First road trip, have some questions.

[Texfire]

Okay I just took my first day trip on my new bike. I've got a low mileage Honda VLX 600 Deluxe that I've been riding for around three weeks. At the time I bought it, the VLX was the used bike that fit me the best and was in my price range. It was also a reasonable displacement (600cc) and weight (450lbs) at a reasonable price. The only other bikes that fit my frame as well were all new 800-900cc bikes at the local dealers with higher prices, with the exception of a Kawasaki 500 Cruiser. It's a sweet riding bike on the streets and as a commuter, but today was the first time I've had it on the road at high speeds (55+) for an extended period of time. I have a couple of impressions from the first ride and since I don't have any context I have no idea if they are valid concerns or things that I need to get used to.

The trip was right at 190 miles, Average speed 47.9 mph, and 4 hours 50 minutes total time on the bike with a break for lunch in the middle. My butt was pretty miserable for the last 60 miles of that. So much so that I would pull over every 20 miles or so to stretch out and give it "recharge" time. Is this normal? Is it just a lousy seat? Does your butt endurance have to be trained?

I also found that I didn't enjoy going much faster than 55mph. The amount of wind noise would increase a bunch, as would engine noise. As I mentioned, the VLX is a four speed and anything over 40mph is in 4th gear. This means that above 60 the throttle is starting to reach a point of diminishing returns with high RPM. No tach means that I have no idea how high the RPMs where mind you, just higher pitch on the engine. I did confirm that it will reach 80mph with the throttle wide open, but the wind resistance is increased a lot and I'm uncomfortable running the engine that hard. Does this mean that I purchased a nice street cruiser, but too little bike for touring around on the highways? Is it a limitation of the 600cc V-twin, or is it the lack of a 5th gear that causes this? Would a cruiser in the 800-900cc range with a 5th gear be more comfortable at speed, or will the noise and wind be the same problem no matter the bike?

The last thing I noticed was that my modular helmet, which I enjoy on short hops, was causing my jaw to started aching after two hours from being squeezed on either side by the helmet with the front section down. Enough so that if I had passed by a motorcycle supply store on the way back I would have seriously considered purchasing a 3/4 helmet if they had one.

Are these valid concerns, or is my inexperience blowing stuff out of proportion? Part of the reason that I ask is the dealer I purchased my current VLX (v2/600cc/4 speed/450lbs) from has some Honda Magnas (v4/750cc/5 speed/538lbs) which I had passed on the first time because I had read they had a reputation as a muscle bike and were probably "too much bike" for a beginner. He also has a Suzuki M50 (v2/800cc/5 speed/544lbs) that is new since I was there. It is possible that I could go back to the dealer and see if I can do some horse trading if one of these would suit my needs better. Another consideration percolating in the back of my head is aftermarket parts. I find a bunch more for the M50, but less for the Magna, I imagine due to it's discontinuation in 2004.

Looking forward to feedback.

Tex

ps- I guess another option is to keep to short trips until I have "outgrown" my current bike and have more experience under my belt. This would mean forgoing day trips with other riders.

[ceemes]

Okay I just took my first day trip on my new bike. I've got a low mileage Honda VLX 600 Deluxe that I've been riding for around three weeks. At the time I bought it, the VLX was the used bike that fit me the best and was in my price range. It was also a reasonable displacement (600cc) and weight (450lbs) at a reasonable price. The only other bikes that fit my frame as well were all new 800-900cc bikes at the local dealers with higher prices, with the exception of a Kawasaki 500 Cruiser. It's a sweet riding bike on the streets and as a commuter, but today was the first time I've had it on the road at high speeds (55+) for an extended period of time. I have a couple of impressions from the first ride and since I don't have any context I have no idea if they are valid concerns or things that I need to get used to.

The trip was right at 190 miles, Average speed 47.9 mph, and 4 hours 50 minutes total time on the bike with a break for lunch in the middle. My butt was pretty miserable for the last 60 miles of that. So much so that I would pull over every 20 miles or so to stretch out and give it "recharge" time. Is this normal? Is it just a lousy seat? Does your butt endurance have to be trained?

I also found that I didn't enjoy going much faster than 55mph. The amount of wind noise would increase a bunch, as would engine noise. As I mentioned, the VLX is a four speed and anything over 40mph is in 4th gear. This means that above 60 the throttle is starting to reach a point of diminishing returns with high RPM. No tach means that I have no idea how high the RPMs where mind you, just higher pitch on the engine. I did confirm that it will reach 80mph with the throttle wide open, but the wind resistance is increased a lot and I'm uncomfortable running the engine that hard. Does this mean that I purchased a nice street cruiser, but too little bike for touring around on the highways? Is it a limitation of the 600cc V-twin, or is it the lack of a 5th gear that causes this? Would a cruiser in the 800-900cc range with a 5th gear be more comfortable at speed, or will the noise and wind be the same problem no matter the bike?

The last thing I noticed was that my modular helmet, which I enjoy on short hops, was causing my jaw to started aching after two hours from being squeezed on either side by the helmet with the front section down. Enough so that if I had passed by a motorcycle supply store on the way back I would have seriously considered purchasing a 3/4 helmet if they had one.

Are these valid concerns, or is my inexperience blowing stuff out of proportion? Part of the reason that I ask is the dealer I purchased my current VLX (v2/600cc/4 speed/450lbs) from has some Honda Magnas (v4/750cc/5 speed/538lbs) which I had passed on the first time because I had read they had a reputation as a muscle bike and were probably "too much bike" for a beginner. He also has a Suzuki M50 (v2/800cc/5 speed/544lbs) that is new since I was there. It is possible that I could go back to the dealer and see if I can do some horse trading if one of these would suit my needs better. Another consideration percolating in the back of my head is aftermarket parts. I find a bunch more for the M50, but less for the Magna, I imagine due to it's discontinuation in 2004.

Looking forward to feedback.

Tex

ps- I guess another option is to keep to short trips until I have "outgrown" my current bike and have more experience under my belt. This would mean forgoing day trips with other riders.

Numb bum is an occupational hazard. A better padded seat might help, but almost every Honda I've owned seemed to have a hard saddle for some reason.

What year was the Magna? I ride an '85 V45 Sabre, the Magna's stable mate and it come with six gears...sixth being OD and some would say that the fifth gear is also an OD gear. The V45 do have a lot of ommph to them, but not in the same class as sport bike. I find the Sabre to be a good docile machine yet with enough power and handling to go for an aggressive ride when I want to. Not sure if the Magna would make a good starter bike tho.

As for you concerns about your current ride, check out this link, it might answer some of your questions.

[ShadowGrrl]

Yes, "tender tailbones" are common unless you have a cushy seat. I have a Shadow VLX too, and I took a weekend trip that was around 300 miles round trip. All of us (me and two friends on Buells) had to pull over at a rest stop or gas station every hour or so, to stretch and gas up. By the time we got back into Seattle city limits, I was shifting around in my seat alot from numb butt.

My windscreen helped alot with the wind resistance (average speed 60 to 70 mph). I wore earplugs for the ride back to Seattle, but I didn't like the feeling of not hearing much. Sure, I couldn't hear the wind noise, but I couldn't hear cars approaching from behind nor could I hear my ride buddies very well at stop lights.

I STILL look for a 5th gear when I'm riding around on the Shadow!

[Veda]

I would take a few more similar trips on this bike before you make a decision. A lot of the comfort factors you talk about may go away. Your butt will get used to the seat some, your helmet will break in more, your body will get used to the wind, etc.

What I'm saying is make sure it really is the bike that is the problem and not your bodies lack of conditioning.

And, yes, +1 on earplugs.

[jstark47]

Veda gave you really sound advice about not jumping to a decision.

Some other thoughts: I would routinely expect to replace the stock seat on any of the lower-priced cruisers from any manufacturer. These bikes are generally outstanding value-for-money, but they get there by using a lot of components, e.g. the seat, whose chief quality is being inexpensive. There are significantly better aftermarket seats available.

I've never ridden a VLX, but I've heard a lot of talk from owners how the bike needs a 5th gear. I'm pretty confident you can't actually hurt that engine cruising at higher RPM's. I've had experience on a Suzuki Marauder, it's the same 805cc mill as the M50 -- I didn't like running that bike at 80mph either, and it has a 5 speed trans. But I think the problem is mostly psychological - it sounds like the engine is being intolerably stressed. In reality, most modern motorcycle engines are incredibly over-built and can handle anything thrown at them during routine riding, including highway cruising.

You will get used to the wind as you gain experience. When I started running a Triumph Bonneville at 60mph a couple of years ago, I felt like the wind was going to blow me off the back of the bike (bike's totally naked, no windshield, nothing.) Now, 80mph on the same bike feels.......... slow.

[-Holiday]

there are beads, air filled covers, and sheepskin covers that will all make big changes to the comfort of your seat. But the best advice is what Veda said, give it some time, maybe make some adjustments and try out some other comfort options, but don't just assume you'll never be comfy on the bike.

[Texfire]

Numb bum is an occupational hazard. A better padded seat might help, but almost every Honda I've owned seemed to have a hard saddle for some reason.

What year was the Magna? I ride an '85 V45 Sabre, the Magna's stable mate and it come with six gears...sixth being OD and some would say that the fifth gear is also an OD gear. The V45 do have a lot of ommph to them, but not in the same class as sport bike. I find the Sabre to be a good docile machine yet with enough power and handling to go for an aggressive ride when I want to. Not sure if the Magna would make a good starter bike tho.

As for you concerns about your current ride, check out this link, it might answer some of your questions.

Nice link, his review actually supported all my first impressions about the VLX not being entirely suited as a highway bike, but said it better. I've already gone back to dismissing the Magna. I read some other reviews and it passed with flying colors for twisty roads, but not as good for the straight highways that are common in this part of Texas. This in addition to requiring a much savvier rider on the shifter.

Tex

[Texfire]

I would take a few more similar trips on this bike before you make a decision. A lot of the comfort factors you talk about may go away. Your butt will get used to the seat some, your helmet will break in more, your body will get used to the wind, etc.

What I'm saying is make sure it really is the bike that is the problem and not your bodies lack of conditioning.

And, yes, +1 on earplugs.

Well reasoned advice. Mind you my impulsive, spend now worry about the consequences later side doesn't appreciate it as much as my rational side, but you can only please part of a person part of the time they say.

I agree 100% with the earplugs. I didn't mention it, but I always ride with in-canal earphones. This is due to some minor hearing loss from an accident, it's caused me to be paranoid with protecting my remaining hearing. I'm especially vigilant about it at work, big trucks and sirens lend themselves to hearing damage. The earphones are a compromise. They attenuate the noise a fair piece as well as provide some entertainment. In a perfect world I would just use regular plugs without music to assist with my situational awareness, but am unwilling to go that far.

This post was really a reality check. If I'm ultimately not going to be satisified with the VLX even after modifying it, and I'm just guessing here, wouldn't I be better off purchasing a different bike before making a bunch of modifications? For instance I'm considering adding saddlebags, a windscreen, and a Mustang saddle to make the bike more functional and comfortable on the highway. I suspect that the windscreen might go a long way towards that goal, but have no idea what to look for, and the Honda dealer is pretty useless on the subject. I could order the stock screen, but I'm not sure it would be best...

My main concern is my lack of comfort with running the bike at 65 is putting me in the bad position of being slower than most of the traffic. I didn't have anyone ride my tail yesterday, but can't expect everyone to be as nice or safe. If I can't get myself comfortable riding this bike at 65 for long periods of time then I need to either get off the highways or consider getting a bike that will, for my own safety.

Tex

[Septimus]

When I first got into bikes (all of ... a month ago) I was sure I'd end up with a cruiser because I was interested in longer trips and not zipping all over the place on a little bike.

After talking to a lot of people and spending some time on these forums, I ended up with a sportbike and not a cruiser because a lot of the cruisers in my price range didn't seem to cut it for longer-distance highway travel. There are definitely exceptions (I don't know what they are, but I'm sure some loyal cruiser riders will tell you) but I was surprised at the extent to which a lot of cruisers are short-range vehicles -- a 2.9 gallon tank on the VLX versus a 4.8 on the (cheaper) 6-gear Ninja 500.

My dad was a big cruiser rider, too, and all the cruisers he was recommending to me were $12,000+. They looked like great bikes, but I didn't want to drop that much on my first bike!

[Texfire]

When I first got into bikes (all of ... a month ago) I was sure I'd end up with a cruiser because I was interested in longer trips and not zipping all over the place on a little bike.

After talking to a lot of people and spending some time on these forums, I ended up with a sportbike and not a cruiser because a lot of the cruisers in my price range didn't seem to cut it for longer-distance highway travel. There are definitely exceptions (I don't know what they are, but I'm sure some loyal cruiser riders will tell you) but I was surprised at the extent to which a lot of cruisers are short-range vehicles -- a 2.9 gallon tank on the VLX versus a 4.8 on the (cheaper) 6-gear Ninja 500.

My dad was a big cruiser rider, too, and all the cruisers he was recommending to me were $12,000+. They looked like great bikes, but I didn't want to drop that much on my first bike!

Right now the smaller tank isn't really a problem. Right about the time I need to fill up, my butt is telling me to pull over. I actually was dead set against sportbikes when I first started looking at bikes, I'm starting to warm to them. Same thing with the BMW/Triumph style touring bike. The functionality is starting to look good to me. I imagine eventually I'll have one of each type, though maybe not all at the same time.

I will agree that I wouldn't have been able to afford even this much cruiser if I hadn't gone the used route.

Tex