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I'm looking to commute 2-3 days a week with some heavy traffic and also want to be able to long haul it . I've been looking at shadow 750's ,saber 1100's , Vulcan 900's, vtx 1300 and 1800 , v-star's and Suzuki boulevard's . This is my first heavy bike and I'll probably put on 12k miles a year . The budget is 3500 to 6000 used . Nothing older than 2003 or 2004 . I know I can pick up a sportster but they just don't really look that great to me and I like the water-cooled option for sitting in traffic . I'd prefer belt or shaft drive but with honda it seems almost random what ya get including chain , that I don't want .
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The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain
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I have a Suzuki M-109R. Fun bike. Good torque from engine. Can get over 32 MPG pretty easy if thats very important. Shaft drive. EFI engine.
Its one of those bikes you either love the looks or hate them. First year was 2006.Some cars and a bike...
Some say... they have been raced, some a lot -
At first I was like 32 mpg WTF ! Then I googled it 1800 cc and 700 lbs . I'd like to stay in the 45-55 mpg range . I know I said I was looking at the vtx 1800 but due to mileage it would have to be the perfect bike and dirt cheap . That bike looks great , long n low but I think it would be heavy on my commute .The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark TwainComment
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That is also city and highway combined MPG, not actually trying to conserve fuel at all. I have never done a true highway trip on it. That was always work and home on 635/80.Some cars and a bike...
Some say... they have been raced, some a lotComment
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Check out BMW, that will most likely be my next bike.Comment
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I hear BMW alot but really wanting more of a classic cruiser lookThe only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark TwainComment
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Mine is for sale, sounds about like what you described.
"If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry FordComment
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I like the looks of the VTX 1300 and know someone with over 70K miles on theirs. It also gives you tons of options for hard bags, fairing etc that are nice for a long haul.Comment
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I think I'm gonna go with the vtx 1300 but the wife has talked me in to waiting till winter to see if I can get a newer bike for the same budget . It's solid logic , I just hate waiting !The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark TwainComment
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I would highly encourage you to ride a few before you pick. I was all in on a VTX, but after riding one, I rethought my desision.
For me, size was a factor. The VTX, Harleys, etc seem to be built for a guy who is 5'7". You might be perfect on them, but me being over 6', many of them felt small and uncomfortable. That said, I have a friend who is closer to 7' than 6', and he rides a vtx1300. He's in love with it, and has a ton of miles on it. Its slower than my Star, but niether of them are supposed to be "fast""If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." - Henry FordComment
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My 109 averages 40mpg either highway or around townComment
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M109 ?The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark TwainComment
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YES. I've had it for 3 yrs now. I really like it. I have logged 1250 miles in a weekend...once hahah It's fairly comfortable and has some good power. No sweat to do a couple hundred miles in a day.Comment
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