Shadow to Bonneville

[PowerGirl5000]

Hi everyone! I hope I can get your opinion on something... I've had my license for a couple years now, and I used to have a 97 honda shadow vlx. I loved the bike with all my heart and wanted nothing more but to be able to just hop on and go for a ride, but I was still pretty intimidated and had a hard time leaving my neighborhood.

Anyway, I ended up going back to college for 2 more years and sold the bike for some much needed cash, but the desire inside me has never gone away, and I know that I have to try again. Looking back I feel that it was the size and weight of the bike that was giving me trouble, I felt that it was a little too much for me to get a handle on being a complete beginner.

I've started researching other bikes, and one that I've really gotten interested in is the Trimph Bonneville. The engine is a little bigger (865 from the 650 shadow) but it weighs about a hundred pounds less or so. Before I get my hopes too high about it, I wanted to know what you experienced riders out there thought...or if you had any other suggestions.

I really appreciate it!

[gsJack]

The new for 2009 Bonneville is 440# dry weight and the slightly larger 2008 and earlier were 10-15# heavier about the same as the Shadow VLX 600 which has a 458# dry weight. No weight savings there but the new Bonnie is much shorter than the VLX.

Something like the Suzuki Boulevard S-40 aka Savage is about 100# lighter than the VLX with a short 58" wheelbase and low seat. Nothing else I can think of off hand that's lighter except the 250 cc bikes. That new TU250 Suzuki is sharp looking and around 300-350# and is a standard style retro like the Bonnie and not a long wheelbase cruiser style.

[MTexile]

I for one would love to own a Bonnie as a second bike, but the nearest dealer is about 150 miles from me, would make it inconvenient to drop off for servicing. If you don't have one close by I'd go with the Boulevard. A co-worker has one and loves it...you might want to post your question in the Ladies Lounge too. Welcome back to the family and ride safe!

[Velocity]

I second gsJack's thoughts about the 250 class in general, and the Suzuki TU250 if you are looking for a standard style of bike rather than a cruiser. There's nothing wrong with getting a 250, riding it for a year or two to get your skill level where you want it, then move up to a larger bike. Buy a used 250 so you don't take the hit on new bike depreciation.

There seems to be a very healthy resale market in the 250 class of bikes, so it won't cost you much to get out of it later when you're ready to move up. (The TU250 is new in the U.S. market for 2009, as I recall, so you probably won't be able to find one of those used, though.)

The only reasons I would stay away from a 250 is if the bike is just too small for your height/frame size, or if you plan on doing a lot of Interstate riding. The 250s can hit Interstate highway speeds, but they don't have as much left in reserve for headwinds or grades, and as lighter bikes, are somewhat more susceptible to crosswinds or wind from larger vehicles like trucks.

[joolz]

I had a Bonnie It was a great bike round town and out on the motorway it would sit quite happily at 80 all day Only got rid of it cos I wanted the Rocket....
The one I had was the 790, and I pulled the AI, changed the pipes and rejetted the carbs- all really easy to work on

[jstark47]

I have a 790cc Bonneville, an '05. Bought it new, added another bike (V-Strom) but never got rid of the Bonneville. Put 100 miles on it today. I've never ridden a Honda Shadow, but we used to have a Suzuki Marauder 800. The Bonneville would easily outrun and outhandle the Marauder.

The Bonneville has several traits that make it friendly to new or inexperienced riders:

• - very neutral steering
  - low center of gravity
  - mass concentrated immediately below the rider
  - flat torque curve: lots of low end grunt, but it keeps pulling strongly

The bike is very manageable because it's very predictable. No surprises. There are also some less good points:

• - cheap suspension components
  - brakes are a bit underwhelming
  - the "seat" is actually a cinder block covered with some kind of thin material

The suspension and seat are straightforward to fix. For the brakes, stock Triumph pads suck - get EBC's.

These comments would apply to any year Bonneville, T100, etc, but not to the new Bonneville SE. That has different wheel size, hence different steering geometry. Don't know how it handles.

[Social Distortion]

ive got a thruxton and have ridden the newer bonnies and i think you'd do well.
I ride w/ 4 women who are about 5'3-5'5 and the handle the bike welll.
Just keep an eye on seat height and make sure you can touch the ground, but asides that< i think you'll do well.
Bonnies are great bikes...more than enough power to pull my XL body around, but then again not overpowering that you'll be popping wheelies...
and the old timers will give you lotta respect too!!!
good luck

[PowerGirl5000]

Thanks for your feedback everyone, I really appreciate it. The more I think about it the more I feel like I would rather take my time and start off right with a 250. Bigger bikes can be more visually appealing, and (lets face it) sound alot cooler, but I just want to ride more than anything!

Perhapse a Honda Rebel 250

[Velocity]

Thanks for your feedback everyone, I really appreciate it. The more I think about it the more I feel like I would rather take my time and start off right with a 250. Bigger bikes can be more visually appealing, and (lets face it) sound alot cooler, but I just want to ride more than anything!

Perhapse a Honda Rebel 250

I've got a 250. It is big and heavy and powerful enough for me at my level of riding experience. Before buying my bike, more experienced riders tried to dissuade me, telling me that I would soon grow past the capacities of the bike and get bored. I told them that I will be doing backflips when I feel that I have truly mastered the full capacities of this bike.

Go for the Rebel if it fits you. Master your skills, then move up to the bigger bike if you want.