This is my first bike. I did however test ride a number of bikes before the purchase. I compared between v star (650cc and 1100cc), boulevard (s50 and the M50) and the vulcan (900cc and the bigger one 1500). The S50 is 800cc, however it was the lightest bike out of all of these and felt faster than the v star 650, M50 and the vulcan 900. It was comparable off the start to the v star 1100 but obviously not the 1500.
What I like about the S50 is the size. I am not a big guy and on some other bikes, I felt it was just too big. With this bike, I like to ride curvy mountain roads and it handles and turns great, crusing at about 45mph. Great gas mileage about 50 city and 60 highway. Great price. Added windshield, sissy bar, saddle bags, and highway pegs myself.
Yes it's carburated so you do have to warm it up a bit when it's really cold but like a minute at the most. In the summer, hardly any.
The only drawbacks I have is that the stock seat is really uncomfortable. And I would imagine that if you are a bigger person this bike would be too small for you (I don't know how the other reviewer rides this bike @ 6'5"). The front brakes squeal on and off, I think it's the dust that gets in them.
All in all, great bike for crusing around town and on weekends. It does what it's intended to do. Would I take this across country? Maybe but not with another passenger on back. Btw, I do some riding with my wife on the back (120lbs) and the seat is really small and uncomfortable for her. I do lose some power but it's still sufficient for short cruises.
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