Welcome to the forum SwiftyMorgan!
All good and valid comments posted so far.
That's a well thought out plan for what your preferred riding style, weight considerations, seat height, handling and power needs would be. My reply could be lengthy, but I hope it helps.
First of all, I applaud you for having the foresight to get enrolled in advanced rider training courses. The more you know and practice certain skills, the better rider and the
safer you will be. Having done all that myself in my early riding years, progressing to an instructor, it is the best money you can spend, not counting the motorcycle and proper riding gear.
I have the Stellar Blue Meteor you are considering. I will tell anyone that it is a great little bike. It impresses me with the torque, as you accelerate through the gears with a bit of gusto. It is very peppy for a 350 single! Top speed, is, as mentioned here often, around 75 mph, on a flat, with no headwind, but it can get there quickly.
You said:
"I'm drawn to the agility of making the machine do what I want, when I want" This is one area where you
may be disappointed with the Meteor. I have long enjoyed riding twisty mountain roads, or even flat curvy ones. Having overextended myself a few times on the Meteor now, wearing metal off of each peg feeler and once when something hard rubbed the road and very momentarily lifted the rear wheel off the ground, you have to be mindful of that limitation. The bike is so light, compared to what I had with my 700 pound ST1100, that it flicks over too far very easily.
Might have been the muffler that dragged, but I could find no mark.
So if you hope to enjoy bending 'er over through some twisties, the Meteor may not be your best choice.
Most cruiser style bikes have limited cornering ability, but you seem to have a preference to the cruiser riding style. If you can live with that, until you possibly progress to something faster and sportier, the Meteor suits that to a tee. The low seat height and around 425 pounds would suit you well. The handle bar is well positioned (haven't heard any complaints), so you aren't leaning forward.
The Meteor is a breeze pushing it about, forwards or backwards. That is also a learned skill that you will improve on and heavier bikes would be no problem, depending on how old and decrepit you are now.
The seat should be fine for planting feet on the ground with your short inseam, but, you may have already been taught to support the bike when stopping with only one foot down, the left foot, keeping your right foot on the brake pedal. This goes a long way to learning slow speed balance and will make you a better rider. It is also how you could more easily handle a bike with a higher seat too, if you only need to put one foot down. Of course, you can always toe tap the right foot too, should your balance go off momentarily.
I had a look at the Vulcan S specs and it looks like a whole lot of bike at a reasonable price with a very low seat height, a lot more HP than the Meteor and capable of over 100 mph. Its price is very close to the Honda CB500X, which will also do the ton, but with an almost 5 inch higher seat. The seat on the Vulcan looks quite similar to the Meteor and that is one strong point for the Meteor. RE gave it a good seat for the rider.
The Honda and Kawasaki both come with ABS as standard, are less than 500 pounds and have cast wheels and tubeless tires, like the Meteor, but the Honda would definitely be the better choice for a more sportier ride, plus it has some fairly decent wind protection. Honda also has the 500cc Rebel cruiser, but appears to be somewhat detuned from the 500X model, with a lower top speed and an even more exaggerated cruiser appearance, to my mind.
So, pick any one of those and you won't go wrong, bearing in mind the limitations each has in relation to all of your desired goals for a bike. Good luck on your choice and ride safe!
Topic: Meteor wanna be...push me in! (Read 823 times)