Best Beginning Motorcycle

Cruiser Motorcycle Review Of The Honda Shadow Aero

When the Honda Shadow Aero 750 replaced the standard Honda Shadow and larger-displacement Honda Aero 1100, there wasn't much concern that Honda was making a mistake by blending the attributes of two motorcycles into one. The Honda Shadow 750, an enormously popular motorcycle was enjoying some of the best sales that Honda had ever seen in its motorcycle division. Likewise, the stylish lines of the Honda Shadow Aero 1100 were retro motorcycling at its peak. It was only natural to blend the very best attributes of both motorcycles into one, and thus came into being the Honda Shadow Aero 750. This motorcycle bridges a gap between big-displacement cruisers and beginner-level bikes, providing a starting point for some, while being proclaimed "Plenty of bike" by others. With an engine that has long proven itself as a rugged, reliable, and attractive machine, it will likely be some time before Honda attempts to upsize their middleweight cruiser, and here's hoping that they don't.

Based around the solidly-performing 745cc engine, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 features liquid cooling, a 9.6:1 compression ratio, and Single overhead camshafts with three valves per cylinder. A wide-ratio five speed transmission on the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is just what you'd expect on a motorcycle of this size, while the shaft final drive is effortless to keep maintained, unlike belts or chains which must occasionally be adjusted.

Suspension is comfortable and forgiving while not giving up performance, but rather blending the three attributes into a great ride. With 4.6 inches of travel, the front suspension of the Honda Shadow Aero features a 41mm fork, while the rear suspension is handled by dual adjustable shocks with five comfort positions which are spring preloaded. Easier to adjust than single hidden shocks, these dual shocks make the transition from two-up riding to single quickly and effortlessly. The Honda Shadow Aero 750's 34 degree rake is perfect for comfortable, controlled turning, giving the rider the impression that the Honda Shadow Aero 750 could drive itself if it wanted to. Braking is standard fare for a middleweight Honda cruiser, consisting of a single disc brake up front with a 296mm disc and twin piston caliper, while out back you'll find a 180mm drum brake.

While the wheelbase is just 64.5 inches, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 gives the impression of a larger motorcycle, but it doesn't ride like one. Weighing only 553 lbs with the 3.7 gallon fuel tank filled and all coolant and oil, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is nimble enough to be quite possibly the best handling motorcycle on the road. There are a number of color combinations available for the Honda Shadow Aero 750, including Metallic Titanium/White, Pearl Blue/Metallic Silver, Black/Snakeskin Pattern, Candy Dark Red, and Black. The base price of the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is just $6, 999, but the dual color schemes will set you back another $300. There are few motorcycles to match the Honda Shadow Aero 750 for ease of ridability, reliability, and stunning good looks that will appeal both to seasoned and beginning riders. With the price that they are available at, it's practically a no-brainer.