Lizzie Luna-Bartels
5'4'', none of your business lbs., 27" inseam
The TU250X is a perfectly good bike. It felt like a scooter and it was frustrating that the bike didn't want to go on highway, but it was fun in the twisty parts. I liked how the brakes were squishy and forgiving. I'm concerned I'd grow out of it too fast. No problems with it other than power.
The Vulcan was a perfectly good bike. The forward controls were slightly awkward at first. It didn't feel like it had any personality for me. There was nothing particularly good or bad. The value was fine but I wouldn't buy it because I'd get bored.
I really, really dug the floorboards on the Silverado but hated the short throw on the clutch. I stalled the bike like twelve times. That was annoying, and discouraging. The ergonomics were fine, it fit me really well, but (other than the clutch) the bike was unremarkable.
I really like the feel of the Honda Aero. It felt like a biker's bike. The forward controls were a little awkward for me. I'm not sure I'm ready for a bike that size with all that extra stuff on it.
Okay, I loved the Bonneville. I feel like Steve McQueen on it. It was just fun. There's nothing hard about riding it. Shifting gears, it wanted to go and I wanted it to go. I know it's more than twice the price of the Suzuki, but still. I like the standards with the controls midway on the frame and my legs tucked in. The Bonneville felt like home in a good exciting way. I wouldn't need the bag or extras but they make it extra cool. With the Bonneville, I like it the way it is straight out the box.
Billy Bartels
6', 195 lbs., 33" inseam
Okay, I'm nothing like a beginner, but as we had no tallish newbies, I filled in for purely ergonomic reasons. For one thing, none of these little bikes really fit me right, but some were better than others.
The two standards were awkward, but not uncomfortable. Both the TU and the Bonnie had tight ergonomic triangles, and everything felt really close together, but not uncomfortably so. Powerwise, the TU was a little scary to me. I think I'd rather ride a big scooter. Oh wait, just ergos...
The most uncomfortable for me was the Star. Something about the pullback bars, the footboards too high and close and the forward push from the seat, made it agony for me. I think bars and a seat would fix it, but it would also add $1000 to the price with labor.
The Vulcan was a little too tight, and definitely felt like a little bike, but I could get by with it for about 50 miles at a stretch. The Shadow fit me the best, while compact, it was just stretched out enough to relax.