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2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe Cruiser reviews

4.6 (14 reviews)
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Reliability
4.6
Overall quality
4.6
Performance
4.5
Comfort
4.6

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14 ratings and reviews

Voted most helpful review

Lewis Jackson

Racine, Wisconsin

Reviewed on May 25, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
I'm new to riding, only rode dirt bikes as a kid. I started off with a Honda Rebel 250 about two months ago and it was a nice starter bike but was missing the power I wanted. The Honda Shadow is a great solid bike. I love it. My wife and I love cruising on it and I commute to work on it also. I love all the c... read more
I'm new to riding, only rode dirt bikes as a kid. I started off with a Honda Rebel 250 about two months ago and it was a nice starter bike but was missing the power I wanted. The Honda Shadow is a great solid bike. I love it. My wife and I love cruising on it and I commute to work on it also. I love all the chrome, the sound when you take off, and the seat height is very comfortable, it makes me feel like I'm sitting on a fatboy. This is a great bike all around.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

JD

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Reviewed on February 16, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

4.0
I purchased my VLX Deluxe new in 2000. It was my first bike, and at 600cc's it was a little intimidating. Being only 5'3" tall, seat height was a major deciding factor for me. This bike allowed me to flatfoot it at stoplights, and though the front end seemed a little heavy and the long wheelbase took a l... read more
I purchased my VLX Deluxe new in 2000. It was my first bike, and at 600cc's it was a little intimidating. Being only 5'3" tall, seat height was a major deciding factor for me. This bike allowed me to flatfoot it at stoplights, and though the front end seemed a little heavy and the long wheelbase took a little getting used to, it was a great bike to start out on. I found the bike comfortable for some medium-range touring, after buying a windshield, saddlebags, and a backrest. The gas tank capacity is small, but since it's not really a tourer I didn't getting off every 120 miles or so to fill up and stretch my legs. As far as reliability, never any problems. Took a little coaxing for cold mornings, but never failed to start and keep running to my destination. Performance wise, it didn't have tons of power or speed, but as an intro into the world of motorcycling it was plenty to cut my teeth on. I'd highly recommend the bike for inexperienced, shorter riders, especially those that want their first bike to be big enough for the highway. Lots of chrome! Enjoy!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
3.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

joe

Easley, South Carolina

Reviewed on January 26, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
My wife rides a VLX 600. She has the same problem. Most of the time it has to run about 3 minutes before it is ready to go. I have talked to other riders of the 600 and they all have the same problem. I guess they are just cold natured. Other than that it is a great bike.... read more
My wife rides a VLX 600. She has the same problem. Most of the time it has to run about 3 minutes before it is ready to go. I have talked to other riders of the 600 and they all have the same problem. I guess they are just cold natured. Other than that it is a great bike.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Shannon

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Reviewed on September 19, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
This is my first bike ever. I'm so glad that I chose it. It's a 2000 model and I've put over 16000 miles on it. It is a great starter bike for men and women. If by any chance I have to have another bike it will be the vlx.... read more
This is my first bike ever. I'm so glad that I chose it. It's a 2000 model and I've put over 16000 miles on it. It is a great starter bike for men and women. If by any chance I have to have another bike it will be the vlx.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

John Hoffert

New Orleans, Louisiana

Reviewed on June 15, 2002

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

2.0
After reading 75/100 of these reviews(all makes & models), I can't help but wonder if motorcycle salesmen type these "nothing-but-positive" reviews up on slow days! The VLX was timed in the quarter mile at +17 seconds;this is painfully slow for a motorcycle! After finishing the break-in per... read more
After reading 75/100 of these reviews(all makes & models), I can't help but wonder if motorcycle salesmen type these "nothing-but-positive" reviews up on slow days! The VLX was timed in the quarter mile at +17 seconds;this is painfully slow for a motorcycle! After finishing the break-in period on my 2001 model, I was convinced that my 1972 325cc Honda CB350 could run rings around the 600cc VLX! Most riders need more power than is produced by the VLX to feel safe in traffic;you sometimes use power to get you out of a hazardous situation. If you are a beginning rider, I urge you to consider at least at 750cc bike; whether that's the Honda Spirit 750, the Magna, or the 750 Nightawk is up to your tastes and requirements. All of these 750's are much more adequate as a motorcycle for all of the reasons listed in my summary above. Remember,you get what you pay for!
Reliability
2.0
Quality
2.0
Performance
2.0
Comfort
2.0
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Voted most helpful review

jim

wellsville, Ohio

Reviewed on February 20, 2002

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
I purchased 2001 vlx in March of 2001 and I love it .Ihave put over 3000 miles 0n it and no problems at all.Ido most of my riding 2up and it loves to cruise along at 55-65 mph on the highway.To sum this up the vlx is a great medium size cruiser.... read more
I purchased 2001 vlx in March of 2001 and I love it .Ihave put over 3000 miles 0n it and no problems at all.Ido most of my riding 2up and it loves to cruise along at 55-65 mph on the highway.To sum this up the vlx is a great medium size cruiser.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Ray

Long island, New York

Reviewed on February 3, 2002

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
I have been riding motorcyles since 1976 sport bikes,dual sport,standard and so on.....the VLX is the one I love the most,I purchase the bike brand new in January 2001,and so far put almost 20,000 miles on it,I commute every day to NY city and do some traveling in the weekends,usually 2 up !!!! the only cha... read more
I have been riding motorcyles since 1976 sport bikes,dual sport,standard and so on.....the VLX is the one I love the most,I purchase the bike brand new in January 2001,and so far put almost 20,000 miles on it,I commute every day to NY city and do some traveling in the weekends,usually 2 up !!!! the only change I did was the backrest. the bike is just unbelievable !!!!! I dont understand why all the other reviews complain about the 4 spped tranny,i have no problem with that 300-400 miles day are a blast ...... GREAT BIKE
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Gary Frey

Cape Giraudeau, Missouri

Reviewed on October 12, 2001

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
After 16,000 miles the bike has had no mechanical difficulties and runs better than when new (by actual test). It has adequate power for cruising two up for short trips. Comfort level in back is not great though. It has been easy to work on myself and has not been back to the dealer for service. A w... read more
After 16,000 miles the bike has had no mechanical difficulties and runs better than when new (by actual test). It has adequate power for cruising two up for short trips. Comfort level in back is not great though. It has been easy to work on myself and has not been back to the dealer for service. A windshield helps very much for bugs and for cold weather riding. If you like Interstate travel this bike badly needs a fifth gear. Corporate Honda has NO INTEREST in listening to e-mail comments about this minor flaw. It will cruise all day at 70 mph plus but the rpms are high! Britain apparently had a five speed model of this bike last year? Winter road salts eat the chromed wheel rims so be careful and oil the rims well and often.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Voted most helpful review

Richard Rose

Southern Nevada

Reviewed on June 9, 2001

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

4.0
I gave a used 99 VLX a test ride today. I really liked the lower seat (25.6" compared to the 88-98's 27" saddle) and the wider handlebar. I fell in love with the original styling of the original VLX's, so this new restyled fender/side cover has me a bit perplexed... I guess I preferred the or... read more
I gave a used 99 VLX a test ride today. I really liked the lower seat (25.6" compared to the 88-98's 27" saddle) and the wider handlebar. I fell in love with the original styling of the original VLX's, so this new restyled fender/side cover has me a bit perplexed... I guess I preferred the original one-piece flowing rear end where everything blends together. I do like the chrome side rails on the fenders, makes for easier accessory mounting. I also like the ducktail styled fender, I just wish Honda had stuck with the flowing design rather than separate the fender from the seat cowling. I was expecting a slightly lesser powerband after riding the older twin carb versions for 4 years. It was noticeable, but not bad. The good news is that Thunder Manufacturing offers various air kits for the 99+ models, some even bypass the airbox and open up the frame above the front cylinder giving the bike even more of a chopper-esque appeal. If I could get over the new styling of the rear end I would give the newest rendition 5 stars. Perhaps if Honda were to equip the VLX with the springer front ends that the Steeds have (The southeast Asian VLX is called a Steed instead of a Shadow), I'd be the first in line to buy one! That alone would warrant the fifth star. Until then I gotta stick with the 95-98 dual carb VLX deluxe as my middleweight bike of choice.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Diane

USA

Reviewed on June 9, 2001

Motorcycle reviewed 2001 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe view listing

5.0
I am a female who is 5'2" and 112lbs. After taking the MSF class, I bought this bike as my first. For me, it is way to heavy at 445lbs. The seat height is 25.6". It takes more leg inches to straddle the wide seat, therefore, I do not stand flat footed. Twice in 3 weeks, on an uneven road, I ha... read more
I am a female who is 5'2" and 112lbs. After taking the MSF class, I bought this bike as my first. For me, it is way to heavy at 445lbs. The seat height is 25.6". It takes more leg inches to straddle the wide seat, therefore, I do not stand flat footed. Twice in 3 weeks, on an uneven road, I have dropped it. At 445lbs it is impossible for me to pick it up. I absolutely do not recommend it for newbie little people. I give it a 5 star because it is a super comfortable, beautiful, and a solid bike, for the right stature.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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