02-01-2014, 11:32 AM
For what it's worth, here are the views of another returning rider. My early riding experience was on small road bikes (<350cc), although, from time to time I managed rides on larger machines and could claim a very little experience. After a long-ish layoff, I got back to riding on a Honda VT750C Shadow. It was about the size I wanted but, locked in the past as I was, I wasn't all that keen on the look or riding position of similar-sized sport bikes (I think I secretly wanted a 1970s CB500 Four). The Shadow worked for me because I'm short (30" inseam) and could sit on it with both feet flat on the ground. Once I got used to the idea that it was a cruiser and didn't corner as well as the road bikes I'd ridden, I had a lot of fun on it and it was a good bike to return to riding on—more power that I'd been used to, but not too much.
The trouble for me was that, just after I bought it, I discovered the CB1100 and it was love at first site. It was an update of the bikes I'd wanted in my youth and couldn't afford at the time. I resisted for 2.5 years and then a rider mate persuaded em I should make the change. By then, of course, Honda had stopped importing the CB1100 into Australia. I was very lucky and picked up a second hand one, less than a year old with just over 2000Kms on the clock. I've added 4000+Kms (It's just had a 6000Km service—required for warranty) and is running like a top.
Should I have bought it when I got on again? For various reasons, not least the price of a new one, I wouldn't have bought it at the time I got back on again. But I think I would have been fine. It's a very forgiving bike—once under way, although heavy when maneuvering by hand—smooth and easy to ride. I found I've quickly got used to the extra power. I enjoy riding it more and more each time I go out.
I had one mishap while trying to wheel it out of my car port. My drive is steep and I had a technique for slowly reversing and turning it. On one occasion, the downward turn was too tight and it fell over (gently) on me.
While on a charity ride on the 750C, I won an advanced rider course. I finally got around to organising and taking it this week, and found it well worth it. I think the advice of others that it's a useful thing for returning riders to do it well worth heeding. I kinda wish I'd done it earlier.
Good luck with whatever choice you make. Ride safely.
The trouble for me was that, just after I bought it, I discovered the CB1100 and it was love at first site. It was an update of the bikes I'd wanted in my youth and couldn't afford at the time. I resisted for 2.5 years and then a rider mate persuaded em I should make the change. By then, of course, Honda had stopped importing the CB1100 into Australia. I was very lucky and picked up a second hand one, less than a year old with just over 2000Kms on the clock. I've added 4000+Kms (It's just had a 6000Km service—required for warranty) and is running like a top.
Should I have bought it when I got on again? For various reasons, not least the price of a new one, I wouldn't have bought it at the time I got back on again. But I think I would have been fine. It's a very forgiving bike—once under way, although heavy when maneuvering by hand—smooth and easy to ride. I found I've quickly got used to the extra power. I enjoy riding it more and more each time I go out.
I had one mishap while trying to wheel it out of my car port. My drive is steep and I had a technique for slowly reversing and turning it. On one occasion, the downward turn was too tight and it fell over (gently) on me.
While on a charity ride on the 750C, I won an advanced rider course. I finally got around to organising and taking it this week, and found it well worth it. I think the advice of others that it's a useful thing for returning riders to do it well worth heeding. I kinda wish I'd done it earlier.
Good luck with whatever choice you make. Ride safely.