Bike opinions - VTX1800F vs Warrior

[NikatKimber]

Opinions between these two bikes?

If you're not familiar with them, here's a review of each at a google provided website.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/yamaha/2008-yamaha-warrior-ar47803.html

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/honda/2007-honda-vtx1800f-ar16788.html

Both can be had on the used market relatively cheap (under $5k easy). I'm a "relatively" new rider. I put on about 10k miles, but that was 8 years ago, and I haven't ridden since.

My first (and only) bike was a Shadow 750, with only 37hp and 500+lbs, was pretty tame, and made a good starter bike. But I don't want something underpowered again. I realize both of those bikes are big (BIG!), so feel free to give reasons I shouldn't go with them; but also please don't just say "no". And if you do advise against it, tell me why, and if possible, suggest something else.

So, why I picked those... Cruiser - ish required by wife. More specifically, not a sportbike. I could probably talk her into a standard, or touring bike; but I don't really want a sport tourer. Standard is certainly on the table. I want something sportier and less "dated" looking than the 750 ACE I had. So no retro bikes with big flared fenders. I probably won't be buying new, and $5k would be an absolute hard max. I'd prefer to spend less on the bike, and leave more room for safety gear and extras on the bike.

I have not taken the MSF, yet, but will before I buy something. My wife has also said she wants to go as well, even though she doesn't intend to ride much, if at all.

Thanks for any opinions / arguments!

 

[Shootin 4 Fun]

If you want to ride the VTX 1800S or a VTX 1300C get ahold of me. I don't know much about the warrior, but I'm sure that it's a solid bike.

ETA: You won't be buying a new VTX 1800 unless you find one tucked away in a crate somewhere, I believe the last year for production was 2009. The 1800 is a big powerful bike that doesn't get great fuel economy, 30-34mpg, but when you ride with that much power you don't care. If you're looking for a bike that will sound like a Harley, the 1800 isn't it, the 1800 has an offset dual pin crankshaft where traditional V-Twin engines have a single pin crankshaft that allows for the loping sound that HD is famous for. You can get that sound from a VTX 1300.

As tall and lanky as you are, you really might enjoy the S/R/N models of the VTX over the C/F models.

 

[NikatKimber]

Yup. Don't think the Warrior is currently in production either. Don't care really, I'd rather not have a new bike to worry over.

Thanks for the offer! I might be taking you up on that.

I've ridden an F model, years ago, for a short bit. I'm not fond of the big fenders on the S/R/N models, but function over form, so if it they're more comfy, I'd figure something out.

I just moved, so now my commute is 2.5 miles, so MPGs aren't a big issue anymore, as I'd be riding for fun, not cost savings. Either way, 30mpg is still almost a 100% improvement. Apparently my car only gets 17mpg in town. Yikes!

 

[Shootin 4 Fun]

Here is my R all cleaned up. Now, do those fenders really look that bad?

 

[Shadowrider]

Which one? As reliable as my old VT1100C has been I'd go with Honda, but like S4F said, they'll both be solid bikes. The VTX 1800 is a big honkin bike, I actually like the 1300s better.

When you do your MSF you'll appreciate a smaller bike.

It's not so bad in Oklahoma but to get your M endorsement in kommiefornia they had 2 concentric circles that you had to be able to do a 360 in while keeping both tires inside of them the whole way around. I couldn't do it on my 1100 and I'm an experienced rider. It was tough. I wasn't getting a license out there but my friend's wife was and we went up to the practice lot with her one weekend. Oklahoma is a piece of cake, the written is the hardest part.

 

[NikatKimber]

Didn't mention, I have my M-endorsement. I kept it all these years.

 

[The German]

I think Yamaha replaced the Warrior with the Raider. I had a warrior and it was bad ass. I am taller and liked how the warrior was more stretched out. Lots of power.

 

[The German]

 

[Podman]

I've had a few bikes over the years and I think Yamaha is more reliable than Honda. But they are both good bikes but the Yamaha's that I have had were mostly
trouble free. If you are going to ride double you need the power so go as big as you can afford.