Just wanted to add in case there's beginners considering a Honda Shadow: I'm a new(-ish) rider and have a Honda Shadow Phantom as a first bike. I tend to disagree with the Shadow not being considered beginner friendly. As mentioned in the video, the bike is very stable, and the low center of gravity makes it easy to manage. There's just enough power to do all you need it to do, but not too much power where it'll escape you. It's also very easy to work on; however, the low seat height can make oil changes a struggle. All things considered, if you've completed a riding course and therefore have some familiarity with bikes, especially cruisers, the Honda Shadow is a great choice for less spirited riding such as around town, back roads, and highway riding.
Hello there... So it's all a matter of perspective I guess. Someone that has a height between 4f 10in and 5f 6in with no leg strength would you recommend a 229 kg / 504.9 lb motorcycle to them... No probably not. Tho there are absolutely those people who are as game as anything to get themselves into trouble for sure... As a 6f person myself who did own a Honda Shadow 750 (but not my first bike) while I agree that it is easy to ride and could make a good beginner bike IF it wasn't for the weight of the bike itself and the CC's. I personally think 500cc's or less is a good starting point, and I would never have touched the shadow 750 as my first bike and you couldn't have paid me to (but again thats just me and my perspective, I am glad that you felt free to add your perspective, because for me I've been riding for over 30 years and it is a little hard to remember what it was like as a new rider)... Now the Honda Shadow 400 might be a different kettle of fish... Anyone locally got one for me to review =-) I do agree if somone has done some professional courses then riding a bigger bike might be ok. But for someone who has never touched or spat at a bike or even sat on one.... I would still say don't ride the shadow as your first bike.
I feel like it's "damning with faint praise" when people describe the Honda Shadow as a perfect first bike for a new rider. It is that, of course, but that incorrectly implies that it's not a fantastic bike for more experienced riders as well. The Shadow can easily be a "forever bike". It's up for touring, Iron Butts, commuting, or anything else (other than racing) that you want to throw at it. Even if you're vain and shallow like I am, you can park a Shadow 750 next to any other cruiser and it still looks like a proper grown-up bike. Throw a proper set of pipes on it (like V&H Short Shots) and it sounds every bit the muscle cruiser as well. We live in an era where anything less tan 1500cc is considered a "girl's bike", which is total BS. that 750 is plenty powerful enough for real world riding, and being 200+ lbs less than that Suzuki M109 or Harley Street Glide offers lots of advantages to offset the missing additional HP and torque. Also, I LOVE the beach bars on my Shadow. Maybe not optimal for really tight maneuvers, but fantastic for regular riding.
I don't know that it is a perfect bike for a first time rider... Imagine a 5 foot 2 50kg woman with no leg strength trying to hold that up... Its not a heavy bike for a 5 foot 10 person..... Its not a light bike at 230kg (505 pounds)... I don't know about racing, someone I knew kept asking me to race him and I kept saying only to the speed limit, which he didn't want to do he wanted to go faster than the limit... He knew of course that I would beat him to the speed limit, so that's why he didn't want to do that... He owned a Goldwing LOL. The Bobbers that are coming out of Shadows are just beautiful of course... I'm shallow I loved my Shadow.... Didn't want to sell it... Definitely never had a problem going distance on it. 100% it can be a lifetime bike... I never thought of it as a "girls bike" hence why I owned one.. My problem with the beach bars during the tests was, that when I went to turn they would hit my legs and I couldn't full lock the steering which would have allowed for tighter turns... It turns out that the bars were at the wrong angle... The owner has since rolled them up and now they don't hit legs when turning. I keep thinking maybe I should do an update with the fixed handlebars Thank you for the comment. I super appreciate it.
I've had back surgery and I've had my shadow aero 750 for 10 years. I though about a new bike but this bike is so easy to get off and on of. I can't imagine getting rid of it. I've walked around the show room and left. I've been riding for 44 years. Once you've had a bike and put the accessories on it that you like ,its just better to stick with it.
Hey Ya... The Shadows are certainly easy on easy off. So is my VT1300 Sabre its even lower than the Shadow. It's heavier than the Shadow tho. I've had a number of different bikes over my 30 years of riding and I always come back to cruisers.... Love them... I owned a XBR-500 for 10 years loved that bike... But it was a kitchen chair rather than a cruiser... Every personal bike I have owned has been a Honda.... I have owned some work bikes that were not Honda's but I would rather a Honda than anything else.
Nice video. Always kinda freaks me out to see you guys riding on the left side of the road, although I was lucky enough to rent a HD Dyna out of Brisbane and ride with some friends (who made sure I stayed on the correct side of the road) down to the Gold Coast and up into the mountains a few years ago.
thank you most kindly..... Yeah It would freak me out to ride on the right side of the road LOL... I hope you enjoyed the ride and it wasn't too cold in the mountains =-)
@@AMotorcyclesTale Cold?? Haha. I'm from western Canada and what you guys think is "cold" is a mild day here. I've been to Oz a couple of times. The first time was just before Christmas (that's when I did the ride), the second was in June-July (your mid-winter). My wife came with me for that one and we spent lots of time outside in shorts, t-shirts and light jackets. We even went to the beach at Noosa (wasn't very busy, LOL). Actually loved riding in Australia. I found it easier than driving the rental car, because in that almost everything is reversed. I did a lot of turning on wipers when I meant to hit the signal lights.
@@lendirk902 LOL the joys of an adventure. Yes Canada is definitely colder... The difference between the two countries cars would really mess me up =-)
Thank you very much for the kind words. I think compared to the other videos I have done I found the right balance for making and providing information. I hope to build on this episode for the future ones. The next few video's are different from the review video's but it has given me an idea for the end of the year video's to do, competitions between all the bikes I review for the year, I hope you enjoy those as well. I too am from Australia....
As I mentioned to other posts the beach bars (not standard I am sure at least I never had beach bars on my shadow 750) were dropped lower and wouldn't allow for a full lock they hit my knees stopping a full lock. I also owned a Shadow and could turn it tighter than this video. The owner has since lifted them up to a more normal position and if I were to go back and refilm the figure O's I would be able to turn tighter. 😁
Work on them turns a.bit more and you will have them in between three lines on all turns easily. Took a bit on my old ace easy as heck no w smooth tight turns all day long
Hey there... Yeah my own Shadow that I used to own, I could turn that tighter.... I think the Beach Bars and the fact that they were twisted down lower made it so I couldn't turn tighter..... The bars were just about hitting my legs making it so I couldn't get a full lock on the bike.
Agreed...I own a Shadow Aero and can turn it on a dime, I'm 67 and plan on this being my retirement bike, I have owned most brands including a Harley Glide, and I wouldn't trade this Shadow for any of them now that's how much I love it, good job Spider Man
@@robertward8037 I agree. The shadow can turn tighter... Just not with beach bars and them twisted downwards making them hit your legs.. I believe the owner has now lifted them upwards so it would be easier to turn =-)
Thank you... I think I have finally set on a way to do the reviews and hopefully will improve from here.... Wait until you see the specials in January.... The first one is definitely different!
What a beautiful bike , nice note too , Handle bars you did well on those turns , even the twisty went well , Awesome bike would love the open road What's that Helmet ? Something that helps keep you safe in the event of an accident
Yes the Shadow is a great bike... I've ridden one for 400 kms and it was super comfortable and while I did need 3 stops I could have pushed through and made only 2 stops..... Ahhh that Helmet.... It is something a little special.. But you are right. It is a helmet that keeps your head safe.... But it is a more than that.... Please watch the next episode to see what it is....
I think you should try adjusting the bars up/forward a bit. They look way to low to me. Your wrists are cocked and I'm guessing your hands are hitting your knees during tight turns.
Hey there... Do you mean the Honda VT500 from the 1980's? If you do thats a cool motorcycle. I will try my best to find one.... I think that would be fun to review!!!!
Just wanted to add in case there's beginners considering a Honda Shadow: I'm a new(-ish) rider and have a Honda Shadow Phantom as a first bike. I tend to disagree with the Shadow not being considered beginner friendly. As mentioned in the video, the bike is very stable, and the low center of gravity makes it easy to manage. There's just enough power to do all you need it to do, but not too much power where it'll escape you. It's also very easy to work on; however, the low seat height can make oil changes a struggle. All things considered, if you've completed a riding course and therefore have some familiarity with bikes, especially cruisers, the Honda Shadow is a great choice for less spirited riding such as around town, back roads, and highway riding.
Hello there... So it's all a matter of perspective I guess. Someone that has a height between 4f 10in and 5f 6in with no leg strength would you recommend a 229 kg / 504.9 lb motorcycle to them... No probably not. Tho there are absolutely those people who are as game as anything to get themselves into trouble for sure... As a 6f person myself who did own a Honda Shadow 750 (but not my first bike) while I agree that it is easy to ride and could make a good beginner bike IF it wasn't for the weight of the bike itself and the CC's. I personally think 500cc's or less is a good starting point, and I would never have touched the shadow 750 as my first bike and you couldn't have paid me to (but again thats just me and my perspective, I am glad that you felt free to add your perspective, because for me I've been riding for over 30 years and it is a little hard to remember what it was like as a new rider)... Now the Honda Shadow 400 might be a different kettle of fish... Anyone locally got one for me to review =-) I do agree if somone has done some professional courses then riding a bigger bike might be ok. But for someone who has never touched or spat at a bike or even sat on one.... I would still say don't ride the shadow as your first bike.
Paint pan for draining.
I feel like it's "damning with faint praise" when people describe the Honda Shadow as a perfect first bike for a new rider. It is that, of course, but that incorrectly implies that it's not a fantastic bike for more experienced riders as well. The Shadow can easily be a "forever bike". It's up for touring, Iron Butts, commuting, or anything else (other than racing) that you want to throw at it.
Even if you're vain and shallow like I am, you can park a Shadow 750 next to any other cruiser and it still looks like a proper grown-up bike. Throw a proper set of pipes on it (like V&H Short Shots) and it sounds every bit the muscle cruiser as well.
We live in an era where anything less tan 1500cc is considered a "girl's bike", which is total BS. that 750 is plenty powerful enough for real world riding, and being 200+ lbs less than that Suzuki M109 or Harley Street Glide offers lots of advantages to offset the missing additional HP and torque.
Also, I LOVE the beach bars on my Shadow. Maybe not optimal for really tight maneuvers, but fantastic for regular riding.
I don't know that it is a perfect bike for a first time rider... Imagine a 5 foot 2 50kg woman with no leg strength trying to hold that up... Its not a heavy bike for a 5 foot 10 person..... Its not a light bike at 230kg (505 pounds)...
I don't know about racing, someone I knew kept asking me to race him and I kept saying only to the speed limit, which he didn't want to do he wanted to go faster than the limit... He knew of course that I would beat him to the speed limit, so that's why he didn't want to do that... He owned a Goldwing LOL.
The Bobbers that are coming out of Shadows are just beautiful of course...
I'm shallow I loved my Shadow.... Didn't want to sell it... Definitely never had a problem going distance on it. 100% it can be a lifetime bike...
I never thought of it as a "girls bike" hence why I owned one..
My problem with the beach bars during the tests was, that when I went to turn they would hit my legs and I couldn't full lock the steering which would have allowed for tighter turns... It turns out that the bars were at the wrong angle... The owner has since rolled them up and now they don't hit legs when turning. I keep thinking maybe I should do an update with the fixed handlebars
Thank you for the comment. I super appreciate it.
I love my Shadow Phantom 😁👍🏾
I agree I loved my Shadow as well. I only sold it cause at the time I had no choice.
I've had back surgery and I've had my shadow aero 750 for 10 years. I though about a new bike but this bike is so easy to get off and on of. I can't imagine getting rid of it. I've walked around the show room and left. I've been riding for 44 years. Once you've had a bike and put the accessories on it that you like ,its just better to stick with it.
Hey Ya... The Shadows are certainly easy on easy off. So is my VT1300 Sabre its even lower than the Shadow. It's heavier than the Shadow tho. I've had a number of different bikes over my 30 years of riding and I always come back to cruisers.... Love them... I owned a XBR-500 for 10 years loved that bike... But it was a kitchen chair rather than a cruiser... Every personal bike I have owned has been a Honda.... I have owned some work bikes that were not Honda's but I would rather a Honda than anything else.
Nice video. Always kinda freaks me out to see you guys riding on the left side of the road, although I was lucky enough to rent a HD Dyna out of Brisbane and ride with some friends (who made sure I stayed on the correct side of the road) down to the Gold Coast and up into the mountains a few years ago.
thank you most kindly..... Yeah It would freak me out to ride on the right side of the road LOL... I hope you enjoyed the ride and it wasn't too cold in the mountains =-)
@@AMotorcyclesTale Cold?? Haha. I'm from western Canada and what you guys think is "cold" is a mild day here. I've been to Oz a couple of times. The first time was just before Christmas (that's when I did the ride), the second was in June-July (your mid-winter). My wife came with me for that one and we spent lots of time outside in shorts, t-shirts and light jackets. We even went to the beach at Noosa (wasn't very busy, LOL). Actually loved riding in Australia. I found it easier than driving the rental car, because in that almost everything is reversed. I did a lot of turning on wipers when I meant to hit the signal lights.
@@lendirk902 LOL the joys of an adventure. Yes Canada is definitely colder... The difference between the two countries cars would really mess me up =-)
New subscriber Australia. Great video mate, be a great video to highlight the Shadow for new riders. well done 👍👍
Thank you very much for the kind words. I think compared to the other videos I have done I found the right balance for making and providing information. I hope to build on this episode for the future ones. The next few video's are different from the review video's but it has given me an idea for the end of the year video's to do, competitions between all the bikes I review for the year, I hope you enjoy those as well. I too am from Australia....
I run up the throttle and feather the clutch and drag peg in my eights and it’s super tight. More time on her and you’d do better
As I mentioned to other posts the beach bars (not standard I am sure at least I never had beach bars on my shadow 750) were dropped lower and wouldn't allow for a full lock they hit my knees stopping a full lock. I also owned a Shadow and could turn it tighter than this video. The owner has since lifted them up to a more normal position and if I were to go back and refilm the figure O's I would be able to turn tighter. 😁
Work on them turns a.bit more and you will have them in between three lines on all turns easily. Took a bit on my old ace easy as heck no w smooth tight turns all day long
Hey there... Yeah my own Shadow that I used to own, I could turn that tighter.... I think the Beach Bars and the fact that they were twisted down lower made it so I couldn't turn tighter..... The bars were just about hitting my legs making it so I couldn't get a full lock on the bike.
Agreed...I own a Shadow Aero and can turn it on a dime, I'm 67 and plan on this being my retirement bike, I have owned most brands including a Harley Glide, and I wouldn't trade this Shadow for any of them now that's how much I love it, good job Spider Man
@@robertward8037 I agree. The shadow can turn tighter... Just not with beach bars and them twisted downwards making them hit your legs.. I believe the owner has now lifted them upwards so it would be easier to turn =-)
Nice job mystery man! 😊
Thank you... I think I have finally set on a way to do the reviews and hopefully will improve from here.... Wait until you see the specials in January.... The first one is definitely different!
What a beautiful bike , nice note too , Handle bars you did well on those turns , even the twisty went well , Awesome bike would love the open road
What's that Helmet ? Something that helps keep you safe in the event of an accident
Yes the Shadow is a great bike... I've ridden one for 400 kms and it was super comfortable and while I did need 3 stops I could have pushed through and made only 2 stops.....
Ahhh that Helmet.... It is something a little special.. But you are right. It is a helmet that keeps your head safe.... But it is a more than that.... Please watch the next episode to see what it is....
I think you should try adjusting the bars up/forward a bit. They look way to low to me. Your wrists are cocked and I'm guessing your hands are hitting your knees during tight turns.
Yep they sure were. The Owner of the bike adjusted them up. I'm planning on doing a redo on the Figure 0's & 8's soon just a small video
Please review a Suzuki Boulevard C50. Thank you.
Hey Frogman. Thats a great suggestion. I shall try my best to get my hands on one and review it.
VT 500 would be great
Hey there... Do you mean the Honda VT500 from the 1980's? If you do thats a cool motorcycle. I will try my best to find one.... I think that would be fun to review!!!!
@@AMotorcyclesTale hey, yes one from the good old 80‘s 👍 somehow these old vt‘s remind me of the new cmx 500
@@MetalGroundV I shall try my best to get my hands on one!!!!