An afternoon like today in NYC makes me want to get on a motorcycle and go for a ride. I haven’t had a bike in the City since I got hit in the E Village a few years ago, but I always rent bikes on my vacations to get my fix.
The gentleman riders at Hell For Leather Magazine were kind enough to introduce me to some California brethren who were able to secure me an All-American roadster for my annual trip down to Coachella last month.
The Honda Shadow RS handled itself beautifully on the journey and knocking about the desert roads of Indio. At 6’5” I’m tough to fit on a bike, but the standard upright riding position was comfortable for the 3 hour ride down from LA. The 745cc V-Twin had more pickup then most sub 800cc bikes I’ve ridden, probably based on its more aerodynamic body design, and combined with spoke wheel styling and the subtle red, white and blue paint scheme I was wishing I had Fonda’s stars and bars helmet.
I’m usually more of a BMW, Triumph and Bonneville man but this bike made me rethink the Honda Shadow completely.
