Opinions on the Honda Spirit VT750C2 Chopper

[hellokitty]

Does anyone have any sensible or constructive opions on the Honda Spirit VT750C2 Chopper??
I am looking to upsize my cruiser and this seems to be a good size for me. I will be test riding bikes on Saturday, but was wondering if anyone here has this bike and can give me their opinion.
I am 5 foot 5', have a full license but have only been riding for 1 year, and currently on a Suzuki Intruder 250cc and am finding it under powered on the motorway. I don't want to go really fast, just wanting to cruise at 100km, and have that bit extra if I need it.

Hopefully the link will work....

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/bikedetails.asp?BikeTypeID=4&ModelID=186&type=

[hellokitty]

I have considered other bikes, such as the Yamaha 650cc Custom whatever it is called... and similar Kawasaki, but am having no luck with the sales guys I have contacted. people don't bother to call back, I know if my husband callde they would take him seriously. I have had good service at Cyclespot Honda so are heading in that direction.......

[vifferman]

Looks like it would be a pretty good bike.
I test-rode a VT750 a few years ago (slightly different model), and apart from a really clunky gearshift, it was a nice comfy bike. Not really my thing though.

[bluebird]

In my experience all Hondas are good bikes, the VT750 is a lovely looking bike you could do a lot worse. Try the M50, slightly larger engine but predictable and good resale value, I know a few ladies that love them, disappointing about the dealers attitude, try Colmans Suzuki in Newton, they are good to deal with like Cyclespot are.

[hellokitty]

Thanks.
I have been to Colemans who are really good guys, but they have nothing I want. I got my Intruder from them, but now I am ready to upgrade, they have nothing suitable.
Is the M50 heavy? I think the Chopper is about 240kg (?) I really don't have the confidence to go for a big heavy bike.

[hellokitty]

Actually I had an S50 Boulevard which I found too heavy - it seemed to me that the weight felt high? rather than low, like for instance the Harley I sat on in the weekend, I could lean it over wheras I couldn't do that with the S50.

[bluebird]

Try a Vespa.

[hellokitty]

yes, I can ride to see my lawyer when my husband divorces me

[Zamiam]

One of my mates got his full licence about 3 months ago and traded his GN? Suzuki 250 Twin on the VT750C personally I preferred the look of the C2 but the C did it for him. He is absolutely stoked with it and has down nearly 3000kms since buying it. He is somewhat vertically challenged - probably about your height and quite short in the leg. I went around with him the day he got his licence and he tried the Suzuki M80?, Kawasaki Vulcan, Yamaha V-Star and the Vt750 which he bought. He really liked the V-Star but it was about 5000 more expensive. It is a nice looking bike tho. He found the VT750 fitted him best - he can't reach the forward controls on my Harley

[Gone Burger]

I absolutely have fallen in love with this bike and haven't even test ridden one yet. I am about the same height as you, and very light too. Have sat on one in the shop and the height was great, pegs and handle bars felt good and I could manage the weight ok while stationery. Of course, may feel different once actually moving. I'm upgrading from my Keeway in a few weeks hopefull (if I pass my full test), and this is the bike I have my heart set on. Would love to know what you think of it once you have taken it for a spin!

[The Baron]

The Honda Shadow & Spirit are very similar bikes (same motor) try them both. The Spirit is more chopper than the Shadow so you may find the Shadow more comfortable.
I had a Shadow - I found it to be a great bike one up but two up not so good. Nice motor, nice bike and nice sound.

[hellokitty]

Zamiam - I am short in the leg too, I can reach the forward controls on an 883 Harley, so I can't see a problem there (I hope) there is no way I will get a Harley, as I will have to get the husband one too!!

Katiepie - I sat on the bike and moved it around the shop and it felt good, I will try it riding slow and doing slow turns and parking it and I will let you know.
I was outside Cyclespot at 8pm one night with my face pressed up against the glass, when one of the guys pulled up and let me in the shop to sit on it.

[hellokitty]

The Honda Shadow & Spirit are very similar bikes (same motor) try them both. The Spirit is more chopper than the Shadow so you may find the Shadow more comfortable.
I had a Shadow - I found it to be a great bike one up but two up not so good. Nice motor, nice bike and nice sound.

Thanks, I will try both, I think the Shadow is a few grand more so out of my price range. I have no intention of carry a passenger ever!! Unless it was a smallish kid.... nah, no passengers for me

[AllanB]

The engine has been around for yonks and has proven to be ultra reliable. It's no rocket but plenty there to get one into trouble!

There is a new 'dark' model being released - all blacked out and mean looking, ask your dealer if they are coming here.

[turtleman]

Yep - I have one. (pics in my profile somewhere, I think).
I'm about the same height as you (5' fuck all) and find it really easy manouvering the bike around, due to the really low seat height.

The Shadow has a much more comfortable seat - pretty much the only failing of the C2 Spirit, which is ok, but really bad after a couple of hours in the saddle. I prefer the profile of the Spirit, and the flatter handlebars as well, though that could lead to 'reach' issues of your arms are too short.

It aint a rocket ship (pretty tame really) but is a good all rounder in terms of rideability i.e good enough for weekend cruises, daily commuting but won't let you down on a trip, either. I've ridden mine for about 18 months as a daily commuter (Manukau to North Shore), as well as weekend rides of 300 -500 odd K that were quite often 2-up - but then again that's with either the wife or one of the teenage kids on the back, and they're all midgets too. Can't help genetics, huh !!
It also handled regular Akld to Welly rides as well.

Since I moved to back to Wellington, I haven't commuted as much so the mid-week/weekend rides is all it gets at the moment.
34,000km of trouble free riding over 2 years so far.
Economy is fairly good, getting around 22 -25 km per litre of fuel.
It is an excellent compromise (or step-up) bike.

The C50 or M50 Suzukis are also quite good bikes in this category, and well worth a look, but fuckit - they're Suzukis, and every man and his dog has one - dare to be (a little) different :shutup:

As I said, I don't commute on mine much now, so that has taken that factor out of the overall 'which bike' equation. Make me an offer so I can buy an XR1200 :yes:

[hellokitty]

I looked at your profile - nice bike!
Thanks for the info, the Shadow is a cool looking bike but out of my price range. As I have a bigger bum than you, hopefully the seat on the Spirit won't be such an issue - I tend to stop often anyway.
Definitley not for commuting, I prefer to ride for the enjoyment of it on the weekends, and it is good to know it handles long rides as one day I am sure I will ride somewhere far away (Wellington)

[hellokitty]

The dark model sounds cool - the dealer said that the white ones are on sale and the new ones will be more expensive which takes them out of my price range - dammit!
I am not looking for a rocket, I am sure it has more than enough power for me to handle - I am more of a "sunday" rider, cruising around.

[vifferman]

The dark model sounds cool
Yeah, but the white model looks quite 'pretty' and you don't see too many white cruisers, whereas every man, jack, his dog and his bitch has a black cruiser.

[mattian]

and have that bit extra if I need it.

.thats the bit you're going to like the most.

[hellokitty]

Yeah, but the white model looks quite 'pretty' and you don't see too many white cruisers, whereas every man, jack, his dog and his bitch has a black cruiser.

have you been talking to my husband?? He has been going on and on about me not getting a black bike

[shafty]

My Wife has an earlier VT and has no probs. Not a power house, but I ride a 1300, so theres the difference

Personally, I would look for a low km second hand model and save thousands myself, as they are hardly a Boy Racers bike, so most should be in well looked after condition.

Good luck, have fun. Unbelievable shops still don't treat Ladies like special Customers - its 2010 afterall. Some Sales Guys have it too easy, its BS.

[hellokitty]

I will have to buy from a shop as I need to trade my Intruder, but I will look at second hand models as well. I will take the hubby with me to put the hard word on the salesmen.
After riding a 250, I think a 750 will be a power house to me! I can't wait!

I have found Cyclespot to give good service to me/women, hell, I even got a boy friend from there a few years back!

[hellokitty]

speaking of women as special customers - I was at a ladies evening at Cycletreads, the night before a riding course, and nearly all of the women bought entire outfits - tops, pants, boots, helmets, gloves, boots and armour - amazing really - spending up large...........

[bluebird]

That's why they put a cafe in there, so we can pleasantly while away the hours as the ladies decide what to wear... But yes a used VT750 save yourself a lot of money, they will not have been thrashed, biggest danger is that they were run in at 80kph.

[Gone Burger]

Yeah, but the white model looks quite 'pretty' and you don't see too many white cruisers, whereas every man, jack, his dog and his bitch has a black cruiser.

It's the white model that I am looking at myself. I love seeing white cruisers on the road, and think this one looks really lovely.

[peasea]

Does anyone have any sensible or constructive opions on the Honda Spirit VT750C2 Chopper??]

Yes: Burn it.

[shafty]

I will have to buy from a shop as I need to trade my Intruder, but I will look at second hand models as well. I will take the hubby with me to put the hard word on the salesmen.
After riding a 250, I think a 750 will be a power house to me! I can't wait!

I have found Cyclespot to give good service to me/women, hell, I even got a boy friend from there a few years back!

Did you trade the Boyfriend in there too? LOL

BTW, Shaft is the way to go (hence my name) - saves the hassle of oiling the chain without a centre stand amongst a heap of other things....

Yes the white with flames looks Mega

[hellokitty]

traded the bf at Rosebank Speedway lol!

I went this morning to look at bikes, and saw a Honda VT750C which is the same as the white one with flames but in silver - 2nd hand but only a few months old - has scratches on the rear guard and indicators - the previous owner damaged it and replaced with a new bike.
So I get an almost new bike with a few scratches for 3 grand cheaper and it is lovely - so light and so easy to move around - ideal for a woman! Plus it still have 17 months of warranty left.

Katiepie -They didn't have any white ones left and can't get anymore either, so I guess you better look around and get one fast.

[vifferman]

So... didja buy it yet. huh?

[hellokitty]

hell yes!!! I took my 250 there and left it for a trade in, just waiting on the money from the bank and will pick up next Saturday - getting some heated hand grips put on it as well - no fun riding in winter with numb hands.
A man turned up just after I said I would have it..... he was looking at it and I said don't touch my bike - you can't have that its a girls bike. I found out later that he had come down especially to see it and I beat him by 5 minutes.

[vifferman]

Good stuff! Well done, kitty! :niceone:

[Gone Burger]

Nice one kitty! Congrats on your new bike! Hope you have a blast riding it. I really do think they are lovely bikes.

There is still a white one in Wellington here, but know that what are in shops are the last of them. I' about 2 weeks away from sitting my test then I need to sell my 250 for the deposit. Not sure if they do trade ins where I'm looking. They actually mostly only sell Ducatis so doubt they would want me little cruiser.

Anyway, sounds like a really good buy - well done.

[hellokitty]

I was really lucky that Cyclespot were happy to take my bike as a trade and give me a really good price for it - they will probably wheel it next door to the Suzuki shop and get them to sell it (maybe).
If you do miss out, you could always get it repainted....... I am lucky my man is a panelbeater by trade.

[wainui]

KAtiepie They will take your bike a s a trade they good people

[hellokitty]

picked the bike up tonight............. the husband loves it and I think I may have a fight on my hands as to who gets to ride it!!!!!!


Katiepie - ask the bike shop if they will trade - and you could always borrow or hire a 250 to sit your license - the bike shop you buy from will probably lend you one for the test