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“I had been looking for my "perfect 125 Cruiser" for...”

written by fox1967 on 20/06/2009

Good Points
Makes a great v twin burble when travelling. Looks great. Feels very substatial on the road in the wet and dry, gives you the confidence you need as a new rider that smaller 125's just don't deliver. Has put a smile on my face every time I ride, even in a torrential downpour.

The brakes are good and will stop you, the twin pot callipers on the front are very sharp, and rear drum brake work very well together.

The V twin is responsive and torquey and does pull well, but does need to stir the gearbox going up steep hills,

Bad Points
There is alot of chrome to clean, but thatd not really a bad thing.

General Comments
I had been looking for my "perfect 125 Cruiser" for over 3 months. Looking at everything from renovation proejcts to brand new. Looking at every make an model that was available, Chinese imports seemed attractive at first, due to cost and styling, of course i ended up looking at the "dream" bike. A Honda Shadow. The styling was exactly what I as looking for, size was perfect for me, I am over 6ft and didnt was to look like a freak. I found mine at a local dealership after 3 months of searching. The dealer was very accomodating and an ex TT sidecar racer. I eventually agreed a price for the 2003 bike, only 2269 miles on the clock, and a handbook full of dealer stamps in all the right places, What more could you ask for, she was even the right colour, metallic black. They even delivered it to the test centre with a full tank of petrol for me to take my CBT. After passing my CBT, lots of clutch control paractice, I rode home parked the bike and sat and smiled and looked at her for about an hour and 2 coffees. I have been riding for only 2 weeks, commuting 40 miles very day and the bike does not miss a beat. Lookiing forward to this Sunday when I can wash, wax and polish "Betsy" - I know, but she looks like a Betsy to me.