Honda VT750C2

An (almost) American Dream

Honda's introduction to this bike extols its virtues in this way: "American Custom cruisers remain a popular segment of Australia's diverse motorcycle market, and appeal to many riders with their easy-riding style and performance, reasonable purchase price and low running costs compared to other motorcycle of the same comparable displacement."

It has a point, as this bike and its predecessors should be dirt cheap to run - particularly given it's running a shaft drive that will probably outlast the rest of the machine.

The real appeal for bikes like this, however, is they are very low agro to ride. In the case of the VT, the three-valve-per-pot engine has been around in one form or another for decades and has proven to be reliable. It's been updated with fuel injection and one or two other teaks, but is essentially similar to the unit we first say locally in the XLV750 of the mid-1980s.

Matched to that is the new low-line chassis which has gone for the 'custom' look of ultra-low seat, with minimal pillion accommodation, 15-inch rear wheel, matched to a skinny 21-inch item up front. In other words, it's a typical chopper style of bike.

There are some inherent limitations with this style of machine, among them ordinary pillion seat, limited rear suspension and - sometimes - ordinary steering. Honda, to its eternal credit, has largely managed to avoid the latter and in fact has come up with something that has quite neutral manners.

Like many cruisers, it's not something you're going to stuff into a corner at a huge rate of knots. The cornering clearance is limited and the braking is adequate rather than great.

Some will love the low seat, though if you're tall you will find it awkward to get down to.

 Instrumentation is the usual cruiser binnacle mounted into the fuel tank, which is stylish and not great from a functional point of view as you have to take your eyes a long way off the road to check your speed.

Tall folk, and those wanting to carry a pillion will probably find the slightly more conventional (and cheaper) VT750C a more practical alternative.

One benefit for those looking for a mount for shorter riders is that the C2 reviewed here is actually 13 kilos lighter than its stablemate, no doubt making it an easier package to manage at low speed.

Fuel consumption was in the high teens per litre, at times hitting 20km/lt if we were gentle with the throttle. That gives a reasonable if not huge fuel range from the 14.5 litre tank.

All up the VT did its job without fuss and is well-priced.

WHAT IS IT?
One of two 750-class cruisers offered by Honda. This one is a more 'custom' version, with skinny front tyre and ultra-low seat.

HOW MUCH?
$11,990 plus ORC