1999 Honda Cruiser reviews

I've had 3 of these Honda Valkyries, GL1500C over the years. I've taken them to Valkyrie Rallies all over the US, down the Tail of the Dragon a few times, to Van Couver, BC, Canada from Houston, TX. I have found them to be extremely fun, fast, reliable, powerful. I'm a big guy nowadays, so I don't look as ridiculous on a big bike, and I need a bike that can carry my weight, plus a passenger on occasion, plus luggage! One of the best things about this model bike is the support community. If you log onto the VRCC (Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club) they have technical info and a knowledge base to get you through any problem. I love that a lot of those guys have 300,000 miles on a Valkyrie! Changing the air filter is a real pain. There's not a lot of clearance between the top of the shift lever and the bottom of the 6 cylinder engine that's mounted just above that lever. Just enough for a regular boot. If you had one of those boots with the extra thick sole, there'd be no way to fit it in there. Of course, everything is adjustable, but still. There's less and less aftermarket parts available as time marches on and these haven't been made since 2002, but there's still stuff out there. An old school Valkyrie will perform, it's a lot more nimble than it looks, it's smooth and well balanced, powerful, fast and torquey. It's getting harder to find aftermarket parts. And dealerships won't work on bikes that old, usually. Although private shops will, of course. I don't know what other bike can cruise across country so fast and smooth and reliably for $4K or less. Show less

I just bought a 1999 Shadow VLX Deluxe a month ago. It is the best bike I have ever had. I am a pretty big guy and it takes me down the road really well. There is nothing I can put down about the bike for I have ridden many different bikes and this by far is a A++ Bike!!! Show less

Between my husband and I, we have logged over 116,000 miles on this bike and it has not had a top end done on it yet. This bike is the best platform to customize and is quite affordable. The lines that grace this bike are awesome, she vibrates quite a bit, and is a blast to ride. Show less

I recently purchased a 1999 Honda Shadow Ace 1100 with 22k mi. My last bike was a Honda Elsinore MT250. This is my 4th bike, although it has been awhile since my last bike. About 20 years! Caught the fever again after my son bought a Buell Blast. Was really looking for a 650 Vstar or a 750 Shadow but a salesperson told me that they would not put out enough power for 2 up riding, so I decided to go with something bigger. Was a little intimidated by the size at first, I'm not a very big guy! But after a week of riding around the neighborhood, I now feel very comfortable with the 1100. Took a few times to get used to letting out the clutch really slow. I am a truck driver and am used to just letting out the clutch on a Kenworth, and it goes. This is a really fun bike to ride. I really like the styling, seems like an older style bike. I always liked the Indian Chiefs and the look of older Harleys, but the prices on those are a little out of my budget for right now. Maybe someday, but for now this is a very classic looking bike. Mine is black and red with wide white walls. Because of the single pin crank, this thing sounds just like a Harley. Lawsuit, I know, but whatever. I didn't build it, I just love the way it sounds! Especially since someone put Vance and Hines pipes on it. The neighbors must really be loving me now. Anyway, I am so glad I went with a bigger bike. Probably will never have to upgrade. Basically this is just such a nice looking bike, that I spend a lot of my time just looking at it in the garage. Although riding it is a blast! Show less

I just got this bike two months ago. It is my first REAL bike, and I love it. It is easy to ride and low maintenence so far. I hope it gives me many years of pleasure and fun in the sun here in Florida. Show less

I purchased my 750 Ace back in May '05. I have since added numerous add-ons. This bike runs along side a Honda 1800, Honda 1300 and Honda 1100. My friends own all of these bikes and I can cruise all day right with them. If I may say so, it's the best-looking bike in the group. It has great gas mileage - over 60mpg. You won't go wrong with this bike. I also recommend a mustang studded seat cover (it looks great) on this bike. Show less

The 1100 aero is Honda's best example of a finished cruiser. I say finished because all of the details are "finished" polished, satin aluminum, etc. The headlight gauge cluster looks and performs better than a handlebar or tank mounted gauge cluster. I have kept up or passed nearly every imaginable cruiser, so the power is "Adequate". The floor boards are huge I have size 15 shoes and they fit nicely on the boards. The heel-toe shifter is long enough to stay out of the way until needed. The sound has a nice rumble, but is quiet in its stock form. The maintenance is negligible compared to some manufacturers. The bike is a head turner and I will keep it for a long time. If only Honda would make a VT1800C3 or a new 1800 Valk then we are talking! Show less

I just love the bike. It handles like a dream and really turns heads. It's always mistaken for being a H-D Heritage. I upgraded items to really make it look 50s. The only downfall I can see is the turn signals don't automaticaly return. But it's not worth any points off this awesome bike. I will run it until it (or I) dies. Show less

I bought my ACE T brand new. It is the best bike I have ever owned and I have had a lot of bikes. The overhall performance is good, the handling is superb and for the money, you can't go wrong. You can not find a bike that will even come close to the quality of this fine motorcycle. Show less

BOUGHT IT USED THIS PAST SPRING. YOU JUST CANNOT BEAT THE OVERALL LOOK OF THIS BIKE. THE RIDE IS AWESOME, YOU THINK THAT you're RIDING A MUCH MORE EXPENSEIVE BIKE. TODAY'S CRUISERS JUST don't MATCH THIS BIKE'S LOOKS, THE DEEP WIDE FENDERS WITH THE CHROME MOLDING ARE CLASSIC RETRO LOOKING, AND THEN ADDING THE BIG FAT WHITE WALLS JUST PUT ANOTHER NOTCH OF THAT CLASSIC LOOK TO THE OVERALL FIT AND FINISH. THE EXHAUST IS TOO QUIET FOR ME, BUT IT DOES HAVE A NICE LOOK TO IT. THE TWO INTO ONE THEME REALLY WORKS ON THIS BIKE. AT EIGHT FEET LONG IT WAS THE LONGEST PRODUCTION CRUISER HONDA MANFACTURED, THERE ARE SO MANY GOODIES OUT THERE TO ADD IT ALL COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL PREFENCE. THE SINGLE PIN CRANK MOTOR SHAKES A LITTLE BUT IT'S NOT AS BAD AS SOME OTHERS HAVE SAID, IT HAS PRETTY GOOD POWER. IT CAN BE IMPROVED BUT you're NOT BUYING A SPEED BIKE HERE, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING FASTER THEN you're GEARING MORE TO A SPORT BIKE. IT'S REALLY A SHAME THEY STOPPED PRODUCTION OF THIS MODEL (750 AERO IS NO COMP) IF YOU CAN FIND A USED ONE OUT THERE SNATCH IT UP, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. AND TO SUM IT UP, YOU CANT BEAT THE SHAFT DRIVE AND HONDA'S RELIABILITY! Show less