2011–2014 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Low Cost, Long Haul
Honda built the VT750S around a single idea: deliver the cruiser look and the cruiser feel without the cost or the complication. The 745 cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin makes 44 hp and 46 lb-ft, and the useful part of that torque sits low in the revs where a cruiser actually lives. A steel double cradle frame, wire-spoked wheels, a slim 100/90-19 front tire and a fat 150/80-16 rear set the stance, with chrome placed where it counts. There are no rider modes, no traction control, nothing electronic between your wrist and the rear tire. In its class it argues with honesty and price, not a hardware list.
On the road it asks very little of you. The 29.5 in (750 mm) seat gets both boots down for almost anyone, the 511 lb (232 kg) sits low enough that the number stops mattering once you are rolling, and nothing on this bike is expensive to feed or replace. It ages well as long as the electrics get attention, and that is where the honest caveat sits. This one suits the rider who wants the stance, the chrome and an unhurried pace on back roads and short daily runs. Ask it to cover big interstate miles on 44 hp and a 2.8 gal (10.7 L) tank and you find the ceiling quickly.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 44 hp (32 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) |
| Displacement | 745 cc |
| Engine | 52° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 |
| Seat height | 29.5 in (750 mm) |
| Wet weight | 511 lb (232 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.8 gal (10.7 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Steering stem bearing wear and front-end wobble
Worn steering head bearings can cause a low-speed wobble, especially under deceleration. Aftermarket tapered roller bearings are often recommended as a long-term fix.
Regulator/rectifier failure and charging problems
The stock regulator/rectifier can overheat and fail, leading to dead battery or electrical faults. A common fix is soldering the three yellow stator wires to eliminate the problematic connector.
Starter switch failure
Some owners report that the starter switch contacts wear out, requiring cleaning or replacement to restore reliable starting.
Where this Honda VT 750 S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the VT 750 S is actually built for.
You get the chopper stance and the chrome for very little money, and it will run all week without drama. What you do not get is the big-inch brand theater that crowd builds its rituals around.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
This is your best case. Classic looks, an unhurried pace, low running costs, and enough range for a day of two-lane hopping between small towns before you stop for fuel and coffee.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Be honest with yourself here. With 44 hp, a 2.8 gal (10.7 L) tank, no cruise control and no luggage, it will do a weekend loop, but loaded two-up days across a state are not what it was built for.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
