well ive been on the thought of a bike for a while. but now with gas prices where they're getting and arent going to be coming down, i figure its one more reason to do it. i want to get a cruiser, not a crotch rocket (no diss to any of you guys, they're cool just not for me). my only problem is a decent harley is 6,000 on up. im more on the 3,000 range. my only other request is that i want to put pipes on it and have it rumble. any one have any bike suggestions? thanks

 

yamaha v-star or honda shadow

 

In that price range you could find a Honda Shadow or a Yamaha Virago. The good about the shadow is anything after '96, they implemented some of Harley's design. You won't get anything to sound like a harley but it will be nice. The Virago will be louder with pipes, but the virago sit you straight up and down. Kinda uncomfortable for the long rides.

 

My friends dad has this sick yamaha. Put pipes on it and its LOUD. Its the midnight warrior. Something worth financing.

 

Harley owner here, 2001 Road King. Best of the Harleys in the fastest color (black).

My suggestion would be the Honda Shadow 750 with your budget. Great bike for learning, gets 60 mpg and just plain looks good. When you drop it (and you will), you won't feel too bad, and parts are available. Cobra makes pipes that are loud, if you are into that.

Remember, this is coming from a die-hard HD guy.

Buy a helmet and take the MSF course, no compromise on this one. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE.

 

i hear you loud and clear "al bundys dodge" everything has been taken more than into suggestion but i believe is now my to do list, including the bike . i think the shadow is a winner.

 

the shadow is definately a good bike for the price, but it will never compare to the harley, too bad that isnt in your price range. I will never give mine up!

 

Hi Mdram43,

I have a Harley but since you asked....Heh

I bought my wife a 2004 Yamaha V-Star 650 in 2005 so she could learn how to ride. Now that she has her license she wants her own Harley LoL.

The 650 V-Star was used and already had a stage one kit on it (ie High Flow air filter and aftermarket Exhaust). I paid $4k out the door. Since then I have modded it some more to include a K&N air filter.

Your budget of $3k puts you in the used motorcycle category. Unless you go really small displacement then it’s not so much of a cruiser anymore. Or find a really good deal and that is possible!

With that said, the V-Star 650 is great for short distances (under 100 miles) so a great back and forth to work bike. I really don’t know how much gas it uses because I never really ride it.

The bike is geared for short hops. The 1100 V-Star is the same way. You get to 55 MPH and you are looking for another gear (Yamaha may havecorrected this with the newer models). The sad part is there is nothing you can do to improve this. As they are shaft drive and have the tallest tire Yamaha could stuff under the rear fender. The V-Star is a V-Twin and a little trivia here the V in V-Star stands for Virago.

However, the next step up from the V-Star is the Road Star if you can find one for $3k I dunno. I love the way the Road Star cruises at 65 MPH and is belt driven. Also you can get a great deal of aftermarket parts for it.

Bottom line: Buy a Harley. My 04got crushed at Biketoberfest 2005 along with 19 other bikes and four people by a drunk driver. My friend had a new 2005 V-Star 1100 that also got crushed at the same time.
His V-Star had depreciated $3k over the 3 months he owned it. My Fatboy stayed the same over the 18 months I had it. I actually made 200 bucks because the 2006 Fatboys were cheaper than the 2004 by $200.

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