The Quest for 2011's...here is a Pair

Some what tired from the long drive and the previous night at work, pretty sure the bike at left was a 2011. Of course, it is a holdover from 2010, but a good one. This is the Honda Shadow Phantom, seen here at RideNow in Concord on my visit on February 12. My last bike (prior to the current Vulcan Classic) was a Honda Shadow VLX 600. Nothing short of a great and trouble free bike, this bike felt familiar. It also felt a bit short; with a 25.7 inch seat height (I being 6'2" was a problem with the VLX). It has a water cooled 745cc V-twin engine, fuel injection, 5 speed transmission, 3 valves per cylinder, and shaft drive. Looking like a Harley Sportster is probably very intentional. One of these will run you around $8,000, though think most bike shops in the current economy are very willing to deal on most if not all of the motorcycles out there.
This next bike is very interesting, and is one of the fine Victory Motorcycles. American made since 1998 they have created some very interesting designs. Arlen and Cory Ness, very noted motorcycle builders are associated with the company. The bike is the 2011 Victory Cross Roads. It comes with the 106 Cubic Inch (aka 1731cc's), a six speed transmission, v valves per cylinder, and also comes with fuel injection. It has the added bonus of hydraulic lifters and a self adjusting cam chain. Power to the rear wheel comes via a "Carbon fiber reinforced belt" (got all these details from the Victory web site). The engine is air and oil cooled. Again, subject to the deal you can work, the basic bike is right around (give or take) $15,000. There are a slew of add-on's you can get with this bike which could significantly raise that price.
Still waiting to see the all-new 2011 motorcycles (as in totally new designs/models) and on that front a lot of news and pricing is coming out. I think I will be reporting on them in the near future; get a kick out of all the new models, and am looking forward to both seeing them in the "flesh" (so to speak) and presenting some of them here. Ride safe!