Help me choose a motorcycle
- Thread starter ahtoxa
- Start date
ahtoxa
New member
My head is spinning trying to keep all the info straight. I've been doing a lot of research over the last few days.
To keep my options open, I'm going to give cruisers a chance as well. I see that there are 750cc Honda Shadows available with really low mileage for a really good price.
+ I like the styling
+ Insurance is cheaper than the KLR and waaaay, waaaay cheaper than my next runner-up, which was a V-strom 650.
+ not too much power for a newbie as it's a heavy bike
+ reliable and easy to maintain, it seems
- heavy
- not as agile as I might want, but I really don't know what I want, which is the problem.
- not sure how I feel about forward controls - might have to test ride it
What say you of the Honda Shadow of the 2009 vintage or so? I see dealerships asking 4 grand for examples with 6k miles. Good price.
Are there any other bikes I want to look at if I'm going to consider something like the Shadow?
To keep my options open, I'm going to give cruisers a chance as well. I see that there are 750cc Honda Shadows available with really low mileage for a really good price.
+ I like the styling
+ Insurance is cheaper than the KLR and waaaay, waaaay cheaper than my next runner-up, which was a V-strom 650.
+ not too much power for a newbie as it's a heavy bike
+ reliable and easy to maintain, it seems
- heavy
- not as agile as I might want, but I really don't know what I want, which is the problem.
- not sure how I feel about forward controls - might have to test ride it
What say you of the Honda Shadow of the 2009 vintage or so? I see dealerships asking 4 grand for examples with 6k miles. Good price.
Are there any other bikes I want to look at if I'm going to consider something like the Shadow?
twitch'sSonicRS
New member
Can never go wrong with a Harley Davidson..oldest production bike in the United States..that's still owned by harley davidson
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
My brother in law has a 750 ace. Not heavy at all, but then again my 883 is heavier then the 1100 shadow.
That 750 ace hauls. It will keep up with the 1100 till about 100 then the 1100 pulls it.
CheapFuneral
New member
I drove a blast for my license test. It was the only non cruiser bike they had. I was really hoping for more, the bike was fine other than I was much to large for it. I had to change bikes half way through the course because I kept getting leg cramps. I wasn't a bigger buell and was upset when they stopped production.
If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!
If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I've never actually ridden a cruiser, so I have little input on the segment.
I will share some input on other options though. Seeing how you are fond of the V-Strom, you may care to browse the Suzuki SV650's. They are twins which puts them in the readily available torque range. They sound amazing, look great, and offer a similar, albeit slightly more aggressive riding position than the V-Strom. Plus there are a wide variety of fairing options.
Also, I'm a little outdated on the insurance info, but I remember that my GSXR750 was IRL a 748cc, and that snuck me under the 750cc bracket and cut my insurance cost substantially. Might be worth looking into.
I will share some input on other options though. Seeing how you are fond of the V-Strom, you may care to browse the Suzuki SV650's. They are twins which puts them in the readily available torque range. They sound amazing, look great, and offer a similar, albeit slightly more aggressive riding position than the V-Strom. Plus there are a wide variety of fairing options.
Also, I'm a little outdated on the insurance info, but I remember that my GSXR750 was IRL a 748cc, and that snuck me under the 750cc bracket and cut my insurance cost substantially. Might be worth looking into.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I'm 6'2", and the SV650s or most "standards" or "sport-tourers" are not that bad. I'm aware you are taller, but basically any standard or tourer will have clip-on's mounted above the triple tree. On my 91' GSXR they were mounted below the triple tree, and I still managed.
So I wouldn't discount them. Also on the topic of sport-tourers, maybe look at Honda VFR interceptors. They have 750s, 800s, and also 550s.
I always highly recommend a inexpensive, used bike for a first bike anyway, but I believe we already covered that discussion elsewhere.
Lastly, on the topic of insurance........ Try to find and contact McGraw. I'm not sure if you are getting quotes from automobile insurers or nah..... But McGraw along with a few others are specific to motorsports and have RIDICULOUSLY lower rates than the other bigger automobile companies. Bare in mind that I only had liability, but the difference between the other quotes I got and the rate I got from McGraw was: $108/month and $12/month
And that was a full fledged supersport bike and I was 22 years old.
So I wouldn't discount them. Also on the topic of sport-tourers, maybe look at Honda VFR interceptors. They have 750s, 800s, and also 550s.
I always highly recommend a inexpensive, used bike for a first bike anyway, but I believe we already covered that discussion elsewhere.
Lastly, on the topic of insurance........ Try to find and contact McGraw. I'm not sure if you are getting quotes from automobile insurers or nah..... But McGraw along with a few others are specific to motorsports and have RIDICULOUSLY lower rates than the other bigger automobile companies. Bare in mind that I only had liability, but the difference between the other quotes I got and the rate I got from McGraw was: $108/month and $12/month
And that was a full fledged supersport bike and I was 22 years old.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I'm gonna see my brother tonight. He has a 2007 MV Augusta (a $10k bike) and full coverage. He is the king of researching best possible deals and an outstanding minimalist, ignoring the $10k bike part. I'll see what he recommends, but it's likely to also be McGraw. I'll let you know what I find out.
. I'll see what he recommends, but it's likely to also be McGraw. I'll let you know what I find out.
CheapFuneral
New member
Cruisers are ok, I prefer sport bikes. I feel safer on them. I also like dirt bikes
I've never had an issue with seat height, people are picky about putting both feet down. Grew up on dirt bikes so I never saw the need for that. Cruisers are good for tall or short people because the low seat hight. Sport bikes it's less about seat height and more about the same of the "A" your legs are in. If it's to small you get cramps like I did on the buell
If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!
I've never had an issue with seat height, people are picky about putting both feet down. Grew up on dirt bikes so I never saw the need for that. Cruisers are good for tall or short people because the low seat hight. Sport bikes it's less about seat height and more about the same of the "A" your legs are in. If it's to small you get cramps like I did on the buell
If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!
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