I rode a 125cc scooter for three years, and I have practiced on a larger bike just once or twice. However, I haven't touched a bike in a while. I plan on taking the bike around the neighborhood for the first month or so just to get up to speed. I'm kind of a skinny guy, 145 pounds--but fairly athletic. Will the 600 be too much for me to learn on?Is a Honda Shadow vlx 600cc '89 too big / powerful for a relative beginner?
I say buy the VLX 600 and if you need to a refresher course before you ride it get back on that 125 scooter and go dirt bike riding on it. You don't say how old you are but I'm thinking you rode the scooter for 3 years and you sound like you have some sense. You should be fine on the 650. Just take it slow. I know a girl who is much smaller than you and she learned on a Honda 650 Shadow Spirit never having ridden anything else in her life and is doing great.
Steelhead is correct but not everyone had the opportunity to learn like that. I was lucky enough to learn that way and it's the best. But some of us have to take what we can get.
So with that in mind take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation riders course as soon as you can.Is a Honda Shadow vlx 600cc '89 too big / powerful for a relative beginner?
See? I told you you had sense Good Luck and have fun. Report Abuse
My husband got this exact bike(different year) and he loved it...BUT ...sold it within 8 months for his present bike, a Mean Streak 1600. So be prepared to out grow it fast.
I'm on a Ninja 650R for my first bike, and I love it!
The VLX is a better choice for you.
We have a patient that teaches the motorcycle safety class in our town and he starts off with a bike even larger than the 600CC. He said that the bigger bikes are more stable and that the safety record is much better for them.
He starts men and women off on the big bikes so you should be fine on the 600cc.
Good luck!
I started on a Rebel 250 because that's what the safety class uses and I'm short. I've put 200 miles on it in one week of practicing and I'm dying to get on my 883 Sportster now. The Rebel 250 won't satisfy you very long. There is also a Rebel 450 - maybe that would be a compromise.
Sit on both and make sure that you are comfortable with the seat hight and such.
If you plan on doing any highway riding at all, the 250 will be marginal at best. Oh, plenty of people have put TONS of miles on Rebels, but if you can physically handle the 600, go with it.
Having raced years ago (AMA Experts License) and ridden everything from mini bikes to Super Bikes I would suggest smaller is better for a beginner...my 2 cents anyway...I grew up on mini bikes and dirt bikes so probably had 6 or 7 years of heavy experience before I ever rode on a street bike. Then I raced for years and rode all sorts of hih performance street scooters...you need a lot of experience to ride them safely...have fun.
I think the Rebel is a better choice, its probably newer and it will easily carry you even on the highway. I learned on a 350cc
and drove it for thousands of miles before moving up
Go with the 600cc. The 250 is to small. You will be mad you got the 250 once you learn. Which will be quick.
it is my personal opinion that bigger bikes are more stable. in this case the shadow is pretty light and maneuverable as far as big bikes go. plus it is likely something you will stick with for awhile. i think you'll be happier with the shadow
The Shadow VLX 600 is a total beginner bike, as long as you are comfortable handling the weight of the bike. It has low power output and low center of gravity and low seat height.
In fact, I wouldn't go below around 500cc (cruiser, that is) because you'd have to trade up very quickly.
In would recommend sitting on both the bikes. Feel the difference in weight. If you think you can handle the weight, I would recommend the Shadow. If you get the smaller rebel, you will eventually want to move up... why not start on a slightly larger bike and learn how to handle it. Just remember that it is a bigger bike and will be slightly harder t maneuver. I started on a Yamaha 650... but Im a bigger guy so a smaller bike was out of the question for me
I think it depends how comfortable on a bike you are. I started on a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 with 0 riding experience..dropped it twice at low (almost 0) speed. I should have started lower but it worked well. I bought a Suzuki Hayabusa and now a Harley FatBoy. I got used to bikes easily. Having said that...I would go with the Shadow..it will make a good introduction to riding. Don't forget to take a motorcycle safety course. Some use the Rebel in practice.
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