The Honda Shadow refers to a family of cruiser-type motorcycles made by Honda
since 1983. The Shadow line features motorcycles with a liquid-cooled 45 or
52-degree V-twin engine ranging from 125 to 1,100 cc engine displacement. The 250
cc Honda Rebel is associated with the Shadow line in certain markets.
History In 1983, Honda introduced the Shadow
series of motorcycles in an attempt to address the needs of the American
cruiser market with the VT500c and VT750c. However, due to tariff
restrictions in the United States on imported Japanese bikes over 701 cc, the
VT750c was reduced to 700 cc in 1984 and was sold as the Vt700c. In 1985, the
tariff was lifted and the line soon expanded to an 1,100 cc bike the
VT1100c. The VT750c was replaced by an 800 cc version the VT800c in 1988.
The VT600c was launched in 1988 as Honda's new entry level Shadow though
still slotted above the Honda Rebel. The line changed little until the
introduction of the 750 cc Honda Shadow Ace in 1997. From 2000 to 2007, the
Honda Shadow Sabre replaced the VT1100 until the 1,100 cc class was
discontinued in favor of the new VTX line, specifically the 1,300 cc offering
known as the VTX1300. As of 2011, the Shadow brand has been limited to a
single 750 cc cruiser available in Spirit, Aero, Phantom, and RS trims. All
other offers are known under the VTX or Rebel brands.
The RS and Phantom are the 2 latest additions to the 750 cc line-up from
year 2010. Both are Fuel injected. Shadow RS recalls a flat track racing
bike with chain drive, a 'peanut' style gas tank and a slightly higher seat
height with foot pegs less forward than conventional cruisers. Phantom is more
like a conventional cruiser in ergonomics.
Models = 125 cc Class=
The Honda 125 is mainly for the UK and Europe market, as it fits within the
restrictions placed on learner drivers in the UK and the light motorcycle
license in Europe. It is also has a chain drive instead of a shaft drive
seen on the larger engined bikes. Sales ended in 2008.
= 500 cc VT Class= The 500cc "VT500C" introduced in 1983
featured chrome side covers and black engine covers. The headlight was chrome
and rectangular and had a single horn. The engine was the Honda VT500, a 491 cc
OHC three-valve, liquid cooled V-Twin with a six-speed, shaft drive
transmission. In 1984, The "VT500C' was featured
include the fuel tank and rear fenders painted the same. The front fender is
chrome and this year the side covers and engine covers were painted black. The
headlight was chrome and rectangular and there was a single horn. The engine is
virtually the same as the 1983 model. The 1985 "VT500C" had round and chromed
headlamps. This model continued with the dual horns. A two piece seat with an
integrated backrest was incorporated. Starting this year, the engine covers
were polished chrome and the fins enlarged. The "Honda" tank decal was
curved instead of straight. For the 1986 model year, the "VT500C"
model was virtually the same as the 1985 model.
= 600 cc VT Class= The "VLX" "Shadow 600" was introduced as
a new model in 1988. It has a single shock rear suspension, a low 27.1-inch
seat height and a long 63.2 inches wheelbase with a 2.4 US gallons fuel
tank. The engine is a 583 cc SOHC three-valve liquid cooled 52-degree
V-Twin with a four-speed transmission and chain drive. The wheels are spoked.
In 1989, The VLX VT600C remained largely the same VT600C was not made in 1990 but
did make a come back in 1991 offered only in black. The engine and body style
was retained from the 1991 model year. A new deluxe version "VT600CD"
introduced in 1993 added more chrome on the engine cases and valve covers. The
seat on the deluxe version is soft and tucked. By 1994 the Deluxe model was a
standard offering for every year the VLX was made.
= 700-800 cc VT Class= The "VT750C" also introduced in 1983
with the VT500c. Special identifying features of this model are the round
head lamp, instrument casings and the chromed front fender. The backrest was
standard equipment. The painted side covers had the "Shadow 750" decal. The
engine is a 749 cc SOHC 3-valve Liquid Cooled V-Twin with a six-speed shaft
drive transmission. The "VT700C" was introduced in 1984 as a
direct result of increased tariffs placed on Japan's imports. The U.S.
raised the import tariffs on engine sizes above 701 cc. So the engine size
was reduced from a 750 cc to 700 cc to get the bikes into the U.S. Special
identifying features of this model are the round head lamp and instrument
casings with a chromed front fender. The front wheel bore a dual disc brake
system and dual horns mounted on the front. The painted side covers had the
"Shadow 700" decal. The engine is a 694 cc SOHC three-valve Liquid Cooled V-Twin
with a six-speed, shaft drive transmission from 1984 to 1987. New
hydraulic valve adjusters and twin plug cylinder heads were used. The "VT750C"
was available outside of the USA with a larger engine displacement.
In 1985, The "VT700C" model featured polished chrome engine side covers. The
engine is the same as the 1984 model year. The "VT750C" was available outside
of the USA with a larger engine displacement.
In 1986, The "VT700C" model rear fender took on a flair look over the rounded
style. The engine is the same as the 1984 model except polished instead of
black with the right engine cover graphic painted black. The mufflers were
a little lower and changed from the flair look to a more straight style. The
front pegs and controls were moved forward, the rear foot peg support
bracket became solid and the back rest was optional this year. The cast wheels
changed from a ten-spoke to a five-spoke design and the access covers were
chromed. The "VT750C" was available outside of the USA with a larger engine
displacement. The 1987 "VT700C" model featured the
same engine as the 1986 model but with the right engine cover graphic not
painted. The side covers are chrome, five-spoke cast wheels with a single
front disc brake. The "VT750C" was available outside of
the USA with a larger engine displacement.
In 2004, the VT750C Shadow Aero was redesigned with larger valenced fenders
to give it more of a retro look. It also moved from chain drive to a sealed shaft
drive which decreases the amount of required maintenance. As for the engine,
it remained a V-Twin but included 2 spark plugs per cylinder to increase
efficiency. It also got rid of the second carb so only a single carb feeds
the engine with fuel. In 2010, a restyled VT750RS with an
O-ring-sealed chain final drive joined the heavier Shadow Phantom, Aero and
Spirit 750 shaft-drive models. VT400 replica
Honda Japan created a series of VT400 models for the Japanese domestic market
in 1997, practically identical to the VT750 series but with smaller
displacement engines. From 2009, Honda Australia imports the VT400 as a Learner
Approved Motorcycle alongside the popular VT750.
= 1,100 cc VT Class= The "VT1100C" model was introduced in
1985. The dual horns are still located on the front and turning indicators are
square shaped. Fuel and temperature gauges are located on the tank. The new
engine is a 1,099 cc SOHC Liquid Cooled V-twin with a five-speed, shaft drive
transmission for 1985 and 1986. The engine is the same as the 1985 model.
The "VT1100C" model took on a brand-new look for 1987 with a lower 26-inch-high
seat, a longer 65-inch wheelbase, a 3.44 US gallons fuel tank and a 41
millimetres extended front fork design. Both mufflers were run along the right
side and a small back rest was brought back. The engine is a 1,099 cc SOHC
four-stroke, liquid cooled V-twin with a four-speed, shaft drive transmission.
Visually, the VT1100C matched most of the styling cues of the Harley-Davidson
FXDWG Wide Glide. The "VT1100C" model was not manufactured
in 1991, but returned in 1992 with a "Made in the USA" stamp on the seat.
This year all bikes had the California option of an emissions control device
mounted below the radiator. = American Classic Edition=
In 1995, the V-Twin market really got going, and manufacturers expanded their
offerings with variants of their standing models. The American Classic
Edition was introduced this year. It featured more retro styling than the
standard with a full rear fender and induced vibrations and
'Harley-Davidson-like' sound from a single pin crank engine. The model also
lost about 10 hp. 1997
1997 saw the Standard replaced with the Spirit with more chrome on the engine
AKA the ACE but the same basic engine as the standard. An ACE Tourer was also
introduced based on the 1100 Spirit engine but the ACE styling. The ACE
Tourer came with a two-into-one-into-two exhaust system and hard, color-matched
saddlebags. The last of the 6,000+ Tourer models was produced in January
2001. 1998
In the U.S., the Shadow 750 ACE, and ACE Deluxe with chain final drive were
introduced for the 1998 model year. In 1998 Honda rolled out the VT1100C3
Aero, based on the VT1100C3 ACE engine with the single pin crank, but a larger
two into one exhaust and more retro styling. The 1100 Aero was discontinued
after the 2003 model year, and the shaft-drive VT750C Shadow Aero was
introduced as Honda's only 750 cruiser for 2004. The 750 Aero and ACE ended
with the 2003 models. Throughout these years the VLX remained
essentially unchanged mechanically but the models and the options were changed
yearly, as they were on all models. While many of the manufacturers began to
expand 1,500 cc class model lines, Honda opted to replace the basic Gold Wing
Interstate with a basic Valkyrie with six carburetors and boosted engine
performance. In 1999 a dressed up Tourer model was added as the Interstate.
2000 Honda Shadow Sabre was introduced, based
on the Honda VT1100 engine. The most notable feature was the front cast
aluminum wheel. Every model was a shaft drive. 2007 was the final year Honda
made the Shadow Sabre. Notes
External links Honda Shadow at the Open Directory
Project Reviews
2000 Honda Shadow 1100 Sabre 2001 Honda Shadow 750 Spirit
2007 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 - 1st Ride