Honda Shadow

[kkrazyt85]

My brother is going to look at a Honda Shadow today...not sure of the exact model or year....question is I have heard that some of them have the "SHAKEY" motor one pin crank...now I have heard that this is a problem for some riders as it feelsas though the bike is loping along or lunging slightly going down the road...or is this simply vibration caused form the motor...I know that Harleys that have the same design lope at idle and have some vibration in the floorboards etc...and they use rubber motor mounts and handle bars mounted in rubber mounts to minimize this....Does anyone know for sure that the Shakey motr in some of the Shadows is simply vibration or is it something worse like loping and lunging while under power???? One guy I know said his wears him out after 75 miles because it feels like it is lunging along...constantly picking up speed then losing speed in rapid oscillations....anyone have experience with this???? If it is simply vibration that is no prob but if it is lunging then that is a different thing....the guy with the lunging bike is about half nuts and I believe less than half he says and he has been proven to be wrong on more than half the time...thanks for a quick response...I know Honda designed this engine to lope so that it sounds like a Harley but not sure about lunging....

[MartyA]

I did a lot of reading this past summer as I was window shopping for a new bike. I remember a little about a comparison between the Shadow 1100 (ACE I think) and the Yamaha V-Star 1100 (Classic I think). The comparison was close, but the author gave the nod to the V-Star, mostly for ride and a slight edge on handling. I tried a V-star, it certaily vibrated more than my XS, but I don't know how that would feel after 100 miles. I only tried a 5 mile run, more to see if I fit on the bike - I didn't, too small - and did not buy it. Noticed the vibration, but for only 5 miles was not objectionable. Never got to the Shadow, I decided I did not want a V-twin.

I have a friend who has a Aero 1100. She says it is much smoother than the other Shadow models - the ACE and the Spirit, different suspension or engine mounts or something.

[strom]

Honda shadow.... more or less 600 and 750 ACE versions here. Trouble free engine, 750 has the looks (if you only replace those ugly mirrors) and the sound (with some drilling).
600 styling a bit dated.
Tough motors. Handles like a custom... no super-sport performance, but OK for cruising.
There is no comparison to a hardley drivable. HD has the sound, but thats bout it. No steering, no brakes,.... compared to any jap.
Shadow isnt a bad buy if youre into customs... check the www.umgweb.com for further info on older models.
But still nothing like a nice moto guzzi california III.

LP