written by NathaliaMcCarthy58 on 20/04/2019
I owned a vt125 shadow in 2009. I loved that bike and went to bike rally's and long distance trips in the UK. I sold it go get a bigger bike. I have had 4 different Honda Shadow 750 models and the 125 is the best! I did 10000 miles in my first year and sold her. The bike is engineered to last forever. It's beautiful to look at. It's cheap to run and repair. It's a very easy to learn mechanics on. The suspension is and seat is comfortable. The only negative I can say about this bike, is it's a 125. If this was a 250cc Vtwin engine and shaft drive, I would think it the best bike for me. It will cruise at 65mph all day long. My wife has a vt125 shadow also. I still ride her and everytime I'm amazed how enjoyable it is. We have done two trips from London around France for a total of 6 weeks (Brittany and Loire) My wife took her honda shadow 125 and it has been great. One of the trips I was in my vt750 shadow and we swapped bikes for 5 minute's and her bike was more comfortable and so mut lighter and easier to handle. You won't regret buying one. In fact i will probably buy one for myself if she gets sick of me using hers!
written by janalleman7 on 02/08/2014
1 year ago I bought this bike and im looking forward to another year riding it, as said in other reviews it holds its own in front of larger capacity bikes. It goes 120 km/hour comfortably (75 mph). I'm actually going on a two and a half week tour through france and england in a few weeks, I will be riding with a passenger and luggage. What an adventure! Last year I went touring for a week or so in germany, the bike held up fantastic! seriously this bike looks good, isn't expensive to have and you will be a proud owner. If youre very insecure and cant handle people laughing at the fact that its a 125 cc once in a while then you shouldnt buy it. but overall people are going to think the bike is awesome! Honda shadow vt 125...she wont let you down!(it's a honda)
written by gatsbysuk on 06/03/2011
I can only say the Honda Shadow 125 is a fantastic bike, I have had 2 and both have been totally reliable and very economical, everywhere i went on them i was always complimented on how nice they were, i was once stopped by the police who could not understand why i was dislaying L plates on such a big bike. I have also had 2 Yamaha YBR 125s aswell these are good too but in a different way, comparing the YBR to the Shadow i can sum them up very easily, the Shadow looks and sounds more like a 600cc bike also when riding it the bike becomes part of you and it feels like you are sitting in it rather than the YBR which you are sitting on.
In my opinion they have both got good and bad points listed below but i can also state through experience that last spring i woke up to a beautiful day and decided to go out for a ride and at the time i was lucky enough to have the choice of both bikes, i opened the garage door and had to choose from the Shadow in Silver (56 Reg Mint) or my black YBR 125 custom (58 reg Mint)NO Competition, I chose the Shadow for the styling and sound and absolute pleasure to ride but i actually ended up taking the YBR due to them both having flat batteries but with the YBR having the kick start, i kicked it once and it fired up immediately.... i must admit i did find a bit more respect for the YBR after that. Hope this helps you make a choice, happy & safe riding.
Good & Bad Points (My opinion)
Shadow YBR
Fuel Gauge No Yes
Centre Stand No Yes
Rev Counter No Yes
Kick Start No Yes
Looks 10/10 7/10
Ride 10/10 7/10
Economy 9/10 10/10
Reliability 10/10 10/10
written by on 01/03/2011
I bought my Honda VT125 just over 6 months ago straight after passing my CBT and love it. As its a 125cc engine it's learner legal (so you can ride it on a provisional licence after doing a CBT) and is an ideal first bike for anyone aspiring to one day progress to full size cruisers as it gets you used to the seating position and handling of that style of bike.
The main plus for me is the sheer presence of the bike, it looks great and holds its own when parked next to full sized bikes, which is crucial for a cruiser. Despite the small engine the bike looks and feels like a much bigger machine - it turns a lot of heads and is easily mistaken for a larger bike, I've even had other bikers come up to me to "advise" me that I'm only allowed to ride a 125cc bike on 'L' plates! The liquid cooling system is slightly uneccessary (consider that most Harley's aren't even liquid cooled) but is used to cunningly disguise the tiny V-twin as a much higher capacity engine. It's also one of few 125's I've seen with full sized tyres, so you know you can take it out onto some real roads and throw it about in complete confidence that it will stick. There are a few other 125cc cruisers out there, and I'm sure some of them are great bikes (though avoid cheap imports - stick with the main brands like Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki etc.), but none of them look or feel as solid as this model.
Obviously there some inevitable trade offs, for instance it is far from the fastest 125 on the market, but then you are buying a cruiser so it's not entirely fair to criticise the bike on these grounds - if you want a nippy sports bike then buy a nippy sports bike! It does produce an enviable 15BHP (more than many 125's), but the large size and cruiser styling weigh it down so don't expect to keep up with lighter sportier bikes of the same engine capacity. The above said, as a learner bike it remains more than capable. It will comfortably cruise at 60mph+ all day on the flat (will hit 75mph on a good day) and it's rarely me who is responsible for holding the traffic up even on fast single carriage ways. I've ridden it a little on dual carriage ways where it is quite able to hold its own, though I would be a little more cautious about taking onto the motorway (licence permitting) only because it lacks acceleration once it reaches these kind of speeds and struggles to maintain speed going up hill.
The brakes leave a little to be desired. Although this is another standard cruiser trait I have found that the rear (drum) brake particularly is quite poor so think that this is a fair criticism in this instance. The front (disc) brake is much better, but obviously with the weight generally being further back on a cruiser you tend to need to use more rear brake than on a more traditional bike, so personally I would like similar performance at this end of the bike. If I were keeping the bike long term I'd consider having the drum replaced with a disc brake, but as I plan on moving up to a bigger cruiser soon I can't quite justify the expenditure on a bike I will only be riding for a few more months.
The 15L tank is a good size and the bike will confortably do in excess of 200 miles between fill ups. Many of these bikes come with a variety of touring accessories, particularly when bought second hand, which come in useful if you're putting in the distance. Mine is fitted with leather saddle bags and a two-up seat (plus passenger pegs), so would be ideal for some light touring if you decided to keep it a while after getting a full bike licence.
Overall I'm very impressed with this bike. I've read a few negative reviews, but most of them seem to be complaining about standard cruiser traits that you really simply have to accept as being part of the parcel when you buy this kind of bike. If you don't want a cruiser then don't buy one... but if you do then this is the perfect starting point. Solid, reliable, easy/cheap to maintain, great looking and great feeling. Holds its value well and is perfect; whether you just want a mean looking commuter bike or are searching for an appropriate learner bike before moving on up to a bigger cruiser.
written by fox070967 on 04/09/2010
I got "betsy" 12 months ago and have ridden her every day on my communte to work, Manchester to Macclesfield, A6 rush hour and country lanes, and always find reason to ride at the weekend. It even got me through the awful winter travelling 120 miles per day visiting my mum in hospital, travelling from Manchester to Macclesfiled, Macclesfiled to The Wirral, The Wirral to Manchester.
On commuting through the traffic the bikes manners are perfect steady and easy to ride slowly, and on a county lane you can lean over, not quite getting your knee down but you get the idea. Dual carriageways are not daunting at all as she will cruise at 60 quite easliy.
Fuel econmy is fine and the day to day running cost are almost non existant, I an about to take my test and am really looking forward to getting a bigger version of the same bike. Already had 3 offers to buy my bike at the price that I want, even a friend in Australiahas sked if he can buy her and ship her over.
Overall an excellent bike, not the cheapest bit in this instace you get what you pay for.
If you are thinking of getting one, do it, you will not be dissapointed.
Jim - Manchester
written by on 09/08/2010
Have owned and ridden my Honda VT 125 for nearly a year now and thank my lucky stars I bought what i think is the best 125 out there! Not had a single problem, finish is excellent and it really looks the part, not some tiny kiddies bike like cg125 etc. I am 6' 2'' can ride this bike for a couple of hours before any discomfort - usually just a numb bum due to sitting upright. I have just traded it in for SV650 and I only lost £300 in a years riding. The dealer has already sold my bike unseen the is such demand for this out of production model. Buy a good one and look after it and you will get most of your money back when ready to move up. Will happily cruise at 65 mph, does 78 mph with good tale wind! Able to filter around town and also able to pass trucks on A roads. Might seem like expensive next too a new cheap 125 but definitely worth it on quality and resale value.
written by on 22/01/2010
i have never been a custom fan myself but when my friend said he was selling his honda shadow i paid 500 for it the bike is as clean as a new one 1376 miles on the clock well a couldent say no after ryding it for a month i love the bike its a bit ticky on the round abouts but super cumfy to ride never go back now i want a 750
Written on: 11/08/2011
good day there mate, if you do upgrade to a 750 and want to sell your 125 then please could you let me know as im hoping to do my cbt later on this year, and then be riding a 125 cruiser shortly after. Thank you for your time. Sam from North Yorkshire
written by on 12/01/2010
A total fan of custom bikes, so this is perfect first bike Honda Shadow 125cc not only looks the business, it's large build makes it look much bigger.
I am a novice female learner, and although quite pricey, I feel I have had value for money (plus, they hold their value), not that I would be in a hurry to sell it anyway.
This bike was recommended to me by a Harley salesman until I pass my test (if I do upgrade, I will still keep this bike)
written by on 11/12/2009
This is a horid bike dont even think about getting this let down of a bike i was so, so angry after buying this bike beacause it was so underpowerd and sounds to much like a moped.
written by on 06/12/2009
I first got my Honda Shadow 125 in 2008 and although it is a lovely looking cruiser/custom it is far to over priced and slightly underpowerd and even though it has a v-twin engine it still dosent sound as good as i hoped.
If you are looking for a cruiser with a fantastic looking v-tiwn and the sound of a much bigger bike the Ymaha Dragstar is the way to go, u will turn heads and the bike looks alot bigger than what it is.
written by Its Milligan on 11/11/2009
Wanting to be back on two wheels after more years than I care to remember, in the days when you could ride around on a provisional license for ever, I gave some serious thought to the purchase of a 125 cruiser. After spending a good couple of months looking for one I had a wish list headed by the Honda with the Yamaha Dragstar a close(ish)second and the Suzuki Maraurder a distant third.
A couple of weeks ago I was all set to go across the Pennines to have a serious look at a Dragstar but then it got sold the day before, there were a good few Shadows about but their geographical location severley restricted making any sort of pitch.
Anyway, two weekends ago I spotted the dream machine at a dealers at Doncaster, half an hour away from where I live, went along, made an offer on the Monday and was the proud owner, or so I thought, of a nearly new, 500 mile, 2008 125 Honda Shadow on the Tuesday. A problem with the battery, a new one was fitted and needed charging, meant that the bike could not be delivered that day and work committments meant that I couldn't take delivery until the Friday afternoon of the same week. Excitement mounted, Friday arrived and I gave the dealer a ring to see if a helmet I had ordered had arrived only to be told that the business had gone into receivership that morning and that even though I had paid for the bike in full, had an invoice and receipt for it , legal ownership had not been transferred from the company, they say, and I could not have the bike! Gutted wasn't in it, I found out I could still purchase the bike and rather than look around for another I paid a second time, a few hundred quid less than the initial price but still!
It appears, after advice from CAB that I am stuck in a situation as an unsecured creditor which means I get very little at all of the initial purchase price back but am initiating enquiries via a soliciter to see if there is a legal route given that I paid in full, had an invoice and receipt and that the bike was only still on the premises when the receivers walked in because it was effectively there for repair, watch this space!
Any road! I got the bike home that day and spent a few hours on it over the weekend and came to work in Hull on it on Wednesday and all I can say is that is tremendous fun, almost as good as wotsit, certainly lasts longer! and really is the dogs proverbials of a bike for a 125, I really would reccommend it to anyone starting out on, or returning to, two wheels.
written by on 21/08/2009
As the island's "Rockin' Vicar" this machine is perfect for me.
Parishioners are in awe of it as they think its a "big bike", with the screen and studded leather panniers it locks fabulous and yet not quick enough to get me caught for speeding.
Honda VT Shadow 125 is totally safe, predictable handling, and with an uprated headlight bulb set , it is even great at night on our narrow, twisty roads.
Thank you Honda for my "H/D" look-alike, I love it.
written by Tuppy on 01/08/2009
Bought the not so little not so cheap Shadow 125 brand new in April 2009. First registered with the local Honda dealer in Dec. 2008. Went into the showroom, just browsing, saw it there and fell in love with it. But I thought it was a 750!! until the sales guy put me right. I passed my test in 1968 so have a FULL bike and car licence. However I have been out of the saddle so to speak for 40 years and even though my licence allowed me to ride a 750 (or bigger) with no questions asked (or the need to take a test) discretion played the better part of valour and I opted to go for the 125. My idea was/is to ride it for a year or so and if I haven't fallen off or worse then upgrade to the big one. I didn't even need to take my CBT but I read every book I could, including the Highway Code!, and practised starting/stopping/changing gear/turning for a few days in the local car park before going on the road. I have now done over 1500 miles of fun biking. Every day when the sun shines I go out for an hour or so. Mostly in the evening when the traffic is light. I simply love it! Lots of nods from other riders. Excellent machine. Perfect finish. Looks the part and when "cruising" at 45 to 50 the 125 engine sounds great and gives excellent economy well north of 50 mpg. Who needs a 750? Yes a little pricey so maybe not the best "value for money". But hey this is about style, comfort and road presence. I feel safe on it.One minor problem was a rattly chrome exhaust heat shield which the dealer could not find but I did and refitted it with a slightly modified (by pliers) retaining bracket. Job done.
Written on: 04/07/2012
I found this review very useul, I too have been searching high and low for the perfect bike and eventually came across the Honda Shadow VT 125 and what a lovely bike it is. I recently completed my CBT and rather rush through a DAS course on a 500cc bike, I thought I'd ride around on a 125. My daily commute is a round trip of 30 miles, and so I was wondering if a 125 would be perfect - and reading this review I now know it would! Thanks
written by fox1967 on 20/06/2009
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.
Written on: 03/08/2009
I found this review very helpful because...it confirms that today's 125's are every bit as good as their bigger brothers...........just cheaper, safer and as much fun as most of us need or can handle without getting into trouble.........and that there are still good dealers out there who put their customers first.
written by on 03/05/2009
i love this Honda VT Shadow 125 bike all round it5s a great looking thing and i have never had any problems with it.
written by DundeeGent on 28/03/2009
I bought my shadow 4 months ago when i went to look at a 125 scooter. But when i saw this i just had to have it. The last time i rode a geard bike was 20 years ago but found this easy to pick up. The look of this bike is great and with the panniers back rest and screen make it look like a 600. Looks great drives great 250 mpg from a full tank I plan to tour Scotland this summer and with the comfort of this bike it will make it a much better experiance. With a front screen in the wind the speed seems to be reduced
written by on 28/02/2009
Two weeks and I am still in love with my Honda VT Shadow. Done a thousand miles of A B and London roads and loved nearly all of them (lost in Stratford one way system excluded). Only bad point is gear change not too well positioned?
written by on 24/01/2009
Overall a brilliant bike. No maintaince money had to be spent in the past 1 and a half years. Accelorates how you would expect for a cruiser but does get up from 40 to sixty very quickly. It is really enjoyable to ride and gives the thrills of a much bigger cruiser. It is very comfortable for the longer jounrneys that my friends moan at after because they all have Yahmaha 125s. It is difficult to filter because of its size but has an advantage as cars don't push you around as much when you are on this type of bigger bike.so far i have had no bad points to but against this bike.
written by on 18/01/2009
This is my first bike and I am very happy with it. After all, at 41 years old, one preferes confort to speed.
Having never ride a bike before, it is amazing how easy it is to master the clutch. You will very quicly get use to the controls and to know when to change gear.
As I said, if you looking for speed, don 't go for the Shadow. It gets to 70 but its most confortable at 40 or 50 and even so, with lots of wind.
All in all I am very happy with the bike and would strongly recomende it as long as you not in any hurry to get to places
written by on 19/12/2008
I paid £1200 for this bike as a recovery from insurance company, absolutely nothing wrong with it. For a 145 kilo 125 cc it goes like the clappers and your backside is close enough to the wheel to really feel it. Great thing is this bike is far too heavy to wheely so I can drop the clutch and fire off in a cloud of burnt rubber, ( bought 3 new tires in 13 months ) .
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Rafffles's Response to gatsbysuk's Review
Written on: 14/11/2011
This is really useful. I'm trying to decide on my first bike right now and a new YBR or a 2nd hand VT 125 are two of my main options (new Suzuki EN 125 being the other main contender - similar to YBR but cheaper). I am going to be commuting on this and filtering through queuing traffic a lot. How is the shadow for filtering through traffic? Thanks for the great review - very useful.