What Bike To Buy

[E-dub]

Hi, I'm a brand new rider, taking the MSF course this weekend. Assuming I pass the course and end up enjoying riding I would like to purchase a bike for myself. I have done some research and found several options in my area. I am a male 5' 10" 210 lbs. Here is what I have come up with:

2006 honda shadow Aero: 7000 miles, dark red, windshield and saddle bags included. List Price 5100.

2005 honds shadow Aero: 3000 miles, 2 tone blue black, bags included. List Price 4950.

2007 Yamaha V-star classic 650: 1500 miles, red, bags and back rest included. list price 4800.

2003 honda shadow ace: 3000 miles. grey silver 2 tone, bags, back rest, pipes, windshield included. list price 4500.


I'm leaning towards the honda aeros. My friend has one and I like the way it sits. I also like the looks of that blue black Aero. Any advice would be apreciated. DO these seem priced right? It seems like that yamaha price is a little low. I;ve compared with kbb and nada and they all seem close. Any negotiation tips would also help. Thanks all!

[tricker]

I don't know about price wise but my old man has the honda shadow aero 750 and he loves his bike. I think his is a 2004.

[diamond_jim]

They are all good bikes and any owner should be proud to have any of them.

However, if it were me and my money, I'd look for a '05-'07 Suzuki C50. For about the same price, you get similar bike weight, more power and fuel injection. The Aero has the least amount of power of all the middleweight cruisers (HD 883, Suzuki C50/M50, Honda Aero, Honda Shadow Ace, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, Yamaha V-Star 650) and the Aero and Shadow usually come with spoked wheels. Just my .02 worth.

[SuzukiBD]

For me, since I do a lot of city driving, I stayed away from anything that was air-cooled becase those type tend to run hotter unless you are out on the highway. Also, there's less maintenance with a shaft drive.

[DaveAlvarado]

Also make sure you like the accessories that come with the bike or you're just wasting money buying them. You can usually get somebody to not sell you the accessories.

[GatorTuba]

One thing to consider (IMO) is that the 2007 Yamaha V-star classic 650 may still be covered by the factory warranty. If that is the case and you ride it and find a defect or a problem, it may be covered. You still get the reliability of a shaft drive (this coming from a belt drive owner that has had no problems...ever) and what looks like some great accessories. But I agree with Dave...if you don't like the accessories...don't waste your money and negotiate.

[robertc729]

I'd want to test ride any bikes I'm looking at buying.

[SNAFU]

Get an M50!

to M-J.

[BlaznBlu]

Originally Posted by SNAFU

Get an M50!

to M-J.

Amen to that!

and...hey...I just happen to have one for sale!

2006, black custom painted with blue ghost flames, 5300 miles, with windshield, saddlebags, back rest, LED's throughout the frame, driving lights, hypercharger. Only asking $6000, but willing to negotiate since you are so far away. It's garage-kept day and night, no cold-weather issues, title-in-hand. Could always have it shipped to you.

I went for an M50 because it is a mag-wheeled, fuel-injected, liquid cooled, shaft driven, 819cc beast! Low maintenence, excellent performance, outstanding reviews.

Pics available if you are interested.


Oh, and to the forum. Ride safe.

[frostbitevinnie]

Ahhh heck, go for the 109r.

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu

Amen to that!

and...hey...I just happen to have one for sale!

Oh no!

That's one cool paint job. http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...added-m50.html

[BlaznBlu]

Thanks there, SNAFU.

It's a great bike, I get nice comments all the time. My girlfriend was going to use it but she decided she would rather ride me, oops, ride with me.

[E-dub]

Thanks for the great responses. I do like the suzukies especially the c50. I like those large rear fenders personally. unfortunately I don't think I will be able to find a newer fuel injected c50 in my price range around here. At least I haven;t seen any recently. I'm trying to stay below 5000. I think i am going to end up going with the 2005 aero. The v-star is probably the best value just because it is newer and has less miles but I'm not sure if i like the color and looks of it as much as tha aero. Plus the honda is liquid cooled. Which one between the aero and the v-star has more power? it looks like the v-star has slightly larger breaks and is slightly lighter with smaller fron wheel so I would think that it would probably stop better/faster. Also it has more travel in the suspension.

Which one do you think is the better bike (in general) the v-star or the Aero? It seems like I read some where that the valves on the Aero are easier to adjust.

[Zoe Dotes]

You really want to try them on for size. Little differences might bother you in the long run. A guy I work with just traded his old bike in for a new one. Now he is less happy because of the size, power, handling....
Something to think about before you lay your money down.

[GatorTuba]

Originally Posted by Zoe Dotes

You really want to try them on for size. Little differences might bother you in the long run. A guy I work with just traded his old bike in for a new one. Now he is less happy because of the size, power, handling....
Something to think about before you lay your money down.

Agreed!

[Dave Nadeau]

The Yamaha 650, and 1100 are a royal PIA to change the oil unless they have the after market oil filter relocation kit. That kit makes the oil change take only few minutes. With out the kit you have to drop the front exhaust pipe and the right side running boards. It will take about 2 to 3 hours with out the kit. I would stay away from them with out the kit. The original oil filter is on the inside of the engine under the right cover hence the relocation kit. The C50 I had was a dream to service and is much more useer friendly.