7 Surprising Honda Shadow Facts

In this video, we're spilling the beans on not one, not two, but MANY surprising facts about the Honda Shadow that make them legendary bikes.
You can find many of the aftermarket parts featured in this video on shoptjbc.com/
So, whether you're a seasoned rider or new to the motorcycle scene, drop trou' and join us as we explore why the Honda Shadow series deserves a prime spot in your garage. Hit that play button and let's rip!

[@clarson2916]

Bought my first motorcycle 3 1/2 years ago. I’m 6’2” and 210lbs, but I spent that first year riding a 250cc Yamaha across the country twice. Watching KZbin videos, many of those creators were using your parts, lead me to my second motorcycle, the amazing Honda Shadow 600. Between spending that first year on a 250, and the last 2 1/2 years on the Honda Shadow 600, I’m sure you can guess I’ve been told more than a few times I need a bigger motorcycle. I’ve ridden over 40,000 miles in 3 years, with trips on the Honda to Mexico and Alaska. I can assure everyone that the Honda Shadow 600 can handle it all just fine. I’ve never felt uncomfortable on the Shadow. I’ve spent about $800 on tires, but otherwise, oil, filters, spark plugs, brake shoes… probably less than $500 in maintenance. I’ve never broken down, and I’ve been a long way from help on more than a few occasions. It’s 2024, and me and my 2007 Honda Shadow are still going strong.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Best comment I've gotten in a long time!!! Hell yeah!! Thanks for sharing man!!

[@scottgeorge4760]

You rock ! ., I've got a SR250 Yamaha Exciter , the little Yamaha is a single cylinder and I've ridden it all over my County and nearby Counties . I've just bought a 750 Honda Shadow Spirit and hand bent a 2-1/2 foot Sissy bar for it .

[@kens5871]

Amazing. Ppl really overlook smaller displacement bikes nor understand its capabilities. I’m on. Ktm 390 right now after riding 750plus cc all my life !

[@johnjenkins9202]

You know what Honda stands for? Harley owners need dependable alternatives 👍💯😂

[@mariosmeadows]

Definitely

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Haha! That's gold!!!

[@johnjenkins9202]

@@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS you know how to tell when somebody's paid too much money for their car ? Play don't have enough left over to PAY ATTENTION 😂😂 I ride 90% of the time the other 10% is pickup truck

[@stanleydenning]

Yesterday, I went out to my garage, looking for something to do. " Hmmmm... I guess I'll work on my Shadow." After careful consideration, I realized there was nothing that needed to be done to it. So, I just went for a ride. 😁

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Hahaha!!! I love it!

[@edwardkeeter762]

One thing that is an endless task on my 04 is trying to keep the rust/corrosion on the wheels in check, but yeah, otherwise change the fluids and plugs on a regular schedule, and it's a fire-and-forget bike.

[@tomconte1765]

I had a 1989 Shadow 600 with flame paint job. I loved it. Only complaint is the bike has a high center of gravity and like to fall over easily. You can't go wrong when buying a "Hondo". I have a 2023 Honda Grom now. Love it.

[@edwardkeeter762]

I picked up an 04 Shadow 750 Aero this year and I flipping love it. Really the only flaw in it is the g****mn oil dipstick, which is unreliable and hard to read. A sight glass would be an infinite improvement. Otherwise it's damn near perfect, especially with an aftermarket exhaust to let it really growl. It won't win many drag races, but otherwise it has plenty of power/torque for real-world riding and even touring, and in exchange for that, you get 56MPH. These bikes deserve so much more respect than they get.

[@BrancoFXDC]

Rode my 1998 Shadow 750 ACE from Toronto, On- Whistler BC through the rocky mountains, some days I would hit 1000 miles on a stockish (Bars, exhaust only mods) and It handled the trip flawlessly, only wish it had more passing power on the highway.

[@gingerking8834]

So glad I found your channel, I let my nephew ride my Shadow, and was afraid he totaled it, now I have a new project.

[@Ironhorse360DEG]

i bought an 87 vt1100cc shadow in july of 88. $3600, 3rd owner, had 620 miles on it when purchased. 1990 i took it to the local dragstrip, it ran 13.65seconds, at 96mph, in 1/4mile, never used 4th gear. 91 i took it racing again, but after a wheelie at the starting line, i put wheelie bars on it. i ran semi pro ET 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95. 2400+ wide open passes during those years. i still have it, and an 89 model, but dont ride it anymore, i ride an hd fatboy daily. i am 6'5, gone from 170 to 240, and i'm now old. lol the shadow was a blast, shaft drive, buck horns, and reliable as the day is long.

[@user-px2xz1bu1x]

I had a 2001 Honda Shadow Spirt 1100 and loved it. Very nice looking and very dependable.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Right on!

[@colbert6122]

Just got my first bike, 1988 Honda Shadow VT800C. ❤

[@justincarlfilms]

Hey,just subscribe to your channel like what you do, brother. I picked a 07 honda shadow vt600cd back in February, and I'm loving the bike. Your adle comment was an eye-opener for me, which made sense enjoying your channel. You're super funny. I can't wait to see more

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Congratulations dude!! Enjoy the ride! And thank you for the comment!! 🙏🏽

[@danlopez2012]

for future reference, if it hasn't already been stated, dousche actualyy helps remove skunk funk. Jussayn :) Great Vid!

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Thanks for that!

[@alexanderludwig2824]

Rocking my 98 1100 spirit with 65,000km running like a champ! after a recent slow speed dump, in would be wicked if someone made a "dyna styled" crash bar for the shadows ;) ;)'

[@tshadow6]

My re entry bike was a Honda VLX Shadow 600. I put 40K miles on that bike until I moved up to my Triumph Bonneville T100.

[@brucevernon5827]

I gave my Shadow Spirit to my Son in law for work after I had done 120 thousand ks ,in that time I had it,I averaged 40 thousand ks from tyres and replaced a battery, apart from regular oil change, never even replaced plugs fuz or light bulb,I bought a FLHTK ultra limited, but the shadow is my favorite reliable bike I have owned in 50 years of riding

[@brianlove3802]

Seen a short on FB super glad I found ya . You rock

[@donkarnes5946]

I've had an '06 750 spirit since 2015. Only had 2k mi. when I got it. Now only has 11k. very comfortable for long rides and dependable.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Excellent bike!!!

[@tomeg1370]

bouth my vt 750 c2 this year and i'm really liking it. Changing rear sprocket to 38T from 41 soon and will see how it works out. lots of folks recomend it.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Congratulations! Personally I hate that sprocket change crap. Turns the bike into a pig when taking off. I don't get how people can't handle the minimal vibration of a honda at high speeds. Try riding an old triumph or a rigid harley your kidneys, lumbar discs and teeth will rattle out 😆. To each his own I guess but any time I've had a bike with a goofy sprocket I put it back to stock. Bike takes off quick and rides great. But what do i know. 🤷🏻‍♂️🍻🍻 cheers mate! And have fun!!!

[@tomeg1370]

​@@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS Thanks. I have it since January and still learning and discovering stuff :D if i will not like it esp. since i'm a little bigger guy :D i willl go back to stock one.

[@jeremiahjohnson9287]

Bro just subscribed checked out the shop and I will picking some stuff up I have a 08 750 shadow sprit thanks for showing just how awesome this bikes are 👍😎

[@eirinaiosvorkas5939]

We agree with you master!!a question velocity stack and back draft exhaust for pilot jet 48 or 50

[@joshuaskywalker3182]

Got my first bike. Shadow 600. Just ordered some parts from you a few days ago just waiting now 😂

[@user-tv8nm3cb6m]

#8 - Replacing the stock rear 44T sprocket with a 40T or 39T one will make the Shadow 600 highway (130 kp/h cruise speed) capable... right? #9 - All you have to do to get a nice sound out of a Shadow 600 is the holesaw mod and get the baffles/db-killers out

[@charliewalls3264]

I’ve been persuaded! Once I’m back on my feet I’m getting one to chopperfy!

[@davidmcguinness9187]

Thanks for the video

[@tgalbraith2152]

Informative, funny, good shit. I'm already chopping after teo weeks, cos theres bugger all else I can do on her except ride and pollish her.

[@moorcedes4092]

Love my VT600! Best Bike for driving & to work on it. greeeez from Austria 🇦🇹🤘🏻

[@TheSomberlain93]

6:38 Damn right, lost count of how many times i used my 98 Shadow 600 to deliver parts to a shop for a harley i used to own.

[@thomaswaldorf9141]

I wish you would review the 06 shadow saber 1100

[@thomasgarrison3949]

I made a big mistake by trading my 2003 Honda Shadow VT750 with 250K miles on it, for a 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900, the 750cc Shadow could hit 110mph with 500 lbs of passenger on it, the 900cc Vulcan can barely hit 85mph with 500 lbs of passenger on it. What's more the Honda will run for 1M+ miles.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Ha yeah its hard to beat a honda!

[@joshuachavira6666]

Need a dual carburetor tuning vid please !!!

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Already on the channel dude. Search dual carb

[@Joebauers2505]

Only 2 bikes ive owned that didnt fail me. My honda Vlx and my honda Cb400t rather upset i sold them.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Proof Is in the pudding

[@cyclesandcigars]

Love my 97

[@DieselDog1982]

I’ll work on HDs, but my everyday commuter is a Shadow 1100.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Right on man!!! I can appreciate when people are realistic about antiquated technology! Sure Harleys can be cool as hell! But I'm not deluding myself into thinking it's a dependable well made machine! But hey, motorcycles are fun, period!

[@DieselDog1982]

@@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS They are fun, but not so much when you’re having to worry about them causing problems, or not fitting in with the right crowd because they aren’t accessorised as the mainstream HD minion would want them to be 😂

[@dylanhines8256]

hey tj man i got a question and idk if im just being dumb or not, sorry if its a dumb question but i figured i’d ask, my shadow has a problem its a single carb but the slide wont move the throttle cable is connected there’s no slack in the line or anything, it ran fine awhile ago but one day it just wouldn’t move, is this a problem with the vacuum? i’d appreciate if you could get back to me, thanks man

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Pull it apart man. Could just be some dirt in there🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tjson7917]

I sold my shadow and bought a harley but damn, every time I see a TJ ad or video it makes me wanna buy a 600vlx to chop up

[@martincvitkovich724]

want to

[@DareDevil0504]

2 years ago I got a 2006 Shadow 600 Deluxe with 9k mileage and my only complaint is when I go 60 in a 45 I still have cars passing me

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Gotta tune it up mang!!

[@DareDevil0504]

@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS yea probably it's been a slow process for me to work on it with my life schedule but it only has 9000 miles when I bought it and now has a little under 13000 miles but it did sit in a basement for 10 years collecting dust when I bought it and the person rebuilt the carb before they shipped it down to me but also since I got it after the first 6 months I spent 6 months tracking down a fuel leak problem I thought was the carb but turned out being the fuel pump, been watching your videos the last few days to learn more on tuning and stuff since last time me and my step dad worked on tuning his old bike he gave me for graduation 11 years ago it ended in him catching it in fire

[@michaelwandag3729]

What can you say about using pure copper gasket on shadow 750

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

I don't understand the question. They work great?

[@wolfeyes9357]

Selling my spottster and either getting vlx 600 or vulcan 800.

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

I'm obviously biased but the 600 is the jam! 😎🍻

[@GeorgeJacques-bg8nv]

I don't know about the 600 I'm about 230 lb and 6 ft I would definitely take a 750 Honda Shadow I own a Sportster 883 Sportster I know you mentioned it before but what is the best year 750 Honda Shadow to look for

[@user-fe1vg8ib9w]

I own a 2000 vt750. The battery covers from Ali is ugly af and is the only option i can get. Love the work you done with the battery cover. Did you make it yourself? If not, where can i buy one?

[@robellis1616]

I need your help! I’m sooo stumped man I’ve replaced almost everything on my 98 honda shadow 750 replaced engine, carbs rebuilt, fuel pump, fuel filter, new spark plugs, has spark on all plugs, still sputtering when I give it throttle please help thank you!!!

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

I'm sorry man I can't diagnose via comments section, but it sounds like you might need to tube? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@scottsingleton2951]

Shadows can be got cheap, had a 08 750 that cost me $1500 with under 4k miles. After 5 years I got stupid and traded it for an FJR. Found a 03 VLX for $1,000 in great shape with low miles. Great, fun bikes

[@scowlsmcjowls2626]

Old jimmy two times got that 2nd shadow.. calls it shadows shadow. They migjt call it a poor mans harley but thats cus it wont break the bank on repairs😂

[@hannahrohowskyj734]

I love hondas, i love choppers. Im constantly debating back and forth whether to build a sporty or a shadow... but the shadows always just look a little wrong to me 😅 i hate to say it. Something about the proportions is wrong.

[@Cultureshockcrew]

I have Honda blue coolant I bought for my 2008 Honda accord can I use that coolant in my 2002 shadow 750?

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Jesus christ no. Please no. Go get some motorcycle coolant like coolanol

[@Cultureshockcrew]

@@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS thank you 🙏🏼 sorry if that was a dumb question this is my first liquid cooled bike. I’ve had all air cooled before this

[@mayfairsmith4697]

I want to build that bike. Which model you start with?

[@edwardkeeter762]

I think you'd want a 600 or the 750 Shadow RS, as those were both chain drive models and l think otherwise most shadows are shaft drive.

[@mayfairsmith4697]

@@edwardkeeter762thanks

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

This is a Vt600 2007.

[@brosephjoseph9178]

Do you by any chance have plans for making a bolt on mid control kit for the 600 shadow?

[@kennethallison4804]

Bought my 07 Shadow Sabre for $1,600. Only had 17k on it!

[@noahperius8291]

Oil change every 2-3k miles seems like a lot of maintenance I’d have to change my oil every month

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

That's correct. There's not a lot of oil capacity and the oil is in the clutch, it gets dirty fast. You could change the oil every 6k miles, but, you're just hastening the engine wear and eventual failure

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Do what works best for you. not everyone can afford it, I get that.

[@noahperius8291]

@@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS makes sense, thanks for the reply!

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

@@noahperius8291 no prob man! Thanks for watching!!!

[@weston4237]

With the 750 Spirit DC got more love and parts. Im over here hating myself sometimes having a spirit 750 and wishing I had bought a 600. lol. womp womp

[@jerrybigrig]

😎👍😎

[@josealvarado2172]

Got a nice shadows 750 bobber avaliable for all you fine gents 😅

[@caseyadams437]

I fuckin love you dude #hondashadowsforlife

[@offtime915]

Except…the sabre

[@TJBRUTALCUSTOMS]

Fuck that red-headed stepchild of awful engineering

[@scottgeorge4760]

I had a 1982 750 V45 Honda Sabre and road it for years and bought a Yamaha SR250 and still have it , but I also got a 450 Nighthawk for longer rides.

[@bierdan82]

Is that a rolex?

[@davidccarlen6260]

We beed more sabre 1100 parts

[@schwarzweissjinge2551]

Just chopped my 750 ace