The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 23, 2007 - 23 2007 Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit class. The 21-inch front wheel is two inches wider in diameter but thinner, allowing for easier turn-in and smoother passage over the bumps. The shorty, one-piece rear fender with classy, integrated tail light bumps up the quality look of the bike. And the new and smaller gunfighter-style seat adds a little styling edge, at the sacrifice of passenger comfort. The í07 Spirit can be further customized from a list of 28 accessories, 8 of which are unique to the new bike. One of those new accessories is a handlebar-mounted digital audio amplifier kit that can connect to your personal MP3, CD or iPod. With the mounting kit, it will add $700 plus to the price. By Rob Beintema OAKVILLE BEAVER SPECIAL What better way to breach the winter of a riderís discontent than to start the new season the same way it finished. Or maybe I just like 750s. They are the perfect tool for blowing away the rust and dust of not riding. Benevolent, forgiving, and with just enough of a power edge to put the grin back on your face. Okay, for the hard core, this is just a little too much like dancing with your sister. Not exactly a thrill ride. But while I might also occasionally long for more displacement and the highway hustle of a sixth gear, that's just not what this motorcycle is about. It's about checking the map for the nearest rural river and the country road that edges its banks. It's about cruising along that winding track at about 80kph or even slower, clearing the cobwebs and feeling the sun bake into your bones. It's about not thinking, not hurrying, not worrying. It's just the ride, not the destination. It's the smooth-feeling flow of motion, not the parking lot peeing contest over who's got the biggest engine and, oooh, a chrome skull, how scary. I feel no guilt over doing two stories on the same bike. It may be a smallish cruiser but it's a large and important segment for Honda. And this bike is, after all, a different colour from the one I drove last. Last year's initial intro ride was on a bike dipped in Ultra Blue Metallic, as bright a blue as a sunlit sky. One of those special launch colours designed to draw extra attention to a new product. This spring ride was on a red flame model, an optional paint scheme that bumps the price up by $200. It is equally eye-catching with an almost sportbike vibrancy and, parked amidst a throng of other cruisers, its cheeky hue sets the bike apart from the usual so-tough palette of black, black leather, black do-rags and black blah, blah, blah. This shiny, bright VT750C2 is an evolution of Honda's 750cc selection. The last generation stable included two different cruiser flavours. The VT750C Aero with its blocky, hunkered-down, highway patrol retro style. And the leaner, chain-driven, Sportster-like VT750D Shadow Spirit. For 2007, the new Spirit seems to blend elements of both, adopting the shaftdriven powertrain of the Aero while maintaining the traditional look and feel of the Shadow Spirit. But as more than just a bastardization of the two bikes, the new VT750C2 upgrades both the dynamic and cosmetic elements that blend the design. The shaft drive works well in a 750 package, without the herky-jerky immediacy of larger, torque-twitchy engines. The 745cc liquid-cooled V-Twin still uses the more economical carb-with-pullchoke system. Just the one single 34mm CV instead of the dual carbs of last year's model. According to Honda, the reworked carburetor adds torque and gives extra snap to engine response while meeting modern emission standards. The wheelbase has been stretched and the seat has been dropped to a lowest height in As I mentioned in last year's story, Honda is hedging its bets for the coming year. Rather than get into a new Coke or old Coke situation, they are offering all three versions for sale this season, the Aero (also in Touring trim), the chain-driven Spirit from last year and the new C2 shaft-driven Spirit reviewed here. And listing at just $100 more than the old models, for a well-finished notso-small cruiser that's perfect for novice riders, lightweight riders, heck, any riders, the new VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is definitely worth a look. Engine Repair & Rebuilding Special epair Specialists Engine D gine Diagnostics Ge General Repairs - Import & Domestic Engine Oil & Filter Change includes: 21 Point comprehensive inspection t Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Call for your inspection appointment 9 0 5 . 8 2 7. 1114 2338 Wyecroft Road, Unit K 4-7 (near Bronte GO Station) Oakville t UNCLUTTER YOUR MIND. When you purc hase or lease your new S80 from Volvo of Oakville, we will look after it so you can do better things with your time. Now offering factory scheduled maintenance for 4 years or 80,000 kms at no charge ­ including valet pick up and drop off. BRONTE RD. PACIFIC RD. V Volvo. for life Limited time offer through Volvo of Oakville and Volvo car Financial Services Canada on approved credit to q ed retail customers only. Offer available on a 2007 New S80 3.2 AWD, $698.24 p month, 48 month term with $6840.08 down p y g pp qualifi y per payment, $698.24 first month p y payment, $800.00 security deposit up to $1695.00 freight and PDI and up to $43.21 PPSA, are due at lease inception. Lease APR 4.9% total lease obligation $33,515.52, taxes, license, insurance and retailer charges extra. Lease has 80,000 km allowance ( yp p g p p g g ($0.16 p km excess). Payment and per )y security deposit may vary by choice of extra equipment. Purchase at end of lease for $21,276.20 plus taxes. Offers end May 31st 2007, Volvo of Oakville may lease for less. Some terms/conditions apply. See Volvo of Oakville for full details. *See Volvo of Oakville for details on the S80 no charge scheduled maintenance offer, some limitations and specific criteria apply. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. Volvo Canada Corp. "Volvo for Life" is a registered trade mark used under license by Volvo Cars Canada Corp. and its affiliates. Visit volvoofoakville.com Lease for only $698 per mo./48 mos. 770 Pacific Road, Oakville (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com WYECROFT RD. 3RD LINE 2007 Volvo S80 - The All-New 2007 Volvo S80 re-imagines the luxury sedan. Advanced pre-emptive safety features to help avoid accidents before they even happen. And, the serenity and intuitive operation of Scandinavian luxury. If you think you know luxury, performance and safety, think again. VOLVO OF OAKVILLE W. Q.E.W. E. SOUTH SERVICE RD.