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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 17:19:22 GMT 10
Saw this in an exert from a mag;; (any wrong quotes is not my doing) and thought it may be of interest to some ,was for me. 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 52-degree V-twin ranging from 125cc to 1800cc engine displacement. The 250cc Honda Rebel is associated with the Shadow line in certain markets. History The current line of Shadow motorcycles originated from the technical underpinnings of the Honda CX series. 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 750 cc, the VT750c was reduced to 699cc in 1984 and was sold as the Vt700c. In 1985, the tariff was lifted and the line soon expanded to an 1100cc bike the "VT1100c". The VT750c was replaced by an 800cc version the VT800c in 1988. The "VT600c" was launched in 1989 as Honda's new entry level Shadow though still slotted above the Honda Rebel. The line changed little until the introduction of the 750cc Honda Shadow Ace in 1997. From 2000 to 2007, the Honda Shadow Sabre replaced the VT1100cc until the 1100cc class was discontinued in favor of a new 1300cc offering known as the VTX1300. As of 2011, the Shadow brand has been limited to a single 750cc cruiser available in Spirit, Aero, Phantom, and RS trims. All other offers are known under the VTX or Rebel brands. Feel free to discuss the topic . Cheers Ray
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 8:25:44 GMT 10
Interesting, so if I'm reading this right .. any bike that Honda had released under the VT range is classed as a Shadow .. Does that include the VTX range under the Shadow badge or not, I'm a little confused about it all. And why the hell dont they just import all the bikes they make to all the countries .. really dont they think we are big enough for the bigger bikes.
I noticed our Honda dealer has pretty much gone out of the real bike market .. on their showroom floor is a bunch of ATV and dirt/farm bikes, and a couple of sports bikes .. they used to have at least two cruisers on the floor .. gone. Noticed Honda is now selling mowers.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 14:45:46 GMT 10
I, d put down they are in the shadow family. Interesting what your saying about the dealers there Anastasia. About the same here as well. They don't seem to be pushing the cruiser range. This is letting other brands take their market. Must admit other brands are great. But will if I can be keeping the Shadow.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 15:28:45 GMT 10
I read somewhere the X is for extra, so my bike must be a Shadow xtra. I have always been special Let's face it Honda dropped the ball as far as cruisers go and are not interested in picking it up. Yamaha 650 V Star are every where, great lams bike, Suzuki M series great looking bike. Victory have any style you want in a cruiser. Harley every second bike is a V Rod and just brought out a new range. Kawasaki bit quite but still have a nice range of cruisers. Honda VT 400 & 750 still look the same as 2004 and not much else available, long over due for a face lift. Need a 650, 1100 & 1500 cruiser range.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 16:28:03 GMT 10
I read somewhere the X is for extra, so my bike must be a Shadow xtra. I have always been special Let's face it Honda dropped the ball as far as cruisers go and are not interested in picking it up. Yamaha 650 V Star are every where, great lams bike, Suzuki M series great looking bike. Victory have any style you want in a cruiser. Harley every second bike is a V Rod and just brought out a new range. Kawasaki bit quite but still have a nice range of cruisers. Honda VT 400 & 750 still look the same as 2004 and not much else available, long over due for a face lift. Need a 650, 1100 & 1500 cruiser range. Yes Shane quite true . I see Kawasaki is releasing a 650cc i think, in a cruiser ,same colour as Annastasia,s ,price about $6500. Harley is also introducing a criuser 500 cc next year . So yes Honda has dropped the ball. They need to up their LAMS range to around the 600 or more cc and introduce a 900 and a 12 or 1300cc range . My thoughts anyhow. Oh yeah keep the 1800 of course . Yeah and name them all Shadow,s
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 20:17:23 GMT 10
I read somewhere the X is for extra, so my bike must be a Shadow xtra. I have always been special Let's face it Honda dropped the ball as far as cruisers go and are not interested in picking it up. Yamaha 650 V Star are every where, great lams bike, Suzuki M series great looking bike. Victory have any style you want in a cruiser. Harley every second bike is a V Rod and just brought out a new range. Kawasaki bit quite but still have a nice range of cruisers. Honda VT 400 & 750 still look the same as 2004 and not much else available, long over due for a face lift. Need a 650, 1100 & 1500 cruiser range. Yes Shane quite true . I see Kawasaki is releasing a 650cc i think, in a cruiser ,same colour as Annastasia,s ,price about $6500. Harley is also introducing a criuser 500 cc next year . So yes Honda has dropped the ball. They need to up their LAMS range to around the 600 or more cc and introduce a 900 and a 12 or 1300cc range . My thoughts anyhow. Oh yeah keep the 1800 of course . Yeah and name them all Shadow,s Well I guess when you first get your L's your going to want the biggest bike you can in most cases. Thats why the V Star sells so well, even 2nd hand, So thats why Kwakka are getting into the action. The Harley will sell because it's a Harley.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2015 20:27:13 GMT 10
More interesting reading en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Shadow#VT400_replica 400 owners ' Honda VT400 In alphabetical order, we start with the Honda, which at 398cc has the only 400cc engine of the bikes we rode. It is at the higher price end of the scale at $9990. Physically, it’s hard to tell the chrome-laden VT400 from its bigger VT750 Shadow brother and it looks fabulous with its teardrop tank and bullet headlight. Fitted with its (accessory) body-shielding windscreen and wide fringed pannier bags, the VT400 could be physically intimidating for newbies, but our shortest riders deemed this bike an absolute kitten when ridden, exhibiting no bad manners at all. The Honda weighs 180kg (5kg less than the heaviest 250!), but because the seat is so low and the bike so utterly balanced, our smallest riders had no problems managing it. The gearbox is typically Honda smooth and there were no dramas with the controls or reach for our testers, who ranged in height from 157cm to over 183cm. Incidentally, the tallish windscreen didn’t pose a problem for our shortest riders, who both had a clear line of sight over it. The bike’s smooth, torquey, fuel-injected liquid-cooled engine would be as nice to ride on the open road as it is around town. The Honda revs well and has a nice spread of power, and the extra capacity means you make fewer gear-changes than on a 250. It is softly sprung, though, and on ripples and potholes the suspension tends to rebound a fair bit. The single-disc front brake and rear drum could be stronger for a bike of this weight, but if they are not outstanding, they are also not going to bite learners. The fatter front tyre makes the steering feel a little heavy and you will have to take care when making U-turns, but the Honda certainly trickled along seamlessly in Sydney traffic. It would make a good commuter, although with the (optional) saddlebags you’ll have to pick your filtering places. The Honda is big and comfortable enough for long rides, but you will have to put up with tingling through the bars at certain points in the rev band. Honda’s HISS security system and heavy-duty key cylinder give you extra confidence when you park it and walk away. Possibly the only thing missing is a bit of bad-boy cruiser menace! Bling: Quality finish. Besides the screen and panniers, you can dress the Honda up with backrest, chrome carrier, chrome backrest plate and body cover. Pillion opinion: Even though learners are not entitled to carry pillions, more experienced riders may want to, so we have included our take on pillion comfort for all these bikes. The Honda’s pillion seat was comfortable and there is plenty of room, even for a large person, but as with any bike fitted with saddlebags, it’s harder to climb aboard. Fuel used: All our bikes were ridden over the same distance so we could compare fuel consumption. The Honda used 3.34L. We have not converted that to litres per 100km because the test route and ride were very thirsty, but this way you can at least compare one against the other. Plus: It doesn’t look like a learner bike and you can easily tour on it. Minus: Tingling through bars, soft suspension. Verdict: Reliable, easy-to-ride Honda for the nicest people. Quickspecs Model: Honda VT400 Price: $9990, warranty 24 months Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke OHC valve V-twin Capacity: 398cc Suspension: Front telescopic, rear swing-arm with dual conventional dampers Brakes: Front hydraulic disc, rear leading/trailing drum Weight: 150kg Colours: Black/Grey, Silver, White/Silver Importer/distributor: Honda MPE www.hondampe.com.au
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Post by george on Mar 9, 2015 16:32:50 GMT 10
One of our riders who came to a meet and greet breakfast had what you might say was the first model Shadow. Yes it is a 1980 CX 500 but it was badged as a Shadow and it was Honda's very first Shadow. It wasn't until 1983 that the Shadow went to the cruiser style bike..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2015 16:50:30 GMT 10
Yes they were a shadow i think . Nice rides back then and still by the looks of tha . has he restored it George or is that still std . Iff so take me hat off to him . .Nice bike .
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Post by george on Mar 9, 2015 18:08:25 GMT 10
No restoration. That is the original ridgy didge.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2015 20:47:47 GMT 10
Well next time you see him mate shake his hand for me please . Have to admire his keeping of such a fine machine .
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Post by LooseWheel on Mar 9, 2015 22:00:35 GMT 10
Love it Ray! Awesome info. Didn't think the Yamaha 650 was a LAMS bike hey. I went to the bike shop looking to get one after Dad had them previously. I think after riding the VT400 and finding more modern gear including shaft drive, fuel injected, liquid cooled and I had been told power to weight ratio between the two sisters was not much difference other than the Yammy taking on more fuel required. The VT400 is a very balanced bike. Yamaha has had the same design engine for 21 years, so I can appreciate the more modernised 'retro fitted' shadow lol. All said tongue in cheek - I do appreciate both girls for what they are The Shadow is a little longer legged than the Yammy so who cant say no to longer legs hey ;D Go the Shadows!
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Post by dg6oo2 on Mar 10, 2015 0:42:54 GMT 10
Sorry if this is off topic but the only thing better than an old classy Honda is two lovely old Hondas, after all every modern multi cylinder bike owes its heritage to the Honda inline 4. Sad to say but Honda was a pioneer of ideas now even I,m lost.
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Post by hedevil (max) on Mar 11, 2015 19:29:03 GMT 10
Very interesting topic and information thanks
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2015 20:15:14 GMT 10
Sorry if this is off topic but the only thing better than an old classy Honda is two lovely old Hondas, after all every modern multi cylinder bike owes its heritage to the Honda inline 4. Sad to say but Honda was a pioneer of ideas now even I,m lost. Yeah mate I love me Shadow but I wish I still had me old 500/4. Scarce as now though . Honda just doesnt seem to know their market much anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong but they seem to put more into lam's bikes these days whether that be cruiser or sporty . I think there is a big market hole in the cruiser range .
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