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Post by patriotblue on Aug 29, 2013 10:33:50 GMT 10
Hello, I am 39 and am currently undertaking riding lessons through Bernie Hatton's on the Gold Coast. I have never ridden before and understand it will be a bit of time and a process to get through. However, the VT400 has caught my eye as I think that style of bike I am suited to - I sat in one last weekend and couldn't believe how comfortable it felt compared to the older Honda's I am doing my training on.
My research into LAMS cruisers seems to be dominated by those promoting the Yamaha vStar 650 - in all honesty I am not a speed junkie and the lower cc of the Honda is not an issue for me at all (at this stage). I managed to find one Youtube video of a guy in Aus taking one for a ride and he seemed to be having a lot of fun, with no complaints at all. I would like to hear some opinions of others who have ridden these bikes in terms of ease of use/ stability/ handling and so on for someone in my position - I havent seen a lot of reviews for these bikes, the negatives I have read have stated compared to the Yamaha the Honda is heavier and more cumbersome. Price wise the second hand ones I have seen are right in my budget and all seem to be in reasonable condition. Having said that those new ones look all nice n shiny!
Thank you in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 13:51:35 GMT 10
Hello, I am 39 and am currently undertaking riding lessons through Bernie Hatton's on the Gold Coast. I have never ridden before and understand it will be a bit of time and a process to get through. However, the VT400 has caught my eye as I think that style of bike I am suited to - I sat in one last weekend and couldn't believe how comfortable it felt compared to the older Honda's I am doing my training on. My research into LAMS cruisers seems to be dominated by those promoting the Yamaha vStar 650 - in all honesty I am not a speed junkie and the lower cc of the Honda is not an issue for me at all (at this stage). I managed to find one Youtube video of a guy in Aus taking one for a ride and he seemed to be having a lot of fun, with no complaints at all. I would like to hear some opinions of others who have ridden these bikes in terms of ease of use/ stability/ handling and so on for someone in my position - I havent seen a lot of reviews for these bikes, the negatives I have read have stated compared to the Yamaha the Honda is heavier and more cumbersome. Price wise the second hand ones I have seen are right in my budget and all seem to be in reasonable condition. Having said that those new ones look all nice n shiny! Thank you in advance. Hello and welcome on board. There are heaps of 400 owners on here and I'm sure you wont get many complaints about them.
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Post by bdrgonzo on Aug 29, 2013 14:46:01 GMT 10
VT400 owner here. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT..... Oh btw the way, did I mention I love it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 20:02:01 GMT 10
Hi patriot and welcome I own 400 that I learnt to ride on, it's the only bike i've ridden besides the little Honda from my training course so I really can't give you a comparison. What I can tell you is that it's a great bike to ride both around town on shorts rides and longer trips for holidays. It's a great quality bike and one that I am still in no hurry to upgrade. I thought once I was off my restrictions that I would be itching to upgrade but have to admit I still love my baby bike. As far as handling goes I can't say from experience if its better that other bikes but find it interesting that you've read that, one of the reasons I choose the shadow was after seeing a few reveiws saying just how easy it is to handle for a cruiser, particularly for someone new to riding. And I did have problems with slow manouvers at first but after a bit of practice you soon realise how easy she is to get to go where you want her.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 20:33:27 GMT 10
So another QLDander . Or are you the Blues side of the big line. With that name you may be . Doesnt matter hey you want to ride and thats all that counts mate . Well i have ridden the 650 yammy and thought by 80 ks it needed another gear . Nice bike i will admit . The 400 honda believe it or not i havent rode . But the testament to the durability of these machines are in the amount of riders that this forum has with 400 ,s . Hopefully they,ll chime in . The 400 is actually about 10 kg heavier than the 750 . Same frame and motor but smaller pistons of course. The fuel economy is better than the 750,s so should get at least 300k,s before the fuel light activates . Great around town and traffic bike , weighted right . Not a bad price even new ,but if you only getting one with intentions of upgrading in a year i would get a low mileage second hand one that will most likely have some bling already on the machine .Eg ; bags ,carry rack ,crash bars ,pipes etc. My thoughts and some may disagree but thats life . Hoping you will go for the honda and iff you do we do rides Brissie way regularly and there is members on the coast . . Iff not your still welcome to ride with us Cheers Ray Gympie QLD
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Post by Richo on Sept 2, 2013 3:01:02 GMT 10
The Honda is my pick over the Yammy for a couple of reasons.
1: it looks better. Personal opinion true but to me it's just a classy looking ride.
2: after market parts. Pretty much anything made for a 750 will fit the 400. That's a heck if a lot of options out there for a LAMS bike.
3: SRA with a Shadow under you and these folks around you you will always have a good time.
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Post by patriotblue on Sept 6, 2013 11:22:52 GMT 10
Thanks for the replies; this is a great forum Ive spent a few hours each night going through and educating myself on all manner of things. So now Ive narrowed my search down to the Honda Vt400 or the Honda CBX500. I believe the Shadow would be an easier bike to learn on, and it felt by far the most comfortable to me. I guess it comes down to how I want to use the bike - my initial thoughts were to and from work and weekend cruising up and down the coast but then if I want to take a dirt road off somewhere the CBX is the one Id wish I had. I will post some pics of whatever it happens to be I end up with, as I am still very 50/50...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 16:21:18 GMT 10
Thanks for the replies; this is a great forum Ive spent a few hours each night going through and educating myself on all manner of things. So now Ive narrowed my search down to the Honda Vt400 or the Honda CBX500. I believe the Shadow would be an easier bike to learn on, and it felt by far the most comfortable to me. I guess it comes down to how I want to use the bike - my initial thoughts were to and from work and weekend cruising up and down the coast but then if I want to take a dirt road off somewhere the CBX is the one Id wish I had. I will post some pics of whatever it happens to be I end up with, as I am still very 50/50... Ahh and now you have seen the quandry that I believe all bike owners have at some stage .. ya need a bike for every occasion .. so far my wish list is up to three more .. fast street bike for fun on corners, dirt bike for fun in the bush, scooter for zooming round town .. hmm I think a quad would be fun too ... sigh the list is getting longer What ever you get I'm sure you will love it .. have fun and stay safe
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 17:40:36 GMT 10
Thanks for the replies; this is a great forum Ive spent a few hours each night going through and educating myself on all manner of things. So now Ive narrowed my search down to the Honda Vt400 or the Honda CBX500. I believe the Shadow would be an easier bike to learn on, and it felt by far the most comfortable to me. I guess it comes down to how I want to use the bike - my initial thoughts were to and from work and weekend cruising up and down the coast but then if I want to take a dirt road off somewhere the CBX is the one Id wish I had. I will post some pics of whatever it happens to be I end up with, as I am still very 50/50... Well PB i reckon you only have one solution ,get both . Could alway s put different tyres on the vt maybe. Have you checked out the 750 s . They are lighter than the vt 750 and may qualify for l,s . Might not but they are a sleaker bike. Hey Happycamper have you taken yours off road . Cheers Ray
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 22:36:29 GMT 10
Thanks for the replies; this is a great forum Ive spent a few hours each night going through and educating myself on all manner of things. So now Ive narrowed my search down to the Honda Vt400 or the Honda CBX500. I believe the Shadow would be an easier bike to learn on, and it felt by far the most comfortable to me. I guess it comes down to how I want to use the bike - my initial thoughts were to and from work and weekend cruising up and down the coast but then if I want to take a dirt road off somewhere the CBX is the one Id wish I had. I will post some pics of whatever it happens to be I end up with, as I am still very 50/50... Well PB i reckon you only have one solution ,get both . Could alway s put different tyres on the vt maybe. Have you checked out the 750 s . They are lighter than the vt 750 and may qualify for l,s . Might not but they are a sleaker bike. Hey Happycamper have you taken yours off road . Cheers Ray Good thought Ray but unfortunately the 750S isn't LAMs approved. Cray has taken his S off road and it's not as bad as the cruiser but not great either, might be better with the right tires I guess.
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Post by happycamper on Sept 6, 2013 23:03:33 GMT 10
the vt750s has more room underneath them, I have found myself on the odd dirt track by mistake. the riding position of the pegs allows you to stand up and manouvre the bike like a trailbike, and they should be a lams bike, I rode to dubbo with mrc and his 400 didn't miss a beat, the only diff between the vt750s I rarely have to change down over steep hills, the vt400 will take you where ever you want, end of the day. there are speed limits, I just bought the wife a virago 250 which I pick up tomorrow. she is a learner and has been getting professional lessons, she had a look at a lot of bikes , she is short , she found the vt400 a bit too heavy for her. remember ray in the late 70s early 80s 750s were the big bike, an rd350 yammy was a rocket.end of the day the Hondas are very reliable and economical to run I have gotten 240ks to a 10.7 litre tank, . like ray, get a cheap adventure bike for the dirt. I was bought up on farm and trail bikes, lots of fun, but not as much fun as cruising with ya mates,
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Post by Benimino on Sept 9, 2013 9:04:40 GMT 10
As a new rider myself I can say the 400 is the way to go!
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Post by scrap on Sept 9, 2013 21:00:58 GMT 10
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