It is human to want more. We want bigger, faster, shinier. Especially when it comes to things and gadgets. The way that tech is, you can’t expect a quantum leap every year. You’ll only get incremental updates, but credit where it is due, the marketing departments do their job really well. However, there is also beauty in something that lasts and works every day without a hiccup.
There is satisfaction in being able to maintain and repair your own things if you’re so inclined, and in a very real way, it frees you from the cycle of work and debt. Like riding a motorcycle, for example. And if you want a motorcycle that fits this description, there are only a few brands whose products you will look into. There are even fewer whose cruisers stand out. There is one brand and product that is above all else when it comes to longevity. This is the cruiser that will outlive its owner.
The Honda Shadow Is The Cruiser That Will Outlive Its Owner
The Shadow is a very well-known name in the cruiser world. It once denoted a range of V-twin cruisers ranging from beginner to full size, but it is the 750 cc version that survives. Of course, it is a Honda, so we’re expecting reliability from it. However, the Shadow has been essentially unchanged for a couple of decades now. That means that it is going to be reliable even by Honda’s high standards – and the lack of changes means that getting replacement parts, should you need them, is going to be a doddle.
The MSRP Starts From $7,949
The Shadow’s price reflects its ambitions. It sits in the middle of Honda’s cruiser lineup, between the Rebel 500 and Rebel 1100. You get quite a lot of cruiser for the money, but that is to be expected when it is a relatively old model that hasn’t had any significant updates in a while.
Honda Shadow Engine
The Shadow’s engine is a throwback in some ways, and utterly modern in others. It uses liquid cooling and fuel injection, and this displacement engine has had these since the day it was launched. However, it also uses three valves per cylinder (two for the intake, one for the exhaust) and twin spark plugs per cylinder. These are features that aren’t present on modern-day motorcycles, which makes the Shadow unique.
Honda Shadow Transmission And Final Drive
The Shadow uses a five-speed wide-ratio gearbox. Fifth is a highway gear. This gearbox has none of the modern slipper and assist functions we’ve come to expect from a motorcycle. It also uses a shaft final drive, which is something only the Suzuki Boulevard C50 uses in a similar price range.
Honda Shadow Engine Specifications
|
Engine Configuration |
52° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
745 cc |
|
Power |
45 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Torque |
48 LB-FT @ 3.500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
5 speeds |
|
Final Drive |
Shaft drive |
10 Cruisers That Will Run Forever With Basic Care
These bikes will give the Energizer Bunny a run for its money – and all they need is basic preventive maintenance done on time.
Honda Shadow Chassis
The Shadow has a traditional downtube frame. There are telescopic forks at the front and twin shocks at the rear that have preload adjustment. 17/15-inch wheels front and rear are present, with disc brakes at both ends. The rear disc brake is a relatively new development. It is also very welcome, as with the update Honda gave the Shadow ABS as well.
Honda Shadow Dimensions
The Shadow is a heavy motorcycle. Again, with a downtube frame, that is to be expected. That means that the fuel tank might not exactly be great for long trips, but this is also a decently efficient engine. It has a really low seat height, which explains its universal appeal.
|
Fuel Tank Capacity |
3.7 gallons |
|
Wheelbase |
64.5 inches |
|
Seat Height |
25.6 inches |
|
Curb Weight |
560 LBs (wet) |
Honda Shadow Features
There is really nothing that the Shadow can claim to have as features by today’s motorcycle standards. It has a tank-mounted speedometer with a digital component that shows the odo/trip, and the warning lamps. We’ve already mentioned the dual-channel ABS. Oh, a pillion seat and footpegs are standard. That might sound like a no-brainer, but there are a lot of modern cruisers that make you get them off the options list.
The Shadow is available in two distinct flavors: the Shadow Aero is the quintessential cruiser with chrome. ABS is an option, and it needs an extra $300. The Shadow Phantom has a more modern aesthetic, with blacked-out everything and standard ABS for $8,699. Surprisingly, even the Phantom doesn’t offer alloy wheels, so the Shadow series misses out on tubeless tires.
10 Japanese Motorcycles That Last Forever
These ten Japanese have the simplest maintenance plan: don’t require one
Honda Shadow Competition
When we’re talking about cruisers that will last forever, there is a very specific set of rules that need to be followed. They need to be unstressed engines, with minimal complexity – that means minimal features as well. They also need to be in production for a long time so that they are proven models. We’re also going to have to select cruisers that are roughly in the same price range as the Shadow, so that eliminates obvious choices like the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 and Suzuki Boulevard C50.
There are some newer models that have a chance to have their reliability proven after a few generations, like the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, but until then, the only obvious competitor is the Kawasaki Vulcan S. This is a modern cruiser that is based on the Ninja 650/Z650, and is a platform that has been around for a very long time.
It has a base price of $7,649, but opting for the ABS drives it to $8,149, and you’ll need a few hundred dollars more if you need the pillion seat and backrest. The Vulcan S is a worthy competitor to the Shadow when it comes to longevity, and its light curb weight and sprightly performance mean it will keep you entertained for a long time as well!
Honda Shadow Vs Kawasaki Vulcan S
|
Honda Shadow Aero ABS |
Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS |
|
|
Price |
$8,249 |
$8,149 |
|
Engine |
52° V-twin |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
745 cc |
649 cc |
|
Power |
45 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
61 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Torque |
48 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
46.3 LB-FT @ 6,600 RPM |
|
Final Drive |
Shaft |
Chain |
|
Curb Weight |
560 LBs (wet) |
498.3 LBs (wet) |
Sources: Honda Powersports