What kind of cruiser would be good for a first bike for me and my wife?

My wife and I want to start riding on the weekends and would like to buy a used cruiser and pay around $3,000. Nothing to fast but something that will be good for the two of us to ride on. I have been looking on craigslist and have my eye on a Honda Shadow and Spirit, Yamaha V-Star, or Susuki Intruder. Can someone PLEASE give me some recomendations on which one to go with and why. THANK YOU!

I like the honda shadow 750. I have on and I got it for a few hundred dollars. It was sitting for a few years so I had to fix a few things and clean the carbs. But they are reliable and 750 is good for cruising around. There are many bike around that people just don't ride and have been sitting. If you don't mind fixing a few things, you can pick one up really cheap. It has plenty of power and is comfy for long rides.

look into the late 70's and 80's BMW's there reliable, fun, and really comfortable. There are some really good prices on craigslist now. Good luck and have fun riding.

I've got a 1999 Honda Nighthawk 750 that I just got back in August. It's a good cruiser bike with a decent amount of room for 2 average sized individuals. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I'm 6'7 so space is a little tight for adding a second person on it. A 750's got enough power for the two of you but not enough power for the bike to "slide right out from under you."
It's also my first bike and so far it's proved to be a great starter bike.

One thing I liked about the NightHawk is, it got very good reviews on reliability and stability. My mechanic says he hasn't seen very many problems at all from this particular model.

I also looked at the Honda Shadow and they seem to be good very reliable bikes also.

Good luck and see ya out on the road!

Look for a used Kawasaki Vulcan 800 or Yamaha V Star 1100. Those 2 will have the size and the power for riding a passenger.
The Honda Shadow 750, Yamaha V Star 650, and the Suzuki Intruder 800 lack the power and size for a passenger.

Tom B said exactly what I was thinking, especially with the Intruder. Good bike but too small for two. The passenger seat on the older ones was torture.

I recommend you get two cruisers, Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Don't ride two-up. Your wife can handle her own.