For the thousands of loyal A.C.E. customers, an Aero-only 750 class may seem a rash move, but we think it's about time Honda cleaned house. With modern features, sweet ergonomics and an agreeable tariff, this new entry is headed for success and worthy of the same kind of following the Shadow line became famous for.
2004 Honda Shadow Aero 750
Designation: VT750
Suggested base price: $6199
Standard colors: Red, black
Extra-cost colors: Black/silver, black/red, black/blue, add $300
Recommended service interval:
12 months, unlimited miles
Engine & Drivetrain
Type: liquid-cooled, 52-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, two intake, one exhaust
Displacement, bore x stroke: 745cc, 79 x 76mm
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
Carburetion: 1, 34mm Keihin CV
Lubrication: Wet sump
Minimum fuel grade: 87-octane
Transmission: 5 speeds; wet multiplate clutch
Final drive: Shaft
Chassis
Wheels: Wire-spoked, 17 x 3.0-in. front, 15 x 3.5-in. rear
Front tire: 120/90-17 Bridgestone tube-type
Rear tire: 160/80-15 Bridgestone tube-type
Front brake: 1, twin-piston caliper, 296mm disc
Rear brake: Drum
Front suspension: 41mm stanchions, 4.6 in. travel
Rear suspension: Dual shocks, adjustable for preload, 3.5 in. travel
Fuel capacity: 3.7 gal., 0.9-gal reserve
Handlebar width: 32 in.
Electrical & Instrumentation
Charging output: 300 watts
Battery: 12v, 11AH
Forward lighting: 7.5 in. 60/55-watt headlight, position lights
Taillight: Single-bulb taillight, license light
Instruments: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, lights for neutral, high beam, turn signals, low fuel
Performance
Fuel mileage: 31-34 mpg
Average range: 135 miles
0-60 mph time: 7.24 sec.
60-80 top gear acceleration: 8.48 sec.
Quarter-mile acceleration: 15.49 @ 83.28 mph
Riding Positions
Honda has given its popular middleweight shaft drive, a welcome improvement, about the same time that buyers seem to have moved on to belt drive as their preferred form of final drive. Belt might have been a better choice here too, since it is equally quiet, clean and maintenance-free but eliminates the jacking of a shaft and-more to the point on a 750-is lighter and cheaper. But either drive system is better than the messy chain, which riders generally fail to lube frequently enough.
The Aero is a nice motorcycle, though my 220 pounds overwhelm the suspension on a bumpy road. Lighter riders shopping for a machine in this range should take note, however. The Suzuki Volusia and Yamaha V-Star have new competition.-Art Friedman
Share your favorite drive system with Art at art.friedman@primedia.com
It's hard to believe the 750 class is now considered "entry-level," but that's what we're looking at here. Even newbies appreciate upgrades, however, and the Aero's shaft drive brings Honda up to par with other manufacturers in the class. The new Shadow 750's a welcome improvement over Honda's plain-jane Spirit 750 in terms of style and value, but A.C.E. fans may not be exactly thrilled with the abrupt way their bike was dropped from the lineup this year. Another caveat: the Aero's rock-bottom seat height might appeal hugely to beginners, but pilots taller than six feet should definitely look elsewhere.-Andy Cherney
Add to Cherney's caveat collection at: andy.cherney@primedia.com