IF you want cheap and commuter, why not get a mid 90's saturn car, they are super realible and cheap to run, get high 30's all the time on the high way. Can be had for a 1000 bucks.

 

Riding a bike is just more fun than driving any Saturn. The Yamaha 1700 and any other foreign bike is just as fun as riding any other bike. I ride a KTM to work when I get a chance and you are on a right track. It just depends on the type and ride you want. The MSF teaches what you are more comfortable on the better. Good luck and safe riding.

 

Thats exactly what I was going to say. I have had a lot of bikes but my favorite commuter bike was an 81 Honda SilverWing 650. Good milage, plenty of in town spunk and no maint issues. It saved me a lot of money going to work and back.

 

if you really want to save money on a commuter, Rampage is definitely right. Pay cash for something, preferably cheap, then you actually get to save money.

And yeah, I'm a Harley fan, and they're slow. Big, flashy, loud, obnoxious... and slow. You can make them fast, but why bother.

Those old KZ1000's that were mentioned earlier, yeah, that's a bike. Lot of respect for those predecessors to the modern crotch rockets. All the power you could want, decent economy, and they'll still embarass some modern "fast" machines.

Good luck in the search.

 

Harley through and through here BUT drove a lot of other folks' bikes for rider instruction. hubby had a suzuki shaft drive bike in the eighties than never cost a dime. older hondas, same way.

biggest thing is to understand the bike you ride, period. know the parts and what they do/don't do and how it handles. fun, safe, keeps you alive..

virago750 is a low maintenance bike, looks okay at the curb and gives effortless performance but 35 mpg or better for heavy city traffic at worst.

about a $1500-2500 bike. parts , if needed are available and low cost.

good luck, have fun and make sure you can take the wife for a ride after you get 500 miles on it for yourself. good times.

Heidi, 60s mascot of the Chosen Few buffalo NY

 

The Roadstar is a good bike (1700 cc), if you can find a Roadliner within your budget, go for it. The "Liner" is 1854 cc's of TORQUE, so much so, you'd think it was a diesel. GREAT bike wrapped around that great engine too! Getting a dedicated sport touring rider to the world of cruisers, it takes a lot to impress me, and the "Liner" does, once you get past the styling, which has grown on me. You just have to ride one, then you'll know what I'm talking about.
Another favorite of mine, when it comes to cruisers, is the Kawasaki "Meanstreak". Not so mean actually, but very smooth, great handling and brakes. I also really like it's riding position ( the ergo's).


That is a load of crap, problem with owning a Harley is you'll wish you'd bought the Yamaha. That way you'd be riding instead of repairing!


The Roadstar ( and the Roadliner) are belt drive, just like the Hard ley's are!

 

Harley's are not as cheap to maintain as the metrics. I've never had an issue with either of mine as far as things breaking or being out of service, but they are 08 & 09 model year bikes. I put about 12k on the bagger and 2k on the softail a year. The Roadglide is getting about 53 mpg and only has slipons. The Heritage is stage 2 and I get about 30mpg, but she runs like a raped ape. Neither bike is what I'd call slow as someone pointed out earlier, but they aren't sport bikes either. They are cruisers, and they have adequate power to get out of the way or pull away.

Regardless of what you buy and depending on how much you ride, you're going to have associated maintenance and upkeep costs. Tires generally only last about 6-10k depending on the brand of tire, and I can tell you that I am averaging a set a year (12k) on my bagger. I have however found that the Honda dealer sells the same tires (even Harley branded) and does the tire swap for $50 flat which is 1/4 of what the Harley does it for, so keep that in mind if you go Harley.

Your original question about the Yamaha. They are a great bike and I know a couple guys who have the roadstar, and they love 'em. Both gents are in their 50s and both bought because they couldn't justify with their spouses spending the money on a Harley.

Find the bike you like, find a dedicated forum, and read through the input from the people who ride them. Don't take any opinions here because they are just that "opinions" and you know what they say about opinions. Get the bike that you like, get on it, and get yourself in the wind. All that matters is that you want to ride!! Good luck in your persuit of happiness on two wheels.

 

things have come a long way with Harley with the new 96" motor (past couple years) and the 6spd trans. Now you can get an ultra limitted (and a couple other models) with the 103 motor.

I have a 08 ElectraGlide Classic
screaming eagle slips ons
vance and hines true duals
stage 2 big sucker intake
Dyno Jet Power Commander USB
custom dyno tuned and if I keep my "foot" (so to speak) out of it, it gets high 40's mpg's and it pulls the trailer with NO problems and even runs cooler than stock.

Either way you go, spend the few dollars on a shop manual so you can do the majority of the services yourself. This will save a lot of money in the long run.


local bike shop here sells tires at flat out cost. bought the SAME exact tire as on factory. harley here in town wanted over $300 for the rear (plus labor to install). I was out the door for $140 and went to another shop for install for another $40.

 

The 96" with the 6 speed is a gutless wonder. With the 103, its not bad.

Buy the Yamaha! You wont regret it. I've owned the 1100 V-Star Silverado and now I have a Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Dad's got a new Ultra Limited 2011 with the 103 and I can still blow his doors off

 

When you buy a Harley you pay extra for name. Buy yourself a good bike. And $6-7k will buy a lot of bike. My husband and I have found good fun in the Kawasaki Vulcan lineup. Both of us have had other bikes as well. I don't recall thinking while riding in the mountains, "Gee, this could be so much better if only this thing I was on was a Harley" . Shoot, Harley makes nothing I want to ride.

If you gotta have the name, go buy the name. But it isn't necessary.

 

only the heritage of over 100 years, American Made and better resale than a jap bike

 

Ehhhh


There are plenty of hardcore Harley fans and I respect that. I would only ask the same in not subscribing to same school of thought.

 

I'd go with the Yamaha if that's what you like. Harley makes a decent bike, but you will pay more for it. Look for one the previous owner has put some bags & a windshield on. That will save you some money. Mounting & balanceing your own tires will save some money too. I usually pay about $25o for a set of Dunlops off the internet, and they last about 10K Miles. Ride what you like, and don't let other people talk you into a certain bike.

 

I paid 1500 for a basket case 49 pan in 79...took two years to build it....lets see a 60 yr jap demand 10 grand plus...Heck I never heard of a 60 year old jap bike selling...I don't even think anyone would steal it..... Far as new...I like the looks of the Cross Bones...Almost bought one last spring.

 

I have "subscribed" to the same school of thought because I am one of those Harley fans. I only speak the truth when making a statement about resale value. Harleys hold their value much more than a metric bike and always have had.

I really don't care what kind of bike people ride. Its about being on the road and forgetting about work and the stressors of life that is important. Another gain is the increased mileage and saving wear and tear on our trucks. I bought my bike when diesel was $5 a gallon. I was spending $1500 a month on fuel. Does not take much thinking that I could buy a bike and save a ton. The reason I got the one I do have is that I can load tools on it and do my work (since I am mobile) on site, save money on fuel and relax while riding plus having another tax write off is pretty sweet being able to use it for work. I put on about 8k miles a year on the bike if not more and about 50% of those miles are work related and adds to the tax write offs.