S40 vs Shadow VLX vs V Star Custom

rhinosaurus · 06-18-2008, 06:51 PM

I have just started riding and am looking to buy my first bike. Im on the shorter side (5'8") and im looking for a cruiser style bike. The bikes that have caught my eye so far are the Suzuki Boulevard S40, the Honda Shadow VLX, and the Yamaha V Star Custom. Does anyone have any opinion on these bikes? Mileage, comfort, cost, handling, maintenance? Any suggestions or insight appreciated.

SimonTuffGuy · 06-19-2008, 09:08 AM

I can only speak for the one... But I think the S40 is simply amazing... I picked up one 7 weeks ago and have been really happy with my purchase.

It's small, I'm 5'6" and have no problem flatfooting... The single 650 has more than enough power for me to jaunt around town or hit the highway if I need... I've heard that it gets out of breath quickly on highway speeds, but... I've cruised at 70 without any problems and carried a passenger along too.

Mileage is 50+... I haven't calculated it exactly (there's no trip meter on the bike), but I believe it's in the range of 50 around town, 55-60 from my highway trips.

Comfort is pretty good, the biggest thing is the seat. I hear that everyone swaps seats eventually.

Cost was $4,000 for an 07 leftover... MSRP s $4300 for an 08. Comes with a 12 month, no questions asked warranty. I hit my 600 mile "break in" last week and had it taken care of at the dealer. The bill was $150, that covered changing the oil, adjusting all the cables, checking bolts, and adjusting the engine valves (everything outlined in the manual). I'm only at 800 miles now, but from what I've read from others on the S40 board I'm on, maintenance is VERY easy and most can be done yourself.

Handling is great... The bike is light, 350 lbs. You'll have no problems going on the twisties with this bike, in fact my favorite roads are the back ones.

The downsides? There's limited aftermarket available... The bike comes out of the dealer running VERY lean, so it has a backfiring issue on hard decelleration (like romping on it and then getting off) and usually when you kill the engine... This can be fixed by adjusting the carb.

If you go the S40 route (and I'm 10000% glad I went with this bike), come and check out www suzukisavage com - They're they experts on the bike (the S40 was previously named the Suzuki Savage LS650 prior to 2004).

Tekkamaki · 06-21-2008, 05:32 PM

All three bikes you listed are considered good starter bikes. Before you make any choice, you need sit on all three of them. Since you are new, you probably don't know what is comfortable on a bike. You might sit on one and felt great, but another one might be even more comfortable. When you sit on a bike seat for a few hours or more, how you feel during the first 30 minutes of the ride are no longer true. I ride H-D Heritage Softail Classic and its seat has been just switced. I now can sit for hours, but before that, my butt was hurting so bad after a couple of hours. You also have to look at how your legs are positioned. Some bikes have the brake and shift pegs far out, ans dome close. When you set on the bikes, have some hold the front wheel so you can sit with both you feet on the controls.
My preference is Shadow 750cc because all the bugs has been removed and it is now such a refined motorcycle. Its motor has a great power level and the bike is not too weak, but not too big either. Every body has defferent preferences.

rhinosaurus · 06-21-2008, 07:00 PM

Thanks guys. I will definitely test drive all the bikes before I make any decisions. I am pretty new to this. all my experience is off-road with dirt bikes. What are the most important things I should look for between these bikes aside from seat height, comfort, and being able to reach all the controls?

06-18-2008, 06:51 PM	#1
rhinosaurus Registered Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	S40 vs Shadow VLX vs V Star Custom I have just started riding and am looking to buy my first bike. Im on the shorter side (5'8") and im looking for a cruiser style bike. The bikes that have caught my eye so far are the Suzuki Boulevard S40, the Honda Shadow VLX, and the Yamaha V Star Custom. Does anyone have any opinion on these bikes? Mileage, comfort, cost, handling, maintenance? Any suggestions or insight appreciated.

06-19-2008, 09:08 AM	#2
SimonTuffGuy i like to thump... Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 268	I can only speak for the one... But I think the S40 is simply amazing... I picked up one 7 weeks ago and have been really happy with my purchase. It's small, I'm 5'6" and have no problem flatfooting... The single 650 has more than enough power for me to jaunt around town or hit the highway if I need... I've heard that it gets out of breath quickly on highway speeds, but... I've cruised at 70 without any problems and carried a passenger along too. Mileage is 50+... I haven't calculated it exactly (there's no trip meter on the bike), but I believe it's in the range of 50 around town, 55-60 from my highway trips. Comfort is pretty good, the biggest thing is the seat. I hear that everyone swaps seats eventually. Cost was $4,000 for an 07 leftover... MSRP s $4300 for an 08. Comes with a 12 month, no questions asked warranty. I hit my 600 mile "break in" last week and had it taken care of at the dealer. The bill was $150, that covered changing the oil, adjusting all the cables, checking bolts, and adjusting the engine valves (everything outlined in the manual). I'm only at 800 miles now, but from what I've read from others on the S40 board I'm on, maintenance is VERY easy and most can be done yourself. Handling is great... The bike is light, 350 lbs. You'll have no problems going on the twisties with this bike, in fact my favorite roads are the back ones. The downsides? There's limited aftermarket available... The bike comes out of the dealer running VERY lean, so it has a backfiring issue on hard decelleration (like romping on it and then getting off) and usually when you kill the engine... This can be fixed by adjusting the carb. If you go the S40 route (and I'm 10000% glad I went with this bike), come and check out www suzukisavage com - They're they experts on the bike (the S40 was previously named the Suzuki Savage LS650 prior to 2004). __________________ Simon -

06-21-2008, 05:32 PM	#3
Tekkamaki Always learning. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Douglas County, Oregon Posts: 110	All three bikes you listed are considered good starter bikes. Before you make any choice, you need sit on all three of them. Since you are new, you probably don't know what is comfortable on a bike. You might sit on one and felt great, but another one might be even more comfortable. When you sit on a bike seat for a few hours or more, how you feel during the first 30 minutes of the ride are no longer true. I ride H-D Heritage Softail Classic and its seat has been just switced. I now can sit for hours, but before that, my butt was hurting so bad after a couple of hours. You also have to look at how your legs are positioned. Some bikes have the brake and shift pegs far out, ans dome close. When you set on the bikes, have some hold the front wheel so you can sit with both you feet on the controls. My preference is Shadow 750cc because all the bugs has been removed and it is now such a refined motorcycle. Its motor has a great power level and the bike is not too weak, but not too big either. Every body has defferent preferences. Last edited by Tekkamaki; 06-21-2008 at 05:34 PM..

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06-21-2008, 07:00 PM	#4
rhinosaurus Registered Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks guys. I will definitely test drive all the bikes before I make any decisions. I am pretty new to this. all my experience is off-road with dirt bikes. What are the most important things I should look for between these bikes aside from seat height, comfort, and being able to reach all the controls?