pushrod

wdr1,

I think the Aero would not give you anywhere to put your legs.

But, try it out!

Be aware that cruisers have the 'sit up straight' ergonomic style. Folks with lower back trouble may have problems with that position.

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ShawnKing

I'm going to give you the complete opposite advice from most others.

I'm almost your size (6'3", 250lbs) and, after my MSF course, I rented a bunch of bikes, including a Honda Shadow 750, a Honda ST1300 and a Honda VTX 1300.

I ended up buying a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe.

The experienced riders reading this are now gasping in shock.

The RSTD was an almost *900lbs* touring cruiser. According to all the advice new riders get, I did *everything* wrong - new rider, bike too big/powerful/heavy, I took my wife riding a week after I got the bike (granted, I had put 1200 miles on it that week). We even took the bike on our honeymoon.

But I knew my limits, I knew what I wanted out of riding and I knew that, if I was careful, I wouldn't have (many) issues. I rode The Dragon in TN 6 months after getting the bike.

I rode that bike for 36,000 miles and would still have it...if I hadn't crashed it....

But the crash had nothing to do with the size of the bike and everything to do with the operator's inattention to the task of riding.

My point is - yes, start on a bike *you* know you can handle. If you are worried about a large bike, don't get one. But don't be scared off of them if you know yourself well enough to know you can handle it.

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Shawn King
Your Bike Life
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2008 Yamaha FJR 1300A

newagetwotone

Giving out advice that bad should be illegal...

The_AirHawk

It works for some people. Most will not have ShawnKing's success.

It's not a failure, just not "standard operating procedure".

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ShawnKing

Agreed. I would never suggest that it is the right solution for *everyone*.

For the vast majority of new riders, getting a "smaller" bike is the best solution.

__________________
Shawn King
Your Bike Life
http://www.yourbikelife.com
2008 Yamaha FJR 1300A

wdr1

Thanks for the advice, ShawnKing. I'll probably stay away from something that big for now, as I wouldn't feel comfortable/have the confidence to start. One day, though!

Out of curiosity, how'd you like the Shadow & VTX? I sat on both at a dealer, and while I'm still green, both felt okay. (At least they were a lot better than some others bikes that were almost comical to see me on...)

newagetwotone

Remember when you go to deside if somethings comfortable or not to sit on it for 20 minutes or so.

Cruisers hurt my back. i have terrible back and neck problems (dirt bike/bicycle crashes, climbing accidents ect) and the first 5 minutes on a cruiser are ok, afterwards my lower back flares up.

12er

Also picture a 70mph head wind when trying on bikes, will you be holding on for dear life laying back or are you leaning into it a little bit? All things to consider. If you need a refresher on that 70mph head wind stick your head out the window on the freeway or the hand surfing thing, then picture possibly hours of that and how that will effect whatever pressure point you feel in your posture on the bike.

ShawnKing

The Shadow was *way* too small for me power-wise. When i first started riding, it was a lot of interstate stuff and I didn't feel the Shadow had enough get up and go without having to manage the power band (which I didn't know how to do as a new rider).

I liked the VTX a lot and, if I didn't have the need for the touring cruiser at the time, I probably would have gotten it.

LOL I know the feeling!

BTW, I now ride a Yamaha FJR 1300 - *don't* get that bike as a new rider.

__________________
Shawn King
Your Bike Life
http://www.yourbikelife.com
2008 Yamaha FJR 1300A

SmokeU

WTF is "managing the power band?"

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