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Message started by old_rider on 12/06/13 at 04:08:48

Title: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/06/13 at 04:08:48

Was thinking maybe for the future for me and the missus' we could go smaller for around town riding. Has anyone dealt with or seen one of these bikes???

http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com/ccwbikes/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKnwE1FJBFc

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Dave on 12/06/13 at 04:49:28

If it was me.....I would go for some proven vintage bike....with character.

Honda SL100, CB125 or 175, Trail 90 or S90, Suzuki GT185 or GT250, Yamaha RD350 or RD400, etc.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/06/13 at 05:23:20

Want to buy new.....and she doesn't want a "sport bike" LOL, I had originally bought her a 2012 250 ninja, she went for the 250 rebel instead. Then wanted something to keep up with the group on highway runs of 60mph, so we got her the savage...but she is small and its kinda big, at the moment she can handle it, but in the future... i'm sure smaller will be better.
I realize they are Chinese 250s, but those motors are cheap to replace and some of them are actually bullet proof, that's why i'm asking if anyone has dealt with or actually seen one. I actually have a dealer about 3 miles down the road...or so the site says, guess where I am headed today? :)

Dang things only weigh in wet at 295lbs! And i'm sure I could put a slightly bigger tank on one. Besides, its already bobbed and would be easy to mod for me LOL! Plus it says kick start is available....talk about old school!

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Pine on 12/06/13 at 07:04:35

Well you already acknowledged that these are basically re-worked China bikes. That would worry me a good bit. But I guess if the intent was not to get too far from help, then they might be fun.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by engineer on 12/06/13 at 07:12:39

I don't have much faith in Cleveland Cycle Works motorcycles or the company. I don't think they will be around much longer.

I appreciate the desire to have a light weight bike for running around town. I think the best one is the Honda 250 Nighthawk. I think they were discontinued around 2008 but low mileage used ones are frequently listed on Craigslist.

They are also about 300 lbs and they handle beautifully, really great for low speed maneuvers. And they have enough power to get around town or drive country roads.

Resale is usually high because they are so desirable. There is also the Sym 150 cc. It's made in Taiwan and the engine is based on the Honda 125, it is light and has enough power to move about in a small town.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Dave on 12/06/13 at 07:44:40

Wow.....what is going on? I went to the Honda Website.....not a single small displacement street motorcycle in their lineup! I guess they feel their scooters or the 230 dual sport will be able to satisfy the need for a small bike.

The Suzuki TU250 is reported to be a very nice small bike....although at 320 pounds it is not a bunch lighter than the Savage.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Serowbot on 12/06/13 at 08:24:52

I agree,.. the TU250 is lighter, but taller... Not much advantage...
CBR250 is the best handling 250 out there,.. but it's a bit crotchy looking...
Low, light, and capable... the Savage will be hard to beat...

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by oldNslow on 12/06/13 at 08:28:33

Quote:

Besides, its already bobbed and would be easy to mod for me LOL! Plus it says kick start is available....talk about old school!

If you're looking at the Heist model, keep in mind that it's a hardtail.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/06/13 at 11:53:03

5A6465697B6766080 wrote:

Quote:

Besides, its already bobbed and would be easy to mod for me LOL! Plus it says kick start is available....talk about old school!

If you're looking at the Heist model, keep in mind that it's a hardtail.

Yeah, that was a concern, have been soul searchin' and net searchin' too, and there are a few owners out there that have posted about the bikes. Low grade gauges, seat springs need upgrade, bigger sprocket give extra on top, different tank and some even bored the engine ever so slightly for 16hp-ish. I personally would not do the engine bore part, more heat less life on the engine.
I liked the little 250 rebel we had for her but the dang thing was a pain to work on. And I've gotten used to the wife's savage and the little ccw's are a BASIC work horse and cheap to boot.
Mind you this is future planning, these things might not be around in 10 years when we will really start needing smaller lightweight bikes, by then we will probably have something else on the roads :) but i'm thinking about getting at least one to play with or maybe find a used one I can go pick up.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by clearush on 12/06/13 at 19:35:43

http://alliancepowersports.com/models/Wolf.html

http://alliancepowersports.com/models/images/Wolf/NewWolf_PhotosGallery_21.jpg

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/06/13 at 21:21:43

Nope, sorry , looking for a lean back long bar mini or small cruiser type.
I had a Honda 350 scrambler when I was young and although it was a really great bike I did not find the seating system very desirable.

I am actually looking at bobber type that I can add a really tall back rest to lean back against and have bars that come to me...not ape, put back to me. I want a lazy boy rider! that weighs under 400lbs!

Rofl... my minds mush... ;D

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/06/13 at 21:40:15

Sounds to me like you want something no one builds.,.& THATS a Good Thing! Go hunting.. then get to buildin,, Im seeing a Honda 450 with some work on it,, I mean, a LOT of work,,

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1972-honda-cb450-k5.jpg

Rake the neck, put a springer on it, thatll aim the bars back at ya.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/07/13 at 03:21:32

Went down to the local scooter shop, he happened to have one of the ccw heist in (had been laid down, the forward controls were being replaced)... it was 3 years old and had been stored outside.
All the "add-on" stuff was toast, chrome peeled, metal rusted, but the factory stuff that was on there was still looking good, except for the engine case....it looked a bit pitted in places (that happens here in florida even if store it in the garage if you don't stay on top of it).

It was VERY light, the frame welds were clean, the carb was Korean I think, tank was a 2.5, forks still looked new, all the switches worked, seat could have used some padding and a different spring setup, the speedo was REALLY small (about 2" around), but overall it didn't look like a Honda quality or Yamaha quality more like a local builder had built it, good overall but could be personalized to fit the rider easily.

But the shop owner did say he is getting in a couple of royal enfields next week, so i'm taking my Harley up there and letting him sell it on consignment (promises me to get what I want on it) and in a couple weeks i'll go check them out.

Overall the years I've ridden, I still haven't found that ONE bike that I fit on perfectly, even though I have gotten some really close, not one of them has been my old sneeker that i'll never stop wearing. In the last ten years, I have had at least 8 bikes, and in the 30 years before that, probably 10 more, and STILL I have not found it.

I'm gonna go cheap and see what I can do, either that or i'm going to become a stock holder in Harbor Freight and get stuff to build something with (which I am on the way to doing anyway).

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by oldNslow on 12/07/13 at 06:03:41

Quote:

Nope, sorry , looking for a lean back long bar mini or small cruiser type

v-star 250 maybe ? Pretty small. Light. Low seat. Probably too much $$ if you buy new though, esp. if you're going to start choppin' it up.

http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/589/0/home.aspx

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/07/13 at 07:34:54

Didn't know they made one.... kinda looks like a rebel... I will head down to the local dealer and see one, if they have a floor model.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by kimchris1 on 12/07/13 at 11:18:46

I rode my Rebel all over for 2 years before
buying my Suzuki S-40.
It was a great lil bike and never left me stranded
or gave me any mechanical problems.
IF I was going to downsize I would look at the Rebel again
as like I said, it was a great bike and mechanical sound. At
least mine was..
Happy hunting and keep us posted.. :) kim

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Dave on 12/07/13 at 16:46:24

That V-Star 250 is a nice looking bike. It is not much lighter than the Savage though.....it has picked up a cylinder and it is tough to keep the weight down when you do that.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by PerrydaSavage on 12/09/13 at 08:45:27

My 1st Bike was a CMX250 Rebel (an '85 that I bought back in 2002) and I've Ridden the V-Star 250 and would have to say that the V-Star was, IMHO, the better of the two by far ...

That said, the Savage/S40 is a faaaaaaaaaar better choice than either the Rebel or the 250 Virago/V-Star ... more torque, more usable power, totally noob friendly, physically not much larger than either of the aforementioned 250s and less than 50 lbs heavier ... most LS650 Riders would not need to downgarde to a 250cc Cruiser ...

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Serowbot on 12/09/13 at 09:15:12

1B2E3939322F2A182A3D2A2C2E4B0 wrote:

That said, the Savage/S40 is a faaaaaaaaaar better choice than either the Rebel or the 250 Virago/V-Star ... more torque, more usable power, totally noob friendly, physically not much larger than either of the aforementioned 250s and less than 50 lbs heavier ... most LS650 Riders would not need to downgarde to a 250cc Cruiser ...

+1...

You might consider just putting the Savage on a diet...
I think mine's down to about 340lb wet...

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Dave on 12/09/13 at 11:12:46

The fellows in this area that are downsizing from their 900 pound cruisers and tourers......are getting Burgmans, and they love them! I thing the Burgman is still 600 pounds....but the weight is very low.

I have a female freind whose husband rides a big cruiser and she had a Yamaha 250 scooter and has taken week long rides with him and had no trouble keeping up. Most recently she upgraded to a Burgman and they did Yellowstone and Yosemite.

Pallidan on this site now rides a scooter........they can be great transportation for when you want to downsize.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by MMRanch on 12/09/13 at 12:37:28

better.
I realize they are Chinese 250s, but those motors are cheap to replace and some of them are actually bullet proof, that's why i'm asking if anyone has dealt with or actually seen one. I actually have a dealer about 3 miles down the

I've got a china 250 four/wheeler and the motor looks the same. It is bullet proof. It got good tork but not much top-end ,

I'd go for the TU250 , if anything. But Why do AnyThing ? You'll never find better than the S-40. So , ... get a roadking seat , cut that nose off it and tuck it perty , rivit some mounting brackets on it to match the S-40's, then add some shocks to get it up off the ground .

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 12/09/13 at 16:03:45

140614060B18171A11590 wrote:

Yes, I got on face book and was talking to a lot of the CCW folks, they are like the savage/s40 group.... dedicated to the greatness of the small frame single piston engine. But the Heist (bobber ccw), looses power in the hills and in windy conditions, great for country roads, but not interslab.
I am probably going to buy a used savage, (been offered one, will take him up on it when Harley sells) and strip it down to nothing (motor and frame) and look for plastic fender replacements, aluminum brackets and mounts...ect...ect.... skim it to its lightest possible weight.
And then, I will make brackets and add-on capabilities to travel that will be removable at the destination so it will become a light weight around towner again.
I realize the savage is already considered a light weight girly bike, but with my disability I want it lighter yet and will strive to get it "right". Like I have said many times before.... I still haven't found that comfortable sneaker that I would refuse to stop wearing.....

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Trippah on 12/09/13 at 16:44:21

Had a Honda S-90 for a first bike, 60 mph all day. Oh well. There are some good scooters out there that offer good weather protection and can keep up most motorcycles around town. :D

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by 12Bravo on 12/10/13 at 06:30:04

I had a Burgman 650 and it weighs the same as my V Star 1100, balance is way different between the two. After riding either the Burgman or V Star makes the S40 feels like a toy. When I got back into riding, I looked at the different 250s and they are all real close to the same weight as the S40. Best way to put the S40 on a diet is to turn it into a bobber

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by old_rider on 03/18/14 at 15:25:45

Well, sold the Harley and will be contacting a friend of a friend who's mother is selling her 2004 LS 650 savage, he can't keep it running right so i'm going to try to get it for as cheap as possible.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by Steve H on 03/18/14 at 18:29:06

OR,

Glad to hear that the Harley sold. Good luck with the S40. You know you'll be able to keep it going with no trouble. I like your idea about removable travel stuff. That would be really nice to get where you're going and have a bike instead of a hauler to ride around.

I test sat a V-star 250 at the shop one day. Felt super heavy compared to the Savage. The weight is higher up. I also felt very cramped on it and the rebel where I feel fine on the Savage.

I'll be interested in seeing how you handle the attachables...might have to borrow a few ideas for myself.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by engineer on 03/18/14 at 18:40:59

I think you are making a good choice Old-rider. When you start the weight reduction program on the S40 I would like to follow your progress. I hope you keep us posted as you proceed. It will be interesting to learn how much weight can be shaved off.

Title: Re: Go smaller for the future?
Post by WD on 03/20/14 at 00:27:25

My next one will be a used VLX600 if I can find a clean one. I like MY Savage just fine, other than the electrical system, but... I really miss riding a V Twin with chain final drive. I'd prefer a Kawasaki VN800 (A or Drifter, Classics are just engine donors) but clean ones are going for the same money as a VN1500 Classic in comparable condition.