I am about to retire within the next year or two and will be traveling across Canada and the US with a friend. It has been many years since I owned or rode a bike. I want to purchase the bike now so I can take some classes and log a bunch of miles before taking off on our trip(s). I will need a bike that can carry my stuff, is extremely reliable, comfortable, and powerful enough to take on any mountain or traffic the continents can dish out.
At the moment I am contemplating the Honda Shadow 750 Aero or the same bike with an 1100 cc. engine. I notice the 2009 models have a Shadow 750 touring version which comes with windshield and bags already but it is doubtful I can find a used one. I do not want to spend much more than $6K. I am 5'9" with a 32" inseam and weigh 160 pounds. I am in great shape but know that does not help when a bike decides to go down.
750 or 1100
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Bikeornot59
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Tennif Shoe
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Bikeornot 59:
There are two considerations: Bike size/usefulness and your capabilities as a rider.
You mentioned taking lessons. You may well find that your ideas about a suitable bike before the course and your ideas about suitable bikes after the course are two different things..... I see this relatively fequently. It may be a good idea to take a basic rider course first, then go bike shopping....
The 750-800 cc bikes are quite suitable for the trip you are planning. I know that there are some who will tell you that you "need" 1000cc's or more. That isn't true. Up until relatively recently an 800 cc bike was considered BIG.
I'm a bit over 6', and awfully close to 250 lbs. Even with full saddle bags and an additional bag strapped to the passenger pillion my old bike (suzuki Volusia 800) was quite suitable as a tourer. I never felt 'undergunned'. Any of the 750-800 class bikes can get it done. Mine would haul me at 70 mph without difficulty. I do expect that in some of the larger, steeper mountains you will need to gear down. To be completely honest I expect you'll need to gear down under these circumstances on most cruisers...
You will hear some individuals claim you need gobs of power inorder to 'power out' of dangerous situations. The key to safe riding is not engine displacement. It is the gray matter between the ears........
The Honda is a solid bike. I can also personnally vouch for the Suzuki C50 series. The 1100's are everything these two bikes are, and a little more: More wieght, and more $$$. Buy what you are comfortable with...
There is merit in buying a 'starter' bike. You should be able to find a Honda 750 or Szuki C50, three years old, 6000-8000 miles for about $4000 or so. Buy it and ride it for a year. You can either keep it, or trade it in on an 1100 in the future. You'll 'loose' a little on this kind of trade, but nothing like buying new and trading in then.
There are two considerations: Bike size/usefulness and your capabilities as a rider.
You mentioned taking lessons. You may well find that your ideas about a suitable bike before the course and your ideas about suitable bikes after the course are two different things..... I see this relatively fequently. It may be a good idea to take a basic rider course first, then go bike shopping....
The 750-800 cc bikes are quite suitable for the trip you are planning. I know that there are some who will tell you that you "need" 1000cc's or more. That isn't true. Up until relatively recently an 800 cc bike was considered BIG.
I'm a bit over 6', and awfully close to 250 lbs. Even with full saddle bags and an additional bag strapped to the passenger pillion my old bike (suzuki Volusia 800) was quite suitable as a tourer. I never felt 'undergunned'. Any of the 750-800 class bikes can get it done. Mine would haul me at 70 mph without difficulty. I do expect that in some of the larger, steeper mountains you will need to gear down. To be completely honest I expect you'll need to gear down under these circumstances on most cruisers...
You will hear some individuals claim you need gobs of power inorder to 'power out' of dangerous situations. The key to safe riding is not engine displacement. It is the gray matter between the ears........
The Honda is a solid bike. I can also personnally vouch for the Suzuki C50 series. The 1100's are everything these two bikes are, and a little more: More wieght, and more $$$. Buy what you are comfortable with...
There is merit in buying a 'starter' bike. You should be able to find a Honda 750 or Szuki C50, three years old, 6000-8000 miles for about $4000 or so. Buy it and ride it for a year. You can either keep it, or trade it in on an 1100 in the future. You'll 'loose' a little on this kind of trade, but nothing like buying new and trading in then.
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Wrider
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I'll definitely agree with NNY rider. I'm about the same height (6'2") and weighed 280 lbs at the time I had the exact same bike (01 Suzuki Volusia). It hauled me around with no problems at speeds up to 90 MPH. After that it kinda petered out until top speed at 100.
But it'd do 80 on the Interstate all day long with no problem, and would haul me, full saddlebags, and a lady-friend doing it.
But it'd do 80 on the Interstate all day long with no problem, and would haul me, full saddlebags, and a lady-friend doing it.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
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luis_alberto
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Why don't you buy a 700-800cc now... ride it to gain confidence... and then buy for luggage? As NNY said, a 700-800cc bike would do the job you are looking for, and the only difference between a 700cc and a 1,000cc (besides the weight and displacement) that you are looking for is the saddle bags... or I'm wrong?
You can get them later along with the rest of the luggage that you may need.
Cheers.
Luis.
You can get them later along with the rest of the luggage that you may need.
Cheers.
Luis.
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Bikeornot59
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Thanks for the help
I bought a 2008 750 and really enjoying it. The bike has only 1500 miles on it and garage kept. It came with saddlebags, windshield and a variety of other options. I am currently taking classes and feel much better hitting the road with the few classes taken.
Thanks again and hope to see you on the road someday.
Thanks again and hope to see you on the road someday.
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blues2cruise
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Re: Thanks for the help
I toured on my 650 V-Star.....your 750 Honda will do just fine.Bikeornot59 wrote:I bought a 2008 750 and really enjoying it. The bike has only 1500 miles on it and garage kept. It came with saddlebags, windshield and a variety of other options. I am currently taking classes and feel much better hitting the road with the few classes taken.
Thanks again and hope to see you on the road someday.
I bought my first bike, a used Suzuki M50 which is an 800 and it felt a little 'big' at first but I quickly got comfortable with it. I'm glad I went with it, it wasn't too big or too small for me as a beginner. Now after riding for a year I feel comfortable enough to move up in size but I'm still very happy with my bike. Maybe next year