View Poll Results: Was buying a '09 honda shadow for my girlfriend a bad idea?
Voters: 83. You may not vote on this poll
What do you think?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
She wanted a Harley instead? (Who doesn't). I'd be pissed off if I gave my GF something expensive only find out she was disappointed that it was quite not good enough. Look out, she could be a gold digger.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Ok, so we don't know anything about your girl friend and we shouldn't be putting her down because she asked a question about her image on a Honda. Also, we know that you did the best you can with your finances.
Assuming, she isn't the type that has to have what she wants or that she has to have it because other have it (you need to determine this, because if she is like that, you have got an immature gal on your hands that will cause you lots of grief in the future!), riding a Honda Shadow is not a big issue. There are a lot of women that begin on a Honda and some that ride them for a long time before they can afford a Harley. The suggestion to get an entry Sporty isn't necessarily a good one. In fact the Shadow might ride better than a Sporty.
In our HOG club, there are a couple of ladies that ride Honda's and I've gone on a group ride to the Black Hills (600 miles one way) over a weekend where one of the gals road a Honda. She kept up with the group and no one ever gave her crap about the bike she road. Will some people make a comment, probably.... there are a lot of jerks around. But I'll bet they would make a comment about someone riding a Sporty as well.
Tell her not to worry about others. Most of the people you meet will think it's cool that she's riding. If she stays with it and you two stay together, sometime down the timeline, you'll probably get her a Harley or you may wind up giving her yours and getting a new bike. You are both young now, have a lot of years and challenges ahead. I've been through a divorce and can tell you that you don't want to be in debt because you bought her everything she wanted!
I think you are a stand up guy doing what he can to give your girl a chance to ride with you. Hopefully, she's just a little unsure and she's not one that has to have her way.
Assuming, she isn't the type that has to have what she wants or that she has to have it because other have it (you need to determine this, because if she is like that, you have got an immature gal on your hands that will cause you lots of grief in the future!), riding a Honda Shadow is not a big issue. There are a lot of women that begin on a Honda and some that ride them for a long time before they can afford a Harley. The suggestion to get an entry Sporty isn't necessarily a good one. In fact the Shadow might ride better than a Sporty.
In our HOG club, there are a couple of ladies that ride Honda's and I've gone on a group ride to the Black Hills (600 miles one way) over a weekend where one of the gals road a Honda. She kept up with the group and no one ever gave her crap about the bike she road. Will some people make a comment, probably.... there are a lot of jerks around. But I'll bet they would make a comment about someone riding a Sporty as well.
Tell her not to worry about others. Most of the people you meet will think it's cool that she's riding. If she stays with it and you two stay together, sometime down the timeline, you'll probably get her a Harley or you may wind up giving her yours and getting a new bike. You are both young now, have a lot of years and challenges ahead. I've been through a divorce and can tell you that you don't want to be in debt because you bought her everything she wanted!
I think you are a stand up guy doing what he can to give your girl a chance to ride with you. Hopefully, she's just a little unsure and she's not one that has to have her way.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 113
From: Fort Worth, TX
Let her ride the Honda for a few months to get experience, then sell it and get a Sporty
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Honda vs HD
Honda makes beautiful, low slung, light weight bikes that hold up for many thousands of maintenance free miles. For those of us 5' or less our bike options narrow. She should be grateful to have her own ride and understand that for newbies- anything with 2 wheels that fits the rider properly is great. When/if she learns to ride and decides she loves it and can handle something bigger- then move up to a HD. I have both a sporty and a 1400 Suzuki and love them both. When I ride in agroup I have never had anyone say anything negative about my Zuki as it is just as customized and beautiful as my HD. I would rather ride anything no matter what logo is onthe tank than be riding bitch or not riding at all. There are many folks out there that wish they had a bike so tell her to grow up and appreciate both the bike and especially the giver of the bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Trade it for a ol' kick start sportster.
Tell her "Now she wont have to worry about her image".
Truthfully, it sounds like you got her a pretty good bike for someone just starting out riding.
She sounds a little self centered, materialistic and unappreciative.
More interested in how she appears than truly interested in riding.
Best of luck to ya.
Tell her "Now she wont have to worry about her image".
Truthfully, it sounds like you got her a pretty good bike for someone just starting out riding.
She sounds a little self centered, materialistic and unappreciative.
More interested in how she appears than truly interested in riding.
Best of luck to ya.
Last edited by Lindsey141; Jan 13, 2010 at 05:05 PM.