2024 Honda Shadow Phantom Review - Best Affordable V-Twin Cruiser?

Adam Waheed shares an in-depth evaluation of the 2024 Honda Shadow Phantom cruiser ($8,399) in this exclusive video review.
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Video: Adam Waheed
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[@2wheelsr2wheels39]

The motorcycle industry continues to have the same problem. Price. Motorcycles used to be a spur of the moment purchase because they were affordable. Now most bikes that people want are only affordable through financing. Buying that way makes you think. End of sale.

[@AdamWaheed]

I concur with your sentiment. Is nice to see American Honda offering a high-quality, affordable, and easy-riding V-Twin cruiser for under $9,000. For reference, the American brands every-level products (2023 model year) are $10,749 and $13,499. Thanks for the insightful note. We enjoy hearing from our proven-purchasing U.S. audience.

[@EmSeeMAC]

​@AdamWaheed it's only affordable because it's a near two decade design. It's not much different from my 2007 shadow

[@conceptcs]

@@EmSeeMAC If adjusted for inflation though, some bikes are actually cheaper. Take the Shadow 750's for example. A 2003 Shadow Aero MSRP was $6200. 2024 retails for ~$8000. A 2003 dollar gets you $1.71 buying power in 2024. If adjusted for inflation, a 2003 model is over $10,000 in 2024 dollars.

[@jtec99]

$100 isnt bad for an accessory seat. H-D is that price just for the screws

[@jaydentrammell1148]

for real!!

[@leeinwis]

@@jaydentrammell1148 Sadly no an exaggeration !

[@jonjonbrock]

Just traded in and got my shadow phantom today. Love it.

[@cttheking]

By far best review on the new shadow. Thanks. I'm sold.

[@madrat5176]

The new styling is 🔥. Perfect smallish middleweight cruiser and will last forever

[@fredreinhardt615]

Extremely disappointed to see the other journalist riders not following rules of the road. Stop signs, double lines, no excuse. They should be ashamed of this poor example. This is why Motorcyclist gets my viewership. Keep up the great work!

[@LilYeshua]

Yeah my '86 Honda Shadow 500($2600 new)had a 52 degree v twin with three valve heads and water cooling. Rear wheel chain drives were more desired over shaft drive ones on account of the belief that shaft drives robbed the bike of power whereas with chain drive can put more engine power to the wheel. Back in the eighties Motorcyclist magazine had a test article comparing proper thick leather riding gear versus thin leather versus blue jean. On a Major get off the thick leather gear slide 75 feet before wearing through,the thin considerably less and the blue jean gear burst open immediately upon hitting the pavement. The seat comfiness factor is a big plus. My '90 heritage soft tail classic had a similar seat where I could ride 400+ mile trips and still feel good.

[@-JSLAK]

Nice review as always Adam, I watched the whole vid!

[@williamwintemberg]

Nice review Adam! I love shaft drive. I don't have a shaft drive bike now a days but when i did have them, I loved them. Once I got used to the jacking it wasn't a bother. Now I have 3 bikes with chains and I absolutely hate chains. Go figure! I wish Honda would do more with hydraulic valves as they once did. This looks like a nice mid sized cruiser and it's made in Japan. Made in Japan makes a big difference to me. IMO.

[@cowboygeologist7772]

Great video. Amazed the factory rep would pass on a double line and lead others to do the same.

[@drdoolittle5724]

Truly excellent review Sir, Thank you! Did you hear whether we will get it in the UK?

[@patricksandeberg8184]

At 19:20 was that the first foot peg drag? Guess the lean angle isn’t to bad on it.

[@leeinwis]

Is bad.

[@w1ngbr0man13]

im boutta buy this bike as my first and i cant wait

[@StratfordWingRider]

I owned a slightly older one of these for a year or so. I liked the shaft drive, seat height and beautiful sound. The torque was really nice - and she sounds great with stock pipes. Very reliable and easy to ride bike. Very forgiving and comfortable bike to ride. Not too thirsty or anything too. Cons I didn’t enjoy - felt underbraked (bled brakes and updated pads) and rear suspension didn’t handle NZ roads overly well. Often gave me a bit of a punch in the kidneys. No Tacho and Speedo location was a bit weird. I really liked it otherwise. Would have kept it

[@speaktruth247]

So, why didn't you keep it?

[@StratfordWingRider]

@@speaktruth247see my cons. Suspension wasn’t really good enough for NZ roads - I found braking quite lack lustere even compared to 250s I was riding. Also - I had an opportunity to buy a 06 Honda Blackbird, which is my hero bike, so I did 😂 I sold the Shadow, and the Bird is incredible.

[@speaktruth247]

@StratfordDanBurrell I see. You think the honda shadow would be comfortable to ride for a big guy? 6'1, 230 lbs

[@seg2k22]

@@speaktruth247 Can't say for height (I'm 5'9) but I'm 240 lbs and it carries me just fine.

[@msd85TvT]

I wish this came in 1000cc. For some reason, I always think a Japanese cruiser should be at-this cc as a standard offering.

[@mitchmolina9793]

Miss the vtx

[@joeblow5037]

I had a 2003 Shadow Sabre 1100 in the Burgandy and flames for 10 years great bike

[@johnpejnovich7722]

@msd85TvT, I concur with you and many others that a 1Lt. or even 1200cc offering would be ideal in the Shadow lineup. 🏍️ 👍

[@KB-yj5xp]

" This photography stop is used for us to capture images..." who would have guessed 😂

[@bikerdash4791]

I just wish they would offer cruise control on the Shadows, as well as their 1300cc bikes. Yes, I could easily get cruise control by getting a Rebrl or Gold Wing, butvI really prefer V-twin motorcycles.

[@papimaffia]

Interesting to know that this Shadow is made and manufactured and assembled in Japan cuz the 87 to 93 "the ones I have seen" where made manufactured and assembled in the USA making them more American than the Harley

[@charlesrocks]

This is the greatest motorcycle ever built. All it needs is an 1800cc motor and straight pipes and it would be everything I could ever want in a motorcycle. Also, BRING BACK THE HONDA Valkyrie Rune

[@JH09SUMIT]

How about the RE super-meteor 650 twin?

[@joeblow5037]

build quality

[@aloofbit338]

i got this bike earlier this month. its really fun to ride and fairly comfy. it has a bit of a wobble when decelerating from 50-40mph hoping honda warranty will help me fix this :(

[@growler1149]

Wow this is a great post. Wonder if it’s a common in the others new shadows. Have you brought it back into the dealer? If so what did they say / do ?

[@krispysweekendgarage6892]

Tire pressures

[@superdave103harley]

Does ergonomics have been like that way before the Harley 48 series.. I had a Shadow Spirit 750 and it had drag bars and four controls in 2002... Honda has been doing that bobber since early 2000

[@karlfonner7589]

Nice bike. Just not my style. next up, do the little Kawasaki eliminator. Looks like more fun! Why are all the bikes this year battleship gray?

[@JelloThatsMellow]

Because Harley tried it and everyone else plays follow the leader. They have this in a sexy orange so I'm not complaining.

[@johnpejnovich7722]

Interesting that the Shadows dimensions are bigger than it looks. I'm wondering if Harley looked at the Shadow line up when they developed the Street 500 & 750 bikes. And asked themselves what did Honda get right with the Shadow models.

[@fredstah714]

Good price with reliability to back it up. Sold!

[@stanleydenning]

I ride a 2004 Honda Shadow Aero, VT 750. All of the statistics covered here seem to be the same as my older bike. One would think, that after nineteen years, Honda would have improved in some of these points. Transmission- A 6-speed is more suited. At highway speeds, I always wish for another gear. Horsepower- A little more would be awesome. Fuel mileage is the same. Spite the fuel injection. Mine is carburated. So, I don't see much difference from 2004 to 2024. Where are the improvements? I love my old Shadow. But, there are things that could be improved upon. But, yet I see none. Come on, Honda. Catch up with the times. Do away with the Honda logos? I'm proud to ride a Honda. I show it proudly. And you should too.

[@alq1967]

The tachometer on the tank is so cool

[@leeinwis]

I like the gas gauge .

[@greatbigeye2506]

Would like to see the 1100 parallel twin in a bike with this styling.

[@-JSLAK]

There's the rebel 1100, unless that's not similar enough to the shadow's styling for you.

[@MinhVu-in9iz]

The 1100 parallel twin doesn’t make good sound and doesn’t have the same character as a V twin, all Harvey Davidson have V twin engines!!

[@kennethfinch3629]

I just got rid of my 2023 Rebel 1100 manual.. it has about 86 HP and could probably keep up with my ole Honda vtx 1800..(Sound like a sewing machine). It was hard on my lower back and it is not a cruiser regardless....etc..I'm kinda interested in this shadow tho..

[@MrGdbsti05]

sounds good

[@brucemasson]

I believe I would put 1 1/2 Mini Ape bars 10 to 12 inch. Great beginner bike.

[@houseofroos]

How does the power compare to the Nightster ?

[@AdamWaheed]

Hey man, thanks for the note. We haven't operated any of the water-cooled Sportsters, so we can't comment.

[@jradish]

this is like half the power of a nightster

[@x2d778]

I'm 5'5. Do you think i fit this bike.?

[@leeinwis]

No, get a mid peg cruiser instead.

[@ToddSloanIAAN]

Pretty good but that god-awful sticker in the center of the gas tank I noticed blows. What a waste of Aesthetics!!!!!!!!!!

[@joeblow5037]

I always make them remove the tank stickers before it leaves the dealership

[@hassenfepher]

That Adam. He's alyways following the letter of the law. You won't see him speeding ever😉

[@donhenderson5100]

Very nice. Didn't the Phantom 'evolve' from the Shadow Spirit? I have seen some Spirit's for sale recently. I really like them.

[@carlhands4686]

Yeah. The Aero and Phantom replaced the old Spirit/ACE line I believe

[@sneakypotato4016]

Sorry if you mentioned it Adam, but will this come to Europe too?

[@rickman2267]

Goodvid except not having a good total side view of bike, unless I missed it. Oz.

[@speaktruth247]

I love the look, i just hate the small engine. If Honda would put a beefier engine on these cruisers, they would compete better with harley. That's the only thing stopping me from buying a honda cruiser. It's the lack of power.

[@Magnarmis]

Yeah I wish they would start up their vtx line again.

[@bobriley000444]

40hp doesn't sound right unless there are insane restrictions on it

[@jradish]

yeah it's been about 40hp for 3 decades

[@josevi5835]

Here I am... waiting for that bike landing in Europe. The rear disc and ABS availability might be a hint that this custom bike could be available in Spain.

[@frogman1055]

Twice now you basically said, All right folks, we'll check in with you in a little bit, (what to pass the vehicles in front of you, but didn't want it on the video)? Lol

[@jokinaspiazu]

This is a pretty neat motorcycle, thank you for the review. I really like how well it fits inside the Honda offer right between the Two CMX Rebels I wonder what would it take for @HondaMotorcyclesEU to bring these models to Europe.

[@tristanfilipinasmd9786]

Please release this in the Philippines

[@ohwell2790]

$8399 base price. Add at least $800 for shipping $800d tax, $250 for tags, assembly $150 and the grand total estimate is $10399. I am old but nearly $11,000 is affordable these days. And if it is financed make that $15,000 before it is payed off.

[@yukiko_5051]

Wait until you learn some bicycle cost up to $14000 base price

[@2wheelsr2wheels39]

​@yukiko_5051 But those bicycles are top of the line bikes that any pro would be happy to ride. This is an average motorcycle.

[@yukiko_5051]

@@2wheelsr2wheels39 Wow didn't expect someone to understand why those bikes cost a lot

[@JelloThatsMellow]

​@@yukiko_5051carbon fiber frame, tubeless carbon wheels, and electronic shifting from a non Shimano company? Hell yes I'd be glad to ride one!

[@yukiko_5051]

@@JelloThatsMellow Well to be honest, i ride a $600 carbon bike with full 105 so i don't care about those expensive bikes lol

[@sunsetoriginals7320]

Apparently it’s not against the law to cross a double yellow line. Then he shuts the camera off and passes! 😂.

[@jeanpequignot80]

Hola from good old Mexico city!!!!

[@AdamWaheed]

Hola y bienvenido a nuestro canal de KZbin. Gracias por el comentario.

[@johnv5929]

33 minutes and I can't see a full view of the bike.Dissappointing.

[@joeblow5037]

....waiting for some squid to come in here and pew pew the power 🏍

[@joeblow5037]

@@kleinbottled79 🐛🐠

[@houseofroos]

@@kleinbottled79Honda website says 56

[@gm2256]

too bad they didn't up the engine size a little bit with the refresh. nice lookin bike. And I like that they added ABS. I wish Yamaha would do that with their Bolt!

[@lostsoul3154]

We'd like to hear it idle!!

[@lambertj.2892]

Why?

[@airwarorg]

I bought one. I like the bike because it's pretty, and that's pretty much the only reason I like it... but I don't love it. It's big, it's heavy, it's difficult to work on, some design decisions about it you're just banging your head against a brick wall wondering why... for example, the vacuum operated fuel petcock that can fail, the keys danging off the side, the kickstand safety switch, the rear foot pegs way up high where your back feet cant shift to them to dissipate a leg cramp, you have to constantly be cleaning up the bike and polishing it, the lack of included luggage carrying cargo capacity, the lack of an overdrive 5th gear indicator, the lack of a fuel gauge even though the gas cap is right there one could sit into, the fact the fenders are made out of plastic which scratches easy, the fact that it's absolutely no frills at all, the fact your right leg gets warm in winter right over both pipes, but your left leg freezes, the fact that tires for it... are expensive (compared to my Rebel), the fact that you can't push start it without risking your neck.

[@johnpejnovich7722]

Good points about those issues. However I still like the Shadow lineup. Send more feed back to Honda on those particular matters.

[@tooljst8]

I had a 2007 Honda Shadow Aero 750. A gem of a machine but a horrible, horrible seat.

[@gilbertosampa8140]

Smart guy, not capable to show de front of the bike

[@larsthorwald3338]

"We can't do our normal battery of tests." TRANSLATION: No 12-oclock wheelies, back-ins, stoppies or burn-outs. hahaha

[@Ron-rk6iz]

The Camera is also made in Japan …..

[@LilGrims20]

🤦🏼‍♂️ chopper it’s a chopper 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

[@leeinwis]

Get in da choppa if you want to leeeve !

[@richardsoto6957]

"Always practice safe riding"....cuts video to pass vehicle

[@jamesonpace726]

How u manage to get through the whole thing without laughing hysterically? 41 years? Wow....

[@cosmozellman]

Adam Waheed is so weird that it's hard to focus on the bike.

[@houseofroos]

He’ll grow on you. Totally authentic;)

[@rubo1964]

so after 20+years Honda added rear disk break...Yawn....to already same bike...double yawn....Someone should tell Honda seriously wake up and smell the coffee offer something worth buying! Why would you spend 8k+ for same bike you can get for 2k on used market in pristine condition. Honda should of done 1100CC version

[@jaywinters2483]

HD discontinued entry level bike: 883 Sportster. HD wants to sell only high-end. Look at Indian now. This is a good bike. Want to hear bike. He;s talking too much.

[@lambertj.2892]

$8500 for this bike, and that's before all the fees they tack on to it. Ridiculous!

[@oakeydoakey1]

Do your homework sport.

[@Airpang100]

Looks 1990s vintage. Who buys cruisers nowadays?

[@davhuf3496]

👍Me

[@muhammadridhwan977]

u twitching a lot

[@leklusakkoklu]

Is there a fuel gauge on this bike?