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Pricing,
specs, build a bike . . . this is a hot way to look at the new models! My
rating is WOW!
Compare bike specs for Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Aprilia, side-by-side! A solid article comparing 250cc bikes -- lots of info here An excellent article comparing 250cc bikes!
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2009 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Kelcy, As many of you know, I've been busy recording the stats on the new '09 models and some time this week I'll be finally updating the various charts to reflect the new info. Stay tuned for that announcement! – Mama Tuesday, February 3 I think they did stop making the VLX 600 in 2007. I have a 2007 Honda Shadow VLX 600 Deluxe. They start with the Rebel and then the 750. Good luck in finding one. – Me & My Shadow (note from Mama: a much loved bike and worth looking in the ads for!) After I bought my wonderful motorcycle (600 miles since Thanksgiving -- wish it were more), I went back to the dealer to look for a really good jacket and a couple of other items. They had 2, count 'em TWO VRods on sale for $10,000! One was black, one was orange. For all I know they are still there. They were brand new, 2006 models. I personally didn't want one -- but Rich salivated for awhile -- he still loves his Honda though. The VRods are $20,000 normally. My motorcycle was $10,000 as a 2008, and came with almost all of the improvements I wanted -- value about $6,000 more than I paid. This dealer has used cycles for cheap, (a large dealership), and dumps new but outdated cycles 50% off at times. They have GREAT public relations as most Harley shops seem to. Anyway -- DO look for dealers with older version new cycles, look for dealers who keep "courtesy" used cycles or often trade up. Mine only had 360miles + thousands of dollars of improvements. Those deals are around but it took me about 2 weeks of web and calling the dealers over and over. TTFN, – Trish (note from Mama: hunting the dealerships, especially in this economy, makes a lot of sense!) Thursday, February 26 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Jessa, Monday, March 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Teresa, So, while not perfect, seat height can be a guideline. So the answer is the Softail Deluxe ... at 25.9" unladen (and 24.5" laden, meaning 180 pounds of rider on it), it's the lowest seating H-D. My more intuitive answer would be the Fat Boy ... which has been reported by so many to have the singular most wonderful balance while out on the road ... words like "magical" are often used to describe it's handling ... and beautiful handling has a lot to do with a low center of gravity (the Fat Boy's seat is 27.5 unladen and 25.4" laden). – Mama Monday, May 18 Dear Mama, Dear Charity, The Honda Shadow is a great bike ... but mostly you'll find the 750cc size. This can be a bit powerful to start on, but a lot hinges on how you do in your course. Take your course and you'll have a lot of clues to work with then. Good luck on your adventure! – Mama Dear VTwin Mama, I am wondering if I am biting off too much by choosing such a powerful bike? What can I do to safely transition to this bike from my 250cc bike in class? Also, is there anything I should know ahead of time about bike maintenance living in such a high elevation? Any advice would be much appreciated. – Shaunie Dear Shaunie, Continual travel up and down in altitude is greatly assisted by choosing a bike that is fuel injected or has a CV (constant-velocity) carb. Both systems can adjust for altitude (air pressure) changes, which impacts how much gas and air are being mixed to fire at optimal levels. The fuel-injection system has a slight advantage on this IMHO. The Spirit is a CV carb, so I would talk it out with the dealer (who will tell you that all will be well, but I'd push for their thoughts on fuel injected models). I also love that the Spirit has a shaft drive, which takes away all maintenance concerns of a chain or belt. The Rebel, while a CV carb, is a much smaller engine overall and if you need to maintain speed in mountain passes, you'll be putting a lot more strain on the bike and I'm just not sure you're going to be happy on this bike. I'd take a second look at the VTM Engine Size Chart ... where you'll see a nice Honda VLX at 583cc (still a low seat height ... the last model year was 2007, but that's ok if you're looking in the used market), or a Yamaha VStar 650 (seat is higher by about 2" but is CV carb and shaft drive), along with a few other choices. So, if you do go ahead with a mid-size (or actually, whatever you choose), the fact is that your class lessons will help you. Take the new-to-you-bike to an empty parking lot and start right from the beginning of all the drills you learn. In this way you're not introducing nasty traffic and other hazards and can concentrate on getting a feel for the motorcycle. That includes practicing pushing it around while seated to move into a parking spot, etc.! Then map out a short road ride and have someone follow you on a bike or car so that you don't have to worry about someone crowding you from behind in frustration! It's a good step! Maintenance is the same at any elevation ... it's mostly about checking oil and clutch and brake fluid levels ... and changing fluids and filters as recommended. Of course maintaining correct tire pressure is a biggee as well. My best wishes in your upcoming class ... remember to think positively (as any negative guessing on how things will go just drag you down mentally), hydrate, take a deep breath if something is frustrating you, and have at 'er! Remember that's what a class is for ... learning ... and all learning is good! – Mama Thursday, July 2 Hi! I took the class, then bought a VStar 650. It has a higher seat, but I had mine lowered an inch. If you get the custom model, the seat is narrower, and seems lower. I am also smaller than you and did just fine. I had to ride around in a parking lot for several days before I was brave enough to go out in the street, then took it very slowly. I dropped it several times, but always while stopped, and learned to pick it up myself. Gradually I was able to ride in traffic, then finally the interstate. The 650 had a lot more power and was a lot bigger and heavier than the 250 I rode in class, but was very balanced, and easy to hold up. You might even look at the 1100, since you are going to be going to need more power, going up into the mountains, you might not be satisfied very long on the 650. I think the body style of the two bikes is very similar, and once you get used to a balanced bike, the weight is not really much of an issue. – Linda W. (note from Mama: thank you for sharing your thoughts on a bike's balance and how you proceeded!) Friday, July 3 Hi. My first bike was a Honda Rebel. I paid cash, kept it a month sold it and bought a larger bike. The larger bikes "always " have a bit of a longer learning curve, but at the same time changing bikes requires some time as well since getting used to a certain balance and power is something that is different for each bike. I found the Rebel weak at altitude climbing (I live in hills) and freeway speeds it was vibrating-more like a buzz. At first I liked the fact it was small (reminded me of an old minibike I used to ride many years ago, Yamaha 80) and quiet, looked like a traditional MC. After a bit the smallness and quietness became more of a worry about visibility-then the power issue when over 50mph or on hills. There IS a different rear sprocket that allows for better higher speed performance, I don't know if installing one would void a warranty though. The buzz was intolerable to me-though the sprocket might solve that. If you are thinking of changing bikes around over time, my theory is to go with bikes that have better trade in values and resale values. I also think if you can get what you really want, then get it. To me, it is worth the longer practice and learning unless you are REALLY petrified and really need to go easy or you might hurt yourself from stress errors. Good luck-let everyone know what you ended up doing! TTFN, – Trish (note from Mama: there's a lot of valuable information here ... it's appreciated!) Monday, July 6 Hello All, Dear Shauie, Wednesday, September 1 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Newbie, Can you visit dealers and sit on bikes and take notes? Yes. You'll quickly find out that sport bikes have higher seat heights than standard or cruiser models and have less options to lower them for fit. If the seat is at 35" and you have an inseam of 28", you can see that a challenge is there. Rarely is the first bike you buy your dream bike ... because the only way to really understand what makes a bike a dream bike is to ride thousands of road miles. So, take a class, buy something local and cheap (but running) and get some miles in. Sell it when you've got the basics mastered and can shop with real knowledge. It makes a difference! – Mama
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