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Also — if you’ve ever driven a VLX you know how “tall” the gears are, as Munch mentions. You can downshift into first gear, for example, at practically 10-mph , whereas on my Suzuki C-90 and its 1,500 ccs and five gears, I have to go almost all the way down.

So, don’t let the 4-speed thing scare you off. The VLX can easily handle highway speeds. It just revs higher, but the engine is built for it.

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I agree with Munch. Some of those old muscle cars only had four gears. Remember the old song “Four on the Floor?”

The problem is, the VLX engine starts to buzz a little at 65-70 mph and you find yourself constantly looking to shift into fifth, especially if that’s what you’re used to.

A fifth gear would really have smoothed things out. Only drawback to this bike.

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I agree with you that the Yamaha V-Star is an excellent small cruiser. I owned one and loved it. Given a choice between the VLX and V-Star 650, I’d definitely choose the V-Star, if it was ME driving.

However, my wife couldn’t handle it. The V-Star is 40 pounds heavier than the VLX, and wider. She had trouble getting her feet flat on the ground. Whereas the VLX, with its low seat height and slender frame, fits her perfectly. She sat on the V-Star and said “no way.” She sat on the VLX and said “yes!”

Too bad, because the V-Star is a great, fun, reliable bike. And has five gears as opposed to the VLX’s four.

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DO NOT LISTEN to the above comment. The Honda VLX is VASTLY superior to the Suzuki S 40.

I know because I just bought my wife a VLX after test-driving several of each.

The S 40 is a single cylinder. Driving it is like driving a lawn mower. It is cramped and rides rough. Both my wife and I hated the ones we drove.

Driving the VLX was a totally different experience. The VLX has a MUCH more relaxed riding position, since it is essentially a small cruiser, and it rides smoother, shifts easier and handles better. It is heavier than the S 40, true, but better balanced and therefore easier for women and smaller riders to control. The brakes are infinitely better.

And the claim that Rebel 250s pass VLXs on the highway is ABSURD and shows the writer has no idea what he is talking about. I doubt he’s ever even driven either motorcycle. Yes, the VLX has four gears, but the motor is made for cruising. Yes, it revs higher, obviously, but it will run circles around the 250 and will also beat the tinny, buzzy S 40.

It’s true Honda quite making them two years ago, but you talk to almost any VLX owner and theyll have good things to say. And you can always get parts in the unlikely event it breaks down.

Stick with the VLX. You’ll be EXTREMELY glad you did.

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