650 vs 1100

Message

#11 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:45 am

#12 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:03 pm

It's okay, no one likes to admit it when they screw up. I'm sure you'll mature eventually.

#13 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:31 pm

Sevulturus wrote:It's okay, no one likes to admit it when they screw up. I'm sure you'll mature eventually.

bikemech wrote:OK, here is my question. After talking with everyone I could find about starting out all I hear is if you get a 650 for daily commuting and 2 up riding on the weekends you will not be happy.

Honda's website, regarding the Shadow VLX wrote:A hardtail-style rear suspension. One of the lowest seat heights in our entire cruiser lineup. A powerful 583cc V-twin. The Shadow VLX is the definition of cool.

Sevulturus wrote:I used to own a Suzuki ls650 Savage, now known as the c40. It was a 650cc single cylinder.

The guys I ride with have a shadow 750, and marauder 800. <---Red Herring?

brbolin wrote:I went to our local Yamaha dealership a couple of months ago looking at VStars, too.

Anyway, during our talk, he mentioned that there wasn't realy much of a difference between the 650 and 1100 (other than price and about 100 lbs.).

He was finally like, "alright, let's take a look at these 650's up here."

Long story short...after reading a few other posts on this board and others, I feel that, even with 2-up, on my cruise to work (about 35 miles, hills and valleys), the VStar 650 should be fine.

WhyteGryphon wrote:In the last year, I've logged ~25000km on 650's

Both bikes (83 Suzuki GS650GL, a shaftie, and an 05 Kawasaki KLR650) are able to cruise comfortably at 75 - 80mph for hours on end.

And if you are worried about a 650's ability to reach high speeds.......don't be.

Sevulturus wrote:No one said anything about a v-star 650...

brbolin wrote:the VStar 650 should be fine.

Sevulturus wrote:Shadow VLX vs V-star 1100... you're RIGHT! Gosh, what a fool am I!

The topic of the thread wrote:650 vs 1100

Sevulturus wrote:So lets stick with the bikes he's mentioned, eh?

Will do, Chief!

Sevulturus wrote:I used to own a Suzuki ls650 Savage, now known as the c40.

You mean...S40?

Sevulturus wrote:no one likes to admit it when they screw up.

Indeed.

#14 Unread post by **Sev** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:08 am

whoops, looks like I accidently hit C instead of S. I'm sorry. All this pandering to the American market has me confused. It's still a great bike. And yes I did mean a Marauder 800. Do you want the pictures of all our bikes together?

earwig · #15 Unread post by **earwig** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:37 pm

I say if you are comfy on the 1100 go for it, you might not get the upgrade jitters as fast with a larger bike. I also disagree with people who say there is little difference between the sizes. I have a Shadow 750 and my friend owns a Shadow 1100... there is a big difference. Going up mountains is a lot easier and the bike doesn't get blown around nearly as much on the interstate when cars and trucks go flying by. The seating is also setup for 2 passengers on the 1100. Anyhoooo i got used to my bike and I'm too lazy and can't afford a larger one, but I do wish I went with the 1100 to begin with. If you are riding with a bunch of people who have larger engine bikes you will notice a difference if they get on the gas once in a while. for me the problem was price.

brbolin · #16 Unread post by **brbolin** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:29 am

Just as an FYI, FWIW, I went BACK to the Yamaha place and talked to another guy. He wasn't an actual "sales man", but was the only one there over lunch. I told him that I had been in a month earlier looking at the VStar 650's and 1100's, and the guy before said that there wasn't much of a difference between them. Well, he said that there is a bit of noticable difference in the feel. He also mentioned, which was mentioned here, that sitting and actually riding are two different feelings. I sat on the 650, again, and then he had be sit on the 1100. Yes, that 100 lbs. is a bit noticable. Now, for me just starting out, I'm probably going to go with the VStar 650. It's going to be a while before I can go 2-up with my wife, and by that time I may be ready to upgrade to an 1100 or something in that range.
A little "aside"...I LOVE the Suzuki M50's (and that was my bike of choice), but after sitting on it, it felt a little more "top heavy" than the VStar, so that struck another bike off of my list...for now. Who knows, I may end up going back to the M50. Anyway, this is just my personal, "brand newbie", 2 cents.
It's about as honest as you're gonna get from me. I've never ridden before, looking to start out, so I have no real "favoritism" to show toward any bike brand or anything. Going with what I've sat on/felt, and what feels the most comfortable.

Also, ZooTech, thanks for that bit of the article in CycleWorld. I was curious as to what it said about the VStars. Heard it wasn't too flattering. That sucks for me, seeing as how that's the one I was leaning towards.

I need to find that magazine...

rnr262 · #17 Unread post by **rnr262** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:31 am

I haven't read the Cycle World article so I can't comment on it except to say it's one review. See what it says, and then decide if it's important to you or not. They may have great points, or the things they dislike may not matter to you at all.

I have a 98 V-Star and think it's a great bike. It runs well. I've had it 2 up with no problem, and commuted on it the last few months of school back and forth to work on the interstate. I have nothing bad to say about the bike. Some people have complained of the vibration, I haven't noticed it. I've heard it's a pain to change the oil, but I've left it to the pros. (I really need to learn at least that) Checking the oil on it...that's a pain!

That being said, a first bike is a hit or miss proposition. I was set on the V-Star, and it turns out, I think I'd prefer a standard bike so we're selling the Star. (Hubby gets his Sportster first) I thought it a great bike to learn on, and can't say anything bad about it. I got a good 4000 miles practice on it and am ready to move on. (edited to say, not necessarily to a bigger bike, just one that fits me better)

Good luck! I hope you find a great bike no matter what you decide.

earwig · #18 Unread post by **earwig** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:20 pm

brbolin ... have you checked out the Honda Shadow 750?

brbolin · #19 Unread post by **brbolin** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:06 am

Earwig-Yeah, I've checked out the Honda Shadow, but seem to like the VStars more. I prefer the 'custom' look, and while the Honda Shadow Spirit has the smaller fenders, there's just something about it I don't like. Can't quite put my finger on it, though. One thing was, the ones I saw were still chain driven, and I'm looking for shaft driven. The Honda Shadow Aeros are shaft, but have the big, bulky fenders. The new Spirits may have the smaller fenders. The ones I saw were 2004's.
Actually, stop me if I'm going too far too early, but I'm looking at the Suzuki M50's, also. Heading to a dealership this weekend (with the wife!!!) that has Yammies, Zuki's, and Hondas, so I should be able to compare/contrast right there in one place, instead of having to drive back and forth.

earwig · #20 Unread post by **earwig** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:18 am

Thats cool, good luck!

brbolin wrote:Earwig-Yeah, I've checked out the Honda Shadow, but seem to like the VStars more. I prefer the 'custom' look, and while the Honda Shadow Spirit has the smaller fenders, there's just something about it I don't like. Can't quite put my finger on it, though. One thing was, the ones I saw were still chain driven, and I'm looking for shaft driven. The Honda Shadow Aeros are shaft, but have the big, bulky fenders. The new Spirits may have the smaller fenders. The ones I saw were 2004's.
Actually, stop me if I'm going too far too early, but I'm looking at the Suzuki M50's, also. Heading to a dealership this weekend (with the wife!!!) that has Yammies, Zuki's, and Hondas, so I should be able to compare/contrast right there in one place, instead of having to drive back and forth.