I bought a Honda Shadow Ace delux It is a 750 v twin However I put a hypercharger, new jet kit and some Vance and Hines pipes on it witch shortly after the baffels came out of. I put a larger sprocket on the back for more bottom end. Over all I gained 20 HP and about 40 mph of top speed. This is a cruiser and I have literally beat the shit out of it. It has put up with all of my abuse and still runs like a top.
I can pull the front end off the ground about 2 feet if I can keep the back from smoking the tire. At high speeds around corners I have a tendency to drag the pipes but you can not tell from the side. I love the Harley Davidson and will probally get one. I will never sell the Honda.
[quote]thighlord wrote:
Does anybody have experience on the Honda VTX 1300s? [/quote]
I have a VTX 1800N that I love. Got some custom parts into it too, making it prettier, louder, and more powerful (cuz 1800cc isn’t powerful enough?)
For the original poster. My first bike was a Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit. Good starter bike for me, but I’d been riding most of my life (on smaller bikes that belonged to family / friends). Then I upgraded to a Kawasaki Nomad 1500, which is a bike heavy bike. I liked it, but it did not have enough power for me after I put Vance and Hines pipes on it and jetted the carbs, so I traded it in for the VTX.
So what’s my point? Get something you can enjoy, mature on, then sell in a year or two. I’d say 750cc - 1200cc range. As for brand… I’m a Honda guy. I like the new Harleys, but I don’t care for a belt drive. Shaft drive, to me, is the way to go. Sure you lose some power but the lack of extra maintenance on it is worth it.
Buddy of mine bought a Boulevard S50 (I think, single piston engine) and he likes it. I can’t help but laugh at him on it (think fat man on a little bike), but he knows how much trouble a bigger bike would get him in. That stops me from laughing because he knows enough to respect the power of a bike and where his limitations are.
Been through 3 bikes. First was a kawasaki 600R back in 95. Have owned two HDs since. Never felt comfortable or safe on either of the HDs. (Hopped up FXDX and a V-Rod.) Not a knock against HD, I just don’t like the geometry of Cruisers in general. Waiting for Buell to do something with the V-Rod engine before I buy again. Buy what you like.
Used bikes can be a great deal as they depreciate quickly. (Even HD depreciates fairly rapidly these days.) I personally believe sport bikes are better for intelligent beginners. They handle and brake better, and their power/weight ratio can work to your advantage during trouble as well. Plus I like to drag my knee a bit…
[quote]Professor X wrote:
analog_kid wrote:
Professor X wrote:
!vic wrote:
Absolute beginners should buy a disposable bike that can be used for 1-2 years. Spend good money on a bike when you’ve learned not to drop and crash it.
I actually agree with this, even though I regularly wish that I had bought the 1,000R1 instead of the Yzf-R600. They say most crashes occur within the rider’s first 4,000 miles.
Now is a great time to get yourself a new R1 in the yellow and black. That shit is hot.
I’m waiting for the 2007-2008 model. I figure if I can hold out, by the time I get ready to upgrade into one, I should be pretty impressive on the bike. I can handle mine pretty well as it is, but a ride I was on this weekend showed me I am still lagging a little on twisties. I was only taking some turns at 70mph while some of the guys I ride with were hitting 100 and dragging knee pads. I meant to write about it on here but I don’t know if anyone wants to read anything like that.[/quote]
As a fellow peg-scraper, I’m always happy to read about anything that involves two wheels.
My question is; how mechanically able are you? Are you someone who needs a new bike so that you can take it to the dealer to be worked on, or can you do it yourself? This is an important issue to consider as there are many maintenance issue regarding motorcycles. Do you know how to adjust the chain (drive or primary), can you change a tire, are you comfortable dealing with fuel injection or would you rather have a carburator? A lot of the newer bikes can be intimidating for someone new to motorcycles, so you may want to choose something that you also can work on.
Personally, I like the old stuff. It increases in value rather than diminishing. Simpler technology too. And if you want to get attention and not just be another clone on a new Harley or squid on a crotch rocket, show up on something over forty years old.
But then that’s just my opinion (and you guys already knew that).
I’m a kneedragger, so I don’t really care for HD. All of my bikes so far have been Yamahas and Kawasakis. I’m in love with the new BMW K1200R.
As far as getting the V-Rod… It is the only Harley I have ever enjoyed riding. I think it is a great bike that wouldn’t be as dangerous for a newbie as say an R1. Odds are you will drop your first bike once or twice or do something else to cause at least minor damage. If this isn’t a concern, get the V-Rod. The HD trade-up program does sound like a great idea.
Professor - Have you spent any time on a track or at a racing school?
I hate the thought that all newbies are going to turn the bike over. Proper care and just paying attention are key.
I bought a Honda Shadow- 600 cc’s almost a year ago and I’m ready for a bigger bike now. It was really good that I started out on a smaller engine; however smaller engines can be “goosier” with the take-off.
I’m gunning for a chopper now- but my income isn’t coming with me!
[quote]Ladyjaine wrote:
The only motocycles ever made were Indians, currently out of business. [/quote]
See my previous post. That’s my 1940 Indian Sport Scout I’m on.
Actually, the Indian name has once again been purchased (after they closed the Gilroy plant in California in 2003) by the fellow that owns Chris Craft. Last I heard, he was going to open a manufacturing plant in Florida (much to the dismay of the folks in Gilroy).
[quote]ultrafem wrote:
I hate the thought that all newbies are going to turn the bike over. Proper care and just paying attention are key.
I bought a Honda Shadow- 600 cc’s almost a year ago and I’m ready for a bigger bike now. It was really good that I started out on a smaller engine; however smaller engines can be “goosier” with the take-off.
I’m gunning for a chopper now- but my income isn’t coming with me![/quote]
Thank you. That’s what I wanted to hear. Here she is- the silver bullet. Being a Raider fan I’m partial to Silver (I have a silver 4Runner). I guess I have to buy it now that I named it already. Now off to rob a bank…
It’s all a matter of personal preference…I ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 myself because I am partial to the cruiser style and low RPM V-twin sound. Being able to cruise down a back road at 60 mph and only reving 2000 rpm does it for me…A V-rod is more of a sport bike engine and needs to rev to get power. They redline about 8000 rpm. However they do make tons of power which is great too…Also if you plan on adding bags, windshield etc. then the V-rod may not be the best choice…
Professor - Have you spent any time on a track or at a racing school? [/quote]
We’re actually planning on going to a track around here. From what I hear, it can get expensive (not including a new set of tires), so it will have to be planned in advance. I live on the Gulf Coast in an area where there are tons of backroads that are nothing but twisties and curves right next to the water. It is probably the one major aspect I will miss when I eventually move from here. You almost don’t need a track…aside from constantly hoping you don’t run into a cop. The guys I ride with are no newbies. We’re talking about years of experience and, with them, I have advanced far beyond I ever would have on my own. They cause me to push myself to new limits but from the beginning stressed not to pass those limits up. I consider myself pretty “conservative” on my bike even though I got it close to 150mph this weekend (not that I’m recommending that to anyone). Having that bike and being around people who are intelligent and responsible in an area with this type of scenery has probably been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Sometimes I feel like I am flying through one of the scenic post cards they sell in gas stations. I’m a rider for life, even if I fall one day.
Not going to bother with the other posts but if you not afraid of a bike with some pop i’d get a CBR600 or R6 any 600class sport bike for that matter.
I did read a few posts, harleys while they finally got with the times there prices never, there seriously overpriced, but thank Henry Fonda and that whole era for that.
Harleys are still inferior but they use to be VERY inferior, alot of the public was uneducated, thats changing, thank god.
[quote]canada wrote:
I did read a few posts, harleys while they finally got with the times there prices never, there seriously overpriced, but thank Henry Fonda and that whole era for that.
[/quote]
I think you mean his son, Peter Fonda, and that “whole era” involved buying bikes for cheap and chopping them. Back in the thirties and forties it was called “bobbing” as in “nice bobber you’ve got there”. Not all choppers were Harleys, many were Triumphs, Nortons, and Indians. And Marlon Brando rode a Triumph in the “Wild One”, not a Harley.
Harleys have become overpriced because of the marketing of the “lifestyle” thing. It’s no longer about the bike, the bike just gets you into the club so you can wear the costume and pretend to be a biker.
There are many fine other brands out there that are much cheaper. But it depends on what you want: speed or cruising. Some of the japanese bikes will go from zero to “shit your pants” in a heartbeat. They are light and manuverable, but not designed for long distance traveling. You might also want to consider a shaft drive bike like a BMW or Moto Guzzi; very dependable.
Very much like training, what you should invest your time and money in depends on your goals. But like many of the previous posters, I recommend you start out small until you get your miles in and then upgrade.
I am also looking to pick up my first bike, as its much better for traveling while @ school and in the city. I’m interested in a Ducati Monster, as the smaller engined ones won’t break bank either. Does anyone have any experiance with these bikes?
gojira, i’m impressed by your knowledge of classic bikes, i definately learned something (esp. that brando was on a nonHD in that movie) Classic american muscle cars of the 60/early 70s was always my thing so i love the looks and styles of the older bikes and choppers.
-k
Man i’m dropping here and waiting for my brain to give up but i just can’t get to sleep so i logged on to T-Nation.
Man i had a good laugh when i read this;
“Some of the japanese bikes will go from zero to “shit your pants” in a heartbeat.”
That’s funny LOL
You have a lot of good points although i was refering to the 60’s.
I’m not a motorcycle buff(use to be one alittle, lots of motorcyle mags around here somewhere that i poured over a good while back) but i’m glad you agree harleys are overpriced.
I’ve riden motorcycles probably as long as I have walked. Seriously, my parents got me first bike when I was 8, a 50cc Suzuki… Ahhh, good times, from there I went a 70cc Honda trail bike and then to a 185 Suzuki four wheeler. My friends had dirt bikes and we’d trade and stuff, so with that being said I had a ton of riding experience by the time I was 18… My grandfather and my dad both rode and my grandfather was a HUGE Harley guy… Anyway, with graduation money I bought a 450 Suzuki that was in bad shape and re-did it. I might have had $500 into it… I’m so glad I did this instead of going and buy a new or nicer bike.
I don’t know why, but I dropped that thing, like in the drive way turning it around or putting it in the shed, just dumb stuff, but anyway, it went down a few times in the first year… Anyway, the following year I bought a Honda CBR 600 and that was never down and I currently own a Harley LowRider (which I’d like to sell if anyone’s interested) and neither of those bikes have been down.
Each bike is different and you have to adjust, but you have to get a feel for each bike… Learning the balance and movement of bike though is very important, especially if you never rode… Hell, some people that I know come up to stop signs or red lights and forget to put their feet down…
From a guy that has riden crotch rockets, to dirt bikes, to HUGE Harley dressers old and new… I’d definetally recommend getting a cheap bike for at least the first season of riding before upgrading… Trust me, a dent in a $500 bike and maybe a busted clutch lever, turn signal and mirror is much easier to swallow then that same thing happening to a shiney new Harley…
I would seriously recommend a Suzuki GS500E. I have right around $1000 in to it right now. 6-Speed 500 twin and it moves pretty well (I backed off at like 115). It is my first bike and I have yet to drop it. Its very user friendly, handles great, but also has pretty good power. Overall I think $1000 is better to spend on a beginner bike than a $10,000 Harley. But hey if I had the money I would get one too, but I am just a broke college student. They look pretty cool too.
