First time Rider - Trying to find the right bike

[TheMagicFlightBox]

I want to get a cruiser bike that can handle going 75-85 on the highway. ( I commute about 25 minutes on I-95 to get to class in the mornings)

I've never ridden a bike before, so this will be my first.
I do not need to get this bike now, as I don't have enough cash anyways.

I was looking at the honda Shadow, and thought it was what I wanted, but I can't seem to find out if its good on the highway or not.

If there are any other good, affordable, and reliable cruisers, that might not be able to handle that speed, I would still like to know, because alternatively I could just take the back roads or so.

Although I really want a cruiser, I've noticed that the 250 ninja is recommended for beginners

Thanks!

[Dodsfall]

Cruisers between 650 and 900 cc can do highway speeds without breaking a sweat yet are light enough to learn on easier than the heavyweights.

[TheMagicFlightBox]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

Cruisers between 650 and 900 cc can do highway speeds without breaking a sweat yet are light enough to learn on easier than the heavyweights.

Do you know what is the better model for the honda shadow? as in what year?

[TheMagicFlightBox]

Also I didn't see an Edit function, so i'l have to double post.


I was googling honda shadow and came across the Kawasaki Vulcan 800. How do the two compare?

[distantThunder]

you might also want to look at the Boulevard ... I think that's a Suzuki (couldn't swear to it). And even the Yamaha 950 which has a fairly docile temperament.

dT

[Woohoo]

Originally Posted by distantThunder

you might also want to look at the Boulevard ... I think that's a Suzuki (couldn't swear to it).

You are remembering correctly. It's the S40. Has only one cylinder though. http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%.../2012/S40.aspx

[Dodsfall]

The Boulevard comes in several sizes. The S40 (Formerly the Savage) is 650cc, the C50 is an 800cc, the M90 is 1492cc, and the M109 is 1783cc.

The S40 is a very easy motorcycle to learn on, and the C50 might also be a good choice.

[Massey]

Cruisers are good at that speed in the 500+ cc range. I can make 80 pretty easy on my CBR250R but I would not ask much more of it.

I used to commute I-95 in VA back a few years ago and I honestly would not want to be doing 85 down the streach of 95 I used to drive down. First of all in VA the Five-oh like getting paid and 20 over the limit gets you a new address for a few days. Yea not for me.

Massey

[TheMagicFlightBox]

Originally Posted by Massey

Cruisers are good at that speed in the 500+ cc range. I can make 80 pretty easy on my CBR250R but I would not ask much more of it.

I used to commute I-95 in VA back a few years ago and I honestly would not want to be doing 85 down the streach of 95 I used to drive down. First of all in VA the Five-oh like getting paid and 20 over the limit gets you a new address for a few days. Yea not for me.

Massey

In the part of Florida I'm in, cops are the least of my concern. more about Boca Raton retired drivers. If they can't see me in my four door corolla now, it makes me fear for my life that they wont see me on my cruiser.

On the bright side, i'm glad as long as the cruiser has 500+cc i will be able to speed up. I've noticed that the four most popular cruisers are

=Yamaha 950 V Star

-Honda Shadow
not A.C.E ( american classic edition)

-Vulcan Kawasaki 800

Although the years vary, I like all three of them. If I were to pick one from these three, could I really go wrong?

What I'm looking for

-Reliability
-I'm 5'5'' at 145lbs
-Speed and power, incase I need to accelerate past an unaware driver
- beginner friendly. Although in my past experience, I've always been able to handle things on two wheels, even as a toddler..... * goes on rant about being able to ride a bike without training wheels*

I appreciate all the help! Thanks!