Bike for daughter

[nyjerry]

Would like to here peoples opinions of a bike for my daughter. She rides a yamaha 400 special now. I was looking at a suzuki boulevard c50 special. This bike looks very nice and when you sit on it, feels like there is nothing under you. For a girl that weighes maybe 110 pounds this is good. Any thoughts on other bikes.

 

Thanks Jerry

[slick97spirit]

As per my name you may guess that I have a thing for the shadow spirit. I rode the crap out of one for nearly 5 years and it was bullet proof, as well as comfortable, quick, etc. Mine was an 1100 but they do make em smaller. Wanted to throw it out there as an option.

Slick

[raceman62race]

I just bought my wife a Yamaha Virago. It fits her well and she likes it. The Suzuki that you are looking at is a good choice as well. You may want to consider the C50T because it comes with saddlebags and wind shield.

[KiteSquid]

Get her a 2009 RSV!!!!!

[Guest BluesLover]

yamaha VStar 650 (or the new 950) are other options.

 

Cheers,

[Guest Shep]

Would like to here peoples opinions of a bike for my daughter. She rides a yamaha 400 special now. I was looking at a suzuki boulevard c50 special. This bike looks very nice and when you sit on it, feels like there is nothing under you. For a girl that weighes maybe 110 pounds this is good. Any thoughts on other bikes.

 

Thanks Jerry

 

I just sold a C-50 before I bought my RSTD and I have to say that I loved it! I bought it used with 900 miles on it and had it set up perfectly - I actually kinda miss it.....

 

I think she would love it - if she likes that "bigger bike feel". It is definitely a lot lighter but it has that Fat Boy look and feel.

[waterbug]

I had a honda 1100 shadow sabre that looks like a fat boy with some killer pipes on her and ghost flames that were factory and I loved the bike and wish I still had it to tool around on. I dont think there are to many bad bikes out there its just a personal choice. Good luck

[Freebird]

I had a Shadow Ace that I really liked. I don't remember for sure but I THINK it was a '95 model. They were a bit underpowered but it did what I needed it to. I had it equipped with Leatherlike bags, Memphis Fats shield, Mustang seat and Cobra pipes. I wish I still had it for those short local rides.

[Kregerdoodle]

I have a `05 Shadow aero ( Pearl white / Silver ) that is great, it is a 750 not sure if she wanted a bigger bike or not, the seat hight is around 24in. and the bike deosn`t weigh too much, I love it for just messin around on. It is for sell if interested. Let me know, I can send pics if you would like.

 

 

Good luck on what ever you choose, like was said earlier, there are alot of good bikes out there..

 

 

Kreg

[Black Owl]

My recommendation would be the Virago. You can get them in 750, 920 or 1100. I guess the questions is how much power she needs/wants and the type of riding she will be doing.

 

My daughter rides a Shadow 500 and loves it...

Edited January 19, 2009 by Black Owl

[Chinto]

I had a V Star 1100 Custom. Very low seat height, very easy to handle and super dependable. It also comes in a 650 model.

 

 

 

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[sarges46]

Marilyn at a whopping 5 foot 3 inches loves her 1100 vstar. Just heavy enough for the highway and yet light enough to manouver in town. Enough power to get out of trouble fast (or into it if she chooses) and also able to ride the highways with the bigger bikes.

 

Not light that she gets blown around either.

[Black Owl]

Marilyn at a whopping 5 foot 3 inches loves her 1100 vstar. Just heavy enough for the highway and yet light enough to manouver in town. Enough power to get out of trouble fast (or into it if she chooses) and also able to ride the highways with the bigger bikes.

 

Not light that she gets blown around either.

 

Rick, not sure that Marilyn is a good example. She could be riding a unicycle and still ride rings around everyone.

[rod]

There are many variables as to what bike will be good for her. Cruiser, dual sport, sport bike. What will she use the bike for? The shadows are good bikes, Suzuki's aren't bad but don't handle as well as other choices. Virago's are light weight and bullet proof and handle well but not great for lots of freeway, Kawasaki V twins are good but could be a bit heavy for new riders. Good luck with whatever she wants. Rod

[Mikealiasmike]

If the C50 is anything like the C40 stay awayyyyyyyyyyyyyy. JoDee had one and shook her worse then a Harley Sporster. How she made it to SD and back without losing all feeling in her body is beyond me. She's got the 650 Vstar now and is pleased as punch.

[Celt]

Triumph Bonneville,America or Speedmaster ,3 classy bits of Brit Iron ,almost bullet proof (no more Lucas elec),this year 09 they are F.I. . i know alot of people (lads and Lassies)who own them and 99% of them are very happy with em.they,ll hang with Harleys or metric cruisers with ease ,great in the twisties . me i,m a wee tad biased ........as i own a 04 America . worth a look and a test ride,sure you,ll like it too .if you want more info have a look on http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

Best of luck

[nyjerry]

Thanks for the good advise and keep it coming. We just started looking this past weekend. The salesman did tell us the c-50 would be a better choice the the c-40. The c-40 would shake more at highway speeds. I would like a bike that she can handle well with the weight seeing she is not a big girl and just started riding last year. Also like one that will keep up with us on the freeways. I will check out the V-stars and Virago's as well as some of the other brands. I was just shocked at this C-50 special compared to the other c-50 models as you could feel the weight of the other bikes when rocking it back and forth, but not with this one. It would be nice if it was spring now so we could test ride some to see how they really feel and handle. Will have to find a decent Honda deal around here to check what they have to offer. She does like the shape of the shadows. She has always liked the chopper style look.

Thanks again for the replies and info. Jerry

[Who Dey]

V Star all the way. They are one of the most dependable bikes out there and easy to ride. I had a 650 V Star and loved it, never had a minutes trouble out of it. The Silverado has saddle bags and a windshield so i would reccomend that if you are going to be on the highway traveling. I would probably also get the 1100 just because of the extra weight might handle better on the highway, although the 650 will do just fine. Someone said they also make a 950 V Star now??? I didn't know that but it may be worth looking at also.

 

The V Stars have a very low seat height that makes them easier to ride for a woman, plus they are just good looking bikes also.

[Guest Shep]

Thanks for the good advise and keep it coming. We just started looking this past weekend. The salesman did tell us the c-50 would be a better choice the the c-40. The c-40 would shake more at highway speeds. I would like a bike that she can handle well with the weight seeing she is not a big girl and just started riding last year. Also like one that will keep up with us on the freeways. I will check out the V-stars and Virago's as well as some of the other brands. I was just shocked at this C-50 special compared to the other c-50 models as you could feel the weight of the other bikes when rocking it back and forth, but not with this one. It would be nice if it was spring now so we could test ride some to see how they really feel and handle. Will have to find a decent Honda deal around here to check what they have to offer. She does like the shape of the shadows. She has always liked the chopper style look.

Thanks again for the replies and info. Jerry

 

C-40 is nothing like the C-50! I could more than keep up with the big boys. Of course it is not a smooth as the RSV or RSTD - but it is a lot lighter also.

[DragonRider]

Both of us have more than one bike, and the one bike we both agree on thats fun to ride, runs good, has a smooth running engine and all the power you could want, with low seat height, bags, w/shield, fi,& floorboards is the V star 1300. Super bike and can be had very reasonabley. Now Yamaha has come out with a Vstar 950 that looks identical to the 1300 but has a much lower seat height and looks really good. Vstars can't be beat for realibility. Check them out, you cant go wrong with them..........and if she likes the custom chopper look, and can handle almost 1800cc engine, check out the Raider by Yamaha, low also, has the same engine as the Stratoliner and Roadliner............just my worth.

Good luck on whatever you get her...........

[Iowawegian]

I ride an 1100 Virago and love it. It's light weight enough that I can handle it and it's a great looking bike. Mines a 95 and I've never had any problems with it. We traded our 1100 VStar for the Venture and everyone thought I was crazy for not keeping it for my bike but it was to bulky for me. Glad I kept the Virago! I'm 5'4 and the heighth from the seat to the ground is perfect for me. (Plus it has the sweeeeeeeetest sound!)

Just my 2cents

[MAINEAC]

If it was my Daughter I'd be looking at the Shadows or the Virago... The Honda VLX 600 Shadow is 100 lbs less and 2" lower seat than the V-Star or C-50... The 750 Virago is closer in weight to the V & C but rides smaller with skinnier tires... The 535 Virago is a light weight option as well as a Kawi Vulcan 500... Despite the Vulcan name it's not a V-Twin but a parellel twin with plenty of power for a 500 but probably not that great for a lot of highway miles as it's very light and small...

 

The V-Star and C-50 are nice bikes but to put it in perspective are heavier and bigger than my 3rd street bike (77 Sporster XLCH) and I'm 6'3" 220 at the time... I would err on the side of caution if it was my little girl and let her move up gradually... All these bikes can be bought pretty cheap... Good luck with whatever you pick up...

[Cerviperus]

V Star all the way. They are one of the most dependable bikes out there and easy to ride. I had a 650 V Star and loved it, never had a minutes trouble out of it. The Silverado has saddle bags and a windshield so i would reccomend that if you are going to be on the highway traveling. I would probably also get the 1100 just because of the extra weight might handle better on the highway, although the 650 will do just fine. Someone said they also make a 950 V Star now??? I didn't know that but it may be worth looking at also.

 

The V Stars have a very low seat height that makes them easier to ride for a woman, plus they are just good looking bikes also.

+1 on the V-Star. Mine was an '02, bought used, and I never had a lick of trouble with it. I had a 650 Silverado (pics still in my gallery), and man do I wish I had that bike back. Not necessarily for me, but for my s/o. She's about 5'5", maybe a little under, and she could flat foot it no problem. For much highway travel, I'd definitely recommend the 1100 - possibly the 950, never seen one. The 650 had a tendency to vibrate a bit at Interstate speeds, and from what I've always been told, the 1100 is on the same frame as the 650.

 

Now I'm not necessarily voting agains the Virago or Shadow. My uncle has a 750 Shadow and loves it, though he never does any highway riding, and I've never ridden a Virago.

[Tatonka]

the one bike we both agree on thats fun to ride, runs good, has a smooth running engine and all the power you could want, with low seat height, bags, w/shield, fi,& floorboards is the V star 1300. ............just my worth.

Good luck on whatever you get her...........

 

I was thimking about the V-Star 1300 until I checked out changing the oil.

Has that been rerouted?

 

Thanks,

[slick97spirit]

I was thimking about the V-Star 1300 until I checked out changing the oil.

Has that been rerouted?

 

Thanks,

 

I hope they were smart enough to fix that issue. The vstar 1100's were horrible when it came to what had to be done to change the oil on them.