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I just completed the BRC the other week. I've taken this course before in 2005, but I forgot everything, so I thought it would be safer for me and others on the road, if I went back and retook it.

I rode a Honda Rebel during the course and fell in love with that bike.

I went to go look at a 05 Rebel that a fellow was selling and I wanted to be sure, so I went to go look at a 02 Virago 250 as well.

The Virago is $1450 ($500) less than the Rebel at $1950, but the Rebel has a sissybar, windsheild and saddlebags. Also the Rebel has over 8000 miles, while the Virago only has 1100 miles. The Rebel has been down, with a dent in the tank, crack battery box and a cracked rear light bar. The Virago hasn't been down.

I was thinking about it last night and was pretty sure that I was going to buy the Virago and today I started to have doubts about it. Something wasn't right.

Don't get me wrong, both are very nice bikes.

So, I was looking on previous posts and then I saw something that struck me. Someone had written that the bike has to feel right. That was it. The Virago didn't feel right to me. The reason is the controls are 5 inches more forward than the Rebel and I was not comfortable with that.

I currently have a 92 Ninja 250 that I can't stand. It's pretty,I'll give it that, but that slight forward leaning riding position, plus the fact that I have to tip toe the ground, is not my cup of tea. I rode it twice and I just don't like it at all. So, it's up for sale. The other bike that I had was a Kawasaki Eliminator 125 that is perfect for in town riding, but I'm not in town. So, that why I say that I almost purchased the wrong bike again.

Thanks for letting me talk.

This noobie thanks you for the tips.

Yes, for those with short legs, such as myself, forward controls are a b1tch. I recently was looking over the Triumph line and eyed the Triumph Speedmaster 2T. It has a low seat height that's a little lower than the Bonneville. Oh joy. So I get on and I can balance the bike on the balls of my feet. I try to get to the shift and rear brake controls and they are about 3" too far forward for me. Ok then, not even close.

'Twas not meant to be, so I move on. Feel is very important. I often think the bike chooses you, not the other way around.

I would recommend a 500 for a second bike. I could not find a 250 cheaper than a 500 when I was looking, so bought a 500 instead. You might try sitting on a Kawi Vulcan 500 or an '83-'86 Honda VT500C Shadow. Both are very slightly forward of a neutral position (standard). If you have lots of money there is also the Harley Sportster 883 Low (rode it for kicks on a test ride day, and no one else wanted to ride it), which surprisingly has a very neutral riding position, as well as lots of low end torque for about $8,000. The only issue with the Sportster Low is the kickstand is almost too far for me to retract once extended.

'Twas not meant to be, so I move on. Feel is very important. I often think the bike chooses you, not the other way around.

This is so true!

I went and bought the Rebel. Rode it up and down my street three times and it felt good.

I gotta take that windshield off, as it's messing with my vision. I want to look at the top of it, instead of the road.

I bought the Vulcan 500 for a first bike. I love it. I rode a 200 in the BRC, but the 500 has a lower seat height than the TW200, and it is also far more comfortable. It's heavier than a 250, but the horse power is still under 50 and I've found it to handle well.