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I passed my BRC last weekend and have started looking for a used bike. I am thinking I would like a 500cc cruiser. I have been looking for used Yamaha Viragos or Kawasaki Vulcans. Unfortunately, there aren't really any for sale around here (Chicago). Am I forgetting any good 400-500cc cruisers?

some of the older Honda shadows were 500's. but you could probably get away with the 600 without much problem.

The Honda Shadow VLX is a 600 (actually somewhere around 585cc...) and fairly equal to the Vulcan. You might have a better chance at finding a used VLX than a Vulcan.

Suzuki S40. It is 650, but single cylinder. Very tame and linear power delivery. Also, lighter than any other cruiser with more than 250 cc.

K

Thumper wrote:The Honda Shadow VLX is a 600 (actually somewhere around 585cc...) and fairly equal to the Vulcan. You might have a better chance at finding a used VLX than a Vulcan.

The bike only has 4 gears though so highway riding might be a bit of annoyance. The Vulcan has more leg room and 6 gears for something a little more relaxed... it also seems Honda is charging more for it than Kawasaki is for the Vulcan.

used Viragos that are 535cc should be around unless most are scrapped (one dealer by me has the 700) and maybe a Honda Magna (700 - 750) or Kawasaki Eliminator 600(?).

Why limit yourself to 500cc? Expand your search to include 650-700cc cruisers and you have tons of options.

I love my Shadow. It does only have 4 gears, but so far it been enough. When it is not it is will be replaced with a HD.

jonnythan wrote:Why limit yourself to 500cc? Expand your search to include 650-700cc cruisers and you have tons of options.

I'm pretty tippy toed on the Honda Shadow 600. It's my first bike, and I'd rather start with something that I have more solid footing and is not as heavy. I could probably do a 600, but I wouldn't feel as comfortable as I have on the 500s I've been on.

JC Viper wrote:The bike only has 4 gears though so highway riding might be a bit of annoyance. The Vulcan has more leg room and 6 gears for something a little more relaxed... it also seems Honda is charging more for it than Kawasaki is for the Vulcan.

The Spouse Thingy has a VLX...it's decent on the highway. It's rare that he wishes he had a 5th gear and overall really likes the bike.

That said...a Vulcan 500 *is* probably the better bike between the two, but the OP said there were none to be found in his/her area.

The '82-'86 Honda VT500C Shadow or the '82-'83 VT500A Ascot are what you're looking for. 500cc V-twin, 410lb, 50HP, 60MPG, shafty, 6 speed, 5.3 secs 0-60mph. You should be able to pick one up for $1,500-$2,000, if you can find one. The seat height is very similar to the Vulcan 500. It's a very reliable bike.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersgu ... Shadow.htm

I'm unsure why this photo has a round headlight. The VT500Cs all came with rectangular headlights.

If you want a new(er) bike, get the Vulcan 500. It's very much the same specs, but is an inline-2 instead of the V-twin. Kawi has more intelligence to keep their 500cc cruiser in the lineup.