haha cruisers!

doct0rxnick · 09-09-2006, 6:33 PM

I just test drove an 07 Honda Shadow 750 Aero; got about 12 miles with it.

First off... hahaha this thing is slow as molasses. I mean, I could open this bastard up all the way through every gear and wonder when it's going to start moving. I guess everyone warned me about that.

It sits like a lazy-boy. I was very comfortable with the riding position, though it took about 2 or 3 miles to get adjusted to sitting back. One weird thing though... it pops you up off of the seat when you're riding over sharp bumps. I literally got bounce up about 3 inches off of my seat when traveling over a railroad track. Perhaps I just expected a cruiser to take that stuff like a Cadillac, but believe me, it doesn't!

In addition, the bike felt lighter than I had expected. While I can't one-hand it around the parking lot like I could with the 954, it was pretty damn maneuverable in tight areas. Flows through turns and accelerates (if you can call that acceleration

) out easily.

I hear it really sucks for passengers, and I bet if I got a passenger on there, I'd hae to be careful to avoid uphill climbs!

---Ok, enough joking about the slowness, but comparing this to a 954 is like comparing a turbo jetski to a 30 foot ocean liner.---

All that said, I'm 6'1" and weigh 170. 75% of my riding consists of getting on the moto, riding about a mile to school, cruising around campus all day, then riding back. Another 20% is devoted to highway riding, and the final 5% to metaphorically beating the **** out of the bike... that is, riding it like I stole it.

My plans are as follows: buy a bike for the rest of college (was the 954), ride the hell out of it, then sell it and buy a bike to go to track days when I get older and can afford to damage things. I'll probably always have a commuter bike until I get married and my wife makes me get off it, but I almost think that I'd derive more pleasure from the motorcycle than a wife anyway (err... i'm 21 this week).

This is to say, that God-willing, I have a whole life ahead of me to ride ride ride. If I had my way (translated: lots of money), I would go get a 2007 CBR1000RR, say booyakasha, and ride the hell out of it until something faster/stronger/better came along. But, that isn't the case right now, and my 4.7L V8 Dodge Ram with its 12 mpg isn't going to cut it either.

Therefore, I'm going to get one of these midweight cruisers and ride the hell out of it for the next couple of years. I like the looks of the Honda and the name itself, and the bike just fits exactly what I'm needing right now. Comfortable, affordable, reliable.

I'd love the power of an 1100 much more probably, but I can pay for this thing with cash and be done with it all while still getting everything I need out of it.

Even cooler: I asked the salesman, "what could I do to give it just a little bit more power?" "Pipes, jets, and (some sort of intake manifold whose name I forgot!). Actually, come outside and check this bike out!"

He walked me outside and showed me a purple 04 Shadow 750 Aero with all of these things on it, 19000 miles, bought new at that shop 3 years ago, with all maintenance done at that shop (records included). Said he could probably part with it for about 4000-4200. The only thing is that the friggin' pipes are soooo ridiculously loud.

Who knows; I like the Suzuki Boulevard c50 too! Thanks for reading! BTW I'm a philosophy major, so maybe that is why I write so much.

Repeater · 09-09-2006, 7:01 PM

You should be able to find a bigger displacement cruiser for less than 5k. I wouldn't buy anything from a dealer.

What about an fz1, sv650, klr650, silerwing, ah **** anything but a cruiser.

Getsome · 09-09-2006, 7:30 PM

Mojave954 · 09-09-2006, 9:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doct0rxnick

. I'll probably always have a commuter bike until I get married and my wife makes me get off it, but I almost think that I'd derive more pleasure from the motorcycle than a wife anyway (err... i'm 21 this week).

Remember this statement the rest of your life. If she ever says, "me or the bike". Just tell her, "gonna miss ya babe".

Just a different style of riding the cruisers are. Okay everyone once in awhile but obviously not the majority of the people's on this website way.

jhonda41 · 09-09-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repeater

What about an fz1, sv650, klr650, silerwing, ah **** anything but a cruiser.

You sound like you "want" to make the right choice in a commuter bike....

why do you want a cruiser? keep the 954 for the track.... get a 50cc scooter... and you'll still dust the cruisers around campus.

-jh

p.s. the scooter will double as a good pit bike when you finally "get your way" ($$$)

JBODIE · 09-10-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repeater

You should be able to find a bigger displacement cruiser for less than 5k. I wouldn't buy anything from a dealer.

What about an fz1, sv650, klr650, silerwing, ah **** anything but a cruiser.

He is absolutely correct!!

sheepofblue · 09-10-2006, 11:44 AM

If you go with the used one check the pipe likely you could put the baffles back in.

Cash is good! Every toy that has payments sends interest (read future toys) to someone else

doct0rxnick · 09-17-2006, 5:36 PM

My insurance money still hasn't come which gave me enough time to really sit down and think. I can't get a cruiser man. My buddy let me take out his 600rr after having ridden an 1100 Vstar and a Boulevard m50. F THAT!

I'd rather roll a 600 f4i than those slow, poor handling pieces of shizzz.

I always think things out really quickly, then decide that I've reached the end of reason and made the best decision. Sometimes you just gotta feel, and the feeling of a 600rr is just what it took.

Repeater · 09-17-2006, 5:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doct0rxnick

I'd rather roll a 600 f4i than those slow, poor handling pieces of shizzz.

Ah the last all arounder F4i gets bashed

. At least mine doesn't have a banana seat

CBRVFR · 09-17-2006, 5:48 PM

There are upright standards that you could get for much less.. a Nighthawk, Bandit, or something like that. How much is a used 919 these days? I bet you could get one for that.. Not to mention a pretty sweet VFR.

doct0rxnick · 09-18-2006, 2:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repeater

Ah the last all arounder F4i gets bashed

. At least mine doesn't have a banana seat

Nah nah, not to bash the F4i, it's just that I had a 954 before this. I definitely don't mean to bash the F4i because everyone I know who's had one loved it!

In fact, I think they clocked faster quarters in 2002 than any of the other 600's. I'm sure they're wonderful bikes.

nedro · 09-18-2006, 11:35 AM

Here ya go. Buy it now for less than 5K
eBay Motors: Honda : VTX (item 140028354263 end time Sep-18-06 09:51:43 PDT)

doct0rxnick · 09-18-2006, 1:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedro

Here ya go. Buy it now for less than 5K
eBay Motors: Honda : VTX (item 140028354263 end time Sep-18-06 09:51:43 PDT)

That is a tight custom tank dent.

I think I found a bike... I'm about 90% certain that by the weekend's coming, I will be on a new bike. I'm now debating between about three different bikes (and more importantly waiting on my F'IN insurance check), and I'm pretty sure I have made my decision. I'll hold you fools in suspense like I am.

GEEZ I CANNOT WAIT TO GET OUT OF MY DAMN TRUCK AND ONTO TWO WHEELS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Repeater · 09-18-2006, 2:27 PM

Uh that smells kinda fishy.

nedro · 09-18-2006, 2:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doct0rxnick

That is a tight custom tank dent.

I think I found a bike... I'm about 90% certain that by the weekend's coming, I will be on a new bike. I'm now debating between about three different bikes (and more importantly waiting on my F'IN insurance check), and I'm pretty sure I have made my decision. I'll hold you fools in suspense like I am.

GEEZ I CANNOT WAIT TO GET OUT OF MY DAMN TRUCK AND ONTO TWO WHEELS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya, sorry about that. It wasn't meant as a joke. I just didn't read it before linking it.

MSGT-R · 09-29-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doct0rxnick

.. hahaha this thing is slow as molasses. I mean, I could open this bastard up all the way through every gear and wonder when it's going to start moving. I guess everyone warned me about that..

Obviously you have never been on a V65 Magna or a V-Max, or your impression would have been very different! The V65 has been named the "Couch-Rocket" by those who know.

oasysco · 10-01-2006, 6:36 AM

>First off... hahaha this thing is slow as molasses. I mean, I could open this
>bastard up all the way through every gear and wonder when it's going to
>start moving. I guess everyone warned me about that.

First off, I didn't think the idea behind a cruiser was speed. I thought the idea was to lope along in relative comfort and not be torn apart by vibration at 75mph. If that's the case, the Aero provides the cruiser experience. Granted, Honda went down to one carb from two in 2004 when the Aero 750 was introduced, which accounts for some of its sluggishness.

I will admit that my '82 Suzuki GS650GL, 80's cruiser with 4 cyls and 4 carbs, knocks the hell out of the Aero between 0-50mph (also outdoes my son's Kawa Ninja 500), but from 45mph on, I'd much rather be on the Aero. On the Aero, I don't have to be in top gear to do 25-30 on backroads or even 40-45 on main roads.

As for it's back shocks... they're adjustable in 6 positions depending on the kind of ride you want. Granted, there's limited travel in any case.

Mileage is pretty good. I average 55mpg and have gotten as high as 60mpg and as low as 50mpg. I haven't gone on an Interstate trip, yet, so I can't comment on that kind of mileage.

Passenger comfort? It's got a pillion seat, but if you add a padded backrest, your passenger will be just fine.

You didn't mention plastic, but much of the "chrome" on that bike is plastic (headlight encasement, speedo, engin side covers, air filter covers, cylinder head covers, etc, etc. And check the fenders; they're plastic, too.

Going to plastic and cutting the carb to one was some of the cost cutting Honda did. On the bright side, it custs down on weight and gives us mere mortals a shot at owning a Harley wannabe for short money.

Greg

oasysco · 10-01-2006, 3:06 PM

One more thing, buckaroo... the Honda Aero 750 can take down any fully loaded mini-van out there - any of 'em! I was at a stoplight yesterday with this mini-van packed full of little kids next to me. The driver-mom looked over at me with a wink and a nod in that universal language that told me she wanted to see what her mini-van was made of.

As the light turned green, i popped the clutch and revved up first speed and within a few RPM's, I was in 2nd with the van right by my side. I twisted the throttle back an went into 3rd. The van was still there. I shifted into 4th and pulled away from the van at almost 28mph!

You should have seen the disppointment on those kid's faces as I tooled down the road at 30 or more.

Greg