Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I am looking to get back into riding. Took the MSF last month.

Still looking for that first bike. (I did ride many years aga - Had a Seca 600)

Prices seem to be coming down now that fall is close.

I looked at the following:
2005 Vulcan 750 - 11000 miles
2005 Shadow 600 VLX - 6000 miles
2005 Buell Blast - 549 mile

I am planning on having the bike a year or two then moving to a M50, C90 type bike

I am 6' 220lbs with a 32 inseam if that helps

Which one and why?

Thanks for your help

I'm voting for the Vulcan 750 for a few reasons.
1. It's a bulletproof motor, 11K is nothing for it.
2. Good sized starter bike, esp for someone who's ridden before.
3. One of my friends started off on that bike and is about an inch shorter and 10 lbs less than you. He's had no problem with it and hadn't ridden before.

It depends on what you're going to use the bike for, but I concur with Wrider. The VLX has a 4 speed transmission. I've read a lot of reports from VLX owners that the bike needs a 5th gear at highway speeds. The Blast is a big single, it will get buzzy at speed. Blasts also have two seat height variants: low and lower. Big guy with a 32 inch inseam might find the Blast a little small. OTOH the Blast will definitely be more "flickable" than the other two.

But it sounds like you're a cruiser guy, so I would go with the Vulcan 750. Four year old bike with 11K miles should be on its second set of tires, you might want to budget for replacement if not. Even if there's tread left, 4 year old tires are starting to get hard.

Vulcan.

I rode a 500cc Buell Blast and had hard time discerning what was in the rear view mirror because of the vibrations. I also found the brake and shifter peg to be short, so sometimes my foot would not even connect...
But then, I am used to a cruiser with a larger brake and a shifter that sticks out a bit more.

You would probably get more enjoyment from the 750cc motor.

An addition to the list:

I tried out a 2005 Kawi KLR 650 with about 11k miles on it. It is extremely clean.

How would that bike be? It seemed very comfortable and I really liked how upright you sit on it

He is asking 2990 for it That too much?

Thanks for your help guys - You are helping move this process along fast!!!

I'd vote for the Vulcan. Another suggestion would be the Shadow 750. It has a 5 spd. The Blast is a throwaway bike. Meaning you ride it till something breaks then go get a different one. Personally I ride a 600 VLX and although another gear would be nice it does not really need one. I ride mine to work 22 miles one way on the highway at 75 mph nearly everyday and have had no problems.

gcm223 wrote:An addition to the list:

I tried out a 2005 Kawi KLR 650 with about 11k miles on it. It is extremely clean.

How would that bike be? It seemed very comfortable and I really liked how upright you sit on it
He is asking 2990 for it That too much?

Thanks for your help guys - You are helping move this process along fast!!!

For many folks the seating postion is the key. The somewhat laid back position of a typical cruiser can cause (or aggravate) lower back pain over time. Leaned just a degree or two forward of vertical is generally the best for back comfort.

I'd say that the price is reasonable. You might try waving green stuff in the seller's eyes and ask for a discount (can't hurt). The Kaw 650 is a proven engine, and a typical bike all around. If the bike will pass a basic safety/mechanical inspection, then go for it. You'll likely be able to re-sell for close to that (unless you wreck it, or put a bajillion miles on it) when you're ready to upgrade.

P