2023 Honda Shadow Phantom review

(Yes, it's windy, and there's no mic muff; impromptu review!)
You have probably ridden one, but have you ridden a fuel-injected one lately?
The Honda Shadow Phantom is light-weight, fast enough for cruiser-style riding, and the right size for nearly anyone!

[@Havanorange]

Don't worry about the gear indicator. You'll know you're in 5th when it won't go up any more.

[@timkis64]

that shaft driven hub case looks exactly like the one on my 84. i know mine has been never been off the swingarm in its 39 years.i service the splines,bearings & oil. i've never had a problem.good rear shocks minumize the throttle jacking issue.saved me 39 years of messing with chain & sprocket maintenence.

[@fifthgearfoodie5272]

I have a heavily modified 2013 Phantom that I’ve ridden cross country on many times. I have no problem cruising at 90mph with close to 200 pounds of camping gear strapped to the back, and can hit 115 mph. One of the coolest motorcycles out there.

[@mrmurphy8609]

Same here rode from Rochester NY to Port Charlotte Fla. and every mile of the blue ridge parkway. No issues at all ! Are there better suites bikes for long distance? Sure but this one will do it too. I ride an Indian now but I do miss that bike

[@stevensoldano2763]

Yea but u has to heavily modify it that’s not stock

[@clipsfromLos]

How much did you put into modifying it?

[@fifthgearfoodie5272]

@@clipsfromLos Barnett racing clutch and springs, Power Commander 6 and tuned by a professional shop, Cobra ram air intake, Vance & Hines short shots, MZS levers.

[@haxan6663]

Owned 3 600s and 2 1100 Shadows. Great bikes.

[@dmitriciccarelli4082]

It's not a race bike and it doesn't pretend to be. She'll handle 75 on the highway all day long.

[@fairplayer916]

Long as you are under 200lbs

[@MrBiggles53]

Agree with Dmitri; disagree with Jeremiah. 3rd owner of a 2013 Honda Shadow Spirit 750cc with shaft drive. Weighed 230, loaded bike with saddle bags, good sized back seat bag and a tank bag to ride 720 miles in a day at 75-80 MPH, with passing bursts of 85. The only draw back was the stock seat only being endurable for 60-90 minutes. Mustang touring seat just came in last week. Might not be up for touring two people up though; but it’s solid for one person.

[@fairplayer916]

@@MrBiggles53 yeah I was being abit mean. I had a 12 retro and it was done at about 70 on flat ground. But I also weighed like 280 at the time.

[@Real.Pocahontas]

75? I'm sitting at 110 easy

[@fairplayer916]

@@Real.Pocahontas what do you weigh?

[@Road_Rash]

3 things I would have to immediately change: mirrors, gas cap & exhaust...all of that looks like it's from a completely different bike...it all needs to be flat black...💯% murdered out...other than that, I think it looks awesome! I got a 750 Aero that I'm about to roll over 40K miles on & it never misses a beat...change the oil, occasionally the tires, & a clutch cable every now & then, they stay faithful...great little bikes...can't kill them...and I'm good with that tank size, because on that bike, I'm usually pulling over every 100 miles or so anyway to stretch my legs or bathroom breaks or whatever...

[@ridingwithmarshall]

40k miles!! That's End-of-life (for a Harley Twin-cam maybe, haha!). I agree, what's with the chrome on a murdered-out bike??

[@THEBIGCHULETA]

Had a 2007, it was rock solid.

[@RichardBatten]

I had Harley’s in my 40s they are a lot of matanence I bought an 04 shadow 3 years ago really nice to ride reliable love the bike

[@MotoKeng]

Great review my friend. I just bought a used 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom with similar color. Only difference is the front forks is not black and the mirrors are round and black colored. Fun to ride and very low to the ground. I am 5" 9, 160lbs. The bike can go up to 85 mph easily.

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

Shadows have been around a long time, and there's a good reason; they are awesome bikes for half the price of the less reliable American brand (I'm responding from my other channel).

[@MotoKeng]

@@QuietPlaceswithMarshall Yeah I got the bike for a great deal. The only other cruiser I used to owned was a 2007 Vstar 650 classic. The shadow phantom is much nimbler/sportier while the Vstar looks and feels like a bigger cc bike.

[@oldtimeoutlaw]

Great vid. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I’m definitely leaning towards the Honda Shadow. Will let you know my final decision Thanks again. Peace

[@ridingwithmarshall]

The new 2024 models ditch the drum brake!

[@2014ultra]

Those are the exact oem mirrors i had one my honda 1100 shadow sabre over 15 years ago. They were used on many bikes lol funny to see honda still using that same mirror but hey they work well.

[@oldtimeoutlaw]

Very nice sled there. I’m definitely leaning towards the Honda for my next bike

[@oldrust601]

Great video... I am looking to get one soon... I like the look of them.. and very conferable

[@shep68]

Hello from down the road near Brighton. After many years not riding, my first foray back on 2 wheels was a used Shadow Spirit several years back. She was sturdy and fun…but very soon way too underpowered for me. Moved on to a vtx, then a Heritage and now a Limited. But the Shadow is a great beginner bike and it served its purpose refreshing my skills. ✌️

[@andregrastyan3403]

Too bad you didn't get the new one. The updated model just came out a couple of days ago. No more drum breaks all LED and a lot more.

[@brettcreech3490]

I had an 1100 Shadow ace loved it. I now have a 2015 Stateline 1300 slightly modified it’s cool and it’s a hod rod. Great video Marshal keep up the good work brother.

[@jaywinters2483]

You have to realize that in the 60’s, a 800cc bike was considered a big bike.

[@cherylsmith4826]

I had an Shadiw ACE 750 & put 30,000 miles on her. Height was perfect for me (5:6" female) & it was absolutely dependable. Sold it & regret that decision every time i think about it

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

Next year's model has all disc brakes! They are making them better still!

[@ukbusman]

The shaft sold it for me, though I'd wait 3-4 years and get it for half price knowing that as a Honda it's still going to be a good reliable bike. As a referance to the BMW you did last week. I saw a BMW Bobber today at a regular bike meet, now that impressed me. Love you to get hold of one of them if you can, as I know nothing about them.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

SO True. People either grow out of Shadows or they don't ride at all. I've seen plenty of people get their license and then only put 200 miles on before giving up the whole idea. I would love to have one of these to turn into a WW2 type Scrambler!

[@ridingwithmarshall]

About the BMW, it's a possibility, but now that motorcycle season has begun, the dealer is selling out of bikes! And who are these people that only buy bikes when the "season" starts?? Do they only buy snow shovels when it starts snowing??

[@MrWelfarehater]

@@ridingwithmarshall those are people that have a nice toy, but rarely use it. Then sell it for cheap. A guy like me comes along and snatches it up.

[@rosliramad7981]

Honda Shadow should produce 125cc,250cc,400cc, 750cc, 1200cc. With the looks like Honda Fury...and using their Classic Springers Fork.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

That's a great idea!

[@StratfordWingRider]

I have a 2011 Aero (bigger pillion seat and different bars but Fuel Injected) - awesome thing about Shadows is that you can buy an older one and it’s almost the same - they are very unchanged outside of Aero/Sprit/Phantom/RS variants. (And the fuel injection introduction) Shaft drive is awesome, low maintenance option. The three valve per cylinder motor is surprisingly good for a 750cc - no wonder you see the three valve V-twins in a lot of Hondas. Such an awesome bike. They are popular for a good reason. The only thing I wish Honda would have added was a Tach. But I’m working on adding one.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

I would recommend one to anybody!

[@MrWelfarehater]

How ironic, I just bought a 2011 Honda Shadow Aero 750 at Hap's Cycle in Sarasota, Florida. I rode it all the way home to Tampa. I haven't ridden a bike in decades. Great bike. I paid 2,600 with 8,000 miles because of electrical issues. Easy to work on. For the first bike, you can't go wrong.

[@PDYALL]

I just wish they made one for a couple grand more with there 1300 in it

[@ruffleschips9055]

I agree the shaft drive is a huge selling point. Can't understand why othe bike reviewers don't emphasize the drive shaft. It's a little difficuIt to find a mid size bike with shaft drive. I would have to test drive one to see if the suspension bottoms out too easily, and see if there is too much hand numbing vibration in the handlebars. With a 3 gallon tank, and getting 60 mpg, it should have a range of 180 miles, which isn't bad. The Fury has a ridiculously small peanut tank, unless your hobby is to stop at every gas station.

[@DMugsP]

Would be cool if Honda sold these in Australia

[@mikeogden5256]

A favorite of mine 😊

[@rbatman9704]

My first bike was a Honda shadow 700

[@johnblackstock7653]

I had a Shadow 750 in 1983. It was a awesome first bike. I would recommend them to anybody.

[@jeremygreen4036]

I miss living in fort collins 😭😭😭 been back in OKC 4 years, now. Missing my hikes and drives in the poudre and rist canyons.

[@CatTail19789]

Height is mentioned a lot, would this be okay for a 5' 3" rider? My husband and I are beginners looking for a bike we can both share, me primarily driving it most of the time, the shorter one. If not as is is there an adjustment that can be made for a shorter rider, that would still be okay for him to drive it too, he being 5' 10"?

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

I'll bet you could ride it. I knew a 5'3"" lady who rode one. I'm 5'10", and didn't need to adjust anything.

[@chunkymonkey4life791]

I’m 5’4” and I ride it with ease. Feet lay flat on the ground and it is really comfortable to ride. So glad I went with the Honda shadow.

[@MrWelfarehater]

I am 5ft 8 and I own one. At stop my feet are flat on the ground, and my knees are bent. Almost like sitting on a dining room chair.

[@StormChaserDavisMax]

I've got a 23 phantom and I'm 5'5" and I can flat foot this thing nearly completely. And I am short legged. Also it's light weight as mentioned. So easy to maneuver with my lower center of gravity

[@chevyseller2008]

Great video!

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

Thank you! I do these on the spur of the moment with 0 pre-planning. I'm surprised it got the views it did.

[@mrmurphy8609]

I had a2012 phantom love every mile

[@vinmat3558]

Watch out for shaking gas tank. Harley might claim patent infringement.

[@selwyn500]

Beautiful ❤

[@k-youtuber]

My first bike was a Honda shadow 750 (2007)

[@johnpatterson4272]

Sweet looking ride, is that under $10k price tag in US or Cdn funds? It appears you're probably in Colorado once I saw the license plate. With Harley D, BMW, Triumph and Royal Enfield sporting their new high-end models for '23 with 'very' high-end price points, no doubt newer riders will be drawn to this bad boy. Thanks for the worthwhile video.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

I'm in the U.S. I never thought the Shadow would get this much air time, or I would have waited for a better day to film it. I'd like to see a Shadow outfitted like a WWII military bike.

[@johnpatterson4272]

@@ridingwithmarshall No doubt Marshall that's in-the-works already by Honda.

[@breakfast00club..11]

A great bike

[@RD-nz4zc]

You may consider getting a pop sock for your mic...

[@tackleberry8604]

I own a 2014 looks exact same, i cut the baffles out, sounds mean, bike just sucks on the highway, always looking for another gear.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

I'll bet it sounds pretty mean! Yeah, missing a 6th gear is why I got rid of my Goldwing. The price of gas has little impact when you're riding, but needing frequent fill-ups on Interstate trips gets old.

[@Peace-yt8tx]

Honda Phantom 2023 Very Very Good Looking ❤👍🇮🇩

[@jackiedavenport6398]

I have a 16 fury and looking at getting a phantom too is it going to feel under powered compared to the fury or is it geared nicely

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

It's honestly geared nicely! A 750 won't hang with a 1300, but it's not bad at all!

[@jackiedavenport6398]

@@QuietPlaceswithMarshall I’m just afraid it’s going to bore me to death when solo riding and being 5’9 130lbs it’s hard for me to go to like a street glide and my wife doesn’t like being on the back of the fury

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@jackiedavenport6398 I put a Mustang seat on my Fury, which helped for a passenger. The Shadow is a more stable bike for two-up though. Another option which actually worked GREAT for me two-up was a Sportster 1200C with Sundowner seat! I've had two. Plenty of power, and surprisingly just as easy to ride two-up. Don't bother with an 883 though.

[@someoneelse1i1i]

@@ridingwithmarshall I’m looking for a “daily rider” as a commuter for a good price. I have to get on the interstate for about 25 miles of the commute. With this thing “cruise comfortably” at around 80 mph? Not looking for a “speed demon” but I don’t want it to be “strained” and I don’t want the big rigs blowing by me. Thanks - I enjoy your videos.

[@QuietPlaceswithMarshall]

@@someoneelse1i1i I know exactly what you mean; my commute is 22 miles on the interstate one way (this is Marshall, I'm responding from my ghost town channel account). I can't say that I have tried a Shadow more than a few miles on the I. It did fine, but my experience with 750cc is that 80 is fine, but passing is gonna take a minute.

[@hernansantiago9375]

Does the motorcycle have a gasoline consumption indicator?

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Nope, just a fuel low light as I recall.

[@corneilcorneil]

Separate from the price, what is not important to me... The big 4 above whatever HD. I ride daily, i have no time to have my bike repaired every week. "Spokes are a good thing"... i don't agree, inner tire, no plugging possible.

[@CALIFORNIAspaceship]

Would this bike be good for a 6’4/6’5 rider?

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Probably not. You'll have to sit on one, but I think you'll be cramped. I have a tall friend that enjoys a Goldwing and a BMW GS

[@TragickSin]

Hell nah dude I’m 5’8 and even this bike feels a little small for me

[@leftlegtrumpcard8152]

If ur that tall then go sit on a vstar. My best friend is ur size and that fit him perfect for his first bike.

[@Max.3001]

you cant buy them in germany can you?

[@nomadpi1]

1st pro -> "DRIVE SHAFT." 2nd pro -> 750cc engine. 1st Con - black paint - ugh; summer heat in OK, KS, TXS, NM, AZ., ugh! The rest of items, as you like or don't like. For me, SADDLE; a good saddle must be one you can sit on all day - 10 or 11 hours, be able to slide forwards or backwards on, and then get off and stand up straight and walk around straight-up; get on the next day and do it all over again. Ride cross-nation and back without a chiropractor's ministrations. That saddle is like a choice or chore, depending on your inseam and lower back. Large crash-bars out far enough to ride with outstretched legs are needed. A 3&1/2 gallon tank? Well, that small a tank may make the saddle, and shocks the best thing for traveling - get off and walk around for 15 minutes after gassing up.. GAS GAUGE? Much preferred. I dislike tach-clocks. A speed indicator, a gas gauge, a neutral light, and a high beam indicator is what I prefer. SHOCKS?? As smooth a ride as possible is what you want. Replace them with the best shocks available as quick as you can afford the new ones.Speed? I see no need to ride over 70 mph. Frankly, if you ride over 70mph on 90% of American roads; you'll get shaken, have to swerve to avoid trash (darn those retreaded tire carcasses); dangerous, get wind-pummeled by trucks, and encounter fresh tar put down by rode repair crews. BTW, I'M FOUR-SCORE YRS OF AGE NOW. I first rode a Cushman Eagle in 1956. I read the comments and one mentioned a newer version with LED instruments - that's a load of ugh. Stick with the ones this rider showed you. BRAKES? I've dealt with many drum brakes since 1956. You can live with them. Just remember, your rear brake is dangerous to use without intentional attention to it. Personally, I detest tube tires, but you can live with them. Just switch tires without wearing the treads off. Keep on 'a truckin'.

[@jlrutube1312]

I appreciate your comments. I'm just turning 65 and am impressed that you are still riding. Have a great day! (I have a VTX 1300 and have put over 100,000 miles on it. It's a really great bike.)

[@timkis64]

harley shouldve let the japanese build UJM's.they made the mistake of allowing the japanese to build better harley clones, than harley could build the originals.that was a long time ago, & there still doing it.its like the insult that wont go away.

[@luongngo2744]

Nice Moto

[@flesz_]

Can you tune it for more power?

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Knowing Euro5 emissions, you can undoubtedly take out the cat and flash it. Euro5 compliance drops up to 25% power.

[@drb739]

Take them (I'm brand new) stickers off the tank😂😂

[@oddmanout43]

under 10k. sounds like you should have his and her motorcycles. Happy wife, happy life.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

She rode her own today.

[@Monty-bi6mf]

Bring back the vtx 1800

[@jlrutube1312]

Yes, and bring back the vtx 1300 too.

[@jthondacrf8926]

Nope honda came out with that style of speedometer first harley copied it

[@turtle19dad]

I just don’t want the plastic fenders etc

[@neiljones8179]

I tried to watch the video, horrible audio with the wind noise.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

I tried to read your comment, but there was nothing useful there so I gave up.

[@LOSTONITALL]

It is NOT a beginner bike. If you think you have to have 1100 cc bike to be cool, you are wrong. Rode my Honda 750 Magna across USA TWICE. Smooth. Harley is a joke.

[@Havanorange]

I have a Magna 1100 cc. But I was already super coool ...way before that bike came along. Magna 750's are sweet. I'd ride one of those across the US too if I ever get the time and money.

[@Pipes61874]

So this isn't recommended for beginners?

[@Havanorange]

@@Pipes61874 I've had 2015 Shadow Aero for 4 1/2 years. It was my first full size motorcycle. I have a lot of experience with bicycling and the handling was mostly intuitive for me. The limitations of this bike are, like most cruisers, longer braking distance and weight. I'd say, honestly, for a beginner, something like a CRF300 would be better, because it's lighter and easier to handle. But as a beginner, with any bike, take it easy, give yourself extra distance to stop and don't ride beyond your skills and ability. I'd recommend getting antilock brakes, too. The worst situations that I almost crashed were when my rear or front brakes locked up.

[@kennethschauer1801]

I got used harley 883 great too

[@DabsNanime]

He kidna looks like les stroud the survivor guy , however you spell his name