Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm looking into buying a motorcycle and had some questions. I am 6'1" and 250 lbs (with aspirations to be at 220). I want a bike that is good for a commute of 120 miles round trip 3-5 days a week. I like the Honda Shadow VLX and the Honda Rebel prices. I was once told that with my size I should not get the Rebel. What do you think? Any advice would be great. Thanks...Future New Rider

Having owned a Rebel, having a VLX in the garage, and a 6'2" son whose ridden both...you'd probably be more comfortable on the VLX. The Rebel is doable, depending on your inseam. He has a 34" inseam and could ride the Rebel just fine, but he looked funny and if he'd had to ride it for any real distance, he would have gotten stiff. You can tilt the handle bars forward a bit on the Rebel to gain some leg room, and Mapam makes forward controls for it to gain even more room.

I rode it for a year and a half, and I got to where it just felt like a toy. But it was worth the time I spent on it, for sure.

The Spouse Thingy has a VLX. It's definitely more comfortable for the taller rider, unless your height is mostly in your legs and you have a freakishly long inseam. He loves the bike; he put a Mustang seat on it for better comfort, and highway pegs, but other than that he runs it stock and is happy. Once in a while he wishes it had a 5th gear, but not often.

Go to a dealer and sit on them both (most still have a VLX or two on the floor, it seems) I suspect you'll be more comfortable height-wise on the VLX, but a never know.

If you like the VLX, look, too at the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Six gears, less buzzy than the VLX, and as I understand it, a bit quicker.

Get thee to an MSF Basic Rider Course. In addition to teaching you how to ride, they almost always have Rebels out the wazoo. After a a fews hours on the range, you'll know whether it suits you or not. Plus, if you drop it, it ain't yours!

Take a look at the Shadow Spirit and Aero as well.
If you really have to commute 60 miles one way(wow!) you will like having a 5th gear. It has a bigger gas tank too. 3.7 vs 2.9 gallons.