Road Test: Honda Shadow Aero 1100

The Aero remains a distinguished performer in the 1100 class, too -- it always was the spunkiest member of the Shadow family, thanks to shorter gearing and extra horsepower from the exhaust system. But last year's buzzy, single-pin-crankshaft motor, groomed to emulate the "traditional V-twins' visceral feel," is no more. The Aero is instilling subdued engine vibes and chassis smoothness as by-products of an updated, offset dual-pin crankshaft -- a design that fools the 1099cc powerplant into believing it's a 90-degree V-twin with perfect primary balance.