Rick Talbot
5'7", 170 lbs., 31" inseam
Because I ride aggressively, I preferred the Suzuki as a fun little pop around town bike. Good handling for a light 250, but a little squirrely on the freeway going over 70 mph (which it just barely does). You just can't be afraid to wind it out a little. Ergonomics fit me well. Suspension was a little bouncy. Great bike for the price.
I really liked the Vulcan all around-the ergonomics, appearance, and solid ride all worked for me. It's got a low, narrow seat and handles really well. Lots of torque helps me feel safe too. My back was way more comfy on this bike than the rest...overall my fave. I liked the cruiser style and sensitive brakes too.
It took awhile to get comfy on the V-Star Silverado but I started warming up to it before I was done. I'm not big on the floorboards, but the ergonomics fit me well. My feet could reach and such when stopped. It handled well on the corners, and the seat felt good too.
I liked the Honda Shadow but it felt a little tall for me (or wide?) compared to the other bikes. The Cadillac of the bunch (for me at least), smooth, large and solid-feeling.
The Triumph was the most fun. I like the old school look. It feels well engineered: Peppy, but still safe, with very smooth acceleration. It stops well and turns well. It felt like it wanted to get up and go a little more than the others. Ergonomically, it fits me well and I like the sort of hybrid (relaxed/sporty) feel. it feels like I could get away from a sticky situation if needed on this bike.
Alfonso Freeman
5'10", 180 lbs., 32" inseam
The Suzuki TU250X is a good beginner (and I mean a real beginner) bike. I was actually impressed with its get-up-and-go. Others disagree, but I thought that it had a bit more to give if you asked nicely. I really didn't like the placement of the pegs, gears and brakes, it would probably suit a rider of about five feet. As for the pricing, it doesn't seem too out of line for what you are getting.
I liked the Vulcan. It felt solid and balanced, another good beginner bike. I liked the way it handles when making tight turns. The look was nice; I wouldn't feel embarrassed to ride past a group of bikers on this toy, though I like the look of the Honda best in this department. I liked that it's a liquid-cooled six-speed, both are features that seem to be rare at its low price. The suspension was tight, but it made it feel more planted. Out on the open road it could easily do highway speeds, and feels pretty strong. For the price, I'd definitely recommend it.
Star's Silverado was my least favorite of the bikes, perhaps because I expected so much more. The bike seemed less sturdy to me. It was very rattly, with much more vibration than the Honda. I like the floorboards and the plush seat and the look is nice with good paint and classic lines. The cornering wasn't great, I felt less safe attempting tight turns, the balance seemed off somehow. A price point of $7490.00 isn't hateful for a bike of this size, with a touring package. If it were a choice of price between this and the Shadow, I'd choose the V-Star because you get a decent package that can handle the road. You get comparatively more, even though the ride itself is inferior. Hey, I'm a cheapskate! What can I say?
I own a Shadow Spirit and like it very much. However, this modified Aero seemed a bit spongier with its modified suspension. I didn't hate it. The ride was smooth, there was no vibration or excess noise outside of the rumble of the Jardine pipes. The look was clean (except for the scratches I inflicted on it). While it's not fast on the pickup, it was still strong on the road. One feels safe on the Shadow. The fully tricked-out price of $11K is a way more than what makes sense in this economy, especially since the bike is only a 750, but even the MSRP of the stock model seems high for what you get.
Everyone wanted to try the Bonneville out. It has a great vintage look, and 865ccs is the most I've ever had beneath me. I loved the power, but the throttle is pretty unforgiving, meaning there wasn't much of a mid-point where a new rider like me could feel safe trying to maintain slower speeds. Yes, I could have used lower gears, but at the lower gears, it seemed to want to get away from me. Even so, I think one could get used to its twitchiness and have a good time riding it. On the open road this baby was a gem. I loved how smoothly it rode once she was allowed to show what she could do. The Triumph felt solid and sturdy. As much as she was eager to run, I didn't feel like I'd be thrown because the braking was too tight. Everything on this bike in terms of workmanship seemed just right. I wasn't too fond of the riding position, so a vintage standard probably isn't for me. The Triumph would make a good intermediate bike, however. As for price point, $7699.00 doesn't seem too prohibitive, (though I don't think the tiny saddlebag is worth the extra dough).