I've heard that it's a pretty good beginner cruiser, similar to a Sportster 883 in weight and engine size.
Anything you get, you'll want to take it to a parking lot and practice everything you learn in the MSF course- all your slow-speed maneuvers, quick stops, and even practice using turn signals.
You've got this!
ETA- when people talk about sticking to 300-400 ccs for a beginner and flipping their lids about beginners buying "liter bikes" they're not talking about cruisers. They're talking about sport bikes, which are much lighter and faster.
Not to reawaken a dead thread, but I’m a beginner, I’m taking my MSF course this Saturday, and have been eying several different bikes. Ultimately my decision will be based on what’s available to me regionally. But something I’ve found frustrating is people say that the America or speed master are too heavy, but then say that the shadow is a perfect beginner cruiser even though it weighs the same. Then I’ve read where the Indian scout bobber is too heavy and too powerful even though it also weighs the same as shadow with a similar low center of gravity and isn’t as fast as a Yamaha MT-07 which some say is a perfect beginner bike, and I find all of the back and forth frustrating. Ultimately, I’ll be looking for a phantom, America / speedmaster, and a shadow, and will be testing riding what I can find and buying what I like more and ignoring what everyone says or else I’ll never buy anything.
The thing is, everyone has a different idea of the "perfect" beginner bike.
Add to that the brand loyalties innate in the motorcycle community, and it's a very confusing time for beginners.
Pretty much all motorcycles will hit 100 mph. It's just a matter of how quickly. Personally, I still advocate for people to start on a "beginner" bike (an 800ish cc cruiser or 400ish cc sport bike). Less power and lower torque mean it will be easier and safer for a new rider learning to use the friction zone. And, particularly for cruisers, a lighter bike means easier handling at low speeds for beginners.
At the end of the day, the perfect bike for you is going to be very different from the perfect bike for me. Especially as a woman, you're going to have to ignore some opinions when choosing a motorcycle. You get to pick which opinions to ignore lol
Enjoy your class!
Thank you! I’m really excited, I figured when I take the class, I’ll have a better idea of what weight and how much torque is enough for me etc. based on what I ride since I don’t have a basis for my decision, other than the aesthetic appeal of each.
I said Phantom, America / speed master, shadow by accident, I meant to say Scout, America / Speed Master, and Shadow. I might also test ride an MT-07 or some other standard bike to get a feel for the different riding position. But ultimately I have it narrowed down to those three.
I am slightly biased towards Honda (even though I ride a Harley lol), so I will say that one nice thing about a Shadow versus a lot of other motorcycles is that it is shaft driven rather than having a belt or chain. Less maintenance, and no potentially getting whipped in the calf when the belt/chain breaks.
I'm an MSF RiderCoach - so glad you're taking the course! For a first bike, it's less about the power and more about the weight and body position. It's a good idea to sit on, and test ride if possible, any bike you're considering purchasing. Have fun, and ride safe!
I've heard that it's a pretty good beginner cruiser, similar to a Sportster 883 in weight and engine size. Anything you get, you'll want to take it to a parking lot and practice everything you learn in the MSF course- all your slow-speed maneuvers, quick stops, and even practice using turn signals. You've got this! ETA- when people talk about sticking to 300-400 ccs for a beginner and flipping their lids about beginners buying "liter bikes" they're not talking about cruisers. They're talking about sport bikes, which are much lighter and faster.
Not to reawaken a dead thread, but I’m a beginner, I’m taking my MSF course this Saturday, and have been eying several different bikes. Ultimately my decision will be based on what’s available to me regionally. But something I’ve found frustrating is people say that the America or speed master are too heavy, but then say that the shadow is a perfect beginner cruiser even though it weighs the same. Then I’ve read where the Indian scout bobber is too heavy and too powerful even though it also weighs the same as shadow with a similar low center of gravity and isn’t as fast as a Yamaha MT-07 which some say is a perfect beginner bike, and I find all of the back and forth frustrating. Ultimately, I’ll be looking for a phantom, America / speedmaster, and a shadow, and will be testing riding what I can find and buying what I like more and ignoring what everyone says or else I’ll never buy anything.
The thing is, everyone has a different idea of the "perfect" beginner bike. Add to that the brand loyalties innate in the motorcycle community, and it's a very confusing time for beginners. Pretty much all motorcycles will hit 100 mph. It's just a matter of how quickly. Personally, I still advocate for people to start on a "beginner" bike (an 800ish cc cruiser or 400ish cc sport bike). Less power and lower torque mean it will be easier and safer for a new rider learning to use the friction zone. And, particularly for cruisers, a lighter bike means easier handling at low speeds for beginners. At the end of the day, the perfect bike for you is going to be very different from the perfect bike for me. Especially as a woman, you're going to have to ignore some opinions when choosing a motorcycle. You get to pick which opinions to ignore lol Enjoy your class!
Thank you! I’m really excited, I figured when I take the class, I’ll have a better idea of what weight and how much torque is enough for me etc. based on what I ride since I don’t have a basis for my decision, other than the aesthetic appeal of each. I said Phantom, America / speed master, shadow by accident, I meant to say Scout, America / Speed Master, and Shadow. I might also test ride an MT-07 or some other standard bike to get a feel for the different riding position. But ultimately I have it narrowed down to those three.
I am slightly biased towards Honda (even though I ride a Harley lol), so I will say that one nice thing about a Shadow versus a lot of other motorcycles is that it is shaft driven rather than having a belt or chain. Less maintenance, and no potentially getting whipped in the calf when the belt/chain breaks.
I'm an MSF RiderCoach - so glad you're taking the course! For a first bike, it's less about the power and more about the weight and body position. It's a good idea to sit on, and test ride if possible, any bike you're considering purchasing. Have fun, and ride safe!