harley 883 or suzuki s50

L

Lik

New member
I didn't take the course to learn to ride defensively - I learned to drive in England and so that comes naturally!
 
Hey Ram, I don't know if you've already made your decision or not, but I just ran across this thread. Knowing what I know now, I would likely choose the 883 Sportster over the S50. While the S50 is likely to be a touch less expensive and a bit quicker the 883 provides a lot of possibilities as far as performance mods, riding position and other such parts availability. One thing that is attractive to me about the 883 over the S50 is the standard riding position over the slightly feet forward position of the S50. Of course the 883 can always be changed to forward controls if you so choose. You can also modify the 883 engine with Harley parts to give you the top end of the 1200 motor too. Just some thoughts for you :)
 
Hey Ram,

I used this thread to make my decision on which to buy: S50 or the 883. I choose the S50 for price first of all, weight, size and power. I love my bike! I get around town no problem and blast thru traffic on the freeways. I got it on Saturday and already put 200 miles on it. Have you test rode either of these bikes by chance because I hear the 883 is top heavy?
 
Lol. I get a kick out of you M & C 50 folks. I have two friends I ride with from time to time, one has the C50 and the other the M50. I can guarantee you that if you & I go heads up...you will lose, even with my 240 pound butt on my VS800 (S50). Heck...bring that M50 over here...and I'll race you for pinks.

I can absolutely destroy the 883.
 
The Suzuki S50 is probably better.... its sporty, lightweight. The HD 883 Sportster has been revised beginning in 05 (or 06?), and it is now smoother, and less crude than it was (by comparison). I think the S50 is going to treat you better.
 
...and the 2006 883 custom is still slower. :)

Neighbor's 17yo boy rides one..he's about 5'5 @ 130 pounds. I'm 5'8 @ 235 pounds...and am ahead _several_ bike lengths at an 1/8 mile or 1/4 mile.
 
I would have to second that. Just bought my wife an s50 and that damn thing is scary fast. My friend has a M50 and I have a vulcan 900 custom. Mine runs about even with him but my wifes bike will eat our lunch and make us pay the tip too.
 
I would have to second the S50 vote, too. Less likely to vibrate your teeth loose (even with all of Harley's "new mods"), will be more reliable, liquid cooled, shaft drive, etc...the Boulevards just have more standard features and reliability right out of the box, at a lower price to boot. Plus there's the "it'll blow the spokes off an 883" factor, too.

Now, if you want the Harley because you want a Harley, then we can't help you...:lol4:
 
i am settled on the s50. it is less money,more power,lighter weight and better quality than the harley. now i cant decide on keeping my s40 or trading it in. i have added bags,windshield,sissy bar,gel seat and sreamin eagle exhaust and alot of sweat with the jets changing. my son will be riding in two years so i might keep it but the wife is not going to like two bike payments.
 
Ok,

My chime... I have a 06 M50 my friend just went and wanted to buy samething... welll lets say they didn't have any available and he sat on the Kawi Vulcan 900 he loved it.. I sat on it and it was nice.. So he proceeded to buy the Kawi 900.. By the end of the deal he walked out with tax title tags everything he needed including helmets for $ 8,000.00 ....

Now the kicker... he told me i have to take my test still even tho he been riding for years and told me to ride it home for him.... being the nice guy I am I said sure.... well let me just say it was a smoother ride felt liek it had more power and was just overall very comfy. heal toe shifter hyd rear brakes (disk) and just plain nice to ride..

If i did it over I would either buy the 900 or the kawi meanstreak 1600 both are awesome bikes.

I love my M50 BTW but damn..
 
went to the dealer today,they didnt have a s50 but had 1 s83. i sat on it and fell in love,but i dont want to spend that much money.i hope the s50 feels the same way.
 
When I traded my 2005 S40 for a 2006 M50 I got all but $300 of original purchase price on trade. (same dealership/same sales girl)-oh yah it was late spring and gas prices were $3/gal so high demand for starter bikes.
 
Good luck shopping for that S50 Ram. As far as a deal goes, you should be able to get a new 2007 S50 for $6000 or less. Just go in with a price in mind and stick with it - just like buying a car! If you want accessories, maybe figure that into the deal, but don't pay retail for those either! (Figure 20-30% discount from retail is fair). Use them to leverage the discount you want.

Here's a good site showing specs of cruisers - Cruiser Motorcycles 2
The S50 is definitely the best bang for your buck
 
You are gonna have to ride both and make up your mind! Others input is great, but only a little seat time will tell you what you like!

Neither of these bikes may suit you.

I bought my Road Star after riding about 7-8 different models. Even after swearing that I wanted FI on my next bike, I got the Roadie because it just felt right! The right choice for you may be neither of these.
 
That's how I bought my 2007 C50T - gave them my low-ball offer and had them work the deal. I ended up paying $7299 for the bike, and any accessories I bought that day were at their cost, so I sprung for the passenger floorboards.
 
S50 feels better. We just bought our second VS800 (same bike, older name).

We gave $2500 for our second one. 1994 model, with 8300 miles.
Came with
19" wheel/tire mounted, came with extra original 21" front wheel/tire.
extra rear wheel
saddle bags
2 stock seat sets, 1 suzuki gel seat set.
brakes shoes for front, brake pads for rear
7 new oil filters
Bike had already been rejetted
Bike has custom Baron's 1.25" drag bars and sissy bar removal kit....we may put sissy bar back on, however.
custom pipes with cross-over style
...plus a few other extras I can't remember right now.

I think we got a decent deal. We sold her 250 for $1500, and I figure this bike is worth $1500 + $1000 in accessories. :)
 
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