Honda VLX (600cc)

[x_cuesme]

Hi Folks-

Posted earlier about bike hunting for our daughter- short history is this will be her first MC but she's put in about 800 miles on a Vino 125, 200 on my Reflex before I sold it, and done a couple of fairly successful parking lot practices on a Virago 535 and her bf's V-Star 650--

I've heard of a lot of folks starting on Honda VLX's and absolutely loving them. Found a red 2002 on a used lot yesterday with just 1400 miles, obviously garage kept, and not a scratch on it- If it runs as well as it looks and they agree to a reasonable price, we're seriously thinking about buying it.

Anyone have reservations about this bike for a first MC? Or about the bike in general? I normally here only glowing reports about them...

Thanks,

x_cuesme

[LoDownSinner]

She should be fine.

The only caveats (and they're not bad) are:
The bike is a little cold-natured, takes a while with the choke to warm up in cooler weather. Generally, if you start it with the fuel off, and letit run on full choke until it runs out of fuel, it'll be ready to go.
First gear is a little on the 'tall' side. It takes a good feel for the friction zone to start off without stalling, at least until you get used to it.
The seat sucks.
Range is about 120 miles between fillups.
The gas tank has a tendancy to rattle a bit right before it goes on reserve. That can be fixed with a couple of strips of inner tube material over the front tank mounts.

Other than those minor quirks, it's a great bike.

[NukeTest_Rider]

I bought a VLX as my first bike after taking the MSF course. I bought the bike used with about 2000 miles on it. I'm now on my third season riding the bike and have put about 8000 miles on it. I've been very happy with it. I've had no problems with it.
For me it was a good bike to start out with. It's not too big and has a low seat height, so it is easy to flat foot. I plan on keeping it for 1 or 2 more years before moving up to a bigger bike.

[Missy B]

Hey Nancy,
H just bought one and he had very limited mileage on his old 500 cc Shadow. He hasnt had much saddle time in it yet, but is very happy with it thus far. Have to give a +1 to the LDS' comments about the seat. H doesnt like it...I think he just wants a Corbin like mine. :mrgreen:

When I hopped on it for a short ride, I liked it too. Easy to handle.

Good luck with the purchase! Sounds like a great bike.

[x_cuesme]

Well- We're lucky enough to have dealt with this shop long enough that they let us test drive the VLX- a real test drive- between H and I, about 20 miles of everything we could think of-

Bike runs great- unfortunately, it's more than we can afford in cash right now and I don't know if I can finance another one--

But the test drive has definitely put the VLX on the 'very short list'- at least as far as H and I are concerned. (Daughter does get some input!) I was 'instantly comfortable' on it- felt like I'd been driving it forever. I think she can handle it with no problems but it will be enough of a challenge to keep her happy for a long time.

Of course, she'd have to keep Mom OFF of it long enough to drive it... :smile:

[Missy B]

I was 'instantly comfortable' on it- felt like I'd been driving it forever.

Exactly the way I felt on it, too.
http://www.blairlair.net/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

[Shadow Shack]

Do you really want my biased opinion on this one?

I easily go 120 miles before flipping the reserve (0.9g capacity on reserve, at 60mpg that's 54 miles of riding). I've become quite comforatble with the stock gearing, and like LDS says the seat could use some help. Fine for around down but once you get 75 miles of freeway riding the butt goes numb.

I bought my first one new 8 years ago, aside from the consumables (tires, brakes, battery, plugs, filters, etc) the only issues I've had involve a new sensor switch on the radiator and an O-ring on the thermostat housing. Nothing that left me stranded in the 120º Las Vegas heat.

It might take some getting used to in the parking lot though, it's not as nimble as a scooter in terms of the frame geometry. The chopper-esque front end will make it feel heavier than it is for these moves, so once that's down it's just like riding a bike.

If the newer ones are out of the price range, look further back. You can get nice 95-98 models for around $3K, or go back even further for a good 88-94 bike for $2K-3K

And they're not just fun to ride, they're also fun to hack up and reshape.

[x_cuesme]

OMG-

Shadow Shack, they told me $3450 OTD for the bike- 2002 Deluxe, 1600 miles, runs likes new, looks like new-- windshield, custom grips, pegs, shield bag--

So this is a GOOD price for this bike??? (new ones are like $5400 here- and I'm not real savvy on used prices, part of why I usually avoid them)-

We figured another would come down the road and we'd just hold off until cash flow is better...

And Missy, I remember reading your post about being 'instantly comfortable'- I couldn't imagine being 'instantly comfortable' on a bike at this stage of the game- until I rode this VLX. Weirdest thing - felt like I'd been on it all my life- actually had to re-acclimate to my own when I drove it home.

Now that's ODD.

[94Vgo535Chick]

x_cuesme
I would try these sites to see what they say about the bike your asking about.

Kelly Blue book values (http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.tp?kbb;;CA083;&93437;rc&&zrc;Motorcycles)

or maybe this one

Nada used bike guide (http://www.nadaguides.com/Values/ValueManufacturer.asp?LI=1-11-1-2081-4-129-26614&wSec=3&com=0101&wPr=1&wPg=1026&GCode=MC&Type=MC)

Good luck and take care

[x_cuesme]

Hey VChick-

I looked it up on one site before we negotiated on it- the price they gave me for this model is about $100+ under the retail price- considering the condition of the bike, I couldn't argue it down much further---

I'll check the other links though- Thanks!

[94Vgo535Chick]

X_cuesme
They are nice looking bikes. Good luck finding one for your daughter. I will remember the tips posted its always-good info to know about a certain model.

I think the bike a friend asked about was the same year and red also. Very nice looking bike. I think it was about the same price here book value. I liked that they take into account where you live by zip codes. The owner was asking $4000 for the bike it had saddlebags, new aftermarket pipes and a windshield added. Now it wasn’t bad. I have always heard that you shouldn’t pay for added equipment with a used bike. It depends on the buyer in that argument. The owners were moving and the guy and his wife each had one. He said he wanted a bigger bike that’s why he was selling it. He wouldn’t come down on the price though. I checked out the value to help the young guy make a good choice. I thought it wouldn’t be bad first bike for him he had dirt bike experience. He didn’t buy the bike in the end. I think his wife was a little worried about him having a bike. I stay out of those discussions.

Take care,

[Shadow Shack]

Check out my homepage at http://shadow-shack.20m.com

My black/yellow 97 was purchased new for $5860 OTD, MSRP at the time was $5,699 before the yen dropped a year or two later.

The 95 model was purchased for $3800 in 99, not bad for a 4YO model with 1400 miles on it. I chopped it afterwards.

The red 92 model was purchased in late 2000 for $2000 (added another $2K to make it look like it does now), and my wife's showroom condition '88 model came home after 9-11 for $1800. My '88 came home for $200 not running.

It's rare to find running VLXes for under $1500, although one guy on the VLX forum brought home a dandy one for $1000 that didn't need much help. Another guy found a red 92 for $1500 w/80K miles on it, put another 40K on the bike and sold it for the same $1500...I almost bought it! $3450 OTD is a great price on a 3 year old bike, and if you like the extras it's even better. If you don't like the goodies sell them off and get an even better deal in the end.

[x_cuesme]

She just kept calling my name- so I just brought her home.

Here she is- straight from the dealer's lot-

[Wookie]

That's pretty sweet...Congrats on the purchase :thumbsup:

[x_cuesme]

Thanks Wookie-

The Aero isn't going anywhere- We're still going to hit the parking lots and side streets and do some longer rides on straighter roads- and I WILL get the hang of the bike eventually. One of these days I'll drag those pegs and go "Oh, hey- what's the big deal?":

The VLX will actually go to my daughter who returns the end of August- AFTER she completes MSF and IF she is comfortable on a somewhat larger 'starter bike'. But I think it will do me a lot of good too-

So "Aero lessons" will still be necessary! (Ooopppsss- I'm on the wrong forum, huh! :razz: )

In the meantime, I get to have some 'sorely missing fun'- Riding IS supposed to be fun!

[Missy B]

Congrats, Nancy! :woot:

Are you in contact with your daughter while she's overseas? IE: Does she know she has a new bike ready and waitin' for her..that's if she can get you off of it....LOL :mrgreen:

I'm happy for you. :thumbsup:

[DUIEsq]

Congrats on the new bike


Jake

[Wookie]

x_cuesme,

After your first ride report on the VLX, then seeing that you ended up bringing it home, the first thought I had was, you could use it as a transition bike to your Aero. Spend a little time on the VLX, get more used to a "Shifty thing" then move onto your Aero.

In some ways I can see it helping, but in others it's still not the same as riding the Aero and getting used to it's quirks.

In the end, do what's fun and what's going to make you a better rider, since that's what it's all about :thumbsup:

[ncgal_in_mo]

In the end, do what's fun and what's going to make you a better rider, since that's what it's all about :thumbsup:

I couldn't have said it better myself.

WTG Nancy! I can't wait to ride it. <grin>

[Missy B]

I can't wait to ride it. <grin>

:crackup: :crackup:

[Big Daddy C]

Hey Shack,

How would you chop a VLX for a 6'5", 34" inseam???

Just curious, afterall I need to fund one of your chop projects and even if it can't be the SV650.... (hey wait, maye it should be....)

BDC B)

[x_cuesme]

Big Daddy, I'm far from 6'5"- But I've got the 34 inch inseam--

Missy, No, she has no clue. We don't want her to feel pressured- If she wants to start on a 250, we'll sell the Vino and pick one up cheap for her to start on. The VLX will be here when she's ready-

Ter, anytime you're ready- but promise to keep your clothes on, okay? These MO boyz in my neck of the woods take that kind o'stuff serious...

Wookie, bad and good is always part of the package- I think I'm making a good choice for me.

IF I get to ride it. H's V-Star is going to be put up for a bit- we have some work to do on it- and I said "Perfect timing- you can ride the Aero."

He said "I thought I'd take the little one- better gas mileage, you know?" :(

Yeah, right...I think this VLX is 'charmed' or something....

[Shadow Shack]

Hey Shack,

How would you chop a VLX for a 6'5", 34" inseam???

Just curious, afterall I need to fund one of your chop projects and even if it can't be the SV650.... (hey wait, maye it should be....)

BDC B)

Jardine forward controls: 10" of extra stretch! The sky's the limit after that as far as what you want to do with rake and wheelbase. 15-18 inch apes might be the ticket as well...