Write a review

MOTORCYCLE Type

Other types

Make and model

Year

1988 Honda Cruiser reviews

4.7 (3 reviews)
Write a review
Reliability
4.7
Overall quality
4.3
Performance
4.7
Comfort
4.3

Top 10 Cruisers

Reviews

Stars Refinement

3 ratings and reviews

Voted most helpful review

Drew

Washington, New Jersey

Reviewed on June 7, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 1988 Honda VT600C Shadow VLX view listing

5.0
This is an ideal cruiser. It's not a sport bike, it's a cruiser. This bike has plenty of power to do what it was meant to. I hate this new big bore, go fast, cruiser fad. If you want something to go fast on, go buy a sport bike. There's a reason that the bike is called a cruiser...to cruise.... read more
This is an ideal cruiser. It's not a sport bike, it's a cruiser. This bike has plenty of power to do what it was meant to. I hate this new big bore, go fast, cruiser fad. If you want something to go fast on, go buy a sport bike. There's a reason that the bike is called a cruiser...to cruise.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

doog25

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Reviewed on December 31, 2001

Motorcycle reviewed 1988 Honda VT600C Shadow VLX view listing

4.0
Bought this beauty (was beast) 6 months ago. This 130K mi. 1988 Shadow VT600C had seen rough times. Slightly modified (poorly, in most cases), rusty spokes, cracked paint + parts everywhere... so I got it for a good price as a starter bike, knowing it's Honda, at least, and that I may be killing it as I learn... read more
Bought this beauty (was beast) 6 months ago. This 130K mi. 1988 Shadow VT600C had seen rough times. Slightly modified (poorly, in most cases), rusty spokes, cracked paint + parts everywhere... so I got it for a good price as a starter bike, knowing it's Honda, at least, and that I may be killing it as I learn to ride -not much to lose seeing how motorcycling is so cool + "fun", supposedly. Well, it is! Being 5'10" 160 lbs. and mature-minded, I found the bike to fit me rather well, not too agressive, not too wimpy. After learning how to ride (i.e. countersteering + MSF course), I found the bike to be very forgiving and quite nimble. The throttle is not TOO strong (it's a 583 cc motor, afterall), yet she has the go at a moments notice, especially with the nice + tall (4)gears. Plenty for me, at least. Got her up to 95 + she was starting to whine, let alone my nerves were saying "when", being new to it all. She had a bit more to go, especially if a 5th gear was present. The tall 4th gear runs nice from 55 to, arguably, 75 as a smooth cruising speed, and beyond. Different ratioed sprockets can change that, though. Plenty of aftermarket parts to choose from for customization. OEM Parts are easily accessible, I've replaced roughly $600 in OEM and no problems finding parts yet, even those puny grommets or brass washers. She's pretty much restored + running great. All for ~$3,000 in bike, gear, training, parts, and pulled hair:) (which was minimal I just like to whine) Having taken the heads apart for cleaning, I was surprised at how clean the head/case was on the inside. After rebuilding the heads, I swear I got 10% more power out of the motor! Not too difficult to work on, but some parts, as on any other machine, were a bear to get to/ replace. Getting roughly 55-60 mpg with stock air cleaner, external fuel injection, and aftermarket pipes. All in all, this is a perfect bike for a beginner who doesn't want to upgrade after 6 months of 500cc or less OR have too much bike to control starting out. Conversely, an experienced rider who likes easy riding, good gas mileage, and doesn't have to cruise 5,000 miles in a week, I believe, would enjoy this ride thoroughly as well. If you're new to this stuff, this is a premier choice for a first ride, IMO, as it offers stablility, reliability, accessibility of parts, and tons of grins for the relatively cheap pricetag (typically)! Hope this helps, + happy and safe motorcycling!
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (2)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

Richard Rose

The Shadow Shack

Reviewed on June 27, 2001

Motorcycle reviewed 1988 Honda VT600C Shadow VLX view listing

5.0
I acquired a "beat but complete" 1988 VLX last year for a song and a few dollars. It wouldn't start but the motor would turn over. The bike was neglected for about five years in the cold environment of the Colorado Rockies by the previous owner. It has since become a rebuild/restoration hobby ... read more
I acquired a "beat but complete" 1988 VLX last year for a song and a few dollars. It wouldn't start but the motor would turn over. The bike was neglected for about five years in the cold environment of the Colorado Rockies by the previous owner. It has since become a rebuild/restoration hobby for me (I affectionately dubbed it "the clunker"), sitting in my garage alongside three other functioning and stylish VLX Shadows. It needs a few items to get going, such as a carb cleaning/rebuild, new coils, new battery, plugs, plug wires, oil and filters, and a stator wiring harness. The tank and lower left engine casing were replaced (rust in tank and corrosion on casing), a new front brake master cylinder, and a rebuilt front end. The tires both need replacing (dry rotted) along with a few other minor TLC touches. I learned all my wrenching on this bike, I stripped it down to the bare frame and began experimenting with the assembly/disassembly of the various components. The plastic body pieces (rear fender/seat cowling and side covers) all needed mending, the frame has been repainted, and the bodywork will receive a matching coat soon. Now the point I would like to make here is this: DURABILITY! When I had the engine off the frame I started popping covers off to see the innards of a VLX motor for the first time. Here's what impressed me more than anything: the engine has 45,000 miles on it and has sat neglected for five years through the harsh winters of the Rocky Mountains. The inside of the engine was immaculate, completely clean, the timing chains were snug, the gears were in excellent shape, the valves were unscored, and not a single metal shaving was found within. This only reinforces Honda's bullet-proof reliability. Hats off to the engineers of such a tolerable machine, I know now that my other three will serve me well for many years to come, and perhaps someday in the near future I'll have this fourth one to add to the stable. Kudos to Honda's 5 STAR long lasting tough and dependable VLX!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
  • 1
  • 1 - 3 of 3 reviews