Looking for advice on a bike for a new rider

Hi, I’m a new rider looking to buy my first bike. A 1983 Honda Shadow 500 has recently caught my eye and I’m wondering if this would be good for my first bike. It looks like its in really good shape and the seller is saying it is mechanically solid. I’m just wondering if this would be a good bike for a new rider and if it would be reliable given its age. I don't want something that I would have to constantly fix.

Thanks

How many miles on it? Has it been rode all those years? And how many miles on it? Check tires for dry cracks, oil for sludge, gas tank for rust.

Its got 16,000 miles (26,000 km) on it. And yeah I’m going to go look at it this weekend and check it out. I’m just curious as to how those older bikes still hold up. Are they worth it or will it be in the shop more than on the road?

They are asking $2000 for it which is in line for similar bikes I have seen advertised in my area. This is maybe a bit more given the condition its in (assuming it doesn’t need anything done to it)

Yeah, that was my plan. Thanks

just seems(to me) 2grand for a 35yr. old bike is an awful lot of dough. jmo..I'd look some more. Don't fall in love with one. Ya gotta live with it for some time before you should luve it.

Sorry but $2000? Go see it but I’d walk. If you need a Honda part in the future, your gonna have a major problem. Go to a Honda dealer and ask about parts availability for the bike. Not tires, battery, oil filter or brakes but things like air filter, coils etc. I’d be surprised if they were available and if so, expensive. I had an ‘81 1100 Suzuki and at 6 years old I paid gold for some gaskets and some electronic parts.
HRK has it right (he usually does!). Spending hundreds on your first bike much easier if it goes south than 2k.


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it's just between us men. don't tell my wife. Jackie Gleason in the "Honeymooners" ruined life for husbands. All those men laughing at his buffoonery years ago sealed our fate. Dumb azzes

Buster you're on the right track. First bike should be low cost not to expensive beater. Around here you can find them cheap enough. Don't know where you live or how available or cheap they are or aren't.

Chances of rookie mishaps are huge, why smutz a expensive one. Just dropping a bike from standing still is $$$.

Perfect bike for a starter, but at a not-so-good price. Yeah, if you're a collector of vintage Honda's you may want to pay that, but not for a bike that you'll probably get rid of as soon as you get through the MSF course and have the $$ for something else. But, in all honesty, you could do worse, too. Let your wallet tell ya what is right.