[gunsmoker]

A friend likes the look of my motorcycle, my Honda shadow VT 1100 c2 ACE.

He also likes the look of other classic cruisers like the Honda Rebel and most older Harley Davidsons.

He may want to buy a bike, brand new, under warranty, if he can get one that's affordable and has the right features.

--Must be a cruiser style.

-- Has to have electronic fuel injection.

-- Has to be of a reasonable size and weight to learn street riding on, although he will take a professional motorcycle beginner's course. He's never ridden a motorcycle heavier than his own 125 cc dirtbike, except for doing a few laps around the parking lot of a closed business on my 1100 cc bike, 1st gear only.

--Has to have sufficient power /torque to pull his 190-pound body weight up serious hills because we live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. And it has to have the power to get him up to speed quickly when pulling away from a stop sign, or accelerating up a highway on-ramp, so that other traffic doesn't overtake him with too much of a speed differential.

--Has to have a top speed sufficient to run in a group ride with a bunch of other folks on cruiser motorcycles (older folks, riding for fun.) But not long distance rides on wide-open highways-- think of a half-day triip to some place within 120 miles of home. My friend doesn't expect to be doing a lot of mileage on interstates or US highways going over 55 mph.

-- Would be nice to have an antilock braking system (ABS).

-- Less expensive is better. Under 8 grand preferably. Maybe up to $12K if it's from a dealer that offers financing.

What brands and specific models should he look like from new bikes that come with a factory warranty?

 

[Toubikes]

The new honda shadow aero's a great starting bike.....$7799 brand new. Fits just about all your friend is asking for except ABS.

 

[oldenslow]

Shall we pay for it, too, once we have made his selection?

Seriously, I would no more advise which bike than I would which woman he should marry. If it doesn't work out, he could blame me. Besides, shopping is not half the fun, but it is a lot. Tell him to get to work and enjoy deciding on his bike.

 

[SemiFast]

Yamaha V-Star 650

Wait... Carbureted, not F.I. and no ABS. Oh heck.
Maybe we'll get an upgraded model for 2023 IF they reintroduce it. You might be able to find a deal on a left over 2021 though...

S F

 

[Calculon]

If they're willing to finance up to $12k, you probably can't spend more than $10k because by the time you pay the freight, taxes, setup, doc fees and whatever else they can think of, it'll probably be close to $2k. If you're financing you likely have less ability to apply downward pressure on the price. The days of walking in with a ball of cash and negotiating a better price are presumably over until the economy tanks. If they like the Rebel that checks most of the boxes and might be able to be had for $8k. The Kawasaki Vulcan S might be worth a look. The local Guzzi dealer dropped their V9 Bobbers under $10k. That might work and it's light for a cruiser. With that kind of money you're going to get a 40-60HP bike, so I don't know that it'll be fast or quick, but my scooter will hum down the freeway at 75MPH all day long and it has less than 25HP.

 

[GatorJoe]

Honda Rebel 1100 is a decent ride suitable for a Beginner if don't push it in Sport Mode .. I paid a bit over 12K OTD for a DCT.. Actual Price was $9999 for a DCT $9399 for a Standard Transmission..

 

[gunsmoker]

GatorJoe, you are an experienced rider who has owned several motorcycles over the last 50 years, right? So is your choice of a dual-clutch automatic transmission ( DCT) on that Rebel for your own pleasure, to simplify your riding experience?
Or is it because you might want to use this Rebel to train beginners to ride or you're going to loan your bike to people who are much less experienced than yourself?

 

[GatorJoe]

GatorJoe, you are an experienced rider who has owned several motorcycles over the last 50 years, right? So is your choice of a dual-clutch automatic transmission ( DCT) on that Rebel for your own pleasure, to simplify your riding experience?
Or is it because you might want to use this Rebel to train beginners to ride or you're going to loan your bike to people who are much less experienced than yourself?

I am not going to train anyone on my own personal Motorcycle.. I have a DCT due to the fact of 2 wrist surgeries and was told by my Dr get away from clutch pulling or will have further damage.. Unlike many that post start small etc .. I don't agree .. I started on a 1969 XLCH which when it came out was the fastest production Motorcycle Made .. The Honda 750 4 and Kawasaki Triple both changed that in a less than a year .. I do emphasize though respect the power of your machine regardless of weight and size ..

 

[RonK]

--
If this is his first bike, I would think it good to get a used one to learn on, make mistakes on, and be sure how much he needs all the things he wants. Some may not be necessary, and he'll pay extra. Of course, the minute he takes a new one off the lot, he will be losing $1,500. or so. Plus, it hurts a new rider to ding up his new bike when he's learning.
--

 

[GatorJoe]

--
If this is his first bike, I would think it good to get a used one to learn on, make mistakes on, and be sure how much he needs all the things he wants. Some may not be necessary, and he'll pay extra. Of course, the minute he takes a new one off the lot, he will be losing $1,500. or so. Plus, it hurts a new rider to ding up his new bike when he's learning.
--

This is an Excellent Point.. . But a nice light weight Ride the Rebel 1100 is Fast and Powerful enough will not be wishing for more power down the road and if start using it in Rain Mode is mild enough for learning if have taken the Course .. There may be a few states that don't require it anymore but most do .. Only thing needed in 1970 when bought the XLCH was a Drivers License and the money to buy it ..

 

[vistavette]

I think Triumph makes some great bikes that should fit the parameters. Their Modern Classic lineup comes to mind. Even new they're not that expensive and going back to about 2008 they had fuel injection. Royal Enfield Intercepter 650 also. They have a new 650 coming out as well that looks nice, too.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[gunsmoker]

Of course a new bike represents a risk of dropping it and damaging it or at least scuffing up it's otherwise beautiful appearance.

But my friend is not mechanically inclined; and he hates taking vehicles to professional mechanics.

He wants the "piece of mind" that comes from a new motorcycle that has a warranty that covers mechanical defects or premature breakdown (not related to any crashes.)

 

[GatorJoe]

He wants the "piece of mind" that comes from a new motorcycle that has a warranty that covers mechanical defects or premature breakdown (not related to any crashes.)

Another Good Point to consider .. While I have bought some excellent used Rides there's a couple that were not so great .. I turn a wrench pretty well, but sometimes the aggravation is not worth it ..

 

[bweighmaster]

The new honda shadow aero's a great starting bike.....$7799 brand new. Fits just about all your friend is asking for except ABS.

ABS add $ 100. - 200.

 

[roflol]

If it hasn’t been done already, I recommend taking the MSF BRC and getting the M endorsement so they can test ride bikes themselves (I will no longer buy a bike I didn’t personally test ride). Best wishes to your friend, hope they find a bike they love