Help Deciding on a New Bike

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smokey_243 · Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:33 pm

I plan on getting a new bike soon and have narrowed it down to a Honda Spirit or a Yamaha V Star Classic. Does anyone have any opinions on these? I've been riding a Honda Shadow 600 but it's time to move up.

#2 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:41 pm

Without going and actually riding them, you'll have a hard time making a choice. I would take comfort as a primary choosing factor on either bike. Forward controls are another factor in my preferences. Both are great bikes, whichever one you get, you'll enjoy it I'm sure...

#3 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:10 pm

Why are you planning on moving up?

If you just want increased power I really don't think that another 50, or even 150cc's will be all that noticible, at least not on a cruiser. Most of the bikes in the 600-800cc range will perform about the same, especially when you take weight into account.
If you were looking for something newer or just want a better looking bike, I say get whichever feels the best.

#4 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:15 pm

I guess I should have asked if it was the 650 or the 1100 V-Star...

Well???

#5 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:22 pm

well the spirit is a 750 I believe, so I made the assumption that we were looking at a 650 v-star...

cowboy15h · #6 Unread post by **cowboy15h** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:09 pm

I've never ridden the Honda your talking about, but I have ridden the Vstar classic 650. I'm about 6'2" 240 and the bike was just too small. My knees were higher than the gas tank. The other thing I didn't like was after about 30 miles my hands were numb from the vibration. I currently have a vtx1800c it fits me much better and no numb hands.

Scott58 · #7 Unread post by **Scott58** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:05 pm

Might want to look at the Suzuki S50. 443lbs and 805cc. looks sweet too.

earwig · #8 Unread post by **earwig** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:15 am

I have a Honda Shadow Spirit 750 right now and love it. My good friend has the shadow 1100 and he loves it. I think the 1100 is a good choice if you like shaft drive - I wish mine had shaft, chain maintence stinks. The 750 also has spoke wheels which i like best and the 1100 mags. Everyone I talk to says "Hondas run forever" and from what I have seen I beileve them. If you can afford it Victory and Harley make some awesome looking bikes but I have only ridden an 81 Harley Lowrider and hated it. I'm sure I haven't helped at all but just thought I would give you my opinion on the only 2 bikes I have any experience with

adam_77_fair · Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:55 am

I'm a BIG fan of my Suzuki C50. It is a little bigger than the vstar in my opinion, and hasn't left me wishing for more power yet. I've also really gotten into the heel toe shifter, because when I wear boots, I just dont' dig using only my toes. Right now they are fairly new, so not a huge amount of accessories but they are growing.

smokey_243 · Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:14 am

I should have been more clear. I am wanting to move up to an 1100 class. I was at the Yamaha dealer this morning and the 1100 V Stars didn't talk to me. I like them OK but something was missing, maybe it's the lack of chrome on the engine, don't know. One big negative is no hydralic lifters. In my old age I find it harder to do maintenance I used to enjoy such as adjusting valve clearances. I have no preferance between belt drive or shaft drive. Any more all I want is to put in gas and ride. Thanks all for the response.