Topic: 2004 Shadow VLX 600 cc

[medic09]

Anyone have experience with the '04 Shadow VLX?  My wife has her eyes on one.  I went and looked at it today.  It looks like a pretty nice bike.  The fact that it sits really low is good for her, and it still seems a decent size and power.  Has a little more than 3,000 miles on it, and looks well cared for.  Owner wants $ 4,000.

Any opinions on the bike in general?

[kghost]

Think they were about $5500 new.

Generally a pretty good bike. The one your contemplating is low miles so prolly ball park at 4 big bills

You might be better served by the 750 ACE for the money.

Also the yamaha 650 was/is an outstanding bike for beginners for the money.

[medic09]

Thanks, kg.

She doesn't want something quite as big as the 750, even though it is more for the (only a little more) money.  Presently she's riding our '78 Yamaha SR 500 with mixed success.  It's just a tad too tall for her comfort zone at this point, and the throttle response (aftermarket bigger carb) is a little choppy; leaving her stalling as she leaves some standing stops.  I'm putting the stock carb/throttle setup back on, which will smooth out the takeoff from a stop; and cutting down an old seat to see how that works.  But bottom line is she's been thinking about a Shadow 600 for a some time now.  The bike is a little too mild for my liking, and I don't like the posture; but it has to suit her, not me.

Anyone else?

[kghost]

Well its really about what makes her happy.

That being said the 750 is not dimentionally bigger than the 600 nor particularly heavier.

Have you checked out the 650 yamaha cruisers? Shaft drive and all ...damn near bullet proof...

Key to a happy marriage? Don't work on your wifes bike.

[medic09]

Key to a happy marriage? Don't work on your wifes bike.

And if I *don't*, when something needs fixing/adjusting...?  Sounds to me like 'damned if you do; damned if you don't'.

 

[kghost]

Ain't that the way it always is? 

[medic09]

Well, the '04 Shadow got sold before we could go give it a second look/ride.  I wasn't willing to pay $4K anyway.

Meanwhile, the wife found an '02 Shadow VLX and got hooked on it.  There were some things that told me it wasn't maintained like it should've been; but she was (stubborn female) hooked.  And willing to pay more than I thought right.  Took it to a shop for inspection, etc.  It came out okay, minus some stuff we knew should be fixed.  She bought it (okay, I was there as co-conspirator  ), and I have the shop fixing it up a bit (12K service, new rear tire, that kind of stuff).

So now we have too many bikes.  The SR500 that I *really* like, but have little occasion to ride just now (that's what I thought *she* would ride), The 750Four that I commute on every day and needs serious maintainence, the Shadow that will now have to squeeze into the garage, and the '75 Trident rebuild project that's gonna have to come home to the garage one of these days...

Ah, well...at least she's happy and wants to ride. 

[kghost]

You can can never have too many bikes.......or donuts for that matter