In today's review we will talk about the technical characteristics of the Honda Shadow 750 motorcycle. The model is presented in several variants and is sold in motorcycle showrooms in large cities in Russia and the CIS countries. Most often you will see Spirit in the photo. This classic cruiser seems to be timeless and continues to be at the forefront of popularity regardless of new trends.
But this variant of the motorcycle has one serious drawback that affects demand: the price. In different salons, this beauty can cost up to several tens of thousands of dollars.
Bike features
Here are the main advantages of the Honda VT 750 Shadow:
- high engine power for its time;
- very wide wheels even for a cruiser;
- carburetor system.
The bike has excellent performance for the class, which is explained by the constant updating of the model throughout its career. Modern versions of the classic 750, such as the Phantom and Aero, can be a good choice for connoisseurs of the line.
Modifications
It is a rare cruiser model that can boast such an abundance of modifications that have always found their fans.
It's time to arrange all the modifications in chronological order. But first, it is worth noting that some left the market in order to make way for a more modern modification, while others were simply discontinued due to obsolescence. Two lists below - year of birth, year of departure.
- 1983 - Honda NV750 Custom .
- 1986 - Honda Shadow 750 . Replacing the name, reworking both the filling and the appearance.
- 1997 - Honda Shadow 750 ACE (sold in America only) Shadow 400 is released for Japanese markets.
- 2000 - Birth of ACE Вeluxe , the filling of which repeats Gold Wihg of the same years.
- 2000 - Launch of Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit . In Japan it goes by the name Slasher , in European markets - Black Widow .
- 2003 - Honda VT750C Aero .
- 2007 - Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit , an update to the previously released VT750C .
- 2009 - Honda VT750C2B Phantom (sometimes called Black Spirit), Aero in black packaging.
- 2010 - Honda Shadow RS .
The first couple of versions leave the market replacing each other.
- 1986 Honda NV750 Custom.
- 1997 - Honda Shadow 750.
Next, the intervals add up like this:
- 2003 - Honda Shadow 750 ACE , Aero becomes its successor.
- 2007 - Slasher , Japanese and versions of other countries, becomes history.
- 2013 - Honda Shadow RS .
- 2015 - completion of production of the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit .
Of the total number of models on the assembly line, only Aero and Phantom . The release of both continues, taking into account new technological solutions and requirements.
Dimensions and weight
The VT 750 Shadow is 805 mm wide, 2310 mm long, and 1190 mm high. The saddle height here is average - 695 mm. The wheelbase size is 1605 mm. Together with fuel, the weight of the motorcycle is insignificant and reaches 236 kg. A tank with a capacity of 12.5 liters is sufficient, since approximately 4.2 liters of gasoline are consumed per 100 km of road.
Chassis and brakes
The tubular frame of the VT 750 Shadow is made of steel. It is a classic cruiser option, but, perhaps, it has rather old-fashioned shapes. However, for lovers of rarities this is only a plus. Alloy wheels may not seem very appropriate to some, but overall they look good. The steering wheel is quite large, but within the norms accepted for the class.
The rear pendulum suspension has two shock absorbers, and the front suspension is a simple telescopic fork. The rear brakes, like many other older versions, are represented by a drum. The front brake is a disc with a two-piston caliper.
Review of the Honda Shadow 750 (VT750) motorcycle
I have owned this motorcycle for two seasons. I took it as the first spendthrift from Japan at auction. The impressions are the most positive. For a beginner this is what you need. 400 is still a bit weak, but 750 is just right. But in two seasons you “grow out of it.” That’s why I recommend it as a first motorcycle, or for driving around the city, because on the highway after 100 km/h the acceleration dynamics are not the same. Now I want something more powerful. I am pleased with the vaunted reliability of Honda - and it’s true - the moto has never failed. I am glad that there is a lot of tuning for this model - because you always want to put something on it, it’s like a disease :), it is probably inherent in all motorcyclists :) In a word, the bike is very good. It forgives many mistakes for beginners, since it steers well, has a relatively light weight (about 250 kg), low seating, and a wide steering wheel. Well, just for me personally, it’s very beautiful - a lot of chrome, thick wheels (well, I don’t like the thin front wheel, IMHO). In short, I recommend it. In the meantime, I’ll be puzzled about buying a Honda VTX1800 . Also a Honda, but much more powerful and for me at the moment more interesting. Have a smooth road and good luck everyone!
This is my first motorcycle, not even the one I own, but the one I actually sat on, not counting temporary “trials” in Minsk and Izh..
I decided to immediately buy something serious, unrelated to Soviet motorcycles and conveniently meeting the requirements of a modern person. I just wanted a chopper, you know, the sport is too unsafe for a beginner, and I don’t want to leave my wife as a widow. The glance was cast towards the great chop chop - Harley , but the price for them does not look attractive. In general, the answer to this decision was found in the bosom of Japanese manufacturers - Honda Shadow VT750CA6 Aero, 2006. The MOT came from an American user with a mileage of 10,000 km, in perfect condition and with all body kits (trunks, bars, backrest, etc.). A battle has been declared against traffic jams! The MOT behaves ideally in traffic jams; read, the handling is excellent, despite its impressive size and decent weight. Gasoline consumes 6-6.5 liters per 100 km. The maximum speed according to the documents is 150, but I didn’t push it more than 120, due to the persistent “grumble” of the engine, well, choppers don’t want to drive fast.
From a standstill, the spendthrift takes all its 45 horses, well, again, the chopper character forces it. The suspension is quite stiff. The brakes are quite adequate in power, especially the front disc ones. At speed the bike turns quite easily. An impressive sound, because of which everyone notices you, helps a lot in driving safety.
My model comes with a cardan drive, which takes some of the worry out of the equation.
The ideal bike for beginners and tall bikers!
I bought Shadov by accident, I was looking for a Motz with a V-twin and all the bells and whistles; type chrome, cardan, chopper landing, cubic capacity about a liter. For myself, I immediately decided on a loaded weight of up to 300. At the beginning of the season, the choice is often limited. There were no intruders at all, the dragstar 1100 had to wait two months, which is doubtful before the season, and the pair of 1100 Shadiks with a cardan were very tired. The fresh motz attracted attention immediately, the apartment was from Germany, where it had traveled a couple of thousand, it was already stuffed in Russia by the second owner. There were doubts about the price tag; 300 rubles for 750 seems like too much, a good one and a half liters cost the same. Everything was decided by the appearance, there is absolutely nothing to complain about, as it should be with a chopper with a 21 front wheel. After the purchase, I never regretted my choice, I can admire my V-twin endlessly...... Well, the injector and immobilizer were rather pleasant additions. By the way, over the past year I have attended several gatherings along the coast, I was unpleasantly surprised at the rarity of choppers, well, they are simply an endangered class. It's nice to see Harleys increasing their population exponentially. Finally I met my relative Shadik 2008 from America. Differences from the European; carburetor, plus 10 horses, almost complete absence of a balance shaft (for an American ass), and an immobilizer. The exhaust is certainly louder.
Go to motorcycle Honda Shadow 750 (VT750)
Check out the test drives:
- Honda Shadow 750 Spirit: review from Motodrive magazine
- Suzuki VZ800 Marauder: Comparative test drive with Honda VT750 Shadow
History of changes
During its long journey, the bike went through the following stages:
- 1986 – Custom changes its characteristics and becomes Shadow 750;
- 1997 – the BT 750 C Shadow A.S.E. version appeared;
- 1998 - Shadow 750 A.S.E. version appeared. Deluxe;
- 2006 – an immobilizer was added to the kit;
- 2007 – the BT 750 C2 Shadow Spirit version appeared;
- 2009 – the VT 750 S2B Phantom version appeared;
- 2010 – the VT 750 RS Shadow RS version appeared;
- 2011 is the last year of production of the Shadow 750.
The motorcycle is a successful representative of the class that will suit most connoisseurs of classic mid-power cruisers.
Specifications
The engine size was changed only once, in 1997 , but the settings of individual components, the number of cylinders, the compression ratio, and power changed from modification to modification. In some versions, the injector was even replaced with a carburetor . But it was based on a 2-cylinder, 4-stroke engine with a V-shaped pistons . The angle between them was changed once - in 1997 from 45 to 520.
The engine is quite economical, works in any weather, and is not even afraid of heat.
- Displacement - 745 cm³ (since 1997), 749 - early releases.
- Power - 44 hp (up to 65 hp - early releases).
- Number of valves - 6 (3 per cylinder).
- Cylinders - 2.
- Cooling is liquid.
- Fuel supply - Keihin 34 mm carburetor, PGM-Fi injector (since 2007).
- Ignition is digital, transistor.
- Start - electric starter.
- Fuel tank - 14 l.
The ignition switch is located under the fuel tank, which is an interesting feature of the model.
of hydraulic compensators in the engine , so the user does not need to adjust the valves.
Transmission and clutch
Motorcycles of early assemblies were equipped with a 6-speed gearbox.
But in 1997, it was rebuilt, retuned, and the gears were placed across the entire rev range. This box began to be used on all modifications.
No less interesting is the story of the main drive. Initially, the motorcycle had a cardan, which was abandoned in 1997.
The cardan transmission definitely reduced the ongoing costs of maintaining the motorcycle.
- Honda VT750 Shadow ACE model came with a chain drive .
- In 2003, ACE was replaced by Aero. In addition to many technological innovations used in the modification, the cardan .
- The 2010 model year models again have a chain.
The only part of the chassis that was not changed was the clutch. From the first assemblies, the standard principle was used.
- Multi-disc, oil bath.
- Power transmission is a cable.
Brakes
Front brakes.
Rear brakes.
With the exception of the very first builds in 1983, which had two discs at the front, the motorcycle has a front single-disc brake and a rear drum brake.
Front: brakes:
- number of disks - 1;
- diameter - 296 mm;
- support - 2-piston.
Rear brakes:
- drum
In 2010, Honda is carrying out a massive modernization of both new developments and those already on the assembly line. The rear axle receives disc brakes (the parameters are the same as the front ones), as well as ABS.
To avoid causing even more confusion with names, new models are not renamed.
