On Topic (75) | Off Topic (1) | All (76)
Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75
Doubting Thomas? LOL.
I used to ride smaller bikes as a kid and want to get back into it. I've read reviews on the C50 and M50, and I can't choose between the two. I'm 30, 5'8" and 220.
I have signed up for a motorcycle training course in July, and will be getting the bike right after (the wife already agreed). It will be for highway riding to work and back -- it's about a 45 minute commute one way. I plan on riding in all weathers. I will be adding a windshield and saddlebags. I've already looked at the C50T, and don't like the studs or the bags that comes with it.
I prefer the look of the M50, but there's just one sticking point -- the windshield. I like the C50 windshield. The Suzuki windshield for the M50 just looks dinky. Keep in mind I've never ridden on the highway or used a windshield, so it could just be me. Does anyone have the Suzuki windshield or another one installed? What would you recommend?
I bought a 2006 M50 a few weeks ago, and had test drove both the M50 and the C50 SE (in Canada that model is the one with everything). I didn't find any difference in the ride other than the fact the C50 seemed a bit slower because of the extra weight from the accessories. Having said that, put all the extras on the M50 and I'm sure you'll find the performance of both to be the same. Only boils down to looks. I owned a very pretty Vulcan before, but wanted a sportier change, and I loved the look of the fat sport tires on the M50 and all the black.
I'm a female and a short one at that (5'3"). I have to reach a bit for the handlebars, but at my height that's just what I have to do on anything bigger than 500cc. I did have the bars rotated down a bit to bring them about 1/2" closer to me and that helps.
I'd consider looking at the Memphis shades. Loved it on my Vulcan...
If you need after market accessories, try www.cruisercustomizing.com. You can filter the site for your make and model. You can also choose to see others on the site with the same bike and see pics of theirs, and read reviews about accessories they have purchased at that site, as well as other places. I found it very helpful.
I just bought a 2006 M50 2 weeks ago. I had a bike when I was very young also.
With the price of gas now days, I bought it to save money when commuting to and from work. I have about a 30 minute commute.
Love the ride and power.
I bought the Suzuki windshield and installed it in about 15 minutes. I have had no problems with the shield. One of the guys I work with, has an 2005 M50 and bought an after market shield, and has had nothing but problems with it. He saved about $150, but he likes how mine fix on the forks and blocks the wind better. Be careful what you buy. You get what you pay for.
Just got my '06 M50. Very nice bike, like everything about it, except... the seat! For long rides, both seats get to be very uncomfortable. Mustang isn't planning on making a seat for this bike - not enough demand. Anyone out there have a similar complaint, and more importantly, a possible solution?
I rode a '99 Marauder 800 from Ottawa to Calgary, and loved every minute. I never thought I would need another bike.
I now have an '06 M50 (which the sales guy said was "pretty much the same") and it seems like twice the bike. Suzuki somehow tweaked the engine and it puts out more than enough power, but still handles well in slow moving traffic. The shaft drive is brilliant and actually seems more forgiving than my old '84 V65 Sabre.
My only complaint is the stock black cast aluminum wheels. In '99 they had a nice brushed look with black accents, almost solid in the back and a three spoke thing going on in front. I just recently picked up the bike, but have no complaints about performance, handling or maintenance, and the only real problem I've run into has been the occasional removal of bird pooh. (I now own a c02 pellet pistol that will help with that.)
K
Calgary, AB.
I love my M50! I think the original poster had his mind or heart set on a different style bike. I ride with 1100 and 1400 Harleys, and have no problem keeping up and looking good.
Worst gripes are no tach, 6th gear or turn signal cancelling. Otherwise I love it.
The water cooled engine is awesome on hot days when my Harley pals start getting worried and over-heating in stopped traffic.
The bike gets a lot of looks and compliments. I took off all the decals and plaques, added a seat back for the wife and a back carrying rack for my briefcase. We have taken some long rides (3 hours) and I have now ordered an after-market Mustang seat for our bony rear ends.
The bike does 80 mph on the highways here in Connecticut with no vibration other than typical road surface feedback, and it is smooth and responsive.
I was tired of not hearing my bike over the wind and other bikes, so I drilled eight holes in each of the baffles. Not satisfied, I debaffled the pipes by following the video by Lyd. I then realized how you can get crazy with after market EFI add-ons if you sweat the ramifications of debaffling too much. But the concensus I have read is that by just debaffling the stock pipes you won't rob your bike of any noticeable amount of power, and there is no need to adjust or remap the ECU unless you just have to sleep well.
The bike sounds a lot better debaffled, but still no low Harley idle rumble, but that's cool. I think the need to remap the ECU applies to increasing the air intake or going with new straight pipes with no crossover, not just the debaffling of the stock pipes. If anyone (a seasoned Suzuki bike dealer mechanic would be nice) knows the real straight dope on the need to remap the ECU and/or add an after-market FI controller with debaffled pipes, I would love to hear the no bull reality. I want to avoid endless upgrades and spend my dough on gas, so if I can skip it, I will. We'll see! Tomorrow I ride and pray it runs well and there is not a lot of backfires etc. Biker waves to all.
I've had my m50 for about 1 month and it is a great bike. It handle's corners very well at a decent speed and it has good acceleration.
I think maybe you are one of those riders that jumps on a bike for the first time, and gives it full throttle in every gear. You have to break the engine in.
I have had 4 bikes: V-45, Bandit, GSXR750, and the M50 might be the best of the bunch.
Hi, M50 owners, I have some tips for you to make your M50 look even better. I have an 05 red M50, and I love it, but I did not like black rims.
Using paint remover, take all the black paint out and under the black paint the rim has nice polished lips, and the rest of the rim is very clean aluminum.
I love the way my bike looks now; it adds more shine. I bet you will like it too.
Hi there, just read all the comments on the M50.
Thomas, I don't know what you have done to your bike Bud, the M50 is one of the greatest bikes I have ever had the pleasure to own! I am one of those guys who replaces his bike every 2 years, and I can tell you that the M50 is a definite keeper. Over the past 15 years I have owned 7 bikes and the only other bike that even came close on the comfort side was my Yamaha FJ100. I have not been able to find another bike that gives what the M50 gives for the kind of money you pay for the M50.
I live in South Africa, our roads are not in the same good condition as USA roads, with many pot holes and corrugations around. I have not yet had a bad handling experience with this bike, get to know the lady, how she handles and how she brakes on wet and dry roads,...you will be pleasantly surprised, she will treat you well.
I am currently planning a 2000km trip through the mountains and wine routes of the Southern Cape, route 62, and believe me when I say this, the M50 reliability, comfort, handling and performance are the least of my concerns... biggest concern is..will I want to go back to work after 5 days of absolute freedom and cruising pleasure???
I live in Australia and own a M50. I love the bike, but wanted a better sound, so I got new pipes off staintune, which gave me 5 more horsepower and 5kg lighter. It sounds better than a Harley.
I was just reading all the comments about the M50, and I have to say that I'm glad everyone has such good things to say about the bike.
I have a black 2005 model, and I absolutely LOVE it. I've had it for about a year and a half now, and it has over 6000 miles on it to date.
I'm 24, and this is my second bike, but only my first new one.
I love the black styling everywhere (even if the majority is plastic), right down to the black rims. It has a very unique design that sets it off from all those other metric cruisers out there. I usually never fail to get a bunch of glances or compliments every time I take it out.
I routinely ride with friends who own either substantially bigger cruisers or sport bikes, but the M50 has no problem whatsoever keeping up with them. Everyone who's ridden my bike, agrees that the smoothness of the shifting and lack of vibrations at just about every speed, beat out their own bikes in performance.
The only problem I have with it would be the seat. On prolonged rides, my rear-end tends to go numb from the shallow scoop in the seat, causing me to have to take breaks. A previous writer was correct: Mustang does not plan to make an aftermarket seat for this model. However, Corbin seats does have several available. While they are pretty expensive, they offer the option of heat. Might be worth checking out.
Hi to all the other happy M50 owners.
I have an '07 with the same all black as was previously out. This is my first bike and I too was a bit concerned about riding at first. So far I can't find a thing wrong with the bike! I use mainly to go to work, but it's fun on the weekends too.
As mine was base, I added bags and a screen later, the screen is Memphis and it works great.
I followed the dealers advice and treated it right during the break-in period and haven't been sorry.
I get those same looks from people, they can't get over its looks, and I've even had compliments from HOG owners!
And the fact I don't have to pay $200 bucks when I go in for a service, or worry about a broken chain is also a relief.
I think that this guy has either got himself a lemon, which if true is a shame, or that is is a wind up merchant because his comments are so far off the mark from anything that I have experienced on my M50, or heard about other owners experience. My only negative comment about the bike is the seat isn't too comfy for me.
I just got a very slightly used Blue 2005 M-50. I absolutely love this bike. I love the way it looks and handles.
I also get the positive comments. The bike had 2300 miles and I added another 500.
I looked at many new bikes before this and was considering a Yamaha V Star 650 Custom. I was working a deal at a Yamaha dealer when I noticed the blue M-50 sitting with the used bikes. It was love at first sight. The instant I sat on it, the V Star was playing second fiddle. I wanted the M-50.