Will

Please help, mother-in-law has recruited me to help find present for father-in-law's 50th birthday. She wants to get him a bike. We're pretty sure he wants a Honda. He used to ride, but probably not for 25+ years, and he was in Europe before. Now in USA. We're looking towards the VTX1300, but ideas are appreciated. Pros/cons we should know about, personal experiences are a plus. This will not be a sport bike. Thanks a bunch guys!

gfacter

That's a tough one. Though you can't go wrong with Honda, Yamaha has some really nice looking cruisers also (they seem to have a bigger selection too).

What kind of riding is he going to want to do? Travel? Tour? short trips around town?

The VTX line is a full on cruiser with a feet out riding position and a bit heavyish for a rider that hasn't been riding for 25+ years. Hell it's heavy for me and I have been riding for the last 20+ years.

How are you gonna work that? Have the bike delivered?

What about any riding gear?

gfacter

If I was to look into a crusier type of bike

I really like the Yamaha Road Star Warrior (in the Black-out style)

Road Star Warrior

Will

This is exactly why I posted this here. I wasn't thinking about the weight... he might be able to handle it okay (he's a hands-on contractor) but if he has to wrestle with it all the time then maybe it won't be as fun as it could be. We like the look of the VTX, but a smaller engine would be okay by us. As long as it's not a sport bike pretty much. Any other suggestions, smaller bikes maybe? He's about 5'9" and around 160-170 lbs.

P.S., to answer your other question, this won't be for traveling. Quick trips around town I imagine, trips shorter than 1 hour each direction for sure.

Will

that looks cool also, but has a bigger engine than the VTX...? Think it might be tough for him to handle?

ROLLINS

Think it might be tough for him to handle?


that depends on his skill level, but if he has ridden before I would say no. Can't really go wrong with either of these bikes. If it were me I would get the warrior, but I have ridden the vtx and its probably the best cruiser I have had the chance to ride. I have no doubts that the yamaha is at least as good as the vtx. Good luck with your descision.

gfacter

The weight if most bikes doesn't really matter when you are moving. Some are just tricky to handle in low speed situations.

As far as cruisers go bigger engines don't really equate to tons more power and the chassis all weigh about the same.

I think a cruiser bike is perfect for short trips. I like the Yamaha because its designed with some handling in mind also.

Don't forget to get him some good new riding gear also.
There are too many A-holes on the road and varying traffic conditions today vs 20 years ago. You may even want to sign him up for a MSF refresher course


George

Chris S

The Warrior is my favorite cruiser - it'll kick the shit out of any VTX...but, not a great re-entry bike unless he has good throttle control and discipline.

Will

Anyone have any thoughts on the Harley Davidson VRSC? I think those look badass; how do they compare to the Hondas and Yamahas? I know they are more $$ but that's not really the issue. The Dyna Glide and Softtails are cheaper but not by much and I don't think they look as good.

gfacter

The V-rod is a cool bike (for a Harley )

Probably the worse choice here for a born again rider its the most powerful I believe and way more expensive.

I am just partial to the Japanese bikes myself.

Besides the Harley purists don't even acknowledge the V-rod since it's water cooled.