Shadow 750 ACE | GTAMotorcycle.com

Shadow 750 ACE

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just curious

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We have an 02 F4i and an 01 Shadow 750 ACE. Now bear with my amateur assumptions, but logic dictates 150cc mores means a more powerful engine that wants to go fast. However, I jump off the CBR and on to the Shadow and I feel as though I need to pedal to make it go.

What's the reason that the Shadow is slow-ish and has little torque? I know there is no comparison between the Shadow and the SS, seeing as an SS has one purpose, and that is to go fast. However, I jumped on the highway the other day and felt myself struggling to get up to traffic (130-140) speeds. How big do we need to upgrade in the cruiser world to feel like 2-upping isn't a struggle? Is it gearing ratios, power delivery, something else?

I know darn well that cruisers can go as I've rode with Harleys that had no trouble pulling away from me (I know, 1600cc vs 600cc).

So, I know the Shadow has no comparison to an SS, but what's the deal? Why does it feel like the CBR125 I learned on at the rider training?
 
The 750 shadow is a horrible example of what a cruiser is, I think. I test rode one at the Honda demo day early in the summer.

The weight of the bike coupled with the power output doesn't help the shadows case. I mean, output is what? 40HP and weighs twice as much as my old gs500, which had 50HP.

Felt cheap as hell too and steered like a cow, which i suppose most cruisers do anyway.
I heard the 1100cc shadow is a lot better.
 
You're right, I didn't realize how little HP the Shadow has. Kind of pathetic. Is this a Shadow issue or are most of the comparable cruisers like this?
 
just curious said:
You're right, I didn't realize how little HP the Shadow has. Kind of pathetic. Is this a Shadow issue or are most of the comparable cruisers like this?
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I had an '03 A.C.E. Totally agree with lack of power 2 upping. I did find the Shadow fun to ride (alone). Keeping up in the fast lane was impossible too. I upgraded to a Vulcan 1500 after the first season. Of course it can pull 2upping with no problems. I will comment it does drag the floorboards at about a 45 degree lean.
 
I've been riding a 2000 750 ACE for three years now, and find it perfectly capable.

I cruise comfortably at 120kph, but can easily push it up to 140 if traffic requires.
More often that not, I am the first vehicle through the intersection after the light turns green.

I two-up often and with no problem, even with combined body weight over 400lbs + gear.

It's a heavy cruiser, stable and comfortable.
Also bulletproof: it's taken me back and forth from Burlington to Toronto daily, April-October, rain or shine, with bare minimum of maintenance, and has never left me at the side of the road (blown tire excepted).
And I just rolled over 100,000 km this summer.

If you compare it to an SS, well it won't be the same, but what the heck did you expect?
Try putting a 37 tooth rear sprocket on it, you will find a big difference for highway comfort.
 
I have the Aero 06. Acceleration isn't bad for me since I'm 120 lbs. When I two up with the girl, it becomes horrible. 200 pounds together plus a heavy 600 pound bike is horrible.

I've topped up with a bit over 150km/h. But that's with the windshield on, so I'm not sure what it is without the windshield.

Now, I haven't test rode the new Shadows since they are fuel injected and not sure if they do a difference on power..
 
I gotta shadow 750 and I have rode the HD V-Roda and Sportster, other various models which are 1+ litre bike, and I found the Shadow to have killer torque compared to them even though it's a 750, well mine has the V&H Straight shots after market pipes, but I doubt it make that much of a difference...given it's a 750 compared to 1 + litre bikes this shadow kicks butt...

I've pumpend this puppy upto 170 with no problem...and in traffic if I'm doing 120 and need to go ahead, just little nudge of the throttle and I'm upto 130-140 easy...and I weight 200 lbs.

So not sure why your shadow is not pushing..cause it should...you may need to get it checked...maybe your firing on 1.5 cylinders or something...

The Torque is insane once you change the pipes....so try that, I've never rode another shadow and mine came with the after market pipes, so don't know how much of major change it give but I can't imagine it to be as bad as you say.

I've ridden SS and power cruisers like the the Triumph Thunder bird (insane bike!), sure they've got more power and torque but it's not like they leave the Shadow in the dust...The Shadow does command it's respect in this area....

This summer I rode down to Harrisberg PA and never found an issue of lack of power keeping up with anything out there....

I actually love the handling at low speeds and high speeds + Honda has an awesome reliability rep...so for those who wanna just change oil/filter/lube chain and just ride...you can't go wrong with a Honda..that's what they're made for....no pampering just riding....
 
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I'm 240lbs and have no issues wih torque or accelertion. I've been riding an 09 Aero since I got it in June. Not much highway driving, but I can get speed out of her easily if needed.
 
just curious said:
You're right, I didn't realize how little HP the Shadow has. Kind of pathetic. Is this a Shadow issue or are most of the comparable cruisers like this?
Click to expand...

It's a Shadow issue. I almost wanted one myself until I was warned about this. My 250cc KYMCO Venox is a faster cruiser and a 500cc Kawasaki Vulcan would smoke both of them all day long.

Go up 50cc more to the 800cc class of cruisers and there's a substantial power increase despite marginal displacement difference.
 
PS older shadow 750s are better than some newer ones - they switched from twin carbs to a single carb and many owners were disappointed. Believe that was around 2001 or so? 2011 up should be fuel injected I think so maybe that helps.
 
Interesting. What I'm reading is that some people love their torquey, lots-of-power Shadows and some think the Shadow is slow and underpowered in the 2-up situations.

I took the bike for another ride today to see if I maybe I wasn't pushing the bike enough to get into higher RPM, but it's hard with no Tach or reference. I really twisted the throttle and I was through 3 gears through an intersection only doing like 65km/h. Another reminder of the CBR125. No doubt a great looking bike that serves some sort of market as there are a lot out there, but looking back, the fuel economy is disappointing, the torque and highway speeds aren't great and the windshield is just high enough to send buffered air over which is annoying (I know thats not the bikes fault, I should be shorter). Looks like an upgrade next year.
 
Its a v-twin; many of them are geared similarily. Yamaha's cruisers tend to shift to 5th at 70-75kms/hr, for example.

A nice bike; and I'm aware of how many people like them. Power is lacking too much for my liking; not that I have loads on my bike
 
I think the ACE serves its purpose. Its true that the acceleration is sub par compared to the Honda but, its main purpose was to be an efficient commuter that is very reliable, which it is.
I do understand how you feel though. I ride a GSXR1100 slightly modded. When I went to the Suzuki demo days I was set on finding a cruiser cause I had to have one heh. Anyways, that ended quick as I was rather disappointed as I took out the C90 and the 109T I believe it was. The acceleration was no were close and it felt like it vibrated quite a bit. The Bandit 1250 on the other hand was a beautiful machine.

All in all, reliability and cost effective are what comes to mind with the ACE.
 
As mentioned earlier, I never felt any lack of Torque on my 750...even right after jumping off a some 1+ litre bikes, especially the low in Torque, that said sure more power is always welcome on highway speeds, but I can easily hit 170 with-out much effort. Anyways I'm thinking of getting in the market for a VTX 1300 or 1800....which ever comes my way at an awesome price.

One reason I want to stay with honda is the realiability factor they have, I was thinking of the Triumph Thunderbird or Yamaha Stryker or a muscle rod but with Honda when your on a tour in the good old USA theres always a dealer close by if needed, plus Triumphs are nice but a bit too heavy for my wallet, v-rods are the same just overpriced.

So looking a the litre plus market I think I've settled on my next bike to be a VTX 1300 or 1800..I also love the meaty look of the VTX, it's an uncomplicated clean design, like a classic cruiser just bigger..the thing looks like a horse...- a steal horse....which I love.
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