Kit Palmer | November 9, 2023
Have you been shopping around lately for a full-size, middleweight bobber-style cruiser for under $10,000 that is not only built well but performs suitably and, perhaps most importantly, you’d be proud to own?
Until now, your options have been limited, especially the under 10 grand part. Honda, however, has filled that void with its all-new Shadow Phantom, which retails for just $8399. Want one with ABS? Plan on spending $300 more. Still, $8699 is a great price.
Photography by Kevin Wing
The Shadow line isn’t new. It’s anything but. The first Honda Shadow appeared in 1983, and there have been several variations since; the Phantom is the latest. It is powered by a 745cc V-twin engine with two intake valves and one exhaust per cylinder that functions via a single overhead cam. It’s liquid-cooled, has a five-speed transmission, and is shaft-driven. Word on the street, the Phantom has approximately 40 horsepower and 40 lb-ft of torque.
Suspension is about as basic as it gets. The 41mm conventional forks are non-adjustable, and the twin-shock rear suspension is also non-adjustable except for spring preload. You have 5.5 inches of wheel travel up front and a whopping 3.5 inches in the rear. The bike rolls on 15-inch spoked wheels, including a semi-fat 160/80 rear tire. Seat heat is a low 25.6 inches, and overall wet weight is 543 pounds (claimed); 553 pounds with ABS.
The Honda Shadow Phantom is a handsome motorcycle. And its sub-$9000 price makes it look even better.
As you can tell, the Phantom isn’t a technical marvel, but this simple and uncomplicated motorcycle is still attractive and has a lot going for it. For one (and perhaps most importantly for a cruiser), the Phantom is quite handsome. It has that Harley-Davidson Sportster look, and one of the Phantom’s color options mirrors Harley’s trademark black/orange/silver paint. The bike’s designer says he wasn’t going for that Harley look at all but just likes the color orange.
Complimenting the Phantom’s eye-pleasing styling and skin color is how well-built it looks, and it does feel that way. Many of Honda’s more budget-priced motorcycles are made in the company’s plant in Thailand, but not the Phantom. It is manufactured in Kumamoto, Japan, where Gold Wings are constructed and assembled, which might relieve some of your worry about the quality you’re getting in the budget-priced Phantom. It’s top-notch.
The Phantom has several strong points and comfort is one of them.
The Phantom is a pleasure to ride, and it doesn’t get much easier to ride, either. You just get on it and go. Even though 540 pounds is a lot of weight for a motorcycle, the Phantom, with its ultra-low seat height, is simple to manage in the driveway, in heavy stop-and-go traffic, and out on the twisties. It’s well-balanced, too, so rolling up to a stop light with cars all around you isn’t a worry, which is good for inexperienced riders.
Blinkers are LED and the headlight is halogen. You’d think it would be the other way around.
Engine noise is a vital part of V-twin cruisers, and the Phantom is the best-sounding Shadow I’ve ever heard. Previous Shadows have never sounded inspiring, but the Phantom will turn heads when you press the button. Not because it’s obnoxiously loud or raspy but because it has a nice, low, respectful look-at-me rumble that is pleasing to the ear. And those matte black exhaust pipes that match up nicely to the rest of the bike look great and even have that old H-D Sportster kind of look. Nice.
The Phantom is well-built and produced in Honda’s manufacturing plant in Japan.
The Phantom performs as well as it looks. It has excellent torque for a middleweight V-twin and is sufficiently powerful. The clutch has a good feel, making it simple to launch from a stop. The Phantom changes gears well, with no big clunks. It wastes little time getting up to freeway speeds and is completely comfortable staying there.
It’s a good idea to avoid potholes, though; remember, there are only 3.5 inches of travel back there, and you’ll be quickly reminded of this if you do whack one. I’m speaking from experience; I have a lot of California freeway miles on one. Luckily, the Phantom doesn’t stay upset for long and recovers nicely and quickly when you do smack a bump at speed, which is something you often do in California. Overall, its suspension does an admirable job of soaking up road irregularities despite its lack of wheel travel and adjustability.
Instrumentation is basic but clean.
The Phantom can be ridden aggressively on the twisties if you so choose because it corners well, with little wiggling involved, but cornering clearance is limited. You’ll safely figure out what that is after only a few sweeping turns.
Brakes are surprisingly good at speed and plenty capable in the city. ABS is worth the extra $300.
The Phantom does have its sporty side.
For a seemingly simple and down-to-earth kind of motorcycle, the Honda Phantom is a surprisingly fun bike to ride. It’s also solidly built, feels comfortable, performs surprisingly well, and has the looks to match. For just $8699, the Phantom is a great value. And everyone will think you paid well over $10,000 for it. We won’t tell.CN
2024 Honda Shadow Phantom Specifications
| MSRP: |
$8399 ($8699 ABS) |
| ENGINE: |
745cc, V-twin |
| VALVETRAIN: |
SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder |
| BORE x STROKE: |
79.0 x 76.0mm |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: |
9.6:1 |
| COOLING SYSTEM: |
Liquid |
| FUEL DELIVERY: |
Fuel injection w/34mm throttle bodies |
| CLUTCH: |
Wet, multiplate |
| TRANSMISSION: |
5-speed |
| FINAL DRIVE: |
Shaft |
| FRAME: |
Steel |
| FRONT SUSPENSION: |
41mm telescopic fork |
| REAR SUSPENSION: |
Dual shocks, spring preload adjustable |
| FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: |
5.5 in. |
| REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: |
3.5 in. |
| FRONT BRAKE: |
2-piston caliper, 296mm hydraulic disc (base) / 2-piston caliper, 296mm hydraulic disc w/ ABS (ABS) |
| REAR BRAKE: |
2-piston caliper, 276mm hydraulic disc (base) / 2-piston caliper, 276mm hydraulic disc w/ ABS (ABS) |
| WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: |
Spoked; 17 in./15 in. |
| TIRES, FRONT/REAR: |
120/90-17 / 160/80-15 in. |
| RAKE/TRAIL: |
34.0°/6.3 in. |
| WHEELBASE: |
64.6 in. |
| SEAT HEIGHT: |
25.6 in. |
| FUEL CAPACITY: |
3.9 gal. |
| COLORS: |
Orange Metallic / Deep Pearl gray |
| CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: |
543 lb. (base) / 553 lb. (ABS) |
