I'm looking to buy a new motorcycle. Torn between Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom or a Honda shadow phantom?

I'm going to do a lot of highway commuting. Which one should I get?

Both bikes are fine - Honda has no magic 'better' engine than Kawasaki - that is just leftover information from years ago (they both suffer from similar afflictions imo). Either bike is a good bet - whichever one you like best. I haven't ridden the phantom but I would take a VN 750 over the VT1100 from the POV that the engine is lot more 'user friendly' in the Vulcan (4 valve, revs from lower RPM without a lot of bucking about the same hp torque is the real differentiator though and the VT has gobs).

Honda makes a better built and more reliable bike across the board.

If quality is important to you, you'll choose the Honda.

Rode a VN 900 for 30,000 miles plus over a period of 3 years with no problems. Multiple 2000 mile+ trips. No problems except tired but. Very Good motorcycle.

Assuming both have close to the same features you want, comfort and cost are the important things with comfort at the top. I have no idea what the reviews are on these. I do know that the 900 is the replacement for the 800 which I have. It's 15 years old with a lousy 50k miles on it. The only problem I've ever had with it is… Well, nothing so far. I bought it because of the cost and center of gravity. The comparable Hondas were top heavy.