Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Silly question really as it reads but there is a reason behind what I have asked.

My missus was keen to do her bike licence . She has achieved this.
HOWEVER, we own a Harley Heritage Nostalga. She has been going round the bike shops asking what would be a suitable prefered bike for her before stepping onto a Hog after her two years of riding. The majority , well all the shops have said the xvs 650 custom.

NOW, she has got her licence , & her talking with the instructor , he has said yep they are a nice bike BUT you should be starting on something like a Virago 250. Its light & you can move it around . The 650 will be heavy for you so he says.

My missus has sat on the 650 . Moved around on it & even one young sales girl in Yamaha here in Cairns said she can ride one of these bikes no worries at all & would be her choice.
The missus had, well seemed to have her heart set on the 2010 model ( looks are alot better than the 2011 ) but since this fella pissing in her ear she is swinging toward the Virago.

My reply to all this in a comparison & what comes out on top is pretty straight forward. Here it is. And if anyone can give me a heads up & opinion on what choice they would make it would be good .

XVS 650 - low center of gravity.
- bigger powered machine .
- Lams approved .
- Prospective bike to keep longer given the cc output when considering a pillion.
- Resale value better than the Virago with less loss of ya dollar.
- Well balanced for a female rider .
- Basic controls .
- comfortable for longer rides.

VIRAGO - Smaller cc powered machine.
- greater wear & tear given a smaller powered machine.
- center of gravity low.
- short term bike given the cc rating.
- Power to ground alot less.
- Lighter machine.
- Easier to handle ??? ( Although I tend to disagree given the center of gravity of the 650 is very low & bike well balanced )

I most likely have left out alot of fors & against here . This is just what come to me while typing this out. If there is others let me know. I tend to think shes set on the Virago. Well pretty sure
Cheers,
Doggy.

OK, I had to look that up. XVS650 is what we call a VStar 650 here in the US. Same bike, different designation.

Almost 200 lbs heavier than the 250 (513 vs. 324 lbs dry). But almost every one I've heard of who started on a VStar 650 managed it OK. Forum member Blues2Cruise, who's a mod here, started on a VStar 650. 650 carries its weight low, and the 27 inch seat height is the same as the 250. Unless your lady is quite petite, everything else being equal, she should be OK on the 650.

I'll send Blues a PM, see if I can get her to weigh in here.

My worth.

I learned to ride when I was in the "mature" stage. I had never ridden before. I went from the lesson bikes to my new Yamaha V-Star Classic 650.

Only the first couple of weeks felt heavy. Once I got used to the feel of the weight and balance I had no problem handling the 650.
1st and 2nd gear are short gears so it is not likely that the bike will overpower a new rider. Where the power comes in is when you are in 4 and 5 and on the highway. The V-Star has enough oomph to do a road trip but it is also nimble enough for commuting.

I rode it for 5 years and 50,000km.

If your missus only ever wants to ride around the neighbourhood or commute to work and back, then sure, the 250 will do. But if she wants to get more adventurous once she gets some experience, then go for the 650.

Here is a picture from my blog. It's my bike loaded for the 12 day road trip. I rode down the Oregon coast to California and then back inland via Crater lake on my 650.

Thanks fellow bikers for the feedback . My missus enjoyed reading both your reply's & was happy in what was mentioned. She has decided on a 250. We found a bike for her a lady had to get through her learner period which is a 2008 Hunter Spyder. Very basic bike & the choice of my lovely ladies. Hope she enjoys it & the outcome be a good one.

Cheers,
Regards,
Doggy

Hunter Spyder, eh? I had to look that one up, too. Not something we get here in the USA. You seem to have some kind of graduated licensing there in Oz, has created a niche for bikes like this. Glad she likes it, and wish her all the best riding.