Honda Shadow RS long term review

The shadow story, my long lived-tried and trusty Honda Shadow RS has been through so much and lives to tell the story.

[@Heroesworkshop]

The stock exhaust on this bike sounds incredible!

[@xFuNyUnZx]

i just purchased a 2011 rs myself last month. mines the red, white and blue scheme. its my first bike and i absolutely love it and i have zero complaints so far!

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I like the red,white and blue a lot, it’s a good looking bike. Enjoy! It will bring you miles of low maintainance happiness!

[@adamhill-fp7xd]

I had a 04 aero for several yrs. Great bike as a daily. Not flashy not the most outlandish but dependable and reliable. Enough power to scoot n boot but not throw u off. Overall a great bike and fun to ride

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Totally agree😎

[@buddyweiser8508]

I have a 2012 RS that I bought new, and it has around 20k on it, and like you I have since acquired “better” bikes, but I just can’t bring myself to part with it, it’s just such a good bike. I really feel it’s probably the most overlooked Honda shadow ever, and being chain drive, it’s probably the fastest with this particular iteration of the 750 engine. Mine does have about every accessory that was available when it was newer, cobra tach, intake, exhaust, fuel controller, as well as some of the OEM stuff Honda offered at the time. In truth though, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it stock, I doubt if any of the performance oriented stuff even gave it anything over 5 more hp. The real upgrade to me was I put Metzeler cruisetechs on it. It’s unreal how far you can lean the thing over in a tight curve, it handles great. Great video, and nice review, it’s nice to see another RS on the road.

[@lena19191]

Don’t part with it , it’s a classic . I love mine and with the v twin it’s the most sweetest ride around . I class mine as a sporty roadster

[@chrismccallum8740]

Great video with really sensible observations. Thanks so much!

[@mw8653]

Just put a deposit down on the same bike will pick it up in a couple of weeks, your review confirms for me I made the right choice.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

You won’t be disappointed, it’s not the fastest and it’s not the sportiest but it strikes a great balance in the twisties and city traffic alike.

[@conlahondavt750s]

I have one from 2011 and it already has 53,000 km. and without any problem. It came with Dunlop tires and I changed them for the Metzeler ones, with these the bike goes much better. All the best.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

The metzler tire are great, I’ve used them on 3 bikes now and they are always a treat. Happy riding out there!

[@uncleconconz894]

Great video mate ! Gorgeous bike. I’m 6’3 and around 210, hoping to get one of these

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Glad you enjoyed it, I don’t think you will be disappointed in the shadow. I’m 6 foot and it fit me great.

[@kenjeeroker1487]

I really loved this video A lot of wisdom about biking culture also very informative. I just got a rebel and this is the next bike I'm thinking about getting for longer and farther rides to the beach and springs in Florida

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I really enjoyed my 7 years with the shadow. It served me well and stood the test of time. I don’t think you will be disappointed. It’s a great next bike after the rebel. Happy riding!

[@sladetheblade48]

Loved the vid! I have an 03 Shadow 750 Spirit I got in Dec 2019 w 17k miles and I just hit 24k 2 weeks ago, I actually posted a 40 second clip of it on my channel, but anyway I’m glad I found this video you gained a new watcher and subscriber! Stay safe and watch out for other people, they can’t drive 😂

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Glad you enjoyed the video, the shadows are great bikes. Thanks for the love! You stay safe out there too, happy riding😎

[@kamugeza]

Just bought the same bike because of your opinions ...Thanks mate !

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Glad to hear that, enjoy it. She will give you years of good riding!

[@jonathanechevarria7471]

I work and live in downtown Denver. My neighbor has stolen my sportbike. I replaced it with the Honda Shadow 1100 spirit. Used cars and motorcycles prices have skyrocketed. It's crazy. I got 4 Less Than 2000 put about another 2000 into it. It was clean I just didn't like the cut off exhaust and handlebars and the seat needs to be replaced. Looks pretty Sharp it sounds amazing now. I'm surprised on the compliments I get. I don't think I would use the word cute to describe anything on my motorcycle. I bought this bike for two reasons it was cheap and the theft issues.

[@azdesertdog]

A freind of mine had a Shadow ACE. We were plumber on the job. He would load his tools in the saddle bags every day and ride back and forth rain, snow or sunshine.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

It’s a great workhorse bike, thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoyed the shadow story

[@tomyheap]

good review!

[@reteptetep5078]

Great review and nice filming. I come from a dirt background like you, and after 9 off-road bikes, I'm thinking of picking up a Shadow RS as my first road bike. It just seems like such a simple, chilled-out bike to do some lazy road trips on.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I think if you do pick up a shadow RS you will find the setup to feel great coming from the dirt bike background. Happy riding!

[@IronChambersTheOfficialChannel]

did you end up getting the RS ?

[@reteptetep5078]

@@IronChambersTheOfficialChannel No, still riding dirt bikes at this point. Hoping to get a Shadow RS or SCR950 soon though.

[@IronChambersTheOfficialChannel]

@@reteptetep5078 Its going to be my 3rd season of riding so I dont have years of experience but I`ve owned 6 bikes in 2 seasons LoL. When the instructors at the driving school asked me which bike I wish to have, I replied Yamaha SCR950 because the style reflects my character. Though I began with the Honda CBR250, it was so much fun but I was too leaned over, then a Suzuki GW250 and the position was upright like riding a mountain bike which was so natural for me but I wanted to move up in CC so I got a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and she was so good and loyal. I got rid of her because my ego said go faster so I found a Suzuki Katana 750 and it was thrilling but too much for me so I sold it and got a Triumph Thunderbird 900. It was a very beautiful bike and very close to my dream bike of the SCR950 but it kept shutting off on me while driving on the highway and Im not handy with bikes so I sold it and finally discovered the Honda Shadow RS. I always knew that Hondas were the best built bikes, you can feel it when you ride them compared to how " cheap " Suzukis were put together. Kawasaki was solid too, never rode a Yamaha but everything about the Honda RS was just so perfect for me. This bike fitted me so perfectly based on my height, weight, arm reach, leg length, etc...I always wanted to cruise, I didnt care about going super fast, I just wanna cruise. So my advice to you is to sit on and test ride the Shadow RS, see how you feel, the position, etc... Dirt bikes were always my dream to have as a kid, they are so cool !! So perhaps the RS, SCR950 or a Yamaha MT07 suits you. The RS will be the easiest to gain experience on if your new to riding and its fuel injected so no carbs. @anthonyridesphilly did a great review on this bike !

[@IronChambersTheOfficialChannel]

you can see my RS here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3K2m3SohZ6UlZY@@reteptetep5078

[@brentfellers9632]

Got me a 14 phantom. Never let her go.

[@peterrodriguez608]

Love that bike just bought 02 ace 750 love it

[@anthonyridesphilly]

That’s awesome Peter, enjoy it and ride safe!

[@CarlosTorres-jl9ms]

I have the same bike and it is just awesome...it is a shadow but the fact that it is different from her sisters makes it look and ride just great !!!

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Totally agree!

[@juanmaza8575]

I like the location of the speedometer so I do not have to look down and centered gas cap compared to my 2012 Spirit.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I always felt that way too, it’s way more ergonomic up on the bars.

[@gphilipc2031]

With good tires only ... try 40 psi front and rear. Makes it a lot easer to push around. My rule about autos is to give Cagers all the room they want to eff up ... but not on you. My Shadow Spirit 1100 will be 20 yrs old in 2024. Still runs as new ... with proper maintenance of course.

[@DB-vf4se]

Hey great video! I have an RS as well and love it! I'm looking to do something with my bars do you happen to know what's the risers you mention in the video to bring the bars back are and if you have a link for them I'd love to look into them for mine! Thanks and ride safe!

[@anthonyridesphilly]

www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rox-extended-stem-pivoting-risers-for-1-handlebars They are 2” Rox risers, for 1” handlebars. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@CapoKabar]

Greatest bike ever

[@robynbanks7110]

Have the same bike 2013 Shadow RS. Cannot find any mods for this bike. No fairing, windshield, large luggage bags or sissy bar. Searched all over the internet. Purchased many items that websites stated "Fits Your Bike" but it does not.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I can relate to that. I’ve looked into some mods in the past and the only thing I could find is the cobra air box replacement. It’s worth looking at but I decided to keep mine stock because I ride in the rain and the aftermarket box is susceptible to getting water in the filter.

[@lena19191]

Love mine , sweetest v twin that calmly rumbles and barks when prompted. I’ve got bar end mirrors and reduced a few unnecessary items around the motor . I put a single tail light on and use tiny indicators to clean the tail and front end up . I took out the spark arrests , and drilled some holes for some more rumble , I don’t recommend it as I get a tiny amount of midrange loss occasionally . Buy proper pipes if you can find them . Others wise best bike I’ve ever own .

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Hey Lena glad you’ve enjoyed it, it’s a great bike! I always thought about removing the baffles but it seemed like somthing I would regret. I stuck with the stock configuration on the exhaust and just accepted that I would never hear myself when riding with my Harley buddies😂

[@lena19191]

@@anthonyridesphilly hi from Australia, I used a metal hole saw to remove the centre and it sounds great . Then I got a drill with an extension arm and drilled down the centre of the pipes and I think it sometimes doesn’t have enough back pressure and has stalled once . If you can find some 2nd hand pipes from the wrecker give it a go , it’s a very unique sound but just remove the first baffle at the tip of the exhaust. Sounds better than a Harley .

[@randallreece3636]

Great video. Excellent bike. Bullet proof.

[@henryhenry4377]

Like your bike I have the same model .just wondering do you have saddle bags what brand I am looking get bags.TY.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I bought the bike used with the bags already installed. I want to say that they were a genuine accessory. But I will say that they have the saddlebag support rails installed and if you get those (a Honda genuine accessory) then you can get most bags on the bike as long as they done touch the exhaust pipe. Sorry if that’s not to helpful but there is no brand printed on the saddlebags.

[@anthonytomassi6561]

Hey brother. I have same bike. luv it! May I ask, where did you purchase the handlebar risers and could you provide me with the link pls?

[@anthonyridesphilly]

www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rox-extended-stem-pivoting-risers-for-1-handlebars They are 2” Rox risers, for 1” handlebars. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@anthonytomassi6561]

@@anthonyridesphilly thx very much!

[@PCDoctorUSA]

Would you consider this suitable for a new rider? My wife is 5'6" and she tip-toes on my FZ6. Lower cc bikes like the Honda CB models and Kawasaki Ninjas have a "slightly" lower seat height that might work, but almost impossible to find any decent used ones right now in my area that aren't ridiculously overpriced. I've found a 2013 Honda Shadow RS for $4k with 31k miles that's extremely clean. I guess my biggest concern is the bike's weight. My FZ6 is 390# (dry) but it feels top heavy. How is the weight positioned on the RS? BTW, kudos on wearing full gear. I commute daily on my bike in Honolulu and would never consider pulling out w/o full gear regardless of the weather.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

The short answer is yes, but it will be a learning curve with slow speed maneuvers. Once rolling it feels super balanced and the weight is very low slung so I can say confidently that if my 5’3” girlfriend had no trouble with it that those extra 3” that your wife has on her will only help with the slow speed stuff. The power isn’t going to scare her, it’s tame and torquey. It’s just a little heavy to get up off the kickstand at first but that’s the hardest part. I really found it to be a very well balanced motorcycle. Hope you can get out for a test ride on it to make sure. That would be enough to tell if she can handle the weight. Cheers, and happy riding!

[@AcerTheRed]

Im about to purchase one of these but in the White, blue and red color scheme. The stock tires are tube tires right? Have you had any problems with them?

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I like the red, white and blue. The stock tires are tube style. I never had any issues. Honestly I caught a few screws over the years that didn’t make it all the way through the tire to the tube and was always happy when I pulled them out and didn’t lose any air. I like tubes personally, they are cheap to replace in the event that they do get popped.

[@walterherrera6614]

I have the 2010 model, where can i get the forward pegs

[@anthonyridesphilly]

It’s always been really hard to find aftermarket parts for this bike because the rs model was only produced for three years. Mine was bone stock. Sold it last year for a CB1000

[@henryhenry4377]

Hi I like your bike I'm just wondering how do you lock your helmet on your bike with saddle bags on .honda shadow has side lock for your helmet.Ty.

[@anthonyridesphilly]

Unfortinetly the saddlebags block me from using the helmet lock. So I bought a small lock to strap the helmet to the passenger backrest instead. It’s a good work around

[@aks13v35]

MPG in city?

[@anthonyridesphilly]

I would guess around 45-50mpg but it has no gas gauge so I never really knew. I filled it up once a month and enjoyed my short daily commutes

[@IronChambersTheOfficialChannel]

I get about 125 miles on a full tank before she needs a refill@@anthonyridesphilly