what bike to look at purchasing

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larryr · #1 Unread post by **larryr** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:18 am

returning to riding after 20 years. Thinking of starting with either a use Honda Shadow or a used Honda vtx1300r.

larryr · #2 Unread post by **larryr** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:18 am

Which would be the better bike in your opinion?

Thumper · #3 Unread post by **Thumper** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:17 am

Both are good bikes, but after 20 years off a bike I would go with the Shadow (presuming you mean one of the 750cc Shadows and not the VLX, which is a good bike, too...) It would be a little more forgiving of rusty-rider mistakes, but would still be capable of any typical riding you'd want to do--around town, highways, etc.

Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:19 am

larryr to the community and to motorcycling again!

What have you rode before, how many years did you ride and how long has it been since?

Mike

jstark47 · #5 Unread post by **jstark47** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:30 am

Thumper wrote:Both are good bikes, but after 20 years off a bike I would go with the Shadow (presuming you mean one of the 750cc Shadows and not the VLX, which is a good bike, too...) It would be a little more forgiving of rusty-rider mistakes, but would still be capable of any typical riding you'd want to do--around town, highways, etc.

Agreed, go with the lighter bike to get your chops back. Get a used one, ride it for a summer, then sell it and move to a bigger bike if you want.

larryr · #6 Unread post by **larryr** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:18 pm

20 years since i last rode a 750cc kawasaki. rode for about 3 years

larryr · #7 Unread post by **larryr** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:22 pm

Only reason i listed the two different bikes ( yes a 750cc shadow aero) is that I am concerned about the limited power of the shadow vs the vxt. Read reports that the shadow vibrates a lot at speeds above 55 mph/ Agree i also have a concern about the extra weight of the vxt etc

Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:55 pm

The 750 Aero will offer a little more power than the VLX 600, but either is a good bike. The VLX has the distinction of a "Harley-Davidson" sound to it BTW as the 600cc engine is as close to a H-D as Honda could make and it's 44° rather than H-D's 45°. Sometimes uniqueness is more important than a little more power...

I think you are on the right track after a 20 year away period, a lighter bike is better and with cruisers they are a low centre of gravity vs a inline-4 750cc so weight isn't as bad as you might think.

Mike

Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:18 am

A Shadow 750 has no issue getting out of it's own way. The vtx 1300 has enough juice to get even the returning rider into trouble.

Marvin · #10 Unread post by **Marvin** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:43 am

don't buy a scooter everybody will laugh and make fun of you

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