It's official, new riding partner

[tkd]

A while back I posted that my wife came to me interested in a bike and had done her research.

Well, now next to the nomad is a black C50 that is hers. I took the advice of some here and got her a windshield and crashbars. So far she is pretty timid on the bike and hasn't been over about 30mph, but it's all good. Her pace is fine with me to build her confidence.

The bike is a nice bike. Hard to believe it is an 800. Very light (compared to the Nomad) and nimble. Jumping on it after the Nomad feels like I'm on a moped.

The more I ride and the more bikes I test, the more I understand all of the things the Nomad has going for it. It's big and sometimes bulky but it really is a nice bike.

[scion0]

Congrats! My wife Robin is still looking at bikes before she makes the leap to buy. A friend has a brand new 1981 :-) Honda 200 that she will ride around the block. I guess it's a start.

[scion0]

Congrats! My wife Robin is still looking at bikes before she makes the leap to buy. A friend has a brand new 1981 :-) Honda 200 that she will ride around the block. I guess it's a start.

Then it may be up to an 800.

[tkd]

My 2 cents on the C50.

For an "800" it is a pretty timid little bike--either that or I'm just used to the 1600. Now granted, since it only has about 50 miles on it I haven't really put it through the paces. I don't think it's going to have the gut wrenching torque of the Nomad when I finally run it. The clutch is smooth and the gear box is smooth considering it is still new. Love the halogen headlight. Engine has a nice little "whump" sound to it, but it is very quiet. The ride quality is very smooth (better than the Nomad, but the new Metzlers go on Saturday so I'll get a better idea then).

The bike is very nimble. My wife tall, but petite and the weight of the bike is no problem. I was worried that it would be "too big" for her, but so far, she says she loves it.

[cactusjack]

TKD, this is great! I'm sure she'll love the C50. How about a picture of her with her new bike?

They aren't quite as refined as the Nomad, and you'll notice the difference cruising the superslab. The Nomad, being bigger and heavier rides like a Cadillac on the interstate. But that's what the Nomad was built to do.

I hope you and your wife have many happy miles riding together!

[misunderstood]

Debaffle that quiet thing.

http://homepage.mac.com/lydanynom/iMovieTheater5.html

C-50 Quarter-mile acceleration: 15.61 sec., 82.5 mph


Nomad Quarter-mile acceleration: 15.11 sec., 84.05 mph


It'll give you a run!! ;)

[mikesth]

the gut wrenching torque of the Nomad


Now, don't get me wrong, I like my bike, but I have never experienced this gut wrenching torque you speak of from the Nomad...

Meanwhile, a hearty congratulations to you and your wife for finding a common pasttime and adding to the stable

[cactusjack]

the gut wrenching torque of the Nomad


Now, don't get me wrong, I like my bike, but I have never experienced this gut wrenching torque you speak of from the Nomad...

Didn't you get that memo? I'm surprised, since you have a black Nomad, the gut-wrenchingest gut-wrencher of them all!

[tkd]

Well, Maybe "gut wrenching" is an overstatement, how about this. If I crack the throttle at say 10mph, I need to remember to hang on. How's that.

PS---go ride a C50 and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

CJ---I'll see if I can get her to pose (or is this a blatent attempt to just get more female pics on here"?

Nico---the acceleration may be very close but I have 1 advantage at this moment.....her fear.

Thanks for the support

[mikesth]

PS---go ride a C50 and you'll understand where I'm coming from.


Totally understand the compairson - same with my wife's Kawasaki 900 Custom - it just feels silly with me on it.

[cactusjack]

I traded a C50T in to buy my Nomad, so I understand completely.

In fact, I rode with a guy the other day that used to own a C50T and recently upgraded to a HD Softail Heritage. It was the first time I'd seen his Harley, and I asked if I could sit on it. He said "sure, go ahead". It felt like a toy compared to the Nomad. Nice bike, though. I suppose it's just what you're used to.

[Top Cat]

As many of you know Cindy just got into riding. Thats her Honda 750 Shadow C2 in my sig pic.
She is doing real well on it. She takes her MSF course in Aug. She was pretty timid at first but now is up to 55 on the main highways http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
We looked at many bikes including the C50 and S50 Suzuki's. The seat was to wide on the C50. she couldn't reach the ground comfortably. She was fine on the S50, narrower seat. Was going to buy that till we went to a Honda dealer and I had her sit on the C2. She felt more comfortable on that than any bike we looked at.
It is great riding with her. tdk ,Hope you and your wife enjoy your new adventure as much as we are http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

Congrats, TC. I know ya'll will have a lot of fun. Just don't leave her anywhere. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Yellow Jacket]

Congratulations to you and your wife tkd! Enjoy! :) :)

[donguer]

tkd,
I started with the 2004 Volusia which is the predessor to the C50. I still miss that bike. I think your wife made a great choice. Fun to ride and it can hang with the big boys. Here's the Forum site www.volusiariders.com (http://www.volusiariders.com) for the C50. They're a great group. Alot of us here now are from the VR group.
Congrats and lets see some pics.

[operater]

Now, don't get me wrong, I like my bike, but I have never experienced this gut wrenching torque you speak of from the Nomad...

Didn't you get that memo? I'm surprised, since you have a black Nomad, the gut-wrenchingest gut-wrencher of them all!

You must have misread that memo.....It actually said that the red and BLACK nomad was the gut wrenchingest gut wrencher of them all......Probably just an honest mistake......<BG>

[racinchef]

Okay, tkd, congrats to your wife on her C50 acquisition. Many happy miles to the two of you.

TC, one day you're going to come home from the store and both your wife and your Nomad will be missing for several hours.

Mikesth, you have to have a gut to experiencine gut-wrenching acceleration, and your Nomad must be black and chrome; I meet both criteria.

[beezer]

C-50 Quarter-mile acceleration: 15.61 sec., 82.5 mph


Nomad Quarter-mile acceleration: 15.11 sec., 84.05 mph


It'll give you a run!! ;)

+1

[pirate]

That's great that your wife now has a bike of her own. My wife is working on the courage to get her own bike someday. Maybe next summer we can get her a bike. Enjoy the time together!

[aj]

TKD, great that your wife will ride on her own. Mine loves to sit on back and enjoy it her own way.
AND what is it with "some" of you guys and black???? obviously colour blind!! LOL ...and has there been a poll on colour??

[racinchef]

TKD, great that your wife will ride on her own. Mine loves to sit on back and enjoy it her own way.
AND what is it with "some" of you guys and black???? obviously colour blind!! LOL ...and has there been a poll on colour??

Trip just posted KawaNOW statistics and it seems BLACK & silver was the most populous Nomad coloring. Ah, here it is;
http://kawanow.proboards77.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5236

[mikesth]

Mikesth, you have to have a gut to experiencine gut-wrenching acceleration, and your Nomad must be black and chrome; I meet both criteria.

LOL! I have both as well :)

[michiganmike]

After sitting on several bikes, the C50 is what my wife bought in 05. She likes the bike, but her hands are small and the clutch is hard for her to pull in all day. I am looking at getting a new clutch lever, the Moose E-Z Pull clutch lever. But that is her only complaint.

[tkd]

The C50 does have a fairly stiff clutch pull. So far, no real complaints, but then again, it's too new to tell

[cactusjack]

After sitting on several bikes, the C50 is what my wife bought in 05. She likes the bike, but her hands are small and the clutch is hard for her to pull in all day. I am looking at getting a new clutch lever, the Moose E-Z Pull clutch lever. But that is her only complaint.

Isn't the clutch lever adjustable, like on the Nomad? That won't help her if she lacks the strength to pull the lever, just if her hands are smaller and needs less reach.

[tkd]

She has very long fingers, so reach isn't the issue (read plays piano) and the 08's only have an adjustable front brake.

Plus it's the pull, not the distance.