C50 V C90
 

Hi everyone........... Kind of Newbie here.......... I have owned sportbikes for 17 years and would like to add a cruiser to my collection. I think I really like what I have seen and read about these two and I just need some help narrowing it down. Guess same worry as most, I dont want to get the C50 and the need the C90 in less then 2 years. I am 5'10 about 255 and sometime would have a passenger. I just want to make sure the C50 is enough for myself and of course a passenger. All the dealers say yes, but you can never trust them. Also, is it very comfy for a passenger, that seat looks so small. Any advice, suggestions, input or general feed back would be great. Thanks.

Currently have two sport bikes. I have have a 1997 GSXR600 and 2005 GSXR1000............ Looking to find a middle ground regarding horsepower with this cruiser purchase.

RE: C50 V C90
 

Hello,

Here's my 2 cents. I have the C50 and I too wondered if it would be enough bike. I weigh 235Lbs and it pulls me no problem. I have numberous extras (windshield, lowers, lightbar, caseguards,high backrest, chrome steeing head etc).

The C90 only has 8 more horse power than the C50 but it is a 700ish pound 1500cc monster. It is air and oil cooled as opposed to the water cooled C50. Both are excellant machines however I do not like wrestling all the weight of the C90 around turns etc. The 90 only has eight more horsepowerbut itsextra weight eats that right up. Yes it does have more tourque but so what. Ijust don't want to wrestlethat beast around turns. For me it just takes the fun out of the ride. The C50 has about 60 horse power and pretty good tourque.

I think back to when I was riding in the 80's, 650's ruled the streets and if you had a 750 you were going cross country.Bigger isn't always better which goes against the typical American mind set these days. I like the water cooled 805cc C50 better for me. It will pull you and anything else you can tie to it quite well. As I said, in the 80's guys were riding 650's everywhere 2 up with no problems. Todays motorswith EFI are pulling better than ever.

I am in no way knocking the C90. I love the C90 it just isn't my preferance. I just felt for the above reasons I'd rather spend the extra cash on something else. I haven't regreted it. My C50 turns 2 in April. and I still love it. Here's a link where they do a pretty good job compairing the C50 and Kawasaki Volcan. It's a good read.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...c50/index.html

RE: C50 V C90
 

I am a new C90 owner. I've had my '03 VL800 Volusia for 4 years. I haven't had the opportunity to take on curvy roads yet. But from an '03 VL800 to a '07 C90 there are alot of differences - carb vs fuel injection etc. Since I wanted to buy in the boulevard family, I chose to go with the bigger one.

I tend to agree about the C50 will handle well. I'm 5'11 and 220. I went everywhere on my Volusia VL800- deals gap, panama city beach, daytona, etc and it handles nice. Handles REALLY nice in the curves.

However, when this chance to upgrade came around I went bigger hoping it will provide a more comfortable long distance riding. Even then it wasn't that the VL800 was bad. I just wanted a bigger bike to hang with my Harley friends. But I always got to the destination at the same time they did. Especially when theirs were in the shop.

The C90 upgrade from the VL800 was a good one for me because I am getting better technology. The C50 has better technology than the older VL800. So it was a 50/50 decision.

But I can tell already I need to PRACTICE turning and curves because the C90 will not be as nimble as the C50. Since I have 13 miles on the C90 so far - this is only two cents worth of advice.

RE: C50 V C90
 

I have an 06 C50 and LOVE it! but the passenger seat is small. I'm not sure if its the same on the C90 though. I've had passengers and a couple of themsaid is was a little uncomfortable on a longer ride. Only way i can see correcting that problem is buying a passenger back rest, which arent very "affordable" right now.Good luck in your decision!

RE: C50 V C90
 

I have an 05 c50.The only advantage I can think of to owning a c90 is a heavier bike is more stable on the freeway. You are not blown around as much. Other than that the c50 has got it beat. It handles much better and is easier to ride. I am about to start customizing this bike as it is stock at the moment. Any advice from you guys is VERY WELCOME.Thanks DA PAPERMAN

RE: C50 V C90
 

I have a 06 C90SE and it if a fantastic machine. I have talked to C50 owners and most of them wish they had the bigger bike, especially on the longer trips. My advice is get the 90 now to save yourself getting it later on:D

RE: C50 V C90
 

I have a fully loaded C90 and prefer the big roads to the curvy ones. I rode a new C50 yesterday and it was a really smooth ride. The handling was extraordinary as compared to my C90. Although I like the 90, I could settle in with the C50 nicely.

RE: C50 V C90
 

I HAVE THE C50 AND I LOVE IT... JUST GOT BACK FROM AMERICADE IN LAKE GEORGE NY AND TOOK MY BUDDIES C 90 FOR A RIDE. I LIKED MY C50 SO MUCH BETTER . C90 HAD A BIT MORE PICK UP BUT HARDER TO HANDLE. THE C50 IS ALOT EASIER TO HANDLE. JUST PUT SOME VANCE AND HINES PIPES ON SOUND GREAT....

RE: C50 V C90
 

I'm running on a 2005 boulevard m50. I'm 6' and 310#. I finally got the bike to top out @ 80mph (how often are you going to do a sustained 80?) climbing a mtn passfrom about 200 ft to 6600 feet.Traffic was moving at that speed, otherwise I tend to keep it around 65. When my wife and I hit the wine country on it, plenty of power.

RE: C50 V C90
 

i'll also be getting a new bike soon and have almost setled on the C50T. Something to keep in mind though is that with most insurance companies the premium goes up as soon as the engine is 1000cc or larger. Sometimes to the point of being double the cost of a 800-900cc bike. I was thinking about getting a 1100cc honda until i ran it but my insurance agent and thats what he told me. He is an independant broker and sells insurance for 5 companies.
I had him check all 5 with both a new 750cc and a 1100cc (honda's) and for each one they were almost twice as much for the larger displacement.