Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi
I'm looking for my first motorcycle. I've researched some online and have been looking at the Honda Shadow VLX600 and the Honda Rebel 450, but am open to any other suggestions. I am about 6'2",around 165 pounds. I want a "cruiser-like" bike, something that is good for a beginner but still has enough power to be fun to ride on, and is able to travel on the interstate as well. I want to buy used, but don't know how old is too old. As you can see, I have a lot of questions. Any advice would be appreciated.

john

jwb wrote:Hi
I'm looking for my first motorcycle. I've researched some online and have been looking at the Honda Shadow VLX600 and the Honda Rebel 450, but am open to any other suggestions. I am about 6'2",around 165 pounds. I want a "cruiser-like" bike, something that is good for a beginner but still has enough power to be fun to ride on, and is able to travel on the interstate as well. I want to buy used, but don't know how old is too old. As you can see, I have a lot of questions. Any advice would be appreciated.

john

The VLX 600 might be a little small for you. You would do fine with a Shadow Spirit 750, Shadow Aero 750, Suzuki C50 or M50, Kawasaki Vulcan 750 or 800.

Those bikes all have around 40 rwhp, which is fine for beginners. I would go sit on them and see what you like best. None of the bikes I listed will knock your socks off with power. My mother and brother are sharing a Suzuki M50 for their first bike, and at your size, any of those bikes will work.

As for the age of the bike, I don't know what you can afford, but unless you are going to be working on the bike yourself, and don't mind wrenching a little bit, I would recommend something 5 years old (or newer).

I've owned bikes from the 70's and 80's, but I've had to work on them. You can find older bikes in good shape, but you have to be conscious of the upkeep and new parts they will need.

Old bikes are cool but you have to be really careful when buying one. A bike that seems like all it needs is a little "TLC" can turn into a money pit. Avoid bikes that have been sitting for long periods, and look for bikes with responsible owners that know the maintenance history.

I have a CM450 which is basically like a standard version of the 450 rebel. It has enough power for highway use and to keep a new rider interested. Although at 6'2 you should sit on one first to see if it fits you. Im about 5'11 and it seems like the bike might start to feel cramped if I was any taller.

DivideOverflow wrote:None of the bikes I listed will knock your socks off with power.

I'm a newb, and I ride roughly the type of bike DivideOverflow recommend (a yamaha 650 v star classic). And IMO, don't worry about these bikes not being powerful enough. My bike is way way faster than my car, and definitely gives me a lot of thrill. Sure 2 years from now I might hop on a bike like this and find it very tame, but in the beginning, you should find plenty of fun in these bikes.

jwb wrote:Hi
I've researched some online and have been looking at the Honda Shadow VLX600 and the Honda Rebel 450, but am open to any other suggestions. I am about 6'2",around 165 pounds.
john

I almost bought the Honda VLX myself. It was the only 4 gears issue and price for it that I decided not to. I'm 5'10 but its your inseem length that makes the difference for your legs. My inseem is 32. On both the VLX and my Kawa VN500 both were similar size. I have not been on a 450 Rebel but have been on a 250 which was way... too small for me.

On your interstate driving depending on how much and how long you plan on going, 100 miles vs 300 plus. Both bikes are light so you will hate the winds at 20 plus MPH and all gusts. A heavier bike with a full fairing will reduce but not eliminate the wind factor. I check the wind on the weather channel before riding for gusts and overall wind. When riding is work or scary, then its not worth it just because the temp is nice. Live to ride another day. Good luck.

I looked at the bikes suggested, and they all seem like the style I'm looking for. Any more thoughts on the differences between the Shadows and the Kawasaki Vulcan? I was worried that the rebel might be too small; looks like it would be. Also, any recommendations on good motorcycle maintenance books to buy? I want/need to learn how to fix my own bike.

thanks

john

The Ninja 500-R is a fantastic bike. I have had a few bikes (see below) and the 500-R is the best of them. Durable, quick, reliable, easy to work on. It would be my "if you were stranded on a desert island" bike

The Vulcan 500 has the same engine, though the Ninja is faster. The Vulcan is very (very very) much like the old 454 LTD - which was also a great bike. I'd say you can't go wrong with the Vulcan 500 if you want a small cruiser.

--Dave

tortus wrote:

DivideOverflow wrote:None of the bikes I listed will knock your socks off with power.

I'm a newb, and I ride roughly the type of bike DivideOverflow recommend (a yamaha 650 v star classic). And IMO, don't worry about these bikes not being powerful enough. My bike is way way faster than my car, and definitely gives me a lot of thrill. Sure 2 years from now I might hop on a bike like this and find it very tame, but in the beginning, you should find plenty of fun in these bikes.

Just to add a "me too" to this, I ride the Virago 535, which is sorta the predecessor to the V-Star 650.

This bike will hit 60mph 4-5 seconds faster than my Pontiac Grand Am. It goes from 60 to 85 over twice as fast as the Pontiac.

Bigger engines make bikes go faster, but even a 500cc V-Twin will accelerate faster than most cars on the road.