Anyone know much about a Honda Steed VLX 1994?

[Ms Piggy]

I'm not far away from being able to get my full license (end of July I've worked out). And have been ruminating on what sort of bike I'd like to buy next. I had decided I didn't want to go too much bigger in the cc rating because my current (and the only bike I've ever owned) is my little beat up Betty, a CB250RS, 1983.

Then I saw this! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=215298718 I asked some pals and they suggested I buy it and park it up until I get my full.

I am the 1st to confess I know very little mechanical about motorbikes and I've also been attracted to this bike by the colour and more particularly the "Skull face grill cover on radiator" :o as well as being 400cc.

I am seriously looking for advice and opinions from people who know a lot more than me about why or why not.

Thanks in advance, Ms Piggy

[Virago]

Cruiser riding is a whole different type of riding. If you've decided that's the way you want to go, good on ya.

Have you sat on many cruisers and tried them out for size? How tall are you?

For short-arses (me included), cruisers offer a very low seat height. But many have seriously forward foot controls, which can be a major stretch for shorties.

Also, the stubby "drag bar" handle bars, which give more elbow room for taller riders, can be a stretch for shorties. Buck horn type bars are better in that case.

Performance wise, I think you may be disappointed with a 400cc cruiser. If going for a cruiser, I'd recommend jumping to something in the 650-750cc range.

You need to sit on as many cruisers as possible to gauge size, weight and comfort. The variation in ergonomics can be surprising. Good luck.

[Bren]

One person you can ask is "Ghost Bullet (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=5759)" here on KB. I am sure he had one before he went Guzzi mad...

[sunhuntin]

a friend of mine has a 600 [i think... would have to double check!] that she wants to be rid of. its a great looking bike, and sounds hot too. ive had a sit, and it was more comfy than my virago. was low enough to the ground that i had both feet flat, which is good. not sure on reach to bars and foot controls though.
it does have a dent in the tank that would need to be repaired, but shes been riding it like that almost as long as ive known her [about 4-5 years] without trouble.

i wouldnt mind buying it off her, but cant afford two bikes, and im devoted to the virago, lol.

let me know if you are interested, and ill go snap some photos of it.

[Ms Piggy]

Cruiser riding is a whole different type of riding. If you've decided that's the way you want to go, good on ya.
Well I'm not really that sure TBH but because I am a shortie I always thought a crusier style bike may suit me better because of that.


Have you sat on many cruisers and tried them out for size? No I haven't. I guess I don't wanna feel like a time waster in the bike shops and when it comes to private sales...I haven't had any experience in buying a car or motorbike before from anyone other than ppl I know already.


How tall are you?I'm around 159cm, so yep a short arse.


For short-arses (me included), cruisers offer a very low seat height. But many have seriously forward foot controls, which can be a major stretch for shorties.

Also, the stubby "drag bar" handle bars, which give more elbow room for taller riders, can be a stretch for shorties. Buck horn type bars are better in that case.
Showing my ignorance here but, does the bike I'm asking about look like it has fwd foot controls? Does it also have the drag handle bars you're talking about?


Performance wise, I think you may be disappointed with a 400cc cruiser. If going for a cruiser, I'd recommend jumping to something in the 650-750cc range.
Well I am considering 400cc because my current bike is only a 250cc and while I realise lots of riders go from 250 to a 600cc plus, I'm not such a speedy rider anyway. More of the type that likes to cruise and admire the scenery and would like something a little more powerful to boost my passing ability really. Surely 400cc's would give me that?


You need to sit on as many cruisers as possible to gauge size, weight and comfort. The variation in ergonomics can be surprising. Good luck. Hmmmm, okay. Thanks very much for the feedback and advice.

[Virago]

Well I'm not really that sure TBH but because I am a shortie I always thought a crusier style bike may suit me better because of that. I'm around 159cm, so yep a short arse...

Okay, divide by 2.54 - carry the 4 - subtract the number you first thought of - umm... - that's a bit under 5'3". At that height, you could handle a mid-size cruiser no problem.


...I guess I don't wanna feel like a time waster in the bike shops and when it comes to private sales...I haven't had any experience in buying a car or motorbike before from anyone other than ppl I know already...

Get into every bike shop you can, and sit on a few bikes. Let the sales staff know that you want to sit on lots to assess size and comfort - they'll be very accommodating I'm sure.


...Showing my ignorance here but, does the bike I'm asking about look like it has fwd foot controls? Does it also have the drag handle bars you're talking about?...

Yes and yes. It has the foot-forward position, but not too far forward, at your height, you should be fairly comfortable.

Most Harleys are a major stretch to the foot controls, anyone under 5'6" ends up squashed against the tank.

A few cruisers, such as the 750 and 1100 Viragos, have mid-mount foot controls - still foot-forward, but closer to under the body.

That Honda Steed has the drag-bars (think short flat straight bar), which may be a bit of a stretch for you. You may be more comfortable with buck-horn style (think mini ape-hanger), that bring your hands further back.

Sit on the edge of a chair, and try the different positions, you'll get the idea. Stretching forward with both hands and feet is not very comfortable...


...Well I am considering 400cc because my current bike is only a 250cc and while I realise lots of riders go from 250 to a 600cc plus, I'm not such a speedy rider anyway. More of the type that likes to cruise and admire the scenery and would like something a little more powerful to boost my passing ability really. Surely 400cc's would give me that?...

Cruisers are, by they're very nature, quite low powered. The smaller ones tend to run out of grunt very quickly at highway speeds, as they don't have the high-revving horsepower of sportsbikes. Cruisers are more "torquey", which gives you the low down pulling power.

You would be better to try something mid-size, around 650-750cc. You would be able to handle the size and weight (and modest power). Have a look at the Honda Shadow 750, and the Yamaha V-Star 650.

[Ghost_Bullet]

I loved my steed, I did my learners license on a CMT200 and was looking for some cruiser like ride.... this page tells of what I thought... (HERE) (http://www.geocities.com/historybeginns/VLX400.htm)

That bike I bought I got for a bargin, at only 4k and first NZ owner I was, it is still on the road to, though has not done many km's of late... (Here) (http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=42ueq&search=Check) I saw it on trademe a couple of years ago over Hoki way, and they were still asking 4k for it, so that says they hold there value well.

Here is a pic of it, it had real nice slash cut pipes, and had a good sound for the size.
<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2776980140100338616NAozkL"><img src="http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/43710/2776980140100338616S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="Steed at Lake"></a>

An album of pics of my sadly missed Steed... here (http://www.geocities.com/historybeginns/MS_PI/050800/album.htm) In a way I sad to let her go, the only things that went bad with it, was I had a water pump go int he first couple of weeks of having her, (shop smartly replaced it, and a slight weep of oil out of the rear rocker cover, easy fix.

Real stylish bike I reckon... I did a couple of weekends away up Nelson from Chch and the thing went well.

Take all advice that ya can get, try around as said, most of all enjoy the progression which ever was you go.....

[rainman]

Then I saw this! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=215298718


Looks like a nice bike. I like the skull face cover (wonder if I can get one for my bike...). They've also done the levers - Cool!


Showing my ignorance here but, does the bike I'm asking about look like it has fwd foot controls? Does it also have the drag handle bars you're talking about?


[SIZE="1"]Yes and yes. It has the foot-forward position, but not too far forward, at your height, you should be fairly comfortable.

Hmmm. Don't really look like what I'd call drag bars. The pic of my bike in my profile is when I had drag bars on. Bloody silly idea, actually hurt my back to ride with them, and I'm over 6". And they were low enough to ding the tank on a tight turn. The bars on the Steed look like they have more bend in them, and are a bit higher; closer to "normal" bars - like the one's I have on now, which are waaaay easier from a riding comfort perspective.


Cruisers are, by they're very nature, quite low powered. The smaller ones tend to run out of grunt very quickly at highway speeds, as they don't have the high-revving horsepower of sportsbikes. Cruisers are more "torquey", which gives you the low down pulling power.

You would be better to try something mid-size, around 650-750cc. You would be able to handle the size and weight (and modest power). Have a look at the Honda Shadow 750, and the Yamaha V-Star 650.

Good advice, but the question I'd ask is: does it do 100 comfortably on the open road, with enough grunt remaining to get to 120 for a quick overtake or similar? And is it comfortable enough to ride 400kms+ on?

[Jerry74]

Get a Suzuki Boulevard 800, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 or a Harley Sportster you will have a bike you wont outgrow and has enough power to be useable.
Not too bad on petrol either.

[Ms Piggy]

I went and had a sit on the bike yesterday and the guy even let me take it for a quiet pootle up and down the street. I do really like it but have to work out finances and get a friend of a friend to check it out mechanically. I've thought a lot about the fact that it's 400cc and I'm really okay with that - for my style of riding (i.e. scenic cruising) and the fact that my current and only bike is a 250 that struggles in a head wind I really think going up to a 600cc plus would be too much for me.

Anyhoo, my question is: do you think he's asking a realistic price?

He's got it for $4,500, after talking with a friend I thought about offering him $3,800- (if everything else checks out) and seeing what he says.

[James Deuce]

At the risk of being a miserable bugger, have you got somewhere safe to park now? You don't want that lovely little thing getting a random Betty Bashing.

Given the state of the economy, if he doesn't take $3800 and start giggling a little, he isn't EVER going to sell it. I've been browsing Trademe this morning (thanks to you) and I'm completely astounded at what $7k will get you "these days" (old fart!).

[Ms Piggy]

At the risk of being a miserable bugger, have you got somewhere safe to park now? You don't want that lovely little thing getting a random Betty Bashing.
Thanks for the concern, we have a driveway now and a carport even! So our bikes are hidden away at the back of our property.


Given the state of the economy, if he doesn't take $3800 and start giggling a little, he isn't EVER going to sell it. I've been browsing Trademe this morning (thanks to you) and I'm completely astounded at what $7k will get you "these days" (old fart!).
Hmmm, thanks for that Jim. Food for thought!

[sunhuntin]

heck thats cheaper than what my friend wants for hers... i think she wants around $6000. one thing i liked about the steed was the indicators can be switched to not flashing if needed... would be good for open road or foggy condition riding.