wife wants a Honda Shadow Spirit, any input? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

SCARYGLIDE · 05-21-2006, 01:09 AM

My small wife would like to get a Harley, but as a newbie she feels they are too top heavy.
So, after we went shopping around she found she likes the 2006 Honda Shadow Spririt 750.
Any thoughts or warnings?
Thanks,
Mike

trooper113 · 05-21-2006, 01:22 AM

Good bike. If it fits her and she's more comfortable with it I'd say go for it. The only thought I'd have is maybe trying to find a really nice, used bike of the same model. There would be less loss when/if she wanted to trade up for whatever bike suited her after gaining some experience.

T113

harleyjsb · 05-21-2006, 04:42 AM

my wife got a 04 honda ace 750 last year after taking the new rider classes she had never rode before.its a nice bike and she does ok on it but ask your wife to take a rider class before hitting the road

1HIP · 05-21-2006, 07:40 AM

The spirit is a great bike for the money. You can get a 1 year old for around 5000 then sell it in a year or two for a little less than you paid.

JamieWG · 05-21-2006, 07:52 AM

Those are nice bikes. A friend of mine bought one last year. He'd never ridden before and it was his first bike. I took it for a spin and it's very easy to ride. Handles nice and it's well balanced.

I think she'll really enjoy it.

Rock · 05-21-2006, 09:14 AM

Those are great starter bikes. The bike actually looks larger, like it would be an 1100cc or something. She'll enjoy.

DR_DEUCE · 05-21-2006, 10:59 AM

Thre are 3 of them in our group. Look for a 1 or 2 year old, with pipes and carb kit. Should go for around $4500. We just picked one up for a new rider. 2005, black, VAnce+Hines, carb kit, backrest, grips and chinese mirrors in EXCELLENT condition for $4500. Do a search on cycle trader or recycler.

FLHRI-Tom · 05-21-2006, 05:15 PM

I had a shadow ace 750 upon my re-entry into riding. Good bike.

All good recommendations: have her take the MSF BRC or harley riders edge (take it with her so you can do a couple thing together) and buy a used honda shadow. In a year or two you will find that she wants a hog and have to sell OR she does not like riding and have to sell. either way, you are out less money.

Shakedown · 05-21-2006, 06:34 PM

The Spirit is a great bike. As others have said, a couple year old bike will be a lot less, and just as good if the person took care of it. I rode a Spirit 1100 for a few years and loved it. Looks good, rides good and was very dependable.

Glad to see her take the leap. I wish mine would....

TalonChief · 05-21-2006, 06:59 PM

After a 4-year bikeless period, I bought an 02 1100 to keep from going broke riding 120 miles round trip to college classes 2 days a week. I put 10K on it in a year and a half and never had a single issue with it. It was smooth and stable. The only thing I actually disliked about the bike was the "plastic"
feel in comparison to a Harley. I eventually traded it on a smaller first bike for my son.

As others have mentioned, a used one is a much better deal. The local Honda dealer in Ft Walton Beach, FL usually has a couple in his used bike plot and I have seen lots of them on EBay.

Tim

SCARYGLIDE · 05-21-2006, 07:13 PM

I took the BRC with her, both for moral support for her and an insurance break for both of us.
It was fun, but I got some sideways looks wearing out that little 125 ! !
Thanks for the input, she will be happy she chose well.

FLHRI-Tom · 05-22-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCARYGLIDE

I took the BRC with her, both for moral support for her and an insurance break for both of us.
It was fun, but I got some sideways looks wearing out that little 125 ! !

Well, I'm 6' and 280 lbs. and I am a rider coach. I usually do the demo rides on range days. Can you say bear on a tri-cycle at the circus?

Glad that both of you took the BRC!!

OnCushion · 05-22-2006, 10:39 AM

My wife has an 84 shadow 700. It's a great bike. Even I ride it sometime just for the heck of it and they are just plain fun. It's a great learners bike for a beginner after they are comfortable with riding the MSF course bikes.

SCARYGLIDE · 05-22-2006, 10:43 AM

I'm 6'-6" and 250.
My wife did say the course bike looked like a mini bike when I was on it.
My Electra Glide doesn't look too big either.
Someday I might build a bike that fits.

Wing'n4now · 05-22-2006, 10:55 AM

My wife liked the Honda but, bought a Suzuki Boulevard C50T 'cause it has a lower CG. I ride it some and it's been a great bike for the last year.