looking for a motorcycle to begin riding.
Are you talking about the 750 or the older 1100 models? Normally we recommend starting out on a smaller bike, but the rules are a little different in the cruiser world. I have a 750 Aero. I've moved on to bigger and better things, but I've kept this one for toddling around town. My only complaint is that the handlebars are too low: at full lock my legs get in the way, which can be dangerous for an inexperienced rider. So watch out for that. Otherwise, it has quite unthreatening power delivery, OK handling, pathetic suspension and an unbelievable appetite for front disc brake pads. The rear drum brake can be surprisingly fierce, but don't let that stop you from learning to use it. It's a Honda. It starts up after being neglected for months. You should be OK on it. One more thing: take a riding course.
The Shadow is a cruiser and cruisers make good first bikes because they have a low center of gravity, so they are easier to manage for their size. I rode a Shadow 750 once and I thought it was a nice little bike. Cruisers aren't powerful or especially fast, they are really made for a relaxed, laid-back style of riding, but on the other hand they're more comfortable. They vibrate a lot (because they're twins) but the vibration is a lower frequency than the 'buzzy' vibration of a 4, so the vibration is not as objectionable. (I'm not a cruiser person myself, I can't get used to the seating position with your legs out in front of you and the high handlebars. But it's just a matter of what you're used to. When it's your first bike, you're not used to anything!) Honda makes about the best motorcycles there are, especially if you consider the cost. The best deal for the money. I have a Honda ST1100, 4-cylinder, water cooled, and it's going on 75k miles and it's never needed anything but tires, brakes and a battery. A lot of people here say you should start on a 250cc bike. The idea is that it's smaller and lighter, so easier to handle and balance at first. But a 250 is not really big enough to cruise at highway speeds. It's fine around town, or the occasional Sunday ride on back roads, but you can't do 50 mils on the Interstate to the next town. A Shadow 750 is just about as easy to handle as a 250 standard but it has the poop to cruise on the freeway. The suspension isn't stellar but very adequate. It's almost as easy to balance and ride as a motorscooter.
All the Shadows are excellent machines. I have a 600cc Shadow VLX that I bought new in 95
