I started out on a kaw 550 ltd. now at 290 pounds, this bike was under just a little pressure when I rode it. This bike handled very well and did basically what I wanted it to do. I then moved up to an virago 1100 and it took a little bit to get used to turning, riding etc. I recommend the kaw because it handles well and is somewhat forgiving if you make a mistake. Added to that I had an 1983 and only paid like a 1000 for it.  

Hi, I'm Don and I'm kinda a new rider in that I haven't ridden since mid-70's.  Lots have changed since then.  Anyway, I'm retiring this coming spring and plan to buy me a brand new cruiser at that time.  I'm infatuated with the new Star Raider and would like to receive any coments from OWNERS of this bike or anyone who has had any experience with it.  Thanks, Don, 12/29/07  

Still Waiting?? Don  

Hi Guys thanks again for all the replys and good info. i am looking at the other bike suggestions. i also will be taking the course in a few months.

Hi Don, i suggest that you start a new post, instead asking the question in this post, that should gets you responses for your question.  

PS: I am taking the course in a few months cause I am in Canada and no riding here till at least April,lol.  

I was going to buy a Volusia (now a C50) before i got an excellent deal on my 1100 Aero.  I would seriously recommend a C-50, or a 900 Vulcan or a 750 Aero.  All those are great midsize starters.  Wintertime (at least around here) usually features big indoor bike shows, a great opportunity to go sit on bikes to see how they fit.  
For folks our age, comfort is the biggest consideration.  If it's not comfortable you won't enjoy it.  Available power you can adjust to, just like you do in your car.  If it's comfortable you can ride all day.  Have fun.  

I just took the course in August and was riding a Suzuki 1400 to start - my husband's old bike.  I found it heavy and cumbersome for me, I'm 5'6, 125 lbs. - but thought I'd stick it out and get more experience; however, when the Suzuki went into the shop (rejet carbs) I fell in love with a Honda VTX 1300.  This bike is actually heavier than the Suzuki, but has an amazing center of balance and made all the difference.  I tried out several makes and models, but none had the same feel as the Honda.  Make sure you don't buy something you'll grow out of quickly - buying a bike is an investment, so take your time.  You don't want to buy something you'll grow out of in a year or two!  

Interesting thread.  When I was 50 (4 years ago), my first bike was a Honda Shadow VLX 600cc (583cc in reality).  Great first bike, good looker and with new Mustang seats you can almost ride all day.  My girlfriend and I have matching '02's, we bought them in '03.  I've got just over 9,000 on mine, she just reached 8,000. Now I'm looking at 1300cc sized bikes.  I might not make the change for another year, but definitely looking at the larger bikes.  Would be nice to have more "oomph" when the light turns green.  The bikes with the largest displacements seem to be great for those guys who need to say they have one of the largest.  Our kind of riding is mostly the out and back 200 miler here in Northern Illinois.  We'd like a bigger bike, but the VLX for now is still a pretty good ride for us.  Seems like the VLX has been dropped by Honda, the 750 being the closest next logical choice.  I think it would be a good choice for you, but I know for us upgrading would probably be in the 1300cc size.  

Nice thread. I bought an '03 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 brand new. Haven't had any problems with it. One of the most reliable, trouble-free bikes I've ever had. Great gas milage (75 mpg open road, 60 mpg around town). This bike handles like a dream. What a change after riding the older 750-four bangers for 30 years. Just bought an '05 VTX1300C which is a lot heavier. My advice--ride what you feel most comfortable on. Remember, If you drop it, you have to be the one to pick it up. So know your strength.  

Your story sounds like mine two years ago.  I was 57 years young, 5'7" tall and weighed 160 lbs.  I went back and forth between a Honda VTX 1300 and a Harley Dyna Super Glide. Since I had been 21 yrs old, I had wanted a Harley, so in the end the Harley was the only thing I could do.  I love my Harley.  You need to ride what you feel comfortable riding.  IO live in northern Nevada and the Harley and Honda dealerships, both offer rentals so you can try the bike you are interested in riding.  It is good that you are going to take the MSF riding course since you will need a license to rent a bike.  My best advice to you is to be very sure about your purchase because buying a motorcyle, is an investment and it isn't easy to get your money back if you don't keep the bike for longer than 3 years.  I wish you luck with your decision.  Riding any bike is better than not riding so I really don't think you can go very wrong.  Just make sure that you are comfortable.  

first timer,WOW times have changed since i got my cycle license in 1970.my first bike was a 67 yamaha 250 big bear.kick start,2 cycle,5 speed.back then if you saw a guy on a 650 triumph you thought that was a big bike.but i was 17 years old.nowadays a 750 is a starter bike.and the sophistication of bikes made these days is FANTASTIC to say the least.ive had 3 hondas in my 38 years of riding and put 120K on them.they are wonderful machines.very low maintenance.if i were you id buy a used bike.just in case in 2 years youre riding skills improve and you are still ALIVE and youd like to move up to something bigger and more comfortable for a longer putt putt.you wont lose as much money that way when you sell youre 750.anything honda makes is a quality product.watch out the first year of riding is when most of the accidents occur.always remember the first thing a cager is going to say when you are scraping the pavement is"I NEVER SAW HIM."and wear a helmet.at least for the first 5 years.  

hi i've been riding since i was 7 i'm 38 now.i'm on my forth street bike.start out with a small bike like a 700 or 750 that's what i started out on.i live in the north ga mtns thse bikes are light and easy to handle,you can have a lowering kit put on them for about 200.00.before i graduated to a bigger bike i had a 650 shadow loved the bike just needed another gear i was riding with the big boys.great starter bike and would still have the bike if it had another gear.i now have a harley 1340 softtail lot bigger bike and heavier.don't let the bike intemidate you just relax.ihad to have my harley lowered so i could handle it better.we ride everywhere.enjoy and have fun.  

I new to this forum and don't know/can't find how to make a New Post, so I'm trying this "Hi, I'm Don and I'm kinda a new rider in that I haven't ridden since mid-70's.  Lots have changed since then.  Anyway, I'm retiring this coming spring and plan to buy me a brand new cruiser at that time.  I'm infatuated with the new Star Raider and would like to receive any coments from OWNERS of this bike or anyone who has had any experience with it.  Thanks, Don"  I welcome all responses.  DEK, 1/19  

Now don't go funnin' the Savage. My wife started on it, and I found it ran fine up to about 70 (with windshield on it). It just has that kind of Singer (sewing machine) sound to it. Very even cadence from the engine.
I started on a Kawi Drifter 800. I'm 6' (was 230lb AND in shape). I found it to be near the upper limit. For the 1st month, I got home, said hello to the wife, and the dogs. I then suited up, and went for a 30 mile ride. After a month, I started feeling comfortable on the bike. During this period, my wife got her Savage, and I have to admit I felt more comfortable on the "little" 650 than I did on my own bike.
She outgrew it, and then replaced it about a year after she started.
The big advantage of the little bike is that it doesn't slap you when you make a mistake. You can muscle it in an emergency, instead of using the finese that you need to use on a larger bike.

I rode my Drifter for 6 seasons before I traded it in on something else, and did solo touring from Mass down thru N. Carolina without feeling cramped or underpowered.

Part of the reason for the trade in was that my wife likes to ride on the back once in a while, and while I could do 700 mi + solo , on 2 up, comfort was lacking at 100 mi, and divorce was an option by 200 .  

I'm 51 and started riding last May.  I bought a new 2006 Vulcan 500 LTD and love it. Easy to handle, plenty of power, and gas mileage of about 60.  I'm 5'11" and 170 pounds.  Had the seat redone with memory foam and I can ride forever without any discomfort.