New and Used Motorbikes & Motorcycles for Sale

Motorcycle Reviews

Find By Make/Model

Sell your bike for £13.99

An MCN ad reaches more motorcyclists than any other biking website or publication

Sell your motorcycle

Advice from owners & experts

Visit our forums to ask current owners about their bikes - or to put a question to our expert panel

Get advice

1 of 15

Honda VT750C Shadow motorcycle review - Riding

translate:/Shared/Controls/Multimedia/Flickrator/PreviousImageAltText

translate:/Shared/Controls/Multimedia/Flickrator/NextImageAltText

Honda VT750C Shadow (2004-current)

Detail	Value
New price	£5,845
Used price range	View Honda VT750 SHADOW bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	745cc
Power	45bhp
Top speed	125mph
Insurance group	10

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The Honda VT750C Shadow's a sleek and smooth (if slightly underpowered) cruiser. The shaft drive is a welcome addition but carbs and drum brakes are a bit old hat for a modern machine. Still, it looks the part, rides well and lacks the agricultural feel of its, ahem, American counterparts.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Honda VT750C Shadow's engine’s the same as the one which has powered the VT750 range from the start but detuned to give more low down and midrange grunt at the expense of top end power. It does a good job of propelling the 238kg machine forward but a few more ccs would give it a little extra oomph.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Honda VT750C Shadow's saddle-style seat’s lower than low, and complimented by swept-back bars. Combined with the forward footrests, you’re looking at a love or loathe seating position. The weight makes slow turning precarious but suspension and brakes are ample for cruising. Gears are smooth, pegs touch down early.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

In its plain clothes, the The Honda VT750C Shadow looks uncomplicated: sleek lines and yards of chrome but not over-the-top. However, aftermarket parts give wannabe Harley owners the opportunity to splash out: saddle bags, screens and back rests can be bought to compliment the existing “Art Deco” control panel, tank-mounted speedo, hazard lights and HISS security system.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

There was a recall in 2005 regarding failing headlights due to bad connections; otherwise, problems with the Honda VT750C Shadow are few and far between. Cost isn’t the only reason Japanese cruisers are giving the traditional US machines a run for their money: they’re well built (the Hondas, especially) and reliable.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Honda VT750C Shadow sits comfortably in the market, fairly priced amongst its competitors. However, for a little more, you could get Suzuki’s VZ Intruder M800 which boasts 53bhp, or a Triumph Bonneville America, with 61bhp. Failing that, go for the original: a Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster, with 55bhp and costing considerably less than the Honda. Find a Honda VT750 for sale.

Insurance group: 10

Compare motorcycle insurance quotes now

1997: Original Honda VT750 C Shadow launched. It had twin chrome pipes, weighed 229kg, had chain drive and different bodywork. Otherwise, very similar to the current model. It was discontinued in 2001 but lived on in its DC guise (see below).
2004: Current bike launched in the UK with new bodywork.

VT750 C2: 1997 until 2001, it was basically the same as the original but had twin rear shocks and telescopic forks.
VT750 DC: 2000 – 2004, it was a stripped down version with similar specs to the C and C2 bikes but weighed less and had more ground clearance.
VT750 DC Shadow Spirit: 2007-current, a more custom style version with 21-inch front wheel.

Specifications

Top speed	125mph
1/4-mile acceleration	12.3 secs
Power	45bhp
Torque	47ftlb
Weight	238kg
Seat height	658mm
Fuel capacity	14 litres
Average fuel consumption	47mpg
Tank range	155 miles
Insurance group	10

Engine size	745cc
Engine specification	6v V-twin, 5 gears
Frame	Steel double cradle
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	296mm disc
Rear brake	Drum
Front tyre size	120/90 x 17
Rear tyre size	160/80 x 15

See all Honda VT750 SHADOW motorcycles for sale

Honda
VT750 SHADOW

18283 miles

£3,995

Honda
VT750 SHADOW

2800 miles

£5,799

Honda
VT750 SHADOW

1051 miles

£5,490

Honda
VT750 SHADOW

17600 miles

£3,199

Honda
VT750 SHADOW

12327 miles

£4,999

Owners' Overall Rating (3 reviews)

Submit your Review

750 Areo

MuNNzY

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

Its a fun cruiser to ride, make right noises and turns plenty of heads. Picked mine up for a steal and Love it to bits. I do recommend adding a Windscreen as dose make it a dream to cruise. Im Looking forward to many more years of motoring with her and customizing.

08 January 2012
07 Shadow Spirit

craigzx6r

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

Traded in my 02 Ninja for 07 Shadow Spirit as I do alot more miles now with the wife. The bike is very uncomfortable on long journeys for the pillion (done 140 miles in one day and my wife could hardly walk). Apart from the seat the overall bike is good.

24 August 2011
09 vt750

honwal

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

a nice easy going bike, a bit down on power, came from vfr 750 to vt totally different style of riding for me, all in all two up with misses it does the job, did 1,600 miles in a week last year going to nw200 no bother

19 February 2010