I Compared 5 MOST Affordable Cruisers for New & Returning Riders

[@johntheaccountant5594]

This reviewer is the best I have found for comparison of motorbikes before one road tests them. I have bought a Honda CB300R from his comparison reviews and I have bought a Honda CB650 from his comparison reviews. I concluded that the Honda Rebel 500 was the best affordable cruiser 6 years ago for a short female based on quality and price and appearance and my opinion hasn't changed since the introduction of the ugly Kawasaki Eliminator that doesn't look like a cruiser to me or the offerings from Royal Enfield.

[@RiderXp]

Thank you sir! I truly appreciate your support!

[@davidcoleman6211]

I grew up riding dirt bikes and then at age 58 i got a Suzuki intruder 1500. It is a recliner on two wheels but also a slug. I am looking for something that puts the fun into riding again and wondering what you would suggest I look into. Central Florida and have to cross the state to see family on highway 42 for a fun ride and 40 for a straight fast ride.

[@RiderXp]

@davidcoleman6211 I would highly recommend test riding the Vulcan S. You may also enjoy the Super Meteor 650 but i would caution you that it does need you to be fairly comfortable with working on your bike. They rarely have major issues but minor pesky issues are fairly common.

[@davidcoleman6211]

​@@RiderXpI am wanting to get away from the cruiser for something more sporty. Still want the comfort for the 3 hour ride but with the power to pass on the two lane roads that have moderate traffic. The Vulcan S still has the forward foot position and i like to stand up at times do to age and injuries from a life as an iron worker.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

@@RiderXp Thank you for your advise. I am a UK expat living in Thailand. I have been looking at the Rebel 500 for my 5 foot (154 cm) Thai secretary. Honda have 76% of the Thai motorbike market. Nearly all Hondas under 750cc are manufactured in Thailand for the world market including the Honda Rebel.

[@user-fk2mp5xh4s]

I have 70,000 Miles on my Rebel 500, hoping to get 100k miles by next year.

[@RiderXp]

Nice! Hondas are most certainly the benchmark for reliability! More power to you man! Ride safe, go farther!

[@r0hon]

I have a 1987 gb400 with 64k as my daily ride - Honda rocks

[@karlfonner7589]

80,000 miles on the 919. Did you experience any troubles with your 500 so far?

[@user-fk2mp5xh4s]

@@karlfonner7589 still on the stock battery, with basic motor oil.

[@lukeoverthere1364]

Amazing. I have a rebel 500. Nowhere near your mileage. Do you find you have to change the chain quite often? I've done 3.5k and there's a clunking I can feel through the footpegs which seems to indicate chain/sprocket wear.

[@mar0364]

I appreciate the way you deliver content. I owned a 2018 Himalayan for two years and had one issue that was covered under warranty. I've noticed some dealers dropping Royal Enfield after three years. If I decide to buy another and test ride the Himalayan 450, I'll ensure the dealer has a history with Royal Enfield for more than three years.

[@RiderXp]

Thank you! US is a new market of Royal Enfields and they haven’t become as strong here as they are in the UK. I’m sure with time it’ll get better. And obviously, as i said, I’m in no way claiming that all RE’s are unreliable but dealer support is certainly important. Here in Florida I at least know one dealer who has been carrying RE’s for the past 3 yrs if not more. I’m not sure if they sell them a lot but I’m keen find out next time i go see them

[@jbcoker]

I've owned my Vulcan S for 5 years, I road a Sportster for 18 years and also own a Triumph Bonneville. The Vulcan S is my go to daily bike. Absolutely love it!

[@RiderXp]

Right on!

[@silvercaddy9484]

After 3 decades I am returning to riding. So I've been considering 3 of the bikes you reviewed, so thank you for that. Leaning towards the Vulcan S but very disappointed they didn't use LED head light and include a center stand, the latter being almost essential! Still looking at used late model CTX and the V Strom as alternatives. Thanks again!

[@RiderXp]

I'm glad you found it helpful. Please consider sharing it with others who may find it helpful.

[@yamaharider8014]

Yeah, I agree that the Vulcan S wins your test/review. The ergo-fit allows for shorter/taller riders. I've checked out many small to midsize cruisers recently, including the Yamaha Bolt and Honda Shadow Phantom. For me it boils down to the Phantom and the Vulcan S. Nice review!

[@RiderXp]

The Phanton is a great bike as well, I have included that in the previous video I did comparing 7 or 8 cruisers. You'll enjoy watching that one as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH3Fk4iwZ7qmY6M

[@DesmondKarani]

I wish Kawi updated the Vulcan S with LEDs, full LCD screen, and perhaps a bit more ground clearance...something like 140mm. It'd be a perfect cruiser IMO.

[@jbcoker]

I love my Vulcan S, but it'd be cool if they made a 750 or 1000 version.

[@JeffreyHamm-i8e]

I love your videos very informative and you dont push one brand over another . Thank you

[@RiderXp]

Thanks for your support, please help me grow the channel and share the videos with others who may like it.

[@masoodkhan3287]

Mr fraz you made a very informative vlog….keep it up bro

[@RiderXp]

Thank you!

[@PixelSplash999]

What a great review! I really enjoyed the exhaust sounds on the different bikes. Would be nice to see what the clocks look like for night riding though. I find my Meteor 350 clocks are way too bright and slightly hamper my vision at night. A bit like a small torch constantly shining straight at you.

[@RiderXp]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. I am planning to make a video about a few other Royal Enfields soon. You may like it, so watch this space. Cheers!

[@draloha296]

4:36 the guy went off the road 😮

[@RiderXp]

Haha! yeah, he kept doing that throughout the ride lol

[@draloha296]

​@@RiderXptarget fixation?

[@RiderXp]

He was a new rider, probably came right after MSF to the demo ride. Being unsure of line and input on curves is pretty natural for new riders. Thankfully he made it back safely.

[@draloha296]

​@@RiderXpI'm a new rider. Here in Quebec/Canada you cannot drive at a demo with a learner's driving licence 🙂 I already drove 1600km with my Vulcan S650 in 2 months. 🏍️ BTW nice reviews.

[@RiderXp]

@draloha296 Awesome! Unfortunately, in the US (also in India) there is no such regulation so we get to see silly things like that. I’m glad you liked the videos, please share them with your friends who may find them useful.

[@juliancain6128]

Another excellent video Faraz! Keep up the great work!

[@RiderXp]

Thank you Julian! Please share the video with others who may find it useful. Cheers!

[@kevskibiz]

Great video… This one of the best comparison videos I have seen, keep up the good work 👊 uk 🇬🇧

[@RiderXp]

Thank you! please share it with others who may find it helpful. Cheers!

[@stevep8062]

been looking to upgrade my 2012 Hyosung GV 250 for a couple of years now , excellent review , thank you ..

[@RiderXp]

I'm glad you found it helpful. Good luck with your upgrade, there are a few more mid segment motorcycle comparison videos that you may enjoy watching.

[@DarkOperationman]

For me, Kawasaki are best looking in this contest! Both Eliminator and Vulcan S. RE are like what you said. Also 350 looks a lot better than 650. And Rebel ain't my style at all. Even though I ride Honda all my life.(apparently not the case for Rebel1100) Too bad that Vulcan doesn't update like 10 years now. And.... I don't know why my brain keep remembering that Vulcan use 17" front.😂

[@RiderXp]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I've loved Hondas all my life but now I've been trying newer bikes. I'm with you on the missing updates, it would've been nice if they gave it a refresh beyond just 'bold new graphics'. It is a 18" front and 17" rear but handles pretty well(I remembered clearly but still double checked since you mentioned it). I am planning on videos about Royal Enfield 350s as well very soon. So stay tuned for that. Cheers!

[@johntheaccountant5594]

I would half all those mileages for an oil and oil filter change if you want your engine to last.

[@RiderXp]

Fair enough, that’s probably why Royal Enfield and Suzuki tend to have shorter service intervals

[@user-fk2mp5xh4s]

I change the oil based on shifting feel, which is around 5k miles still lower than Honda's 8k.

[@whollymindless]

Should I be offended that I bought my first bike last year and it was a Vulcan S? (and honestly, it was for all the same reasons. A 650 in the US is highway capable at 70+ speeds. And we aren't all 160 lbs anymore...)

[@RiderXp]

Haha! No actually validated. When I lived in India I found it overkill when US content creators recommended 600s for beginners. But when I moved here and rode around on highways and interstates I realized that the sense of speed is different. A lot of people are a lot bigger and need the bike to have torque to get around. So the perception has changed. Funny story: In India a CBR650F was my third bike that I only dared to buy after about 7 yrs of riding experience and it still felt very powerful and I rode it with great respect. Cut to 2024, I was at a demo ride and out of curiosity I rode a CBR650R (newer gen of the same bike) to see how it feels on US roads. I was shocked that it felt painfully slow & unexciting. But it was a good reminder that the context changes by the region and I try my best to keep that in mind during my videos.

[@Stape_Playshion]

What an amazing comparison!

[@RiderXp]

I’m glad you liked it! Please share it with your friends and help me grow the channel. Thank you!

[@two_wanderedsouls]

The stock kawasaki exhaust sounds real good

[@RiderXp]

It does!

[@camgere]

Honda Rebels are like Cokes: small, medium or large? Cruiser insurance can be way less than 600 sportbikes.

[@RiderXp]

haha! Without all the sugar though:)

[@mcornielle]

i have a re continental gt, had some issues at the beginning, after that no other issues. its a simple bike with simple solutions, its great but not perfect. its like a good girlfiend has some issues but nothing crazy xd

[@RiderXp]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I've been researching and talking to a lot of Royal Enfield owners for my next video and everyone who has owned Royal Enfields (especially from the 80s and 90s) keeps calling it that... a temperamental girlfriend that they're madly in love with. Stay tuned for the next video coming soon. I hope to capture the right vibe about REs in the next one and be less analytical and possibly more romantic about that one.

[@carlospagan8433]

Great reviews, thanks

[@RiderXp]

Glad you liked it! Please consider sharing it with your friends and help me grow the channel.

[@johnnylong2049]

Hey can you do Husqvarna svarpillion 401?

[@RiderXp]

Yes I can. It is in the works, stay tuned. :)

[@RichardWilliams-kf5vw]

180 degree parallel twin…. no thanks.

[@RiderXp]

I usually say that but for some weird reason, the Vulcan S is an exception. In fact I have never liked that specific 650 Kawasaki engine but somehow Kawasaki made it work in the Vulcan, I was legit surprised how they did that.

[@bob8688]

Allo countdown

[@nashd.2248]

Hi mate thank you for this video. I just want your opinion. Which is better for 5'2 height, rebel, vulcan s or eliminator?

[@RiderXp]

@@nashd.2248 Rebel and Vulcan have the shortest seat height, you can chose between the two based on your preference for riding stance. Rebel has mid mounted foot controls, Vulcan has forward mounted ones. You may want to refer to the ergonomics section of the video one more time to get a sense of that.

[@nashd.2248]

@@RiderXp oh great, thanks mate! 🙏

[@RiderXp]

@nashd.2248 You’re welcome! Please share the video with others who may find it helpful

[@nashd.2248]

@@RiderXp will do! 🫡

[@AksamChow-d4u]

Any recommendations. Cruiser bike that can take highway 300 miles trip? I had older Honda rebel 250 before. Im 5.4”, looking for budget easy maintain cruiser bike. Thanks

[@AksamChow-d4u]

Also lightweight so can pick up if drop. Im not experienced rider

[@RiderXp]

Rebel 500 is great for beginners. 300 miles isn't a big deal on any of these but I would recommend taking breaks to avoid fatigue.

[@markjeepingful]

Any bike have driveshaft?

[@RiderXp]

@@markjeepingful None in this group. I did make another video that includes a couple of shaft drive bikes (Boulevard & Shadow) that’s linked here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH3Fk4iwZ7qmY6M

[@JohnDoe-ks4id]

How about the C90 or Vulcan Vaquero

[@RiderXp]

Haven't ridden them yet.

[@allanb52]

The Vulcan seems good when you sit on it, but boring as hell on the road, likewise with the Honda.

[@RiderXp]

Interesting take. I found it quite fun to ride. I guess that's where personal preference comes into the picture.

[@allanb52]

@@RiderXp I find everything Japanese boring, there products have no soul...now the Indians yes, Italians, Brits likewise.

[@jbcoker]

Boring? 😂

[@Wog68]

What is in an exhaust noise?🤔

[@RiderXp]

@@Wog68 Not sure what you mean.

[@leebrewer7394]

vroom vroom