Harley-Davidson's BIGGEST Mistake. Can this Beginner Bike hurt H-D?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2023
- Harley-Davidson's BIGGEST Mistake. How Honda keeps new riders in the saddle LONGER.
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Be honest, What was your first motorcycle?
An Russian Ural 650cc (WWII BMW clone).
40 bikes and almost 50 years later I ride a Honda Goldwing GL1200.
2002 Honda Shadow VLX 600
99 Honda CBR 600
2003 sportster 883
My first street bike was an 04 Shadow Aero 750.
My first bike was an Indian Chief with the 116 engine. I did my MSF course on a Harley 500 street bike and then jumped right onto that Chief, no problems, never dropped it or felt overly intimidated by it. I think you should get the bike that you want, and ride your own ride. I didn't ride with anyone else until I felt comfortable in my skill level and knew my own personal limits. The "first bike" qualifications are totally subjective, I know. It boils down to the rider's preference of style and level of confidence and maturity. Ride safe, sister! 😎🤘
Owner of a VTX1800 C... Still in shock they made a cruiser bike that great in 2002. Comfort, decent handle, smile provoking power and most of all reliability!!
I just got an 08 VTX1800T as my second bike! So much more power than any Harley of that time and even still a lot of Harleys of today
@Sinatra192 with no 3-4k performance upgrades required. Honda should have kept building these just add 6th gear, cruise if you need it, heated grips and 2000cc.
The Japanese cruisers were a slept on gem. The manufacturers put serious weight into it, because they wanted a slice of the Harley pie. Unfortunately they didnt take off as much as they hoped. In the end, you have feature-rich, reliable used machines for cheap, since they printed a million of em
@@jonesjonz1 ABSOLUTELY!! Honda did it right with these machines!
I owned a 2004 VTX 1300 for 6 years and it was a fantastic bike. They should have kept it and the 1800s going. Put fuel injection in the 1300 and make them available. And they should have made them like they did the old Valkyries with a bagger tour windshied version, and a bagger fairing/audio version and kept making at their Marysville, OH plant.
My first one back in 1983 was a Honda CX500C. I loved that bike so much and rode it for 5 years, even in winter. I stopped riding for 30 years. In 2021 I picked up riding again and bought a 1999 Honda Shadow VT1100 C3 Aero. It's now 24 years old but runs as if it was new. And I feel like 18 again. Love it love it love it.
Great video btw.
At age 46, my first bike was a used 2012 Honda Shadow Spirit 750. I loved it so much, I rode it down the Blue Ridge Pkwy and back, to Yellowstone and back (from SE Michigan). I'm 5'1" and could easily flatfoot that all stock bike. I named her Dorothy for getting me through a huge storm. I kept her for about 5 years until I replaced her with a 2015 Softail Slim.
She was an EXCELLENT starter bike but she really could've used a 6th gear.😅
My first bike was a vtx 1300. It was a awesome cruiser, and I loved it. Since then I now ride a Goldwing, and would never ride anything else. Love my Honda 💫⭐️🇺🇸. You know , let’s go back a bit. My first bike was a 1973 Honda z50, then a 1975 Honda XR75, 1976 Honda Elsinore 125, 1986 KX80, 1987 Honda Four trax 250r. Honda four trax 300 arc, and up to what I’ve already mentioned.
SMART
My first bike was a used Yamaha 650 V Star Classic. A month later I was rear ended at a stop light, no injuries. Replaced with a new 650 V Star Classic and two years later a new ‘14 HD Heritage Classic. Sold it last year cause I was having balancing issues at stop lights. I discovered a brand new 2022 metallic blue Honda Shadow Aero at a dealership a month ago and it’s a much better fit for me. I’ve Installed a Mustang seat and I feel I’m nicely snuggled into the bike. I’m 70 years old and 5’11”. Perfect fit!
How wonderful to have you and your mom share the sport of motorcycling together!
Go, Mama 2 Wheels!
What a great way to share riding with new riders ! You are spot on , get a first street bike that makes sense to the rider . My first was a 80 model 850 Yamaha that I rode over many states , here I am like 40 years later still love riding . Thanks for what you do 👍😎
First bike was a '73 Honda mini trail 70 when I was 10 years old. First real street bike was an '87 Kawasaki EX500. Your comment about the Honda cruisers is spot on. I rode an '04 VTX 1300 for 14 years, great bike and only did regular maintenance to it. Kinda miss it now even though I love my Victory Cross Country.
My first motorcycle was a brand new 1995 Aspencade Goldwing. I rode all over NorthAmerica without any mechanical issues at all in absolute comfort. I then bought a 1997 Honda Blackbird to go really fast on.
Had a 81 model wing. I kept it stock . No bags or fairing. Best bike I ever had and I have had lots.Gave 2200 bucks. New condition.
1989 Kawasaki Eliminator 250 and I'm a 6'2" 235 pound male. I still miss that bike. Now I ride a 1200 Sporty and I love it too.
I ride a 2002 Shadow ACE 750 and she's my pride and joy, it's my first big bike after my test and that was 2016 and I still have her..
Thanks Jess
I started with a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. Rode it for about 10 years until I got my Harley Roadking. I still have it and am building it into a bobber. It was a GREAT starter bike that I’d recommend to anyone.
Fellow lady rider here. Just got my endorsement three years ago. Started on a Suzuki GZ250 but outgrew it in 4 months. Bought a 2002 Honda Shadow VLX600 Deluxe. Absolutly love it. Perfect for me. I am 5'3". Goes fast enough for me. But i would love to have the link for the handlebars and risers you got for Mama two wheels bike. So weird you posted that previous video. I was just thinking the same thing of putting different bars just several days before you posted it. I live near Akron, OH Have been watching you for several years. Thanks for the content. You and your Momma gave me the courage to do this.❤
Learned to ride on my Dad’s Honda dream. First bike I bought was a Kawy KD 125. Then for Street, Kaw 440 LTD. Quit riding for around 25 years, reentered riding on a 2014 Honda Shadow Phantom, that my son quit riding. Then my Dad turned 90 and gave me his 2001 heritage, just to bulky, found a 2014 Harley Street Bob 1,400 miles completely stock 4 years ago and the rest is history.
Thanks for the review. I am a new rider & the Honda Shadow was recommended for my 1st bike. I have been looking & have found a few newer shadows (like 2014). Yay!! Stay safe & keep doing what you do!! Much success.... I'll be watching.
I had the exact twin to that. I wanted to love it. I really did. It was my first bike before taking the MSF course and never could get comfortable on it (too small for my frame). I’ve since researched more and think I’m going for a Vulcan 900. Always loved how that shadow looked though, and got a lot of compliments on the paint scheme!
Hey Jess, I started off on a little Honda 50cc when I was about 7 years old and then a 16 years old I took the MSF course and bought my neighbors red Honda 250cc. I currently ride a Yamaha V Star 1300. Prayers Flying from Michigan for safe travels
Chopped 1966 Triumph 650 (bought it in 73). Still have it 50 years later. Loved growing up in the chopper era.
Amen... I had a '00 Honda Shadow ACE 750 for a while of my many bikes over the years and would agree with your comments. Over the weekend my son bought his first cycle... a '96 Honda Shadow ACE 1100, I rode it home and what a refreshing experience! But have to say I love my '12 Ultra Limited now! Like the old ads.... "You meet the nicest people on Honda's"
My first bike was a '13 Yamaha V-Star 950. Loved that bike. Rode to Strugis for the '16 rally on it and back and it never once gave me trouble. It was more than enough for me, but I got a bug about a big Indian Springfield. To this day one of my biggest regrets was trading the Yamaha off. Keep your first if you can!
My first bike was a 2001 Honda Shadow 750 Classic. Had 2,000 miles on it and paid $2,500 for it. Loved that bike and regret trading it in for a 2010 Kawasaki Nomad. Now I have a 2016 Indian Chieftain. Definitely agree with starting with something affordable and not too powerful. I rode my Shadow for over 2 years.
My first bike was a 1985 Honda Rebel 250, then went through about 10 different bikes and now have a 2010 Yamaha 950 V Star Tourer
Love this content. Keep on riding bikes, this is very entertaining.
My first ride was a 1972 Yamaha XS650. Nice bike for learning on. I now ride a 2012 Yamaha VSTAR 950. Only bad thing like you said in the video is the tank mounted Speedo and gauges. Have to take my eyes off the road to see my speed. Other than that it's a great bike for a 71 yr old geezer.
I have a 2012 Dyna Wide Glide, and I LOVE her very much!
A Honda CX500C. Thinking it was about a 80's model year. Bought it used and rode it daily every where I went was my only transportation when I was in the Navy. Rode it for a few years after the Navy. Got back into riding about five years ago on a Harley Davidson 883 sportster. I now have a 1200 sporty '07 and an '08 Road King. Love them all. Wish I had more garage space for more and different bikes. Be good and Be safe ‼️
My first bike is still my current bike, a 1999 Honda shadow aero 1100c3 and I like how you mentioned the speedo being on the tank, my bike they put the speedo in the headlight bucket and your right about the seat and handle bars I want to get mini apes for my bike and I got a Saddleman seat it’s nice and narrow.
My first bike was a 1980 Honda CB650. Loved that bike! Lots of fun!
My first motorbike was a 1973 Kawasaki KZ400. Worked all my way up to my current BMW R1200RT and loved EVERY step of the way. Also a cruiser/long haul rider myself, I would like just to beg you to wear a little more gear when riding (gloves, jacket, pretty-please?). I'm sure it'd have a VERY positive influence in your audience!
Can't stop watching your videos. Keep them up! 😉
First bike was a 1980 Kawasaki ltd 440. On the road for a day and went right to the Honda dealer and got a new 1998 750 shadow, and then a vtx1300. I've had a few Hondas over the years. They are great bikes. My friend used to call my VTX a Honda Davidson. I grew up on the back of everything except a Harley. Got my first Harley a few years ago, and just got another. I do like them but wouldn't hesitate to get a Metric bike if I liked it.
I started on the 2023 HD Pan America. Perfect bike for me. Absolutely amazing!
I ride a 2010 Suzuki boulevard C50T 800 she is grey and white and I love it, love your videos from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 xxxx
I like how you express your opinion… Lots of people lack that trait…. 👍👍🇺🇸
I got a 2004 Honda shadow 750 same color and everything mine got the Vince and Hines exhaust 11 inch ape hangers it’s got Harley Davidson saddle bags on it I love it
First bike was a 1982 Yamaha 650 Special, had two for a while(one for spouse, that decided she didnt want to ride). Good starter size, and cheap used. Stepped up to Honda Shodow 1100, and still have one now with 52k miles. They DO run forever.
My first bike was a Honda VTX 1300. Great bike, my wife and I rode all over the country on it. I’m still riding my 2nd bike… it’s a 2013 Harley Ultra Classic. We ride a lot!
My first bike was a 2018 Road King,had for a year and then purchased a 2022 Electra Glide Standard and now looking at either a Road Glide or possibly open to other brands at this time.
Great content Jess, I love it Josh aka Shade Tree goes to the dealer and ride's different bikes
My first bike was an ‘05 Shadow Spirit. Loved it, but the frame was a little small for me. Got a dyna that I still ride today the very next year.
My very first bike was a Zebra Trail mini bike my dad got for us kids when I was around eleven years old in the early 70's, he then bought us a brand new 77' Yamaha DT100. We stripped all the lights off it and made it a dirt bike, crashed that bike a lot! That began my foray into motocross when I bought a Yamaha YZ 125. Fast forward several off road bikes my first street bike was a new 01' Suzuki Volusia, had a friend ride it home because I didn't even have a motorcycle license yet! From then until now I've owned an 03' HD Fatboy, 04' HD Road King Custom, 04' HD Street Rod, 05' Buell City Cross, 06' HD Street Glide, 2014 HD Road king and now a 2021 Street Glide Special. I do want an adventure bike so I'm looking at the Pan American.
Yup great bikes! WhenI got back into riding I started on a 2012 Honda Shadow Phantom loved that bike! But I gave it to a buddy when I got my Indian Scout Bobber. Did Rochester NY to Port Charlotte FL it took me 4 days but it gave me zero problems the entire time I had it.
My first bike after a 7 yr hiatus was a 2004 Honda Shadow 750 ACE - two tone yellow and white. Loved it, however realized that it was too small for for what I was planning . Great bikes, super reliable and either great 1st year bikes or long term for the mor local rider
Exactly!
Just last week I got me a 1999 Honda shadow vt600. The same color as that 750. I think there nice bike mine only 2200 miles on it and I gave less the 3000 for it. And this is my first motorcycle Thanks for the videos great work
My very first bike, which I only recently parted with, was an 07 Suzuki Boulevard C50. Despite being only a few cc's larger than that Shadow, it was almost a carbon copy of your Mom's bike. I rode with the same style bars until last November when I put 10 inch mini apes on it. After about a year of owning it, I had put a Cobra Exhaust system, and whew did it roar! I do somewhat miss my bike, but now I have an 06 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600. Put the old stock bars back on the C50, and took those 10 inch mini apes to my Vulcan! Now, all I need are bags and a windshield of some sort. Maybe one day!
All that you're saying applies to returning and older riders too. Last year I bought a Vulcan 900 Classic with only 3200 miles for cash. 1st bike after 40 years. I'm enjoying making it my own. At 73, I can still pick it up,back it up and keep the chicken strips off the tires. Getting ready for a run from Ohio to Lubbock Tx to do some riding with my 72 yr old brother and his crew. He has a 2015 Shadow.
My First bike was a 1987 Honda 450 rebel. From there I went to a 2007 Yamaha vstar 650. I have to say I think the vstar 650 would be a great starter bike very similar to the shadow. I put right around 20k on the vstar in the 3 years I owned it, with minimal issuies.
Good stuff Jess. I also think the Shadow is one of the better beginner cruiser options.
There are quite a few beginner cruiser options here in The Netherlands or Europe as well. From Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha for example. A bit more affordable compared to Harley's as well. Even though the 883 are quite common here as well.
My first street bike was a ‘82 csr1000 (kz). I ended up hitting a deer with it, without laying it down or getting injured. Extremely lucky. Love your vids Jess! Stay safe👍
My Honda Shadow Aero has the stock handlebars, but I adjusted them to be more up and forward, and the comfort level was much better. My shoulders are more relaxed now.
Jess, because a lot of this upload involves opinion, not everyone will totally agree. I turned 16 before the days of the fast , small displacement two-strokes. My parents' neighbor had a 50cc Suzuki he rode to work, and was probably my first solo ride at age 14. In the next ten years I would own a Super Hawk, a Goldstar, a Daytona, a 350SL Honda, a TS400 Suzuki, a 750 Yamaha (what a disappointment that was), and finally a '69 H-D Sportster (shifter on the right, brake on the left). Of course, I went on from there. In 2007, I had the opportunity to ride a 2005 Honda 750 Aero and was shocked to find it had no power at all; very much like that old 750 Yamaha. Just how it happened for me a very long time ago, these days 75 is fast enough for me.
This awesome because I just bought a 1998 Honda shadow aero 1100. I just did a bunch of upgrades lights,sissy bar and brakes,oil all the good stuff
I mostly ride an 03 Buell XB9R Firebolt and also love my 99 Yamaha Roadstar 1600, which was my fathers motorcycle. It's all torque, a low revving comfortable couch that can ride for hundreds of miles in a day.
I have had a couple Honda Shadow Spirit 750 motorcycles. they are super bikes and are a lot of fun!
I'm also a cruiser person and ended up going with Yamaha as my first bike and have been a bit of a fanboy ever since. I started on a V Star 250, upgraded to a Twin Cam 103 Fat Bab, went down SR400, and settled down with a used 2011 V Star 950 Tourer with 35,000 miles on the clock and still ticking. The reason for so many bikes is each excelled at a different use case. 250 was great around town and back country roads, but too small for extended highway, 103 with great on open highway, but too big and heavy for dense urban traffic, SR400 was stone-aged simple and was great, but I just had too many bikes at the time, and now I settled on a V Star 950, which I primarily use for long distance trips and it melts away miles, but it's light enough to be comfortable in traffic, and it just keeps on ticking. On that 950, even after 14 hours of riding, I was still ready for several more hours, where as my Fat Bob I was kinda done after 6-8 hours. For actual riding, these Japanese middleweight cruisers are impossible to beat for value, reliability, and comfort.
if yamaha brought back the vstar line i think it would do fairly well now. the 1300 is the kinda bike somebody could start on and never really outgrow.
I own a Victory Cross Country a Victory Kingpin, and a Honda CTX 700dct. I am thinking of selling the Kingpin, one large bike is enough and making a mid size additon of either a yamaha v star 950 tourer or the Yamaha V Star 1300 tourer or deluxe. Is the 950 really this good of a bike. I have owned the 1300 before and just wonder how it compares. I do like the 650 pounds the 950 has as I am approaching 70 years but still stout for now.
750 Aero with EFI and mags with a Mustang seat. That would be my #1 choice of large motorcycle. I've owned GL1800 down to minibikes. But I'm currently in love with small bore/small frame.
I have two bikes, a 1995 Kawasaki 800 Vulcan and a 2022 Indian Pursuit Darkhorse Icon. Love them both!
I ride a 1982 Kawasaki KZ650 and love it. I’ve been riding for 53 years and this bike fits me like a glove. I also have a vintage Yamaha RD200 that I restored.
Very helpful I appreciate your perspective
Glad it was helpful!
Good advise.
I have 2 shadows one is a spirt and a Areow 2009. One gets 40-50 the other gets 50-64 miles per gal. Tank is 3:9 gals. Love them😁🎅🏼🏍🇺🇸😎
So Moma Two Wheels has a Honda Shadow. Love the color. I would put a larger screen on like a National cycle, Memphis shades, or even slipstreamer to block more wind and floorboards. But this looks very comfortable to ride. Hard to beat for beginning rider or any rider that wants a light (550 lbs.) well performaning crusier bike that will not let you down. I have owned 8 hondas over my 45 years of riding and not a one ever let me down. One of my 3 bikes is a 2017 Honda CTX 700 dct which fits my older feet forward 6 foot frame great. I use it to cruise down back roads and state roads out here in farm country in SW, OH. I only wish Honda would make a bigger version of it with the motor they put in the too puny Rebel 1100 dct, and all the tech the new Rebel has and I would buy it hands down. Nice review Jess.
Good evening Jess. I owned a Honda Shadow for quite a few years. Loved riding that bike with my wife behind me. Shame age and engine wear n tear got her and she died. But I'm enjoying riding my new Royal Enfield Super Metor. Safe enjoyable riding to you and your husband till next time 👍😊.
1977 Yamaha XS400D. Still have it. It's a grocery getter mostly. Very maneuverable at low speed, but weird when you lean it too far. 28hp, 375lbs. 49MPG. Brakes are awesome. Has trouble cruising over 62MPH. 2.7 gallon tank, wish it were 4. A new KTM 390 Duke would be better in every possible respect. But I decided long ago I value the opportunity to improve my mechanical skills on this relic over actually owning the ideal city bike.
Still, it's been to the Black Hills at least twice, all over MN and WI, to Iowa City many times, to Boston and Raleigh once. You can tour on anything. It's all a matter of pacing and preparation.
I’ve sold my 2014 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom in April for a 2022 CanAm Spyder F3. While I do miss the two wheels, the ride comfort is way better now with my back and knees. No regrets on that front. But I can still get out and enjoy the wind.
My first was Suzuki Intruder 800 vs 1995. Now I ride Honda Shadow 600 vlx 1988 and we ride together 9.years. I love Her ❤
I enjoyed hearing about Mama Two wheels Honda Shadow. Check this out, one of my first couple bikes was a 1984 Honda Silver Wing and a 1993 Honda Shadow 1100 shaft drive. This was my favorite bike hands down. I sure miss it.
I've ridden motorcycles since I was old enough/big enough to climb on one. So many years..... I've always liked the Hondas... I've owned 2 Honda Shadow 750's (my current one a 2009 Spirit). I am a very experienced rider and still enjoy the 750. Great on fuel, enough power to have fun and enjoy, but still a little forgiving.
I personally think that Harley makes some beautiful bikes... but you really hit the mark when you said if you maintain it a Honda will last forever... and they are just dead-on reliable.
I'm a 72 year old . I ride a 2001 shadow I'm 5'5" and have a 27 inch inseam and I can easily flat foot my bike. I've been riding since I was 15 and have always had to deal with motorcycles that where made for tall folks. As far as I'm concerned, the shadow is a great bike for beginners and experienced riders. Unless you NEED 100 hp. It has plenty of getup and go for hot rodding around as if your stuck in traffic it can handle that to. The Phantom retails for about $8000 new.
Had an 87 Yamaha 850. Stopped riding for 18 years and now have a 2005 Vulcan Nomad 1600. Love this bike, 99,000 km (61,500 miles) on it and still going strong no issues. Highly recommend.
I've always been only attracted to cruiser style bikes. My first road bike was 96 Yamaha virago 750. it was another perfect starter bike, bought from a Harley dealership for $545.00 out the door. Now im riding 2002 Honda VTX 1800C,I don't know if I'll ever get rid of this one.
I don't remember my FIRST bike but the first street bike I legally rode was a 1996 Yamaha Royal Star. I passed my motorcycle driving test on that bike at 16 years old in 1998. The dude giving the test took one look at me and that bike and laughed, but I proved him wrong!
Great video! 1st rider's may get overwhelmed and say I don't think so. I started on a bigger dirt bike....... Wrong!!! I ride a ride a KTM xc-w 150 and it Carry's me just fine, found that out the hard way!! At 59 you live and learn, haha,yes. Keep on keeping on!RMFR.
My first motorcycle was a 1968 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador, and that bike was my only means of transportation for 5 years.
Mine was a 1972 Yamaha RD350-when it ran right, it ran great. Often it was a dog: two-stroke design meant often-fouled plugs.
After a long break, I got into riding again. First got a new RE Bullet 500 Deluxe in 2002. Electric start!
• 2014 Yamaha FJR ES
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'73 Honda Cb350 didn't really ride it officially was my uncle's and he gave it to me .... Never got it running just right and gave it away to his dismay. My first bike , officially mine was a brand new 2003 Suzuki Volusia. Bought it with help from my mom, she passed away in 07 from Cancer. Had gotten rid of it for a bit when my dogs were sick. Sold it to a friend, who promised me I'd be first to buy it back and four years later, I bought it back, and it's still with me. It just turned 20 years old on July 3rd. I'm a cruiser guy , but I love all of em and would like a Sport Touring, preferably a BMW R1250RT.
Yes girl! Wish I could love this video twice! I am a Harley guy through and through but my first bike was a 2006 Honda Shadow also and even though I will probably never own one again, (unless it's an African twin) I will forever have mad respect for the entire Honda lineup.
2003 Honda Shadow ACE. Love that bike! Put 60,000 miles on it and decided to get a bigger bike for longer trips. I still have it. I just haven't rode it since I bought my bagger.
My first full fledged motorcycle is a Honda Shadow Aero vt1100c3. 1998. I got it this past January and it quit working while I was trying to get used to riding it. My previous rides were maxi scooters... Yamaha X MAX 300. A 2018 followed by a 2019. The scooters are gone, but I still have the Shadow and still have hopes for it.
Honda Shadow is an awesome bike! My first bike was a Honda Shadow Phantom! Great great bike!
I have a Honda rebel 250. I get made fun of sometimes for it but I love it. It's a very forgiving first motorcycle and I can put it in the small corner of room I have left in the garage lol. I hope I don't ever give it its first dent. I know a lot of them have been dropped
My first bike was a 2001 Honda Shadow vlx 600cc (just like yours Jess) and too small for my 6'2" frame lol. However, I loved that thing and rode that everywhere until I got used to it and upgraded to my current bike, a 2021 Harley Softail (not so) standard.
My first bike was an 06’ Honda Shadow ACE 750. I think I paid $2,500 for it. It sounded like an evil sewing machine! 🤘🏻
And like you I bought mine way before I had my license.
I rode it dirty back in the day before I had my license until I finally took an MSF class like a good boy!
I actually really liked that bike at the time. I didn’t love it but it was a great first bike…It was well behaved, and was butt easy to maintain.
I remember the fenders making me mad because they were fiber glass or some kind of ABS plastic but still, the bike was good.
I ended up selling it for the same price I paid for it years earlier.
Honda’s new Shadow actually looks good so I’d recommend that one considering the price difference new vs HD. Heck, buy a used Shadow and have zero regrets.
A new rider can always move on once they work out wants, needs, and preferences later on.
My first bike is a 2020 Honda shadow phantom I love the bike only down side is there is not a lot of aftermarket support for the newer model but in all it is a amazing beginner/ forever bike.
I did my MSF on a 250 Honda Rebel that was tiny for me but confidence building. My 1st bike, many bikes ago was a used 2003 Triumph Speedmaster which was a 790CC, 62HP, air cooled, carbed bike. I could flat foot easy but felt stretched out and it was 500lbs so I ended up selling it making a profit and getting a 1980s Honda Rebel 450 which are rare to find (most are 250s) and it was in great shape. I practiced on that for a couple months and it was GREAT for confidence and relearning (I rode dirt bikes as a kid), yet needed to upgrade for more power. I made a profit when selling the Honda too. Then went to a 2009 1200 XL Custom Harley Sportster and did so many mods on it I can’t even count. I now have a beautiful Triumph T120 1200CC fuel injected, ABS, liquid cooled, modified for more power and sound and it’s my dream bike. One thing I’d add to this video is buying a used first bike, you don’t have to worry about if you drop it as won’t cost you much if anything to repair and you don’t worry about scratches, etc. I’d hate to have 1 tiny scratch on a newer bike as I’m pretty meticulous about that sort of thing. We also have an Indian Scout that is 1200CC with mods.
A few years back, HD made a 750cc motorcycle called the Street. They made if for 6 years, and discontinued it in 2021. Sadly, it didn't sell well as most HD dealers pushed people away from it to the bigger bikes. Something to think about.
I started on a 125cc Yamaha induro, then xs 650cc was my first "street" bike and now I ride a 03 Honda VTX1800C.
Just rotating those beach bars up some would make a difference in comfort.
I've got a 99 shadow American classic, put 10 inch mini apes(for harley) and vance and Hines shotgun exhaust sounds great and I love it.
i just took your advice i just picked up a 1988 honda shadow vt1100c runs great. the previous own just wanted a bigger bike. the only thing i hve to get use to is for some reason honda only made it a 4 speed.. but it has legs
My first bike was a 76 i think or there about Honda MB5 49 cc and let me tell i so wish i still had it as they are going for like 4 grand 5 grand ..they only made them for 1 year i think ,,i then back in 92 traded it in on my Honda Twinstar 2oo and yes i still have it .
Great, wise words. Wish somebody told me that with my first bike. I bought it purely on looks alone - and it was so nicely lit in my dealership. A Yamaha XT 600 E. Put up with it for 20 years. Only after that time I came to the conclusion I am simply a road riding person. I still absolutely adore the looks of an enduro/adventure bike (I admire the beautiful Ténéré 700 my husband rides), but I got, after a short Italian deviation, onto a road bike - a Yamaha Tracer 700. Never will go back. After some modification, I love it so much. Still getting used to the additional ponies, but it is so much fun.
Maybe it would have been a different story if I had started with something smaller at the appropriate age. But I never got used to the high center of gravity of that XT. Also, I got so annoyed that I could not move it around easily in a parking lot. It just felt like a brick, despite weighing just 180 kgs. Of course I dropped it several times. This is now completely over, even with luggage on.
I had a 2004 and loved it. Very little maintenance, rode nice and after 55 years of riding, I thought those bars were the most comfortable bars I ever used on the road. I rode my cousins Shadow 750 with the drag type bars and felt out of control all the time, which I didn't understand considering that I rode crotch rockets most of my life on the street.
25" seat height and although the seat is wider, I never got butt sore riding it no matter the distance. 525lbs.
I too paid $2000 for mine and I think they went to fuel injection in 2006 or 2009. I could go 150 miles per tank of gas. The bike itself is not a very large bike in size, it's fairly small like the Harley. It's a great bike!
I started on a super 90 Honda, bought a cb350, then moved to a cb750. Fast forward to a Honda 750 ace, then went HD Ultra limited. Now that I'm 68 years young I decided to switch to the 750 Aero because it's lighter and comfortable and will handle cross country trips when set up properly.
Good to hear someone say the truth about the Shadows. Half the price, twice the reliability. Much easier to ride.
What was the question, again... :)
By range of makes and models in comments, supports your opinion to find the style and size for individual tastes and skill level. Started on Honda 70 age 11 or 12. 750 Kaw standard inline 4, 1992 Fatboy, VT500 Honda ( shaft drive), 225 Yamaha XT ( lights and signals single cylinder), my favorite was a 1200 Yamaha super tenere, however I was too short for it, we also had a 250 Vespa which is fun.
My first bike is a 2001 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic. Still have it and still love it 😁
First bike was a Mid 70's Honda CL360. Kaplan America has a video of one just like mine.😮
Well currently I own a Honda VTX1800R and a Harley Dyna wide glide and a little Honda Rebel 250 to teach the kids how to , shift, brake and ride a motorcycle on…they only had a mini bike up to this point as I just got the Rebel a few days ago I’ve had a Honda Shadow 1100 in the past as well as problem a dozen other Kawasaki, and Honda bikes the Shadows are the best really for dependable and comfort
I’m 5 12 and a half as Josh would say and 300 lbs and I love my shadow, it’s my daily. My Harley is for the weekend lol
cruiser bikes are the best in my book, when I was younger it was the sport bikes, but thankfully I grew out of that om my twenties. Now I have a 2011 Harley Tri-glide ultra classic. Bad back, can pick up a two wheeler when you drop it and you know you will drop it sometime in it's life.