12th Jun 2007, 17:27

I just bought a Midnight Blue/Violet 07 M50 yesterday, and am picking it up on Wednesday. I'm a bigger guy (6ft, 220lbs), and I love how I fit on the M50 over its competition.

This is my first bike, so I'll be racking up the mileage in a parking lot for a while.

It's great to read all the positive posts about the bike, I thought I made a good choice.

Keep the rubber side down,

Brian.

17th Jun 2007, 22:10

I just got my M50; it's my 3rd bike and I LOVE IT!!!

It rides great, it handles better than the Harley I rode, and I am about and 5ft 11, and I have no trouble reaching the bars.

As far as power goes, it has plenty; I weigh about 230lbs and my wife weighs about 130lbs, and we go up steep mountains, and also ride the "Great Blue Ridge Parkway", so you know there are plenty of hills to pull, and it goes up them without a problem!

When I go up a mountain, I either go the speed limit or I bust it. I know it will do more, but I don't want to push it in the break in period, and get another ticket... LOL...

Justin

22nd Jun 2007, 21:35

I keep reading reviews on the M50, and invariably I come across the "great starter bike" comments and similar thoughts... OK people, a Honda Rebel 250 (a great small bike, by the way) is a starter bike. The fastest non-sportbike under 1000cc's is NOT a starter bike! The only reason it can be passed off as one, is because the M50 is so easy to ride and handles so well. Anyone who complains about not having enough power should be riding a sport bike -- or better yet, go for the M109R to keep it in the family. :)

I also love seeing the comments saying, "It needs a 6th gear..." EVERY BIKE NEEDS A 6TH GEAR! And every 6-speed bike needs a 7th. I've never ridden a bike that hasn't had me looking for the next higher gear even when there wasn't one -- it's just the nature of a sequential shifter.

I've also seen comments from people who've said the bike doesn't really have the power to carry a passenger on the highway. Again, seriously? Try running up a hill or two with a 200-lb passenger on a 250, then tell me the M50 doesn't have all the power it needs.

Anyway, I just wanted to add a few cents into this discussion. I haven't purchased my 2007 M50 Limited yet, but it's coming up in the next few weeks. I've ridden several of them, and I have to say, I love the bike even more after riding it than when I fell in love with the looks in 05. There's not a Harley out there that excites me, but I feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck when I picture myself on my new M50.

I'm also 5'3", and feel like the bike was actually made just for me. The forward lean feels like the perfect position to avoid back problems on long rides, and the foot pegs were exactly where they should be for the seating position. From the reports other taller riders have given, I'd say it seems like a good match for just about any size rider.

Just my two cents -- who cares what you ride -- it's only THAT you ride...

25th Jun 2007, 12:50

I purchased my 2006 M50 2 months ago. It has obviously been broken in, I've added my own modifications here and there (not that any were needed, I just like to have something different).

I have ridden all kinds of motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, so I do know what is good/bad performance, or comfortable/uncomfortable. This bike is just fine in the comfort category.

I have heard a couple complaints of the seat being a little hard on the rear after long trips. Which I can see being the case for some.. I realize it's a motorcycle, so I don't expect to feel like I'm on a comfy couch at home. For a bike it is comfortable.

As far as the bars being too far forward.. I never heard this complaint until looking on here. I am between 5'8" and 5'9".. I have absolutely no problem with the bars; they feel very comfortable where they are, even after I added the forward controls to put my feet out even further, which forces me to set up straighter.

Performance... absolutely no complaints. As others have said, it's a cruiser, not a crotch rocket. If you want 7,8,9 second quarter miles, then you need to go to a crotch rocket (and if you call this uncomfortable, then try sitting on one of those for an hour LOL).

This is the best bike I've ridden and I had a Honda 600CBR, a Suzuki GSXR 750, a Kawasaki Vulcan 750, and a Harley Sportster 1200. Not to mention I've ridden many other bikes. The M50 overall takes the cake. I have been on faster, I have been on more comfortable, and I have been on bikes that may handle better on turns (obviously the racing bikes)... but none that I would say I'd rank over average in every category, until I purchased my M50.. Not to mention it looks like a beast.

Happy riding all

30th Jun 2007, 18:04

I have a 2006 Suzuki M50 that I purchased about 3 months ago. So far, I'm really happy with the bike.

I've done a number of modifications including a chrome radiator cover (the stock plastic grill looked cheap), clear signal lenses (just my preference), a Back-Off chrome license plate bracket with additional LED running/brake lights, a Back-Off brake modulator (more visibility), a light bar with 2 additional H4 headlights (really changed the looks, but make sure you install a headlight relay and separate power line for the additional lights so you don't fry the stock wiring), a Signal Dynamics headlight modulator (again more visibility), Cortec tail bag and saddlebags (use when I need them), a Suzuki luggage rack (looks nice, but doesn't have many places to attach bungy cords) and strap-on wrist rests on the bar ends (really reduces cramps in my wrists on longer rides).

I also stripped all of the badges off the bike, including the chrome Boulevard badges on the tank (it looks much better without them).

Although I liked the sound of the stock pipes, I wanted a little more punch, so I drilled 8 x 1/2" holes in the baffle plate of each pipe, and it really enhanced the sound of the pipes. They're pretty quiet at idle, but have a nice growl when it's revved.

Regarding the ride, I'm really pleased. It has plenty of power, and it corners well and rides smoothly.

I've heard many complaints about the seat, but I don't have any problems. I think any seat will get uncomfortable after a few hours, since you really can't adjust position much.

I also hear complaints about the handlebars, and I too found them to be a bit far forward, so I adjusted them by rotating the bars ends downward, and that really made them feel better as it brought them closer and lower. It was necessary to also adjust the clutch and brake lever positions after rotating the bars.

After all of these modifications, the bike has a unique look and it rides, feels and sounds great. The most important thing I installed is the headlight modulator. It works great and I really feel more visible as I approach traffic.

If you're considering an M50, don't hesitate. It's a great bike, especially for the modest price. Happy riding!!!