Honda Shadow Spirit 750
Honda Shadow Spirit 750
first rides 2007
Old soul, new Shadow
EVERYONE, IT SEEMS, HAS A SHADOW. HONDA HAS BEEN selling its 750cc V-Twin Shadow since 1983, and it's been the company's best-selling cruiser ever since. Why? Big reason is that the Shadow's universally agreeable traits appeal to new and experienced riders alike. It's easy to operate, affordable and fuel efficient. Factor in its longevity and a variety of styles, and it's easy to see why Honda says it has has sold twice as many VT750 Shadows as the next mid-sized metric cruiser in the class.
Latest of the popular Shadow 750 family is the Spirit C2, a cross between the retro-styled shaft-driven Aero and the
hot-rod chain-driven Spirit DC. The driveshaft setup adds a hardly noticeable 7.5 pounds compared to the sprocketed Shadow, for a total of a claimed 504 pounds dry.
Next obvious chassis change is the addition of a narrow 21-inch front wheel. This gives the bike
a bigger look and feel-except when you put your feet down. After bringing the Shadow to a stop with the single 296mm disc front brake and drum rear, most riders transition easily to a confident, flat-footed stance thanks to the C2’s 1-inch lower seat height. For new/shorter riders that’s a big plus.
All ’07 Shadows use the same three-valve, 52-degree, 745cc V-Twin employed since the 1998 Shadow Ace went from a dualto single-pin crank for a more rumbly feel.
It’s easy to overlook the fact that the motor is liquid-cooled because of how cleanly Honda hid the radiator.
The Spirit also gets the Aero’s teardrop-shaped air-cleaner cover. New-style 2-into-2 staggered exhaust pipes look good. They’re not loud but emit enough of a note so the rider hears them while traveling down the highway. Accelerating away from stoplights, the Spirit easily outruns traffic, and moves slickly through its five-speed gearbox. A 3.7-gallon fuel tank feeds the single 34mm CV carb-fuel-injection isn’t quite universal yet. Handling is nearly effortless and this middleof-the-road Twin has a reasonable degree of clearance for cruising through corners with some lean.
You can buy one of these Hondas in black for $6799. Metallic blue, black with silver flames or red with flames (go for it!) will cost you $7099. Any color looks good when it’s just you and your Shadow strolling down the avenue.
Mark Cernicky
