It's been fun, but I'm moving on. By HotStuff2 (Read 714 times)

[HotStuff2]

I've enjoyed the 150cc Taotao, but I've been wanting to upgrade to a "big boy" motorcycle for a few months now. A couple of weeks back, I sat on a 2011 Suzuki Boulevard C50 in a dealer showroom, and I was hooked - I *like* that bike. But ~$9,000? Out of my price range.

So, I was looking online at motorcycles for sale, and low and behold, last week a 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50 popped up on Cycletrader.com. 9,973 miles, with windshield, saddle bags, engine guards, and rear seat backrest (basically, a stock C50 upgraded to the Touring model.) It cost me all my savings, but I bought her yesterday (11/11/12), for the (what I hope is a good deal - it was to me!) low price of $3,000 cash. (If you look the price up on the NADA website, the stock model would run ~$4,596, or the Touring edition would be ~$6,366.)

I had to drive to the other side of the state to pick her up, but I got to ride her back to Tampa, and she's everything I expected. Talk about a smooth ride! Nothing like the scooter.

I've got a low of learning to do; I learned a lot modding my scooter quite a bit (custom air intake, custom exhaust, carb mods, etc.), and I'm a fairly handy shade-tree mechanic, so I found an online copy of the C50 service manual, so I think I'm off to a good start. There's a lot to learn, but there's also a lot of really cool mods and add-ons for it. ;D

I have some photos on Photobucket; they're what the seller sent me: s1326.beta.photobucket.com/user/TheRealMoleman/library/Motorcycle

I'm going to sell the Taotao scooter; I figure with all the mods I've done to it, I should be able to get $600 to $700 (I've already had an offer of $500 for it.) I have to transfer the tag tomorrow, and I still have to get my motorcycle endorsement (which means paying $150 - $200 for the darn "motorcycle safety" course that FL requires. )

It's been fun, guys, and thanks for all the help. Ride safe out there! .tampabaymiatas.net/forum/images/smilies/hello.gif]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.tampabaymiatas.net/forum/images/smilies/hello.gif] [/img]

[alleyoop]

WOW!! Very nice HOTSTUFF, that sucker looks like it is brand new great find and for the right price.
But really just because it is not a scoot you can still visit us, it still has all the same things a scoot has just more of them like a couple of carbs instead of one, more coils or just one feeding each plug, a charging system etc.. But it is harder to get at them I know because I was helping one guy with a 4 cyclinder Suzuki Motorcyle last month and to get at the carbs you have to take the tank off .
But anyway have fun and ride safe, you now have some power under you so be carefull.
Alleyoop

[wheezy]

Good catch on that C50. That particular bike is high on my list when I upgrade, but that is awhile aways yet. You could not have picked a better time of year to take the MSF course. You are required to wear a long sleeve shirt and full face helmet. It was 95 degrees when I took the course in Orlando. Also, they had two styles of bikes available for the class, be sure and pick one that is closest in stature to your C50, so it's an easier transition.

This is the bike I had for the class:

[justbuggin2]

they may require the coarse but it is will worth it to take just the added things to do for safety good luck with your big boy toy

[prodigit]

They had a Honda Rebel on mine, as well as the suzuki and other brand variants. Even a Yamaha cross bike (150cc).

I chose a Rebel to start with. Clutch was bad, but the rest was a really nice ride!

Also with me, it was like in the nineties, with helmet (I chose 3/4 instead of full face), and white shirt it was still hot!
Ow, and one thing,
Boots, don't get black ones in Florida! It's too hot!
In the sun, it could literally slow cook your feet.
I had to buy grey leather instead of black leather boots!

You also need gloves and goggles/sunglasses. Breathable gloves, and breathable helmet is recommended for FL!

On amazon you can get things really cheap! I got my complete setup for $120!
That included slightly overcharged, but very comfortable $49 boots, $20 set of 3 glasses (transparent (For night), Yellow (not needed, but nice night goggles), and sun goggles), gloves ($20), Cheapest DOT Helmet I could find $35, that wasn't ridiculous, nor toy-like.