Honda Shadow ACE 750 - A High Quality Mid-Range Cruiser

Welcome back motorcycle enthusiasts! Here's another in my series of motorcycle reviews. Remember....if you're looking to buy your first bike, start with this Epinion on buying a motorcycle and then come back here to finish reading this review for the Honda Shadow ACE 750.

First Impressions

The Shadow ACE 750 is one of the most stylish mid-range metric cruisers out there. With the dash-mounted speedometer and plenty of chrome to go around, this bike turns heads no matter where it goes.

Just about the only downside is that it's a bit cramped and still relies on a chain-driven drivetrain, which requires a bit more maintenance than the 1100-series of the ACE, which is shaft-driven.

So...Let's Talk About The ACE 750

A lot of people look at the Honda Shadow lineup out there and wonder why Honda keeps making so many different shapes and sizes of this bike. Over the last 10 years, Honda has released the ACE 750 the Spirit 750, the ACE 1100 the VLX 600 (standard and deluxe), the ACE 1100, the Sabre 1100, the Aero 1100, the Aero 750 and Spirit 1100 -- all of which are part of the Shadow lineup. Because of the high number of bikes in the Shadow lineup, some think that Honda has a bit of an identity crisis surrounding the Shadows and just can't figure out what kind of bike the Shadow should be.

Having ridden nearly all of the Shadow series bikes, I think Honda has figured out EXACTLY what the Shadow is suppose to be....a bike for every size and shape of person. They have figured out that making slight modifications to the styling and reusing similar engines makes for a broader customer base.

The ACE 750 falls right in the middle of Honda's Shadow lineup as a mid-range cruiser with classic styling. It's bigger and roomier than the Shadow VLX 600, but a bit more petite than the ACE, Sabre, and Spirit 1100s.

Weighing in at 500lbs. dry weight and offering 40hp stock, the ACE 750 provides average weight/average height riders with a strong, nimble ride with enough giddyup for long highway rides.

So...How Is The Power Offered By The ACE 750?

While 40hp may not sound like a lot when compared to the 100hp offered by the CBR lineup, no one buying a cruiser should be realistically expecting to do 150mph. So let's compare apples to apples when looking at horsepower. When compared to it's bigger brother, the ACE 1100 (which comes from the factory making 51hp), the numbers are pretty good. 40hp will have you comfortably cruising the highways at 65mph with no problem.

I do have to comment that above 65mph, I did find myself looking for another gear. The ACE 750 is geared for torque and so moving the speedometer up makes the motor sound a feel like it's revving high. It's something to get used to, but rest assured that the ACE 750 will do 70mph-80mph all day long.

The good news is that the ACE 750 also has room to grow when it comes to increasing the horsepower. Additions such as a high-flow air filter, new jet kit, and power commander module can nudge horsepower more toward the 50-55hp levels. Not too shabby for a 750cc V-Twin.

How's The Handling?

With a 63.6 inch wheel base, the ACE 750 is not a particulary long bike. This makes it very nimble and easy to handle. When combined with the 500lb dry weight, this means it's heavy enough to stand big gusts of wind on the highway, but light enough to be able to manuever around parking lots easily. The ACE's handlebars rest in a comfortable position that make turning the wider front tire relatively easy.

The only complaint I have with regard to the suspension is one that is common across the Shadows. The front fork springs are a bit on the mushy side, which results in a bit of a nose-diving when applying the front brake aggresively. While this is definitely not a show-stopper for the ACE 750, I'd suggest a set of aftermarket fork springs and heavier front fork oil to really bring the front suspension to its peak.

How About Maintenance?

Heck...it's a Honda. Maintenance on the ACE 750 is pretty straight forward. Change the oil and coolant fluid, check your tire tread and air pressure, oil the chain at the appropriate periods and you're good to go!

One other thing to note about the ACE 750 is that the rear brake is a drum brake, not a disk brake. While this doesn't really add any additional maintenance, when it comes time to change the rear brake out, it's a bit more involved that just snapping out the old pads and dropping in the new.

Other than that, the most intense maintenance you'll have on the ACE 750 is keepign all those spokes clean. While they offer that beautiful classic look, be prepared to scrub the road grime off them periodically to keep them looking great.

How About Fuel Mileage and Range?

The ACE 750 sports a 3.7 gallon tank and gets around gets anywhere from 40mpg to 45mpg, depending on how and where you are riding. This means that you're looking at 120-130 miles before having to stop for gas. In other words, it's more likely that your butt will be crying "uncle" before the ACE does.

How about comfort?

As I mentioned earlier, the ACE 750 is a bit on the cramped side for taller or larger riders. The footpegs are in somewhat of a forward position, but taller riders might consider investing in aftermarket forward controls or floorboards if they plan on taking longer trips.

Heavier riders or those looking for long road trip with plenty of riders might consider stepping up to the ACE 1100. In addition, the passenger setup for long trips leaves much to be desired in the way of comfort.

The only other bone of contention I have with the ACE's comfort is something that I have seen across the entire Shadow lineup....the seat. Honda installs very stiff seats on their cruisers, which makes for uncomfortable longer rides. The stiff seats last longer and hold up better, but after a couple hundred miles on a stock Honda seat, I find myself shifting to relieve the pressure on my tailbone. The ACE 750's seat is no different and I would suggest that any ACE owner look around at the Mustang or Corbin seats. They look expensive at first blush, but offer a totally different comfort level than the stocker does. Adding a more comfortable pillion pad will also make your passenger much happier for those long trips.

How About The Price?

I consider the ACE 750 to be one of the best priced cruisers in it's class. When compared to the V-Star 650, the Savage 650, and the Kawasaki Vulcan 800, the ACE 750 (at $5,999) comes in right in the middle:

Yamaha V-Star 650 - MSRP of $5,500
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 - MSRP of $6,200
Suzuki Savage 650 - MSRP of $4,300

While each of these are excellent mid-range cruisers, the ACE 750 offers better long distance riding than the Savage and better styling than the Vulcan 800. The closest competitor with the ACE 750 is the V-Star 650, which is a respectable choice as well for medium-build riders.

What about accessories?

There are plenty of chrome doodads out there for the ACE 750, as well as a few performance enhancers as well. Major aftermarket manufacturers like Cobra, K&N, Vance & Hines, and DynoJet all offer plenty of options to customize your ACE or hop it up a bit. Don't forget about the Hondaline accessories as well. While they're a bit pricier, fit and finish is top-notch and they are guaranteed to fit the ACE 750 perfectly.

So don't worry...there are plenty of accessories out there to continue draining your wallet after the initial purchase. The good news, however, is that the ACE 750 comes from the factory looking sharp and leaving it stock will still turn heads as you cruise down the road.

The Final Lowdown

I do like the ACE 750 as a midrange cruiser. For riders who are mid-sized (5'-5" - 6' and 150lbs - 180lbs), I think it's a great choice. Larger and taller riders will find the bike a bit cramped. For those who are looking at long road trips, the ACE 750 is a suitable bike, but you could find better comfort from one of the larger cruisers.

Overall, though, it's a great looking bike with a great price tag and low maintenance needs. This adds up to a low initial outlay and plenty of miles of smiles.

Once you have selected your new bike, be sure to check out check out my article on maintaining your motorcycle:

Keep Your Motor Running - Tips For Maintaining Your Motorcycle

Ride Safe!

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