(Another) question about bikes for a new rider.

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ragin cajun · Wed May 17, 2006 4:56 pm

I'm taking my MSF this weekend and will start the "sit and test and try to test drive" bike process on my week off next week. Currently, I'm partial to the Suzuki Volusia VS800 and will be testing that one first as there are three for sale in my area at a dealership. However I also came across an '01 Shadow Ace 750 today. 12k mileage and a beaut of a bike (maroon with white). It's a bit smaller (size and hp) than the Volusia although I think it's minimal at worst and I'm not real worried about that for my first bike. My biggest concern is there is such a lack of Vols on any sites that I'm checking it may be next to impossible to find one in a short time frame and there appear to be more of the 750's to choose from as my first bike.

Mostly interested in maintenance/reliability at this point. Anyone with any experience on this Honda model as far as maintenance and reliability go? Also, be interested to hear some specifics on M&R for the Vols as well. Thanks for any information as I start to narrow my search down.

icariz83 · #2 Unread post by **icariz83** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:27 pm

Though I can't speak first hand on the specific model, Honda's have been the most reliable bike/quad I've ever owned. Maintenence is cheap and they run great without needing a lot of tweaking.

You should check out my push lawnmower, that thing's a beauty....seriously.

roscowgo · #3 Unread post by **roscowgo** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:14 am

Never owned one, but All the shadows i've sat on seemed to just ....fit. Felt like i extruded a bike from my nether regions. But in a good happy way.

Sev · #4 Unread post by **Sev** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:27 am

I love my honda.

#5 Unread post by **bok** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:23 am

i have an 01 750 Spirit and love it. the only problems i have with it are the ones i created for myself.

there are tons of aftermarket bits for the shadows so you can truly make the bike your own once you get it.

finally, Honda has been making the shadow for something like 20 years or so now and it's been pretty rock solid. The Shadow may not be the beefiest bike in the CC range, but still an awesome bike.

one caution for you is to make sure you practice on whatever you get before you take it out onto the streets for the first time. As a first bike a 750-800 still has enough power in first gear to get you into trouble faster than the bikes at the MSF.

ragin cajun · Thu May 18, 2006 4:10 pm

bok wrote:one caution for you is to make sure you practice on whatever you get before you take it out onto the streets for the first time. As a first bike a 750-800 still has enough power in first gear to get you into trouble faster than the bikes at the MSF.

Definitely, I have a vacant parking lot around one corner and an elementary school not to far in the other direction so I have two places already picked out to practice in. Houston traffic is scary enough in a car, let alone a bike, so it will be some time before I venture on to main roads although I hope to feel comfortable enough to ride out on some two lanes to the outlying areas of the county.

Ninja Geoff · Thu May 18, 2006 4:13 pm

The shadow 750 (2005ish) was one of the most fitting cruisers i've ever sat on. Didn't get to ride it though

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