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Ok, this may be apples to oranges, but I'm looking at a couple of options for a beginner bike and am looking for some opinions. First, I really like the Honda VLX 600.

The Honda I am currently considering is $3500:

2001 Honda Shadow VLX VT 600C - Black
Excellent condition, Adult driven, meticulously maintained, always garaged & never dropped.
8650 miles (90% highway)

There is also a 2006 Suzuki S-40, for $3650, 700 miles, Garage kept, never dropped.

These descriptions are not verified, and are from the ads.

I will doing short suburban commutes, with longer rural trips (55-65 mph) on the weekends.

Any input is appreciated.

(MSF course is in two weeks.)

That's a tough one. I think the Honda's better, but i also think those bikes are over priced. Go with your heart.

I like the Honda better, personally.

Pat-

Those seem high for the area. Are you looking at craigslist? Also, a 750 or s50 are probably better bikes to shoot for in a starter bike in this area. Still easy to start on but with a little extra oomph when needed for traffic.

Go with the Suzuki. The Honda 600 is the slowest in its class and only has 4 gears.

I've ridden both.

The S40 has a extra gear which is nice for highway but has narrow handle bars (smaller person and I'm 5'10). Sales person told me its a girls bike.

The Honda rode nicer and didn't have any size issues. It does have the gear isssue. It also has the reputation of being a Honda going for it.

In your case I'd go with the Honda Shadow with just the S40 as a alternate.

flw wrote:The S40 has a extra gear which is nice for highway but has narrow handle bars (smaller person and I'm 5'10). Sales person told me its a girls bike.

This "girl's bike" nonsense makes me see red. What makes the S40 a girl's bike? It's at the smaller end of the cruiser spectrum, it fits smaller people. Smaller people come in both genders last time I checked.

Some people also just happen to like smaller machines - I have both a Bonneville (compact) and a V-strom 1000 (big). They both have their place. I've been asked of the Bonneville, "oh, is that one of those training bikes?" (Person asking was a toll taker who had no business dissing my bike....I'm out riding and he's stuck breathing exhaust fumes for 8 hours! )

Sportster 883's get called "girl's bike" by the ignorant. They weigh 563 lbs dry, fer cryin' out loud! Not exactly light weight...

Nothing makes the S40 a "girlie bike". The salesman has issues in the manhood department.

The S-40 is a girls bike if a girl is riding it. But then again so is every other bike in existance. A bike is a bike, the only difference is who happens to be riding it.

All said, I'd probably take the Honda over the Suzuki... though I've only ever ridden the Zook.

jstark47 wrote:

flw wrote:The S40 has a extra gear which is nice for highway but has narrow handle bars (smaller person and I'm 5'10). Sales person told me its a girls bike.

This "girl's bike" nonsense makes me see red. What makes the S40 a girl's bike? It's at the smaller end of the cruiser spectrum, it fits smaller people. Smaller people come in both genders last time I checked.

Some people also just happen to like smaller machines - I have both a Bonneville (compact) and a V-strom 1000 (big). They both have their place. I've been asked of the Bonneville, "oh, is that one of those training bikes?" (Person asking was a toll taker who had no business dissing my bike....I'm out riding and he's stuck breathing exhaust fumes for 8 hours! )

Sportster 883's get called "girl's bike" by the ignorant. They weigh 563 lbs dry, fer cryin' out loud! Not exactly light weight...

I assumed he was refering to the width of the handle bars as my Kawa 500 handle bars are 5 inches wider.