shadow 600 for long trips??

I still havent purchased a bike but im looking into an early 90's shadow 600. anyone have any experience taking one of these long distance, i was hoping to do a cross country trip. this would also be my first bike but i think it should be appropriate for 5'10 155lb 19 yr old. Any opinions?

It all depends on how adventurous you are. I've read articles about people that have taken a 883 Sportster around the world.
I'm at that age where if I'm going cross country I want a large touring bike with a C/D player and a coffee cup holder. :)

that is a good point.

I wanted to know if there was enuf room on the shadow for me and my girlfriend to drive comfortably, not too much vibration etc.. Cause i was originally looking at the Suzuki sv650 and that doesnt seem like something that could comfortable take 2 people. but i guess it can be done either way.

thanks

I did Florida to Penn and pack in 1993 on an iron head sportster. Two adults and all the gear, I mean ALL the gear. I wouldn't think about doing it again now. Hell, I don't think I'd do it on my FXR!

I did a trip from Dallas to Shreveport (3 hours) last June on a 93 VLX 600 with me and the gf. I wouldn't recommend it going cross country. You get out west somewhere and the distances between gas stations WILL be further than your fuel capacity will allow. Plust the bike just doesn't have the power preferred to be on the highway for that long.

that stinks i was hoping the 600 would be the right bike (i might get it and just not take trips out that far west), i forgot about the gas stations being few and far between. thanks a lot for the info. all the posts have been really helpful.

I was only getting about 80 miles on a tank (not including reserve) by myself. With the 2 of us, only got around 65. I'm 5-11/210, she was 5-4/100. Definitely something to consider.

Wow, r most tanks that small? I dont even think i could drive from my house to my college, or even to the shore on 1 tank which ,since most of you dont know the true distance, is pretty pathetic..

i had no idea that the tank, and or gas milage was so small.

thanks a lot for the heads up

I'm not that familiar with the bike but 80 miles on a tank seems awfully short. Any of my Harley's I fill up at 120 miles and I still have at least a gallon left.

thats more like it, i was really hoping 80 miles a tank wasnt normal

I did some surfing and found that the tank on a 92 600 will only hold 2.4 gallons. This would not be my choice for long range riding. I used to have a Sportster with a small tank. I was lucky to go 70 miles with out hitting my reserve.
Ride Safe,
Tugs

thanks a lot Tugs for that info.. yea it doesnt look nearly big enough to have the distance i was looking for.. I really appreciate the help.

_Pete

Keep in mind, you can always put a larger tank on. Going back to another comment on you, your girl, and your gear can be a bit much for a 600. If you are long tripping you can take your gear to a bus station and ship it to where you are going to be for about 20 bucks. There is always ways around most bike problems, just have to be creative sometimes. You will notice there is a lot of great knowledge and creativity on this site.

I once knew a 210 lb dude who rode an old 450 Honda from Ohio to Oregon. But of course, insanity runs in his family. : ) Yup. I agree with all here, who recommend a larger bike with a bigger fuel tank. Those winds in the Midwest and West beat hell outta you.

i forgot about the winds in the midwest, that would definatly not be good.

thanks for the posts, guys. you helped me tremedously, in figuring what i specifically needed to look for in a bike.

Mazal Mazal
Good Things

Pete

Good Luck Pete. Just remember to Ride Safe on whatever you buy.
Tugs

Well the first bike I owned was a Honda 600 VLX. I live in central Florida and rode it to TN. It was a great trip and the bike was more than adequate for the trip. I have a friend in LA who also rides the same bike and she has taken several cross coutry trips on hers. From LA to VA the first time. It will be a great bike to start with for any type of riding you want to do. I had no problem doing 120 miles between gas stops either.

My son and I rode Rt. 30 back to Pgh. He was on a 750 cruser, and I was on my wing. we had to stop every hundred miles for him to fill up, and I filled up every other stop. I did Fla to Pgh in 1972 on a Suzuki TS250, a dirt bike with a 36 tooth rear sprocet and street tires. Of coursre it was in December. Man, it got cold. I did it in two days. and I don't realy remember what my miliage was. If you take it slow, stick to U.S highways, not the interstates, I think it would be ok. BUT!! Plan you gas stops. After all, we moved westward with 2 ox power.:snow: