Should I go with a Japanese bike or an American bike?

Harleys are very good but they are EXPENSIVE and I think they're bigger than they need to be. Japanese bikes are just a better deal for the money. I am a Honda person myself but all the Japanese mfgrs are good, they produce a very economical, reliable, long-lived product.

Cruisers are a good choice for a first bike, especially if you aren't interested in 'pushing the envelope', you just want to ride and have fun. They are statistically safer, but this is probably because of that relaxed, laid-back riding style. They're also good for people with short legs because they have lower seats. You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground.

The V-Star is a good choice, or a Honda Shadow or Magna. My Honda is a water-cooled 1100 v4, a pretty big bike. It has >60,000 mi. on it and the engine is really like new. It hasn't even needed a valve adjustment. It's comfortable and smooth and wonderful for a long cruise. (But it's not a cruise, it's a sport-tourer).

250cc is fine if you don't plan on long cruises on the freeway. A 250 can go on the freeway just fine, several exits, maybe commuting to work, but for long trips you want something bigger, heavier, more stable. It's not just more comfortable, it's safer. A 500 or 650 is all you need, and that's not big at all for a cruiser.

And, while you might think you're just getting the bike to go to school or work, consider the very real possibility that you will just enjoy riding so much you'll find yourself doing long day-rides on weekends. Motorcycling is one of the few things in my life that turned out to be just as much fun as it looked like it would be!

Oh, and let me second what Earwax said. Don't start on a shiny new bike. Get one 5-10 years old, perhaps already with a few scuffs and bruises on it. After 6 months or a year, you can sell it for about what you paid for it, and by then you will have a much better idea what you really want.

Best of luck!

There is no way you will get a fair answer. Competition is a way of life for some people. They have to have the fastest, the loudest etc and no matter what you offer as proof, they have to try to beat what you say. Based on fact or not. In 42 years of riding,I've owned 26 bikes of my own, and ridden hundreds. Some Japanese, some Brit, a german bike, Harleys Too. I've owned dirt bikes, crotch rockets, cruisers and touring bikes. I can find good and bad things to say about any of them. And I can assure you that someone would argue with anything I said pro or con. In the end, it boils down to personal choice. You will find a bike you love, and others will hate it. I would own many of the bikes I had in the past again in a heart beat. A few, you would have to pay me to own again. I got the need for speed out of my system a long time ago, about the same time as I realized I was now a parent, and that I wasn't really immortal after all. Yes, I've been knocked off, and laid a few down over the years. But I hope to still be riding when I hit 70. No, I'm not anywhere close to that yet!! I will only say ( and I already know that it will stir up hate and discontent, not that I care) that my last 5 bikes have all been Harley's. Note that I didn't say my bikes were any better than the next guys, Just that that is what I ride now. In the end, it really doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you ride.

ALL the Jap/Euro/Am bikes will last with regular maintenance.

If you are looking for a *small* cruiser your choices are Japanese or an Asian clone of nearly the same price without the dealer network or reputation.

The HD833 and a V-Star Custom/Classic are not *small* bikes -- both weigh well in excess of 500 pounds and cost more than $6,000:

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_...

Your small cruisers include the Honda Rebel, 250 parallel twin and the Yamaha Virago 250 V-twin (relabled as a v-star):

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_...

Also the Suzuki Singles: the little GZ250 and the 'big' LS650:

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_...

The 250's are all about 330 pounds wet, while the LS650 is only 50 pounds heavier at 380 wet, 1/3 less than the HD. Also looking at under $4,000 for the 250's and $4,900 for the 650 ($500 more than the '08!)

On the road the 250's are fun, easy to handle, capable of city, lazy country roads at 55-60 mph, and can be pushed to freeway speeds. The LS650 is a killer city bike, loves the country roads, handles freeway and interstate easily with a top speed, stock, of about 85mph.

In '04 I needed transportation and the wife asked, "Have you considered a motorcycle." With the kids grown I could accept the extra risk, and went bike shopping. I needed something for running the streets and freeways of Los Angeles. A 400 would be perfect, but not available. A 250 would do, and I was looking at the Yamaha and Suzuki. Then I saw the Savage (renamed to S40), only a 50 pound penalty. Hmmm.... Sat on one, loved it, bought a used one.

Since then I have done over 21,000 miles on it, mostly my 4 mile one way daily commute. It can merge onto the freeway in 3rd, with two gears to go, and will keep up with L.A. freeway traffic at 85 mph. I've done the Angels' Crest and Ortega highways and was not passed by a sport bike. I've done two 350 mile overnighters, leave home about 9 pm, freeway to the desert, a lazy putt under a full moon, back home before 7 am. Also did a run to OKC for a military reunion, which started with back to back 500+ mile days. Coming home on the backroads I managed to run from Parker AZ to Palm Springs on a single tank, over 70 mpg.

My bike is not fast, 85 is more than enough to get me a speeding ticket so I only do it when that is the speed of traffic. But it is *quick*. Off the line there is not much that can match the Savage. On the forum one girl laughingly related how she spanked a sport bike at a light. (sport bikes are fast, but need a little time/room to start winding -- gutless at low rpm :^) )

Whichever one suits your riding style and any other requirements.

It must fit you, be comfortable, and be something you like.

Most of the Japanese bikes will last a long time if not abused and properly maintained.

The same applies to Harley-Davidson.

Parts for Harleys are easy to come by, and will be for longer than most Japanese cycles.

I don't feel very strongly about either one.

I rode Japanese bikes for almost 18 years, mainly Hondas.

I've been riding a Harley for the past 2 for many reasons, but those are my reasons. Not another's.

All I can add is stay away from those 250 Honda Rebels. Those things are a joke, and there's no way in h*ll I'd take any of those "pizza cutter" tires on the highway.

883s are a dime a dozen, and all over Craig's List for sale. With the economy the way it is, and people losing their jobs right and left, you should be able to find a great deal on whatever you choose.

Hey, and there's always Italian. Nothing like a Ducati to excite the senses. (I know people will say too expensive, etc), but I bet a 620 Monster would fit you like a glove.

If your concerned with American VS Japanese, the only true completely american made motorcycle is a Victory.

I agree with most everyone else, dont make it an us vs them. Sit on every bike you come across until you find one that fits your body and comfort level. Of the 2 you mentioned, ive found the 883 very uncomfortable to ride, and the controls are horribly placed. The Vstar is a comfortable reliable bike that youll probably only have to change the oil, filter and spark plugs, especially on a new one. Keeping in mind, this is comfort for me, not you. You ultimately decide whats comfortable for your own body/style of riding. Personally, ive owned 2 Kawasaki Vulcans, a 750 and now a 1500 and find them very comfortable and have never had a single problem, other than i wiped out on the 750 which was totally my own fault.

As far as the CC goes, you'd probably be better off with a little more cc. I hated my 250 and so did my wife. Too small, felt very uncomfortable on any kind of major roadway. Id at least look at a 500 or better. Most of the smaller ones ive seen start out around 800 or 900 nowadays but its very easy to drive slowly.

I also second a used bike for your first bike, you may not "dump" your first, but ive yet to meet someone who hasnt at least "laid it down".

I think you're going about this the wrong way. Don't make this a US vs Japanese question but rather which bike feels the best/most natural for your physique. Sit on each bike and judge how each feels to you:

Are the controls logically laid out?

Is the seat height and is the seat itself comfortable?

Are your feet comfortable on the pegs? Are your legs stretched out too much or do they feel crunched up ( are the pegs too high )?

When you grab the handlebar, are you sitting upright and comfortable or do you have to stretch to reach them?

Also, as mentioned above by one of the posts, for a first bike, you may want to go with a used bike to hone your riding skills. When you have a year or 2 on that used bike, flip it for a brand new bike. We all make mistakes as rookie riders and dropping a brand new bike can become very expensive ( even if the damage is just cosmetic ).

Good luck with whichever bike you choose and remember to always ride defensively.

Ya know, a cruiser is a poor motorcycle. Kind of like those kid's bicycles you see in like walmart that are all gaudy but just heavy and not really fast or maneuverable or a very good bicycle compared to a bmx or a Mountain bike or a racing bike. You can get alot more bike for alot less money if you look at standard bikes or dual sports and forget about looking like 'the fonz'.

If you are set on a crusier, that means you want a fashon accessory more than you want a motorcycle. So get the Gucci rather than the better made knock off. When posing the bike is more pose for the dollar. Be sure and give the other harley guys a thumbs up and an 'aaaay'. If you get an 883, expect to be owned on a regular basis by $4K 250 ninjas.

For the fit to your butt, only you can judge that one

For the right thing to do, only the harley fits that

For something cheap and small japp fits that (harley doesn't fit at all, even with an 883 sportster)

Go take a rider training course, they usually use bikes like what you seem to want. You'll get the benefit of being trained, and be able to try a few and see which you liked best.

forget about where the bike is made and concentrate on what works BEST for you. Stay away from the 650 v star they tend to throw a rod at about 45,000 miles. I had about 30 of them come into my shop in the last 2 years. If its your first bike I would get a jap bike just because its no big deal to drop.damb Harley will cost a LOT to fix if you drop it.