Motorcycle Feedback - Honda Shadow Aero

XavierG · #1 07-13-2008, 11:57 AM

I'm considering buying a used Honda Shadow Aero 750 (pic below) with 8500 kms on it. Anybody here have any experience with these (good or bad) which you might be willing to share with me before I fork out the $$$$$$. Thanks in advance!

Yvon · #2 07-13-2008, 12:11 PM

I can't help you much, but a woman I work with has one. She like it a lot.

FL Knifemaker · #3 07-13-2008, 01:08 PM

It's a Honda. With minimal care it will probably run forever.

MyUsernameHere · #4 07-13-2008, 01:17 PM

They're nice little bikes. Reliable but a bit underpowered compared to the newer small cruisers out there from the other Japanese manufacturers.

They have lots and lots of aftermarket support for those bikes, so if you want to mod it its almost as easy to find parts for it as it would be for a Harley.

Just be sure to check the bluebook value and make sure you're not paying too much for it. Also (since I don't know how much experience you have with bikes in general) see if you can bring it into a shop or get a knowledgeable buddy to look it over and see if they can find anything wrong with it that you might not know to check. That said, with only 8500 kms on it there probably isn't anything wrong with it.

You also might want to make sure the tires won't need to be replaced very soon (probably not an issue) and see when the next servicing is due and try to get the seller to cover at least some of these costs if you're going to need to deal with them right away.

Other than that, if you like it go for it. Good luck.

SuperDuck · #5 07-13-2008, 02:21 PM

I am admittedly biased, but I believe a Harley-Davidson would be a better buy.

If it wasn't for those rear shocks, I'd swear it was a Fatboy.

In all seriousness, the Honda is probably a great motorcycle. I've gotten a chance to see many Hondas in depth, and their bikes are always very mechanically sound. The finish/paint/trim aren't always top notch, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Honda bike to a friend.

Philbiker · #6 07-13-2008, 04:05 PM

I'm sure it's a reliable bike and will perform well. Seriously underpowered, even for a mid-size cruiser. Hope you don't expect to carry a passenger ever. Honda cruisers to my eyes look like they had an argument with an ugly stick, and lost. Honda and Suzuki cruisers look wack to me, in the metric category I've always thought Yamaha/Star and Kawasaki do better jobs with styling.

XavierG · #7 07-13-2008, 08:59 PM

I have knee problems so I'm looking for a lightweight cruiser. I've also been looking at an 800cc Suzuki Volusia (pic below). Don't know much about those either.

**NOLA Bass** · #8 07-13-2008, 09:16 PM

My father in law is an avid rider and has an aero. I believe his is an 1100 but I'm not sure. He is in a Honda Aero Club that does a yearly ride up in the Smoky Mountains. I think they have a message board of some type. I'll ask for you, but perhaps you can find them online. It has been an excellent bike for him with no trouble at all.

MyUsernameHere · #9 07-13-2008, 09:27 PM

I'd go with the Suzuki. Not super powerful, but has plenty of grunt for two up (unless the old lady is...well...a lard ass). I'll be roughly as fast as an old 88ci Harley (not as many HP but weighs way less). Looks better than the Honda too, but that's just personal opinion.

Philbiker · #10 07-14-2008, 07:21 AM

Are you a first time rider or looking for something new? The standard Honda "Shadow Spirit" would be a better choice for a full sized adult, though not as fancy looking. Also, consider the Yamaha/Star V-Star 1100 and Kawasaki Vulcan 750 (butt ugly but a great performing motorcycle) or 800/900. The Kawasaki 800/900 will have similir engine crank horsepower numbers, but since they're chain/belt driven, a lot more of that pwer gets to the road than with a power-robbing shaft.

XavierG · #11 07-14-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Are you a first time rider or looking for something new?

I've been riding (on & off) since the early 80's. Had a Vstar... liked it a lot but had problems with it (weight) when my knee started to act up about a year ago The 750 - 800cc bikes are quite a bit lighter. I don't want an ugly beast of a machine. Looking for something fairly atractive, lower seat height, easy maneuverability. Not intending to carry any passengers so as long as the bike offers enough power to comfortably take me cruising, I'm happy. The more research I do, the more I'm liking the Aero.

BTW, thanks to all of you who have offered advise.

michelle_andree · #12 07-14-2008, 08:10 AM

Like buying a bass, if it fits, if it talks to you, then it's your ride. Not much to say about the Aero, I have an ACE and I think it's a great bike, (for me). The folks I know that own Aeros are pretty happy with them. The Spirits are nice too but I hear a lot of complaints about the seat and fuel capacity.

Check out: www.hondashadow.net

SuperDuck · #13 07-14-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierG

I've been riding (on & off) since the early 80's. Had a Vstar... liked it a lot but had problems with it (weight) when my knee started to act up about a year ago The 750 - 800cc bikes are quite a bit lighter. I don't want an ugly beast of a machine. Looking for something fairly atractive, lower seat height, easy maneuverability. Not intending to carry any passengers so as long as the bike offers enough power to comfortably take me cruising, I'm happy. The more research I do, the more I'm liking the Aero.

BTW, thanks to all of you who have offered advise.

Sportster 883L? (The "L" is for Low.)

Bassbasixx · #14 07-14-2008, 08:59 AM

I have been riding bikes since I was 5 years old, dirt and street as an adult. The good it is a sharp looking cruiser, it is a Honda and it is reliable IME with other Honda's that I have owned and can be had on the cheap. The bad but not really unless you ride with a passenger, not a lot of power and resale value. I had a 1200 sportster that I got used low miles, great condition for 5,200.00 rode the wheels off it for two years and sold it for the same price. If I was going to get a metric bike I would take a look at the vtx 1300 or the V star 1300 still pretty light more power and nice looks, that said if it is a good deal price wise and it is comfortable for you then by all means buy it. One thing to consider you can find bikes used with hardly and miles on them for a great price if you look for a bit.