Need a little help

I've been thinking of getting into motorcycles and have been considering a Honda Rebel because I hear it's a great starter bike (plus it's great mpg and price). But it recently dawned on me that I may be to big for a Rebel. I'm 6'0 and around 300lbs (not all fat, I work out). Anyways, would I be to big for a Rebel? Are there any other beginner bikes that could support someone my size? I'd need something that could reach 70mph incase I ever need to travel some good distance. The bike would mostly be for cruising town and backroads for fun.

I want a cruiser so I was looking at the rebel and Shadow, but some of the stickys said to stay away from 600cc bikes.

im not sure if your to big for the rebel but if you're going to learn on this bike than ya dont get a 600cc. but if you learn on a small bike then buy a bigger cc bike theres nothing wrong with that. just respect the power.

i think the "stay away from 600's" argument is really only meant for sportbikes and other I4's. the 583 shadow seems like a fine bike to begin with to me, possibly even the spirit 750 considering your size.

The "600 rule" mostly applies to sports and supersports. I would even recommend a Night Hawk in either the 600 or possibly the 750 form. They are nice looking bikes that are "gentle" on newer riders -- Most cruiser/traditionals are. Regardless, take the MSF Safety course and then go and sit on as MANY bikes as possible that you are considering and see which one fits you best.

Good luck!

Id say the Shadow would be an excellent bike for your application. I would also say anything up to 800cc would be fine as well, even for a new rider. I wouldnt go get a 1400 Intruder or anything but cruisers are a lot more forgiving and probably wont put you down with the bike on top of you like a Honda 600RR or something would. The Shadow would be good as there a lot of upgrades and accessories to modify those bikes in the future if you wanted to as well. Plus they are very reliable.

Good idea saturntangerine, I will do that. I've had my eye on the Shadows and I really like the Spirit 750, just love the style. I'm plenty sure it reach good speeds so highway travel isnt an issuse anymore, but what kind of mpg do shadow VLX and Spirit 750 get? But if I find a better bike at MSF I'll be willing to consider something else.

If you like the Shadow, consider also the VS800 Suzuki Intruder. It has the same blend of new rider manageability and great thrills for an experienced rider, so you won't be looking for a bigger bike in three months...A better bike than the Honda in my opinion.

At your size and weight, you'd look like a circus act on a Rebel. Even the 800 intruder may prove a little cramped to you after you get used to it. Some forward controls will take care of that, though.

The 800 Intruders get 45+ mpg. Don't know about the Shadow 750, but I would expect similar numbers. The Kawasaki 750 (800 now too, I think) Vulcan is another good choice in that style/size catagory. The older ones had alternator problems, though, and the motor has to come out of the frame to repair it. I think that's been remedied on newer models.


http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/2000/2000_VS800GLP_Intruder_520.jpg