Upcoming Rider -- Question about bike.

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squall7 · #1 Unread post by **squall7** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:09 am

Im planning on getting a bike this fall after I complete the proper course to get licensed, and Ive been trying to figure out exactly what I want to get.

Im leaning towards a cruiser because I just love the way they look and Im not really looking to break the sound barrier with my bike with a sports model. However, I wouldnt really mind a sports model either.

Ive been reading up on motorcycling for some time because its really all I can do now, and I understand that a smaller bike is great for beginners becuase if something goes wrong, its better to be on a lighter bike then something hefty.

Im not looking to spend a lot, but I do want a bike that is capable of traveling the highway, as this would be my main source of transportation when I want to visit home. (which is about a 2 hour drive). I love the Honda Rebel, but Im not sure if its capable of traveling on the highway. If I can, I would love to get the Rebel, but Im also looking at a Shadow VLX, which seems like a good size (plus it looks cool).

Any opinions on a good bike for me?

squall7 · #2 Unread post by **squall7** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:19 am

Also..Im looking at the prices of new Rebels and new Shadow VLX's...but I will most definitely be getting a used one of either of these two, so I know it will be cheaper.

jonnythan · #3 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:30 am

A Rebel, while nominally capable of highway speeds, is quite underpowered to actually ride on the highway. It's a great little commuter bike.

Look for something a bit bigger. A used Shadow, V-Star, Virago, Vulcan, Savage etc, is a great choice for a first cruiser.

Fenris · #4 Unread post by **Fenris** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:35 pm

The vt600 is a excellent bike. Very forgiving for newer riders and has a good bit more power then the rebel and on a side note most cagers seem to confuse it for a harley.

ShadowGrrl · Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:06 pm

I had a Rebel before I got my Shadow VLX, and the differerence (to me, anyway) is like night and day. The Rebel was great for around town, but on the freeway it felt kind of squirrely and it was like pulling teeth to get it to go over 60. My Shadow, on the other hand will cruise the freeway just fine and feels stable at freeway speeds.

on a side note most cagers seem to confuse it for a harley.

A few Harley guys and gals have laughed at me if they pull up next to me at a stop light. Either that or they don't acknowledge me. Whats up with that??

atom · #6 Unread post by **atom** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:18 pm

Those are great bikes and will serve you well but I wouldn't be afraid of the Honda 750 or 1100 as first bikes either. Or even the 1300 if your going to take an MSF and try to do things the safe way.

Physically bigger bikes tend to be more comfortable if you plan on riding two-up at all too.

btlegend · #7 Unread post by **btlegend** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:58 pm

the rebel can get to over 70 mph on the interstate, and some have got theirs to a little over 80,.......BUT.....you dont need to worry about speed for a newbie rider. i have a chinese made 250/rebel nock off, that handles well at 65. it has a setting/govenor that can be set, im not messing with it till i feel i am ready for above 70 cruising.....
any ways the vlx is a good bike, so's the v-star 650, and there are new chinese 250cc made bikes like mine, that are more for economy and intry level riders like my self.......i would have bought an vstar 650, or equial size..but money was an issue....."im married"...lol

Blood`Sentinel · Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:52 pm

ShadowGrrl wrote:I had a Rebel before I got my Shadow VLX, and the differerence (to me, anyway) is like night and day. The Rebel was great for around town, but on the freeway it felt kind of squirrely and it was like pulling teeth to get it to go over 60. My Shadow, on the other hand will cruise the freeway just fine and feels stable at freeway speeds.

on a side note most cagers seem to confuse it for a harley.
A few Harley guys and gals have laughed at me if they pull up next to me at a stop light. Either that or they don't acknowledge me. Whats up with that??

Harley riders don't like Honda bikes, they think they are childish rip-offs with no power and little luxury.

Kind of the same way people who drive Mustangs and Firebirds think kids in their civic and accords look like damned fools speeding.

My dad has a sticker on his helmet that reads: "I'd rather push a Harley than ride a Honda."

I wonder how hes going to like it when I buy a Kawasaki. :]

gliderider · Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:45 am

ShadowGrrl wrote:I had a Rebel before I got my Shadow VLX, and the differerence (to me, anyway) is like night and day. The Rebel was great for around town, but on the freeway it felt kind of squirrely and it was like pulling teeth to get it to go over 60. My Shadow, on the other hand will cruise the freeway just fine and feels stable at freeway speeds.

on a side note most cagers seem to confuse it for a harley.
A few Harley guys and gals have laughed at me if they pull up next to me at a stop light. Either that or they don't acknowledge me. Whats up with that??

I started riding on a little Kawa, then moved to a CB350 which I rode for years. I ride a Superglide now, but I would never laugh at someone on a Shadow, or a Rebel, for that matter. Ride what you like and don't worry about the jerks out there. Not everyone on a HD is a jerk.

I get snubbed by GoldWing riders, and usually BMW riders, too.