Honda Shadow?

Hey everyone, shopping for a new bike, and I'd like to know your opinion.

Started on a Ninja 500, stepped up to a Triumph TT600, and now I'm considering replacing that with something a little better on fuel and more reliable/easier to find parts for. Near the top of my list is the new Shadow Phantom....don't know much about them, but I like the way they look, and I think, being a Honda, they'd be good on fuel, comfortable, and reliable. Plus, I can get a reasonably good deal on one (similar to the deals thread right next to this one). Primary use is just commuting into work, and short trips with friends.

Anyone here have any opinions one way or the other?

Thanks!

EDIT: Fuel economy's not the primary factor, even though the post comes off that way. The main goal is just low (no) maintenance, turn-key reliability, and maximum riding time. The Triumph was kind of a project, and I realized I've got enough of those.

ok. well its a shaft drive if i remember right. Sits really comfortable and looks amazing.

Now i cannot exactly remember if it was carb or EFI. . I dunno if this sways you one way or another. I think its EFI

I like that looks and feel of the bike but i cant get over the fact that they are kinda slow (i know its not the point of the bike but still) only 35HP and its a rather big bike. I wanna say like a high 14 second quarter mile.

Nice bike but my biggest issue was its speed deficiency.

BUT you mentioned you could get great discounts...how cheap are we talking here? for the right price even id buy one.

If I were looking for a comfy bike, I would look at a Kawasaki Versys, or ER6N

Next weekend many Honda dealers will be having test rides, and other fun. I'd recommend calling your local to see if they are participating.

Zomby woof wrote: If I were looking for a comfy bike, I would look at a Kawasaki Versys, or ER6N

Me too, but I can't stand feet forward riding position. The wife and I did the Honda open house today, and I did see two shadows with mid controls, but the seat to peg distance was too cramped for me. The Versys I sat on two weeks ago was perfect, for me.

In reply to mistanfo:

Thanks for the recommendation! Went to the local dealer, looked at the Phantom, M50 Boulevard, Road Star?, and a couple other midsize cruisers. Didn't end up buying a bike, but I bought a nice new Scorpion armored jacket from them. Looked at the larger VTX1300/Fury/etc, but they just felt big and heavy. The salesmen tried to steer me towards a Night Rod, but a $13,000 Harley isn't really what I'm looking for right now.

Still debating on the Shadow Phantom. We'll see! Also rode my friends SV650 (non-S), and its very, very nice.

Nice bike! I have a BMW touring bike but I have this dream of buying a Kawi Drifter and making it into an Indian clone.

How much is the Phantom?

In reply to 914Driver:

Thanks! I thought it was pretty sharp. The dealer was doing $7399 (MSRP is $7999) this weekend, and I thought I'd negotiate from there, Honda's also doing 1.9% on a 3 year loan, but the bike sold to someone else at some point Saturday.

Ah well. Half the fun is the search.

Update!

Bought one from an out of state dealer. Final price out the door was $6K (2010 leftover/demonstrator). Got the bike this weekend, and its been pouring buckets, so I haven't been able to take it for a spin . Tomorrow's looking good though!