Looking for a small, fast, cruiser?

I like the honda rebel. But I heard its not very good on the highway. I'm looking for a cruiser type look, that isn't to big. But also goes fast enough to take on some 5 hour rides.

I'm a new rider also. So put that in perspective.

"Good" on the highway will be personal opinions. Those who ride Big Bikes will tell you that the Rebel is not good on the highway. I ride a Vespa LX150 on the Interstates, FAR smaller and slower than the Rebel. I rode my Vespa 370 miles between dinner and breakfast, with a 70 mile 30-40 mph scoot across the Mojave under a full moon. I think a Rebel is Jes' Fine.

I used to have a Suzuki LS650, did a trip doing 570 miles the first day, 510 miles the next. Back in the '80's I did LAX-SEA-LAX on a GS450E, and 5 weeks in UK on a 500cc Silverwing. On the other hand, there are those that ride Honda Goldwings with stereos, seats bigger than my living sofa, with a built-in coffee maker.

What you can ride 300 miles down the freeway is just about anything between a Vespa and a 'Wing. I would suggest something between the extremes.

Since you like the Rebel, I would suggest the Suzuki LS650 S40. See http://cycle-ergo.com/ -- the S40 is nearly the same physical size. Being having a Single, is it light for it's displacement, just 50 pounds heavier than the Rebel. My 150cc Vespa cruises at 60 mph actual, a 243cc Rebel can cruise 70 mph actual, and the 652cc Big Single cruises comfortably at 80.

If you like cruisers, you can start a little bigger than you would on a standard, because cruisers have a lower center of gravity so they seem lighter and smaller than they really are. Also cruisers are less powerful for their size, at least in terms of acceleration. They get bigger not to be faster but to be more stable, smoother, more comfortable, etc. 5 hours on a motorcycle is actually quite a bit, especially for a beginner. Not that you can't do it, but a little bigger bike will be a lot more comfortable.

So I think you could start at 750cc. The most popular bike this size is Honda Shadow 750, and Craiglist is crawling with them. Other bikes in this category are Kawasaki Vulcan 750, and Suzuki Boulevard C50 (actually 800cc).

650cc ought to be big enough except on long freeway rides you're going to find it a little marginal. The Suzuki 600cc cruiser is a single-cylinder. It used to be called the Suzuki Savage, which is kind of like calling a toy poodle 'Killer'. Now it's the Boulevard C40. And Yamaha makes a 650cc 'Star' but it has a reputation for mechanical troubles after it gets a few miles on it.

In the words of Dirty Harry- ' You feel lucky, punk?'
Better know what you're dealing with and if you've never ridden before a nice used Rebel can get you started down the path.

750 Honda Shadow. It comes in various styles to choose from! Reliable, fast [for a cruiser] Good looking and won't bankrupt you to buy one. Oh yea they are fairly easy to make into a bobber or a chopper!

There's a 450 Rebel and Yamaha makes the Route 66 in a variety of displacements.

Honda Shadow 600/650 used - unless you are girl, under 5' tall and weak.

It is not too powerful but will run easily and comfortably all day long - with good manners.

Then move up to the Honda Shadow 600-750 or to a Star (Yamaha) VStar.

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