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Honda VT750 Shadow (2011) – Bob Pickett takes an easy ride on Honda’s entry-level cruiser

With thanks to Johns of Romford, Rush Green branch for the loan of the bike

2011 Honda VT750S Shadow The VT750S Shadow is Honda’s take on the entry-level cruiser for the rider with a full licence. The Shadow has been around in one guise or another since the early 1980s, when it was introduced to try to compete in the American market. The range has grown in capacity from 500 to 600 to the current 750cc capacity over the years, but the v-twin configuration has stayed the same throughout it’s lifespan.

A brand new bike, like the one we borrowed from Johns of Romford retails for £6,075 (September 2011 prices). For that you get a low, heavy bike (658mm/25 inch seat height, 262kg weight), with straight bars and an easy riding position.

I refer to the riding position as being ‘easy’, as it isn’t set up with the usual “wind up your trousers” scenario. The pegs are placed slightly forward of centre (I found I put my feet down just behind them at standstill), and with the straight bars it makes for a relaxed riding position. You can just lean back and go with the flow, or lean easily into a more involved placement if you prefer, the peg/bar placement allows for both.

2011 Honda VT750S Shadow A real plus is the C-ABS braking system. The front brakes pack sufficient oomph to pull up the Shadow with ease, but the rear (unusually for a cruiser) is spongy and lacking feel, requiring a firm foot on the pedal.

And this is the oddity of the VT750 Shadow. It is a Curate’s Egg in many ways. The suspension is another case in point. It is soft, like a lot of cruisers. But it skipped over some quite badly formed speed-bumps without fuss, and floated over a strip of traffic-calming ripples absorbing the shakes utterly. However, on the bad side it lets you know about every bump, divot and crack on town roads and when you corner, you know it will hold the line, but not why as it tells you nothing about what is happening.

Likewise, the engine has some odd traits. It will roll along amiably and smoothly, but up the pace into the wrong part of the rev range and it gets very vibey very quickly. But go up to (and beyond) motorway speeds and it is silken and handles the pace with aplomb. Also, at motorway pace the ride all seems to smooth out, suggesting someone at Honda intended the VT750S to spend a lot of it’s life cruising on faster highways.

2011 Honda VT750S Shadow The handling is like that as well. The straight bars are wide enough to let you roll it round corners or boss it with a firm nudge. As I said above it doesn’t translate what is going on back to the rider, but it holds a line once leant over (though on a small, tight roundabout I always use on the test route it ran ride).

The performance is in that ‘Curate’s Egg’ bracket as well. Power likes to be applied smoothly. Within the section of the rev range it likes best, the VT750S will just slide in another 10/15mph effortlessly on top of cruising revs; enough to allow for easy overtakes, but it doesn’t want to be hammered or subjected to aggressive throttle openings.

How the Shadow seems to work best is to cosset the rider. Let it take care of things, not forcing the pace but letting it get on with the business of moving along. Keep the revs in the happy spot and it will glide amiably along, rolling smoothly from one bend to the next, surefooted (if vague) as it goes. Comfort is excellent; I never once felt the need to shuffle in the saddle and it appears frugal with the fuel, meaning you can spend a long time riding, just sitting back and enjoying the view.

In many ways, it is a bit like being out with your favourite Auntie. It will be a lovely day, with no pressure and no real surprises. When I pulled up for the photo-shoot, I almost expected it to unpack a picnic.

2011 Honda VT750S Shadow So the good: Lovely riding position, easy to handle, good feedback from the mirrors, nice gearbox and clutch, strong front brakes for the class. The bad: Why use chain-drive on a cruiser - especially when you consider Honda has a superb shaft-drive on it’s VFR1200 sport-tourer; the inconsistent feedback from the suspension and tyres; and a side stand that stands the bike very straight (not good on a strong camber); plus a weak back brake.

The Honda VT750S Shadow is an ideal bike for the newly qualified rider, who wants to go down the cruiser path. It wants to take care of you, it is easy to ride and forgiving. Likewise, if you like your riding to be laid-back and relaxed, it’ll fit the bill nicely. And oddly, given some of it’s traits, it will handle mile after mile on the motorway, so sling on some luggage and let it glide you off into the sunset, gently.

Thanks again to Johns of Romford, Rush Green branch for the initial loan of the bike

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