Bike for Wife

G

guamerica1

New member
I hadn't rode in 30+ years and used to have a HD XL years back. I wanted to ride again , looked around and decided on a C50.
The wife and I are looking for a bike for her. She's had some past experience and she liked the S40. I've heard rumors about excessive backfire when throttling down. Is there any truth to this? Would like some opinions on this bike for her.
 
I test rode one of these when looking for a bike for my wife. I only rode it about 8 miles, but only noticed a little backfiring. I ride an S83 and it has a little backfiring as well. I don't think it is anything to be concerned about.

We ended up buying a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, but it was a toss-up between it and the S40. Also looked at the Honda 600, but didn't like it as well as the other two.
 
Why not a C50 for her as well? I know 2 ladies who ride a C50 and Volusia 800. In terms of the bike size, they're the same. C50 rider is 65 kg and 160 cm tall and Volusia rider is slightly shorter and slimmer than C50 rider. (If you're imperial please pardon my metric figures).

Just a thought 8-) And please note the first quote in my signature.
 
There is some backfire on the S40, it's factory tuned lean for better fuel economy and emissions, but it doesn't cause any problems. I really like my S40 as a first bike, but quickly outgrew it and bought a M50. If she wants a physically smaller bike than your C and wants to keep up with you under all driving conditions have her look at the S50-she'll actually be able to out-run you.
 
The 40 is her limit on the max size she's comfortable and confident with. The S50 and C50 are 100 -200 lbs more and not in her comfort zone. I'm not working about her "keeping up" as most of her riding is back and forth to work and we we ride together we be staying off the Interstates and prefer the backroads where 45 -55mph is usually the max.
Ever seen the way Okie's drive. If you're riding in a group 3 or more it would be ok but for me just to many stupid and inconsiderate drivers here in Ok.
 
It sounds like your wife might be a smaller person like mine is, we got her a Yamaha Virago 250. It is the perfect size for her and it does pretty good taking her down the road. And she likes it so that is what counts.
jon
 
The single cylinder is not a great cruising bike, they top out fast. I know someone who has one, and regrets buying it as a cruiser, the "keeping up" part.

The belt drive is more comfortable than chain and shaft though.

The 650 Savage is a nice V-Twin, and light as well. The c40 is a 600cc I think, and you gota figure, the C50 is an 800, so the difference isn't really that much except the weight, due to the C50 being a bigger bike, and not so much the more engine weight than the S40; and; the S50 is about 90lbs more at 443lbs.

Anyhow, yeah, they are a good beginner bike, but I am sure you can pick one up used a lot cheaper.
 
What?!?

I hope I misunderstood -- the C50 and the S40 are not nearly the same with regard to size. The C50 is much heavier, wider, and longer. My wife started on a Savage (what the S40 used to be called), and is now riding a Honda Aero 750. She's quite comfortable on it, but won't ride my C50 - "it's too big"

The S40 is great first bike. The seat is a little narrow for me, but I think that's just a reflection of the size of my seat. :roll: The S40 has no bad habits, other than making the rider lose track of time, and is big enough, powerful enough, and stops well enough that a new rider can concentrate on technique.

As for backfiring, yeah, there's a little. Mostly it adds character rather than being a distraction.
 
The Savage (now called the S40 Boulevard) is a nice single cylinder bike - 40 cubic inches, or 650cc; the first v-twin in the Boulevard line-up is the S/M/C 50 - 50Ci/805cc

Here in the states, there is no C40 model.
 
I thought I saw the new 650 Savages at the dealer, they were 07' and were V-twins.. Maybe it was something else, huh... Who mentioned C40? Not me, just as a side note. Maybe they were the S50 then, the V-twin, yeah, I think that was it, but I could have sworn they had Savage written on the Tags... Anyhow, whatever works.
 
This is what I wrote:

I know 2 ladies who ride a C50 and Volusia 800. In terms of the bike size, they're the same.

By they I refer to C50 and Volusia ....AFAIK the only difference between the two is C50 is FI'ed and volusia is carb'ed.
 
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