Starter Cruiser bike ?

[HIGHLANDER]

One of my co workers just passed his MSF course and wants a starter cruiser bike.

Both brother and sister are HD riders and that's his goal also eventually.

He's 6-2 , about 230, mid 40's.

I suggested a smaller up to 800cc to start.

What would you buy and why ?

Honda Shadow

Honda VTX

Yammi V Star

Kawi Vulcan

Suzi Marauder

or ??

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'd buy whatever product gets the best local service. I do know many happy V Star owners, and some that used them as a starter bike that moved onto things like Triumph Daytonas and Bandits.

Hmm..how about a Triumph Bonneville?

 

[twowheelnut]

Not the VTX. That was my first bike. I out grew it in, oh, a day and a half. Of your list, I'd go with the Shadow, but I agree with Andrew. Bonnie! :good:

 

[BuilderBob]

Big as your friend is, I would reccommend something a little larger. I think someone his size could easily handle a 1,000cc+ cruiser. The V-Star 1300 comes to mind, but he may even quickly grow tired of that.

Maybe he should go sit on a few and see what feels right. He's a big boy. He can handle it.

 

[Mike-H]

V-star 650 :yahoo: .....so he won't be disappointed with the lack of power when moving over to HD

 

[jmdaniel]

Not the VTX. That was my first bike. I out grew it in, oh, a day and a half. Of your list, I'd go with the Shadow, but I agree with Andrew. Bonnie! :good:

You recommend a Shadow over a VTX? After saying you outgrew a VTX? Seriously?

 

[dbvolfan]

My Shadow is a 600 but they made (make) a 1100 as well...I thought the smallest VTX was a 1300? There is also a VTX1800

I grew out of my Shadow 600 in a day or so but still love riding it some days....still put about 6k miels a year on it tooling to/from work on rainy days.

 

[DaSpyda]

VStar 1100 or 1300 - nimble, easy to ride, and great aftermarket products.

 

[madmike2]

How about a nice VFR?

 

[twowheelnut]

Not the VTX. That was my first bike. I out grew it in, oh, a day and a half. Of your list, I'd go with the Shadow, but I agree with Andrew. Bonnie! :good:

You recommend a Shadow over a VTX? After saying you outgrew a VTX? Seriously?

Erp, dyslexia... Switch those. Shadow VLX - not to get.

 

[CALSI]

One of my co workers just passed his MSF course and wants a starter cruiser bike.Both brother and sister are HD riders and that's his goal also eventually.

He's 6-2 , about 230, mid 40's.

I suggested a smaller up to 800cc to start.

What would you buy and why ?

Honda Shadow

Honda VTX

Yammi V Star

Kawi Vulcan

Suzi Marauder

or ??

My first bike was a 2006 shadow 600 (up for sale now) Still love the bike for around town. I think your friend would do better with a 750. The 600 was my first bike, but had prior off-road riding experience.

 

[jmdaniel]

Not the VTX. That was my first bike. I out grew it in, oh, a day and a half. Of your list, I'd go with the Shadow, but I agree with Andrew. Bonnie! :good:

You recommend a Shadow over a VTX? After saying you outgrew a VTX? Seriously?

Erp, dyslexia... Switch those. Shadow VLX - not to get.

Okay, now that makes sense. For a minute there, I thought your flux capacitor was acting up...

 

[Bearly Flying]

still put about 6k miels a year

How many Kilometers would 6K miels work out to.......

 

[Ric in Sac]

The Bonneville America (single seat). The Harley guys (and gals) respect them as traditional Brit bikes as well.

I have a new rider buddy who recently purchased a Bonnie America and it is working out for him very well. The are relatively light and their handling is excellent. :clapping:

 

[dbvolfan]

Dammit...must...use...spell...checker.....can't type worth a damn!