Ok folks,
I am 6'2", 220 pounds and my good wife is 6' and 160 pounds. Obviously, we don't do any two up riding on the S40. She has mentioned several times that she would like to see me get a bike sometime where we could at least do a Saturday afternoon ride together.

The wife and I were out doing a little Christmas shopping this afternoon. I took the opportunity to stop by the local dealership to see what they would charge in labor for installing some new tires. While there she walked the showroom floor and found a new 2012 C50T Classic on closeout for $6,999 plus taxes and fees. She loves it (maroon over black, whitewall tires, and wire rims) and offered to buy it for me if I wanted it as a Christmas present. (no, you can't have her. We will be married 40 years next summer and I think you can see why)

I wanted to do a little research first so I searched the forum and the web and can't really find any negatives (other than a grabby rear drum brake and don't I have that already with the S40).

Anybody with first hand experience, please chime in here and let me know what you think before I commit to the bike.

Good hunting

My buddy is a V-Star 650 rider,.. mostly...  ..but, for a few longer rides he's run a C50.... and loved it...
If you need that much bike, it's not a bad choice..
I've tried it just to see what it's like,.. and it was smooth and strong,.. just too much machine for me personally...

... and,..  if the wifey likes it...  ...

A prediction:   The wife will ride a few times, then decide she doesn't like riding that much, and choose to not go anymore.   This is because it will occur to her that part of the reason she liked you having a motorcycle in the first place was because it got you outta the house and gave her a few hours of peaceful reprieve.    Further, after riding a few times with your wife, you may also decide you don't like riding with her that much either (explained below), and that you also enjoyed your own little respite and the freedom it offers.   This is strictly IMO, and every marriage is, of course, different.   I am coming from a successful 35 year marriage (40 if you count living in sin). and believe I have learned something in all that time.

In either case, the good part for you is, if you like the C50 then you have a new bike whether she follows thru on her idea to ride or not.   It's a win/win situation!   The other thing is, maybe wifey will want the Savage hand-me-down for her own ride.

Now, on the subject of wives on the back seat...   mine may not be typical, but as a serious rider, I have found, eh em, drawbacks to having my wife ride with me.   To be frank, women tend to be fussy...    I'm hungry, I'm tired, my butt hurts, I gotta pee...   And keep in mind, that last complaint requires more robust facilities than a simple bush alongside the road.   Granted, there are exceptions, but I've found females are OK for a "nooner"; i.e., an afternoon jaunt around the hills, but can be a royal PITA on a more serious ride.   Now before I am burned at the stake for being a male chauvinist, this is all based on my own personal experience; your mileage may vary.

360k+ wrote on 12/06/12 at 19:18:38:


Just described me,.. to a tee...  ...

I ride a Marauder, the bike prior to the C50.  I am here because Aida rides the Savage, and I have to maintain it.  (But at least she rides!)

The big difference between the Marauder and the Boulevards is shaft drive.  This is nice in theory, but they sure like to gear them in odd ways.  On the Marauder, everyone is running taller gears.  Not easy on a shaft drive.

That said, it is a very nice bike.  Good power without being fat.  Still handles like a much smaller looking bike.

But, get an after-market rear seat and a sissy bar.  Trust me.  Both of you will appreciate it!

My wife loves her 2005 C50.  Its a great bike, has lots of power, will cruise easily at 65mph.  We did a 3000km road trip, each on our own bikes, and it was a comfortable ride.  We literally have no complaints about this bike.

My wife's C50 came to us with a Mustang seat.  Awesome is the best description for it.  Well worth the money, which my research tells me is about $800 CDN.

Michaleen Flynn: Chasing Sean and Mary Kate on horse, the horse instinctively stops in front of Cohan's Bar. Talking to horse: "I... I Think you have more sense then I have me-self."

Given the legs of the Savage, I think the number of stops will be adequate and a distinct advantage over others providing you tie the barcolounger on the back.