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Hey guys... I am going to be taking a motorcycle safety course here right away and have two bikes in mind that I am interested in... would just like to know out of THESE 2 might be a better choice... just looking at little details I think I have made one, but if someone on this board has or knows someone who has either one, some feedback can be nice. Thanks for your time.....

2005 Yamaha V-Star 650
http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/pro ... contentTop

2005 Honda Shadow Spirit 750
http://www.honda.ca/MotorcycleEng/Curre ... ?Year=2005

Some people say definately go for the shaft drive, others telling me either one you will enjoy and the chain is just fine.... but some input from people actally riding either of these bikes would be best.

THanks again

First of all I thought that these course providers actually have bikes there to teach you with. Any advertised ones i've seen show small cc bikes like the cb400 or somthing similar.

Secondly, I did my road test on a 1986 Yamaha FJ1200 with no prob. I had the opertunity to use a smaller bike but the FJ was mine and I was used to it. If you will be using the 650 or 750 on a daily basis once you have your learners permit, and are comfortable with it, why change. I saw a 30+ man drop a 600 Katana during the road test, and he was double my wieght. Man he was almost in tears.

My advice is to stick with what your comfortable with and you should be fine. Just take it easy and don't try and show off, save that till you have many miles and plenty of experience. Even then BE CAREFULL.

Good Luck,

John

hey Zio

sounds like you have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket.

But I'm sure the last thing you want to do is drop a shiny new V-Star on the pavement - and you will, everyone does at some point. My MSF instructors used to say there are only 2 types of riders - those who have dropped their bikes, and those who are about to.

My advice would be to take a year (or even 2) to decide which brand new bike you want to get and own for awhile. In the meantime, buy a cheaper, older bike (or 2!) and get some road experience. it will also help you get a feel for what you like and don't like in riding position, style, performance etc. before you get what you really want.

hope that helps

I must be more careful than most riders. Or new bikes are more slippery than the old ones. I learned on a Kawasaki 185 (I think thats what it was, it was my brothers) and I goosed it once and it took off without me. After that I never lost it again and when I moved on to my Honda CB550 I rode that for a few years and didn't drop it once. Maybe that means when I get my new bike I'm due for a drop.

ZiO wrote:2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - Some people say definately go for the shaft drive, others telling me either one you will enjoy and the chain is just fine.... but some input from people actally riding either of these bikes would be best. THanks again

Hi ZiO,

Either bike is a great motorcycle to start off with. Although I don't recommend a new biker buying a new motorcycle at all since every new rider has a very good chance of dropping the bike in the first year. Also you may not know if you will really enjoy that style or type of motorcycle in the long run.

Used bikes are cheaper and if they are dropped, usually can be fixed a lot cheaper than new bikes.

If you have to have a new bike, I would go with the 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 as my first choice. The V-Star is a recommended bike for reliability and is priced right with a shaft drive to boot!

I have a shaft drive on my standard Yamaha XJ650R and it is great over a chain. I really don't miss messing around with a chain and don't see any power loss using a shaft over a chain.

Mike.

Wait until you take the course before you decide. They will probably have a few different types of bikes (cruisers, standards, etc). Try the different styles and then decide which you like best and then go from there.

anyone know if that rear seat is removeable on the 650? the back part I mean... the dealer had an 1100, and it was... but curious as to the 650.. just though of it now. I noticed the honda a single seat is a few hundred dollars.... would be nice if the yammi had the option of just removing the back on the fender

yes, that is what i meant. I saw that the 1100 classic had the option of removing the back, but I was hoping if you know if the 650 does as well... would be nice if i dont have to buy a solo seat if i can already remove a part of it from the stock.

I was reading the owners manual on the Yamaha site for the V-Star 650 and it says you just need to remove one nut to remove the passenger section of the seat. So it looks like you would not have to buy a replacement seat. I don't own a 650 so just going by the owners manual.