C50 trade up to 90 or 109?

J

Jonny Jo

New member
1500 kms is not much riding before moving up to a larger bike.
Your bike is not broken in yet.
At 6,000, your bike has loosened up, the pipes sound better, the motor really feels and performs better.

I am around 36,000 kms and am enjoying this bike.

:)
 
:plus1:if 1500 kms is your total riding experience, I think it's too soon for a larger bike. Outgrowing a bike is a dealer's BS.
 
Kinda back on-topic....

I seem to recall our local dealer telling us that there will not be an '09 C90, but don't take that as gospel.

On the other hand, that would leave a gap in the lines at the 1300cc level. It would be a golden opportunity for Suzuki to introduce the C83. Give it cast wheels, a 4-5 gallon tank, disc brakes all around, and hydraulic valves, and I am SO trading for one.
 
A 500 Vulcan took me from Virginia to Maine and back, gear and all, with no problem - no need for a big bike - heck, 30 years ago people were touring all over on 250's.

My old Virago at 1100ccs had loads of power and near-supernatural acceleration, making passing the trucks and cruising the interstates at 75mph a piece of cake for hours on end. A great bike that could easliy carry two-up plus gear.

My new 800 is light, fast and nimble for year-round commuting in Washington D.C. traffic, and big enough for multistate riding in the summer. I would prefer the old 1100 for traveling interstate with a passenger and gear, but might eventually feel the same with the 800.
 
need or no need, i really think jumping to a 90 or 109 is a huge jump...

here's a question... have you dropped your fitty yet? if not, you're sure to drop the 90 or 109 :)

i haven't outgrown my fitty yet... it's my first bike and i only have 30,000km on it.
i've been on 1000km day trips and travelled 8000km in 17 days LOADED UP.

yes, it would have been nice to go on the trans-can highway and just cruise nicely, but i hate big highways...

loaded up, max speed was 163km/hr

i also like to throw around the fitty in the corners... it's a hoot...
hell... the s50 must be a real hoot, with 100lbs less :mrgreen:

if the 90 or 109 call your name, then do it... just want to make sure you are completely ready and won't eat pavement the first little while you have the newer bike...

once you go through the 4 phases... you'll know when and why you want a bigger/different bike...

i went through the 4 phases... i crashed. i was overconfident :fight1:
knowing the difference between skill and overconfidence is hard sometimes :)

also with the extra weight... i wouldn't be taking the 109 on the beach like i did to the fitty :shock:

IMG_0766.jpg
 
I read a comparison test (with the other mega V-twins in Rider and Motorcycle Cruiser, I beleive neither of them rate the C109 as that great. Too heavy, too long TOO BIG !!!
 
Hey Al, now I know what you mean when you said you needed large and heavy duty saddle bags in the leatherlyke thread! I really think nothing but a trailer will cut it for you. BTW, is that a GPS unit? How does it do with vibration and do you use an audio cable for directions or just the screen? Thanks.
 
Only one of the rags gave it (109) a less than stellar rating and even in that mag it was rated as 2nd or 3rd (with the Victory) out of 5 tested. The Stratoliner got top marks in those tests.

The rest of the mags I've read (Canadian Biker, Mojo, and 1-2 others) called it "untouchable" and "redefining the future of touring cruisers".

Bike reviews are like movie reviews - they don't mean anything unless you have the same tastes and wants from it as the person reviewing it. You have to ride it, or any bike to truly decide whether it suits you or not.

I've put on 9500 km in 8 weeks and have truly never ridden anything like this.
It IS heavy and if you're used to how a more nimble bike like the C50 or C40 handle in turns, you WILL find the 109 very bulky in the turns, but on the straight roads there's no catching up to it.
I just ran the twisties in New Denver and Nakusp BC and had no issues with it's handling whatsoever.
I wasn't taking the 30 km turns at the speeds the crotch rockets were, but it didn't take me long to catch them once out of the turns.

:bluethum:

A week from Calgary to Vancouver and back - bike, 2 riders and gear scaled at 1350 lbs.

Where the weight and size come in handy is in wind, rain and airflow from large vehicles passing.
I don't feel a thing.
In wind and rain, it handles with the security of a car.

JIMO
 
i wouldn't be loaded like that again, but since i put the bike anywhere i feel like going... it's gotta be tough :)
don't think the trailer would like the beach either! ;)

yup.. it's a Garmin Zumo 550... vibrations are fine for the most part... i may have minor troubles with the mount.. i think water got in it... for the most part it's awesome..
i use the audio cable (i have an extension mounted on the bike) and listen to the mp3's and directions :)
don't really need to look down with it... i play with the buttons by feel...


sorry to hijack the thread..

at any rate... if you do get another bike, let us know! :)
 
:bluethum::plus1:
My son-in law took it for a spin and he said it was like a giant croch rocket.
It is a fun bike to drive. It does well in the twisties and is a blast to ride.
I've put 2600 miles on in the last month. Just me, the bike and my daily gear scaled at 1180 lbs.
 
Back
Top