which bike, in the long run?

[Dragonhawk]

Dragonhawk,
The problem with this is that I haven't figured out a way to learn, yet. The local riding class is offered Friday night, Saturday day and Sunday day. As a pizza delivery driver, my busiest/most profitable days are the weekend, and I can't afford to miss them (plus we're short-handed and I couldn't get off anyway.)

I always say that people need to get as many opinions as possible and then make up their own mind.

In my opinion, it is very important to be trained by a professional because learning on your own often leads to being a very bad rider. Like those guys who have been riding for 20 years and still can't do a U-turn without duckwalking. They aren't good riders. They are crappy riders who have reinforced bad habits for 20 years.

In the end, the choice is yours. You have to do what you feel is best.

[Apitoxin]

What you're looking at is not a new bike at all. Most generally, people have wanted to and will want you to start with an older bike, around or lesser than a 750 cruiser or 500 sports bike(Correct me if i'm wrong, someone.). Of course, i'm not saying you can't start out on a Gixxer like Verm was able to manage, but the repairs on a new bike if dropped could be treacherous. You want to get an older standard or cruiser, whatever you prefer, that will take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Then once you have riding under your belt, go on from there to a newer bike.

[thebighop]

Listen to the old Scoutmedic...take a MFS course...find a smaller scoot to learn the basics on..like a 250 or somethin in that light weigth size, that's easy to manuver. Learn to ride, then go on to a bigger bike, once you are pretty sure you are ready...lot's of folks THINK they're ready and get hurt.
Once you go for the bigger ride. anything you can sit on and have your feet flat on the ground is not too big. Engine size and the height and weigth are personal matters that go according to what you feel comfortable with. Any yo-yo can ride a 2300 cc trump as long as he respects the power.
Personally, I'd buy the Honda as a first machine...first thing replace the stock seat with a Mustang seat...you'll be glad you did.
The Harley isn't anywhere near as smooth a ride...sure it looks cool and sounds all grown up and all, but when the day is done and you've riden a few hundred miles, you appreciate being able to sit down with out the numbness in your but from being vibrated to death on the HD.

[biker_rach]

I'm biased too; I'd have to say go with the Shadow! And as far as a Brand war, of course there's no comparison, everyone knows Hondas are better than Harleys! hahaha

"oooooooooh no she didn't!"

Seriously, if someone offered me a new 883 in trade for my 2001 Shadow, I would only take it to sell it and buy another Shadow and have money left over