honda shadow 1986 (700cc)

folks, i am considering a honda shadow 1986 (700cc) as i first motorbike.
how do you all feel about this bike?

im in mexico and the choice of used bikes is rather small. the only two
bikes that i found in a pretty close to like-new contrition is this one and
a Honda 750KA (1980).

all new bikes around the 500-700cc range cost about 7000USD and upwards. i
am not going to spend so much money for a new bike as i have not ridden a
bike before.

look forward to your opinions.

kurtz.

 

kurtz wrote

Never met one. I ride a VT500 though which is nice if you like that
sort of thing.


Assuming the 700 suffers from a similar set of faults then you will need
two spare sets of fork seals, a set of Hagon rear shocks, a spare set of
coils, an endless supply of back brake pads[1] and the patience of a
saint if ever you decide to attempt the job of replacing a blown
dashboard bulb single handed.


If you do attempt your own servicing then being a woman would be an
advantage as would having one of those long fingers that those rat
things use for digging out bugs from trees.


If you are under 69 inches and 150lbs you will look fucking ace on it.


Heresy I know but the burgundy ones really do look the best.


Get used the 2000 mile service intervals. I found Mondays and Thursdays
worked for me when I commuted one into London. By way of a bonus though
you will make very good friends with the people down at the reclamation
centre. Nice guys most of them.


By today's standards the brakes are utter fucking shite. Although, if I
were honest about it I would really say that they are shite by any
standards but I don't feel particularly disposed towards honesty today.


The chrome is still fine on mine but the paint work is starting go and
it has not seen garage parking for years.


[1] I really don't understand this as I am not a big back brake user,
although I do tend to trail it into corners and shit, but the things
just seem to wear out if you even so much as use them to actually do
anything as bold as wanting to slow down. I wouldn't mind if they were
even noticeably effective when they do get used but they ain't so they
don't.