HONDA VT600 SHADOW (1992 - 2002) Review

The Honda VT600 Shadow is pretty much the antithesis of the original chopper credo. If the first true chops were all about bad boy, bristly individuality, the 600 Shadow is about as soft, unthreatening and unoriginal as it gets. It’s bland, novice-friendly and safe and predictable, but you’;ve really got to ask yourself if you want that sort of thing. Neither is it anywhere near as versatile as Yamaha’s XV535 Virago.

• Related: Honda Shadow 750 review

More softness, but not to universal success. The Honda VT600 Shadow’s riding position is more laid-back than rivals such as the Yamaha Virago putting more weight on your backside and making it less comfortable over distance. Nor is it a handler with that short travel rear suspension, kicked out forks, skinny front tyre and weedy brakes. Good for shorties, though…

The Honda VT600 Shadow's engine is soft, soft, soft. Detuned, three-valve, liquid-cooled shaft drive V-twin  is about as unthreatening as a 600cc motorcycle engine gets. That said it’s smooth, effective in a commutery sort of way and rock solid reliable. Just don’t expect adrenalin overload.

Being a Honda is a plus in terms of build quality. Being a budget one, knocks it down a peg or two (the suspension and brakes are strictly bargain bin, for example). Overall, however, the Honda VT600 Shadow, holds no fears under it’s metalflake paint and as its engineering is massively understressed, you shouldn’t fear any thrashed examples, either…

The Honda VT600 Shadow is one of the pricier bikes in the class (compared to rivals such as the Yamaha XV535) when launched and rarity keeps its value up, too. But unless you’re completely sold on the style, you’d be much better off with the better (and more plentiful) Yamaha XV535. Find a Honda VT600 for sale.

The Honda VT600 Shadow is fairly run of the mill. The Shadow’s been given what you’d expect from a middleweight, budget-priced cruiser, no more and no less, and being a custom, that doesn’t add up to much so don’t plan on taking pillions often or going far.