1000 miles on a Honda VT750C2B Black Shadow Spirit 2011

The Lovely Wendy has had her heart set on a Honda Shadow now for almost 5 years, they seemed to fit her well but I wasn't convinced that she needed anything more than the lowered CB500S which she rode like a deamon even though she could only get the tip of one foot on the floor at anyone time. You see she is 4 foot 10 inches a challenge to ride almost any bike...

Last year we spotted the New Shadow Black Spirit-C2B which was perfect as it allowed her to put two feet flat on the floor at the same time. She fell in love and declared it her next bike.

so earlier this month we decided to see what the second handmarket place was like for this bike, not many out there and still a little expensive £5500 for a year old bike with 5k miles on the clock and no extras but we did spot one in Newcastle for £4950 standard bike but on an 11 plate infact just 5 months old with 450 miles on the clock, so we aranged to buy it.

We flew into Liverpool hired a car and crashed on our Daughters couch for a few days and in the middle we drove up to Newcastle bought the bike (the owner also shelled out £20 for fuel - Top Man) I then rode it on very underflated tyres down to Barnsley for an overnight with my Parents. Befor riding it back to Burnley and the daughters couch and a 600 mile service for the bike. Once serviced (£175) I rode it with my luggage (a bag strapped to the back seat) down to Exeter to see my other children and grand children for a couple of days before Heading for Portsmouth and the LD-Lines ferry to Le- Havre and the 400 mile journey to SW France and Home near Treignac.

This is what I thought of the bike...

Day 1 Newcastle to Barnsley (125 miles)

Mostly motorway. At first I thought the bike was TINY too small for me in dimensions and everything else, it was like riding a toy bike. my legs were too big the bars felt like they were against my chest, the seat too close to the tank, all i could see in the mirrors were my arms and shoulders, and I couldn't get comfortable, when I stopped my feet were already on the floor without having to bend or streighten my legs (I am 5 foot 10 inches) I was ready to stopp after only 20 miles. I felt the engine was weak, the gear ratio all wrong, and it ran out of steam very quickly... You guessed it I hated the thing. and was real glad to arrive in Barnsley.

Day 2 Barnsley to Burnley (75 miles)

Again mostly motorway. I knew the bike a little better today, and was able to settle into a reasonable riding position quite quickly, during the short ride (6 miles) of twisties to the motorway I found myself starting to appreciate the bike a little more, working the gears and bending the bike through the bends, it wasn;t long before I was scraping my heals and then the pegs. My knees found a natural position against the tank and my upper body relaxed into the bike and by arms felt more in control and natural too. But all too quick I was on the M1, M62, congestion and mega winds. Without a sceen i was pretty much exposed to everything that was thrown at me, but the bike was planted and didn't budge at all as I would have expected some big buffeting from trucks and side winds, but the bike held true and cruised easily. I was also able to stretch out my legs with my heels on the pegs. I made it to Burnley Relative comfort.

Day 3 Burnley to Rochdale for a service (54 miles)

It was cold wet and windy but I took the twisties to Rochdale and I am glad I did, Quite quickly this bike developed a character, I sat mor agressivly into it and it no longer seemed so small, more agile, quick to turn and sure footed on the rain and slippery roads, I felt secure so rode it accordingly but still with caution, the bike quickly ran out of steam but it was a relaxing ride without any surprises.

Once the service was complete (a couple of hours) I took the same route back. Immediately the engine felt stronger, more guteral sound, the new oil had worked its magic. The gearing felt more positive and I now rode it like I had stolen it. Using more engine breaking (after all it is now run in) I threw the bike at the bends and it responeded I was begining to finaly inderstand how to ride this bike.

Day 4 Burnley to Exeter (279 miles)

Again mostly Motorway, This time I was more comfortable, and found the 130 mile fuel range about right for leg stretching and a coffee. It was a dry day and the bike cruised comfortably at 80 MPH with no dramas.

Day 5 Exeter to Portsmouth (150 miles)

Torrential rain and strong winds, I was thankful for my gortex jacket, trousers, gloves and boots as the bike let everything past but it didn't blink and eye. This was mostly A roads today until Southampton where I would pick up the M27 for a few miles to Portsmouth. I was starting to enjoy the journey and the ride despite the weather. At alltime it felt sure footed, the stock tyres gave me plenty of feedback and I cannot think of a time when they did anything unexpected, certainly I felt assured at all times. It took the bends in its stride at a prety good pace the engine now felt strong and capable after 1000 miles the engine felt good (okay not a sports bike) and I was comfortable my gear was not yet letting in water. I arrived at the ferry without drama and ushered on. Securing the bike on the ferry caused a slight concern as the side panals extent beyond the seat so the strap which was used was against the panals. I solved this by using my gloves between the strap and the bike. I left it in gear and went up for a Vin Rouge and a kip.

Day 6 Le-Havre to Ridersrest Treignac (397 miles)

The bike suffered no damage or marking after its ordeal being strapped down on the ferry, the bike started easily and we were the 1st off the ferry and on our way briskley. we covered the frst 100 miles with little fuss, by now I knew the bike and how to get the best from it so we were cruising at 85 MPH down the motorways and 75 MPH pn the national routes. The fuel light cam on at 118 miles then 130 miles so the range is dependadnt on how it is ridden. Surprisinly the almost 400 miles went past quite quickly I did need to stop every 100 miles to strech my legs and back, but alternating between bent and streightened knees during the ride made it more comfortable. The last 50 miles of the journey through the twisties (ones I know quite well) saw the bike come to life, and it rode very well tipping into every bend with vigour up and down the gears peg scraping over all and enjoyable 50 miles and at the end of the journey I have to admit to liking the bike for what it is.

I am sure Wendy is going to have a great relationship with this bike.

1st Fuel stop in France

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z461/ridersrest/Motorcycle%20Pictures%202011/shadow001.jpg

All washed and looking smart at home.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z461/ridersrest/Motorcycle%20Pictures%202011/shadow003.jpg

I'm sure TLW will fit that perfectly....

How come you didn't pop in for a brew?????

you know me Mel, head down and ride in the miserable weather when I was passing... when I stopped at the services there was a puddle under my seat and i remember going to the toilet first

Hi , does the vt C 2 B need Lambda sensor ?

Nice narrative and good observations, thanks.

just in case other people that are short reading this that another bike to consider is a moto guzzi v7.