2006 Honda VLX600 Deluxe
A Beginner Bike For The New Rider
A Beginner Bike For The New Rider
The Bike and The Ride
The 600, as mentioned, is a entry level bike that is what could be called "nimble", and easy to throw around. Its light weight (458 pounds) is located in a low profile that creates a very easily balanced bike. The 583cc engine is a SOHC 3 valves per cylinder and has a reliable electronic ignition, that worked well every time, even when I tried to tax it a bit. I could spend plenty of time on the specs, but the listed site here has all you need to know (http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/honda/2007-honda-shadow-vlx-vlx-deluxe-ar17644.html )
The 600, as mentioned, is a entry level bike that is what could be called "nimble", and easy to throw around. Its light weight (458 pounds) is located in a low profile that creates a very easily balanced bike. The 583cc engine is a SOHC 3 valves per cylinder and has a reliable electronic ignition, that worked well every time, even when I tried to tax it a bit. I could spend plenty of time on the specs, but the listed site here has all you need to know (http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/honda/2007-honda-shadow-vlx-vlx-deluxe-ar17644.html )
The bike is comfortable to ride with the stock seat (for an hour or so at 100+ km/h) but you will want to get off for a few moments after that (at least I did) because the bike is pushing it for a 200 pounder, saddlebags, and added items that bear weight. The bike vibrates and gets buzzy in the handlebars. Why? The tranny only has 4 gears. The bike searches for a 5th gear at highway speed (over 80km/h) that is not there.
This would be the major drawback for the 600 and leaves the rider exhausted after a long day foray. In addition, because the bike only has 4 gears (and is a 600cc V-twin), it is somewhat underpowered if riding 2 up. It is best left as a single rider machine (unless you and your passenger come in under 250 pounds!) As mentioned, the ride over an hour with the stock seat is OK, but not great. I found the seat hard to find a "sweet spot" where it was not only comfortable on the posterior, but allowed for the best foot and leg placement. So, I replaced the seat with a Mustang seat - my butt thanked me so much!! It stopped most of the back aches I used to get, and gave me the support to better manage my leg / foot positions. The seat also makes the bike easier to handle in the parking lot at under 4 km/h.
On the "lighter side", or at least, lighting, the single headlight does not afford much in the way of a "riding light" at night (why is that so typical of motorcycles?), and you are easily "lost in the clutter" of all the other lights from vehicles out there. To remedy this, Cobra lights and light bar were added to make the bike better to be seen, and better to see with. In retrospect, with the newer lighting systems out there, it may have been better to put high intensity LED lights attached to the highway bar. It would draw less electrical power and give the effect needed. Perhaps in the future...hmm.
Over-all, it is too bad the bike was at place in bikers lives where it was like the "not quite with it" little brother to the VT750, for close to the same price! For not much more ching, you could have bought a 750 or a 650 V-Star. As well, the bike was designed for a very small niche market, and Honda was looking at other ways to get you into a motorcycle (bring on the CBR125 and later the CBR250) These bikes are more "worldly" than the VLX600, and no doubt, due to this, cut costs and make the it more affordable. A 4 speed transmission when most other bikes offer five, and hard pressed for the open road that is a big part of the motoring market, and a good thing had to come to an end.
On the "lighter side", or at least, lighting, the single headlight does not afford much in the way of a "riding light" at night (why is that so typical of motorcycles?), and you are easily "lost in the clutter" of all the other lights from vehicles out there. To remedy this, Cobra lights and light bar were added to make the bike better to be seen, and better to see with. In retrospect, with the newer lighting systems out there, it may have been better to put high intensity LED lights attached to the highway bar. It would draw less electrical power and give the effect needed. Perhaps in the future...hmm.
Over-all, it is too bad the bike was at place in bikers lives where it was like the "not quite with it" little brother to the VT750, for close to the same price! For not much more ching, you could have bought a 750 or a 650 V-Star. As well, the bike was designed for a very small niche market, and Honda was looking at other ways to get you into a motorcycle (bring on the CBR125 and later the CBR250) These bikes are more "worldly" than the VLX600, and no doubt, due to this, cut costs and make the it more affordable. A 4 speed transmission when most other bikes offer five, and hard pressed for the open road that is a big part of the motoring market, and a good thing had to come to an end.