The Guzzi couldn't be more different. the fork rake is a sporting 27 degrees compared with the Honda's more relaxed 34 degrees, making steering much quicker. what's more, the Guzzi weighs a mere 445 pounds soaking wet but carries the same 3.7 gallons of fuel as the shadow. only suzuki's Boulevard s40 and 250s weigh less than the Nevada classic. Putting an exclamation point on the handling is a giant 320mm rotor in front squeezed by a four-piston Brembo brake caliper and a 260mm disc out back; this bike stops better than any cruiser we've recently tested. On that winding road to nowhere the Guzzi pulls away from the Honda, utilizing its tighter turning radius, greater ground clearance, better brakes and more rigid frame.
While going down the road, the noneFi Aero trumps the Guzzi in the mileage game, 44.6 mpg versus 36.6 mpg. That adds up to an extra 30 miles between fill-ups.
Suspension was a mixed bag between the two motorcycles. the shadow had the typically flaccid front forks of a cruiser paired with sharply angled shocks. this resulted in a generally plush ride in all situations, but the shocks would bind up on sharper pavement irregularities, sending a hard jolt straight up the rider's spine. with the Nevada classic the suspension was firm at both ends, which meant it would easily carve up a twisty road, but was somewhat harsh at both ends over bumpy urban terrain.
Just as the styling differs between the two, the riding positions are equally different. the Honda has a very low 25.9-inch seat height, and those short of inseam will have no problem getting both feet down at a stoplight. conversely, the Guzzi's seat is a relative stretch at 30.2 inches but is reasonably narrow at the front so you can get at least one foot well planted when stopped. Combine the Honda's low seat with moderately forward-set footpegs, and you sit in the Aero. conversely, you sit on the Guzzi with its high seat and footpegs positioned somewhere between rearsets and midmounts. the Honda's pegs are close enough that short riders will feel comfortable, but riders over 5 feet 10 inches may be somewhat cramped. the Guzzi's pegs are simply too high and close to the seat-even with my 29-inch inseam, it's a tight squeeze.
Saddlewise they're both a bit odd. the Honda's seat is quite firm and tends to position the rider in the scoop at the back, causing pressure on the lower spine. on the Guzzi it feels like the seat foam angles down toward the back, the shape putting the rider uncomfortably against the rise up to the passenger portion. As for passengers, neither bike offers generous legroom, with the Guzzi's rear seat more comfortable than the Honda's.
In the end you're faced with two very capable motorcycles that address the cruiser concept from different angles. Both bikes offer more than enough power for two-up riding. Both bikes have quick, smooth engines and smootherthan- smooth shaft drives. Both are lightweight and offer good gas mileage. Both are less expensive to insure than 1500cc-plus megacruisers. Your only question is whether you want to blend in with the masses or spend the nearly $2200 extra for a different kind of cruiser. will it be boulevards and bright lights or canyons and country?