Tell me more about the Honda Shadow. How is it as a beginner bike?

[Ns1]

Selling off all the extra cars, looking for another ride.

GF greenlit a scooter or a motorcycle. I've been eying a Zuma, Ruckus, or Honda Shadow.


So tell me more about the Shadow. I've never ridden a motor bike before (I currently commute via bike though, so I'm no stranger to danger), so obviously MSF class is a must.

I've scoured through the archives regarding AGATT, so now I'm just looking for more info on the bike. CL has prices from 2-5k which is right in my ballpark. I'm not looking to buy now, probably ~October (I live in SoCal so rain is not a concern)


Something like this:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/3160089480.html

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've never been a huge fan of the shadow. They just seem like huge underpowered cruisers. The best cruiser type bike I've owned was a boulevard s50. It's a "small" 800cc water cooled cruiser but it had no problems blasting down the highway or in corners. Even then, the s50 is based on an old design

A lot of this stuff is personal preference and 'feel' of the bike, which can be very tough for a new rider to figure out. Basically you can't spend very much time with a bike before you buy it.. You've got the right idea, buy cheap in winter and sell next spring if you don't like it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you're good with a wrench you could pick up a used Suzuki S40 and do this to it. It would be a really cool bike to blast around L.A. on and a real head turner too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/a...rom-cruiser-to-cooler-ryca-cs-1.html?_r=2&hpw

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Or you could get an SV650 or just go for the turbo busa... because everyone grows out of the smaller bikes within a few days anyway.

 

[Ns1]

I've never been a huge fan of the shadow. They just seem like huge underpowered cruisers. The best cruiser type bike I've owned was a boulevard s50. It's a "small" 800cc water cooled cruiser but it had no problems blasting down the highway or in corners. Even then, the s50 is based on an old design

A lot of this stuff is personal preference and 'feel' of the bike, which can be very tough for a new rider to figure out. Basically you can't spend very much time with a bike before you buy it.. You've got the right idea, buy cheap in winter and sell next spring if you don't like it.

Lots of time reading the archives to figure that one out. I don't mind underpowered cruiser that much - I just need to eventually transport 2 people.

If you're good with a wrench you could pick up a used Suzuki S40 and do this to it. It would be a really cool bike to blast around L.A. on and a real head turner too.

Or you could get an SV650 or just go for the turbo busa... because everyone grows out of the smaller bikes within a few days anyway.

Not interested in the SV650 (friend had one) and I have zero interest of getting into sport bikes. Just want to cruise around (I'm embarrassing my asian brethren I know). I would like to eventually transport 2 people, so cafe racer style bikes are also out.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've ridden for a very long time (since bikes had kick starters) and I recommend getting a small bike to start. Get a used bike. Many riding skills aren't intuitive and small bikes are more forgiving due to light weight and being under powered. You can trade it in or sell it yourself when you're ready to move up. I like cruisers and touring machines that have fairings which actually offer some protection plus they have a little storage and a place to put your music machine. Bottom line, you don't need to (and shouldn't) buy a new bike that you think will be the best final bike for you.

 

[Ns1]

I've ridden for a very long time (since bikes had kick starters) and I recommend getting a small bike to start. Get a used bike. Many riding skills aren't intuitive and small bikes are more forgiving due to light weight and being under powered. You can trade it in or sell it yourself when you're ready to move up. I like cruisers and touring machines that have fairings which actually offer some protection plus they have a little storage and a place to put your music machine. Bottom line, you don't need to (and shouldn't) buy a new bike that you think will be the best final bike for you.

Pardon the obvious, doesn't a used honda shadow fit all of that?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Pardon the obvious, doesn't a used honda shadow fit all of that?

Yes it does. Sorry, I got side tracked by the idiots telling you to get a crotch rocket or liter bike.

 

[unokitty]

I owned a VT 500 Ascot for a few years. Which I believe was a predecessor to the Shadow.

Like the Shadow, the Ascot has a 52 degree V Twin engine with shaft drive. Since I'm not familiar with the Shadow, I'll tell you about my experiences with the Ascot.

First, it was dead on reliable. Other than putting oil and gas in and occasionally changing the spark plugs and tires, I can't remember doing anything other than routine maintenance.

It was my first shaft drive machine. Much less maintenance than a chain. Less mess as well.

It was an excellent commuter as well as a nice week end toy. While it isn't a sport bike, it was a fun bike to drive. Handled fine with a passenger.

Drove it mainly on the road, though it handled the sand at Daytona Beach, FL and San Luis Pass, TX fine.

While I suspect that a Shadow would work well for you, I'd suggest the MSF class.

If you could get some seat time on a Shadow that would be best. Be sure that you are comfortable with the seating position. If you have a significant other, it wouldn't hurt to make sure that she was comfortable as well...

Since bike prices normally go down in the Fall and Winter, sounds like the timing is working well for you.

For a beginners bike, you could do a lot worse.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Zenmervolt]

The Shadows are decent bikes. And at 750cc there should be plenty of power for street use. Yes, it's not going to sprint like a sportbike, but it'll run at 75-80 all day long. The limiting factor for 2-up riding is probably going to be the seat and not the engine.

The general consensus seems to be that the 750 Shadows are Hondas, which means they'll run forever but may not have the same "character" that other bikes in their class may have. That said, I do quite like the looks of the new Shadow RS 750 and now that Honda has moved to EFI for the engine it should be an even better runner in the 2011 and newer model years.

Overall, I'd call the Shadow 750 a good "commuter" bike. It'll run just fine on the highway and has enough power to keep up easily in "everyday" riding even if it is a bit out of its element in drag racing and canyon carving. It's not a high-power engine, being tuned more for torque at low RPM, but that's not always a bad thing.

My old CB450 has about 45 hp at the crank (about the same as the newer Shadow 750s) but that's at 9,000 RPM. The Shadow hits peak torque somewhere around 3,000 RPM, and it has more of that torque than my old CB450 and so the Shadow will feel "stonger" in everyday riding because, unlike my CB450 which likes to be kept above 4,500 RPM, the Shadow will be able to pull from 2,500 RPM or so.

ZV

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I second what unokitty said. You might also look at a Suzuki TU250X or GZ250. They're 250 cc thumpers (single cylinder) that have a great bottom end. Any small bike is going to have great maneuverability and gas mileage.

 

[Ns1]

thanks all. esp. helpful post by ZV (not surprising)

 

[JulesMaximus]

Lots of time reading the archives to figure that one out. I don't mind underpowered cruiser that much - I just need to eventually transport 2 people.

Not interested in the SV650 (friend had one) and I have zero interest of getting into sport bikes. Just want to cruise around (I'm embarrassing my asian brethren I know). I would like to eventually transport 2 people, so cafe racer style bikes are also out.

They make a standard version that is not a sport bike with a more upright riding position and regular handlebars. It's not a cruiser but it's also not a sport bike.

Could also look at the V-Strom 650. That's a great bike but might have a little more power than you're wanting in a beginner's bike.

By the way, the turbo busa comment was a joke.

 

[Ns1]

They make a standard version that is not a sport bike with a more upright riding position and regular handlebars. It's not a cruiser but it's also not a sport bike.

Could also look at the V-Strom 650. That's a great bike but might have a little more power than you're wanting in a beginner's bike.

By the way, the turbo busa comment was a joke.

A friend of mine got an r6 as her first bike...amazingly enough she is still alive.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

The shadow is a turd. Not a good cruiser and definitely not sporty. There's a reason why people don't want them and why they are so cheap. If you want a cruiser beginning bike get yourself a 1200 sportster. It'll be small enough to learn on and plenty when you want to two up in the future. The cool thing about Harley is that all your buds will like it, aftermarket support is second to none, sounds like classic American bike. Make sure to buy one 03 and up. I believe 03 is when they did the refresh.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A friend of mine got an r6 as her first bike...amazingly enough she is still alive.

Many people do. Doesn't mean it's a good choice or the best to learn the basic skills on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sorry, I probably overreacted a bit. Comments withdrawn.

 

[Ns1]

I was taking your advice seriously. Not sure where the animosity is coming from.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The shadow is a turd. Not a good cruiser and definitely not sporty. There's a reason why people don't want them and why they are so cheap. If you want a cruiser beginning bike get yourself a 1200 sportster. It'll be small enough to learn on and plenty when you want to two up in the future. The cool thing about Harley is that all your buds will like it, aftermarket support is second to none, sounds like classic American bike. Make sure to buy one 03 and up. I believe 03 is when they did the refresh.

I love my 1200 Sporty, but I wouldn't call it a "beginner" bike. Yes, it's well-behaved and the low center of gravity is nice, but it's not terribly maneuverable and the Shadow RS is around 70 pounds lighter than a 1200 Sportster (~490 pounds wet for the Shadow and ~570 pounds wet for the Sportster). The Sporty's clutch is a bit grabby and it's all too easy to spin the rear tire on damp pavement or on gravel when you combine the low-end torque with the grabby clutch.

Yes, with a Shadow 750 you're probably looking at ~6-second 0-60 times and that's pretty slow for a bike, but it's far from intolerable.

As far as people not wanting Shadow 750s, Honda would beg to differ. They've sold hundreds of thousands of Shadow 750s over the years. The reason they're inexpensive is because there are so many used ones out there (and, because they're Hondas, they'll run forever as long as they're not abused, so the used ones just stay in the market instead of aging out).

Like I said, I love my Sporty, but it's not what I'd consider a great beginner bike.

ZV

 

[jagec]

They make a standard version that is not a sport bike with a more upright riding position and regular handlebars. It's not a cruiser but it's also not a sport bike.

Could also look at the V-Strom 650. That's a great bike but might have a little more power than you're wanting in a beginner's bike.

I wouldn't accuse the Wee-Strom of having too much power, even for a beginner. But it is quite a tall bike, and somewhat top-heavy, so for those reasons you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[Ns1]

I love my 1200 Sporty, but I wouldn't call it a "beginner" bike. Yes, it's well-behaved and the low center of gravity is nice, but it's not terribly maneuverable and the Shadow RS is around 70 pounds lighter than a 1200 Sportster (~490 pounds wet for the Shadow and ~570 pounds wet for the Sportster). The Sporty's clutch is a bit grabby and it's all too easy to spin the rear tire on damp pavement or on gravel when you combine the low-end torque with the grabby clutch.

Yes, with a Shadow 750 you're probably looking at ~6-second 0-60 times and that's pretty slow for a bike, but it's far from intolerable.

Going fast is not my concern.

Is that a naive thought, considering I don't have a bike yet? lol

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I was taking your advice seriously. Not sure where the animosity is coming from.

Because every time "us" seasoned riders recommend something less than a 'busa or v-rod as a first bike there are the 1-2 trollish members who come on here insisting on 1000cc++ bikes as a first bike. These are the same guys running cars into ditches and all that, not surprisingly.

I completely understand where jules is coming from. If you come on here recommending full gear and a 650cc starter bike you have the same 1-2 diligent posters insisting to just buy a literbike and 'be done with it'.


Your life is trusted in this motorcycle. Your skills are not honed yet, and just because 50% of people are 'lucky' enough to not wreck their r6 doesn't mean it's for everyone. I personally know at least 4 guys who will spend the rest of their lives in wheelchairs from wrecking their first bike. 2 started on 600cc sportbikes, the other was a literbike, the 4th was a 250 who was t-boned.

Riding a motorcycle is no joke. Any idiot can pick up some gear, MSF, and a 600cc sportbike. It's a very very dangerous combination.



Be patient. Learn to love the ride rather than the power. I've posted about this many many times, but the person who starts on a starter bike and moves up slowly turns out to be a MUCH better and safer rider compared to someone who starts out on a 1000cc+ (even a cruiser......)

 

[SpatiallyAware]

BTW... riding with a passenger is a skill I recommend learning separately from riding a bike.

Wait until you have a good number of miles on you before allowing someone to put their life in your hands.

 

[Greenman]

Because every time "us" seasoned riders recommend something less than a 'busa or v-rod as a first bike there are the 1-2 trollish members who come on here insisting on 1000cc++ bikes as a first bike. These are the same guys running cars into ditches and all that, not surprisingly.

I completely understand where jules is coming from. If you come on here recommending full gear and a 650cc starter bike you have the same 1-2 diligent posters insisting to just buy a literbike and 'be done with it'.


Your life is trusted in this motorcycle. Your skills are not honed yet, and just because 50% of people are 'lucky' enough to not wreck their r6 doesn't mean it's for everyone. I personally know at least 4 guys who will spend the rest of their lives in wheelchairs from wrecking their first bike. 2 started on 600cc sportbikes, the other was a literbike, the 4th was a 250 who was t-boned.

Riding a motorcycle is no joke. Any idiot can pick up some gear, MSF, and a 600cc sportbike. It's a very very dangerous combination.



Be patient. Learn to love the ride rather than the power. I've posted about this many many times, but the person who starts on a starter bike and moves up slowly turns out to be a MUCH better and safer rider compared to someone who starts out on a 1000cc+ (even a cruiser......)

Pretty good advice overall, but I'm a little surprised to see you lump a V-Rod and a Busa together. Those are vastly different machines.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Pretty good advice overall, but I'm a little surprised to see you lump a V-Rod and a Busa together. Those are vastly different machines.

No, they aren't, not to a new rider. A v-rod is too much power for someone who is completely new to motorcycles. The point is that at highway speeds you get hurt just the same.

 

[Greenman]

No, they aren't, not to a new rider. A v-rod is too much power for someone who is completely new to motorcycles. The point is that at highway speeds you get hurt just the same.

I'm not arguing that a V-rod is a good starter bike, I just find it surprising that you'd class it with a busa.
Though if you cranked the rev limiter down to 5k, a v-rod would be down right tame, and still to heavy for a first bike.