The ongoing motorcycle project
Reply #20 –
Mine is an '04 Shadow VLX Deluxe. Ironically, the deluxe packages came with extra chrome, which I promptly removed or plan to, lol.
Fuel economy? I get about 60mpg on a good day around town. My highway mileage is lower because I usually drive close to full throttle the whole time (which is about 90 mph). Driving like that will warrant me a hair over 50 mpg.
Cost? Like I said, I got it out the door for 5K brand new. The payments on it are basically free when I do the math on how much gas my car would have guzzled for the same amount of mileage. It may sound impractical, but in the long run it's worth it if you're willing to bundle up when the roads are clear of snow or throw on a rain suit when the stormshiznit.
For a first time rider, I would highly recommend the model I have. It's my second bike and still is beefy enough for zipping around town and short (100-200 mile) road trips. The long wheel base, forward controls, and v-twin engine make it very harleyesque which was probably their intention. The only reason I would consider an upgrade is for the longer road trips I would like to take.
If you are looking for a good starter bike, you can't go wrong with this one. Easy to handle, light weight, and CHEAP! Upkeep is simple, reliability is great. In 12,000 miles, I've only done basic maintenance (tires, plugs, oil) and it runs like a champ even after I beat the tar out of it. If you have any questions about picking up a bike, drop me a line. Though I'm kind of partial to honda, I know a fair amount about bikes in general.