Is a Honda Shadow vlx 600cc'89 too big / powerful for a relative beginner?

I have a choice of either the Shadow 600cc or the Rebel 250cc, both for the same price. Obviously the Shadow is a better bike... but should I start smaller?I rode a 125cc scooter for three years, and I have practiced on a larger bike just once or twice. However, I haven't touched a bike in a while. I plan on taking the bike around the neighborhood for the first month or so just to get up to speed. I'm kind of a skinny guy, 145 pounds--but fairly athletic. Will the 600 be too much for me to learn on?

We have a patient that teaches the motorcycle safety class in our town and he starts off with a bike even larger than the 600CC. He said that the bigger bikes are more stable and that the safety record is much better for them.He starts men and women off on the big bikes so you should be fine on the 600cc.Good luck!

I think it depends how comfortable on a bike you are. I started on a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 with 0 riding experience..dropped it twice at low (almost 0) speed. I should have started lower but it worked well. I bought a Suzuki Hayabusa and now a Harley FatBoy. I got used to bikes easily. Having said that...I would go with the Shadow..it will make a good introduction to riding. Don't forget to take a motorcycle safety course. Some use the Rebel in practice.

In would recommend sitting on both the bikes. Feel the difference in weight. If you think you can handle the weight, I would recommend the Shadow. If you get the smaller rebel, you will eventually want to move up... why not start on a slightly larger bike and learn how to handle it. Just remember that it is a bigger bike and will be slightly harder t maneuver. I started on a Yamaha 650... but Im a bigger guy so a smaller bike was out of the question for me