Honda Shadow VLX

Honda Shadow is easy to handle, looks great and good MPG.

An all around great beginner bike.....then again I still have mine.

I guess that the main 2 reasons that I purchased my VLX , a left over 2007 model, I bought May 01, 2008. (actually the VLX has been discontinued with the 2007 model) is that it is a Honda, and the styling grabbed my heart and hasn't let go yet. The first things that I did to make it more practical was to add saddle bags, and the Largest windshield that would fit, which brought my grand total out the door to $5750.00, which for a liquid cooled V-Twin with all the chrome that this baby is covered in is very reasonable. I have put over 12750 miles on her in 6 months, which is a testimony in itself. I have always changed the oil every 2000-2250 miles as the same oil is used for both the engine and transmission, and you should read up on what a gearbox does to multiweight oils. I use the white spray grease chain lube (made by Champion at Walmart for $5) every 500 miles, and I have just done my second chain adjustment at 11,000 miles (the first was at 750 miles) The fuel economy depends on speed and wind, but I have averaged 53 MPG since new. The down sides are few, but they are there. The solid lifter Valves (its a 3 Valve OHC chain driven head) need to be adjusted every 8000 miles according to the manual, but I haven't had to do mine yet, I've been told that you will hear them when they need it, and it will run $300 for the work. I have removed the pillion seat (passenger) to make over a foot of room for a luggage rack that I had made to carry more stuff to tour with, and have painted the fins black for a unique look, but I have found over 700 customizing parts available on the web for the VLX. All in all, the VLX has a HUGE following and there are MANY great condition VLX's on ebay for less than $4000, so you cant go wrong, try to find a similar type bike with all the plusses that the VLX has for the money. I plan on running mine to 100,000 miles.

A very nice beginners bike that is easy to learn on.

Although underpowered when compared to other larger cruisers, will still travel at highway speeds all day without a hiccup! The shadow vlx could you a fifth gear as the engine is somewhat buzzy above 65 mph.

Easy to ride, looks great, easy to learn on, nice for people under 6' tall, great fuel mileage (50mpg overall, 65 on highway - if going the speed limit). Good value for the $

Maintains it's sales price better than many other bikes.