 (said it before ), but either way, my buddy has a Suzuki C50 and he really likes it. Edited June 29, 2009 by Likwid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 They appear to hit a wall around 145ish, and he couldn't keep up before then, but after that point it got really bad not too impressed for '200HP' considering I put down 153 later that same afternoon.Your saying the NEW vmax wouldn't go over 145? That is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 No offense taken man, it's YOUR bike!Northfield to Canton is 40 miles, Northfield to Boston Mills is about 5 miles, not sure if you meant Canton or Canal (not sure where Canal is).FWIW, Raider over M109 (said it before ), my buddy has a Suzuki C50 and he really likes it.Oh you just meant canal way, i thought you meant Canal Winchester. I think canton is about an hr and a half-2 hrs away from me. The raider, is a little pricey. With the 109 i would be saving 4-7k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dweezel Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Your saying the NEW vmax wouldn't go over 145? That is I'm not saying it wouldn't, but it sure seemed to run out of steam at that point, I was kinda disapointed since my bike is stock I love the old ones, and had allot of hope for the new ones, he had cans on it at least, some fancy carbon fibre ones, think V&H? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I'm not saying it wouldn't, but it sure seemed to run out of steam at that point, I was kinda disapointed since my bike is stock I love the old ones, and had allot of hope for the new ones, he had cans on it at least, some fancy carbon fibre ones, think V&H?Do you know the guy personally? Maybe...he doesn't know how to properly ride the bike? lol. If that is the case, 200hp for 145 mph is a little sad. I love the old ones too. I'm not not an exhaust guy, so wouldn't know. Did it look like this...or?Did it at least sound good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I was looking at the VMax online yesterday... one of the features is "shortened intake at high rpm" which sounds a lot like VTec in Hondas (I'm not very mechanically inclined so pardon the ignorance)....Maybe you were in too high a gear (although 145 is pretty fast to be in anything but top gear lol)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dweezel Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Do you know the guy personally? Maybe...he doesn't know how to properly ride the bike? lol. If that is the case, 200hp for 145 mph is a little sad. I love the old ones too. I'm not not an exhaust guy, so wouldn't know. Did it look like this...or?Did it at least sound good?Oh I thought it wounded good, It was a new one for sure it took me a glance or two. It was some Yahoo we ran into on the scavanger hunt on our way down to Dayton felt the need to pass us at WOT, so I bit, we slowed to about 60 and nailed it. wasn't ugly, but wasn't pretty either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Oh I thought it wounded good, It was a new one for sure it took me a glance or two. It was some Yahoo we ran into on the scavanger hunt on our way down to Dayton felt the need to pass us at WOT, so I bit, we slowed to about 60 and nailed it. wasn't ugly, but wasn't pretty either.Well then he got what he deserved then. I was looking at an older one Friday (a 99) and i didn't know they had the gas opening in the seat. A little velcro pouch, over the cap. Would definitely need to make sure you weren't dripping anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KawayZ Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 M109 = PLASTIC and poor finish.Raider S, balls out better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo810 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Both are great bikes. The Raider handles a little better and has better brakes. The 109 makes a little more power. As stated before the 109 is liquid cooled but is shaft driven which takes some getting used to. Both bikes have a litttle bit of attitude and are alot of fun. For the price difference go with the 109 all day long.BTW my experience with these 2 bikes? I owned a 109 and work at a yamaha dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Both are great bikes. The Raider handles a little better and has better brakes. The 109 makes a little more power. As stated before the 109 is liquid cooled but is shaft driven which takes some getting used to. Both bikes have a litttle bit of attitude and are alot of fun. For the price difference go with the 109 all day long.BTW my experience with these 2 bikes? I owned a 109 and work at a yamaha dealership.Well the Raider is belt and the 109 is shaft. I've only ridden chain and shaft, no belts yet. I think i'm gonna stick with a zuki. I've been riding an s83....and it's fun. So...more power with the m109 = Guess your a Suzuki fan too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagr Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Dang dude. Going straight for the Big Leagues. Good luck with the Hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoosego Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 there is a c109 also... if you want classic cruiser looks with a power band... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Dang dude. Going straight for the Big Leagues. Good luck with the Hunt.lol. You act like there's another way to go man! This will be my 1st new/newish bike so...gotta make the best of it. Thank you. I appreciate it. there is a c109 also... if you want classic cruiser looks with a power band...Yeah i've taken a look at those. Personally, i like the M better. I could see you on a C moose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoosego Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I have the c50... it's fun but I'm ready for more power... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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