Getting started with riding a motorcycle is no rocket science, but you need to pick the right poison to start the journey with. There are various types of motorcycles out there, but not all have the simplicity that it takes to make a noob comfortable. Cruisers are the most laid-back ones of the bunch, and it scores highly on the comfort factor, which is a major take for newcomers into the motorcycling world.
Honda Shadow Phantom is one such proposition that has what it takes to be a pretty good beginner bike. Honda is not so new to the laid-back cruising segment, but the Japanese automaker has taken the safer route with its modern wave of machines, unlike yesteryears.
But they still manage to bring forth the essence that it once put forth and tries to stay on par with the iconic likes of Harley-Davidsons and Indian motorcycles. The key aspects involved in making a 'beginner' motorcycle are comfort, nimbleness, and a linear performance curve. Honda ticks all of these boxes and more with the Shadow Phantom and makes a very promising case among beginner-friendly motorcycles.
The Honda Shadow Phantom ticks all of the boxes of being a comfortable and confidence-inspiring beginner bike.
Linear Performance Curve Makes It A Tamable Machine
A linear torque curve is a norm among cruisers, but with a 756cc V-twin motor, it's a new take. Most cruisers from Harley-Davidsons are upwards of 1000cc and its high compression nature clearly caters to the slow and tractable performance curve. But Honda manages to do it to a peppy liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin and churn out about 45 horses. It is coupled to a 5-Speed gearbox that is not the generic clunky and long travel ones found in bulky cruisers.
In short, Honda has built the Shadow Phantom to be an easy-going city cruiser and thus slides into being a very good beginner motorcycle with its predictable performance figures. The Fuel-injection system makes living with it also easy as there is no hassle of warming up the engine. Another winning aspect is that it returns a total of 56 MPG which gives a range of about 200 miles, enough for your daily lessons.
Quite A Nimble Motorcycle, Despite Being A Cruiser
The low-slung form factor of the Honda Shadow Phantom should technically make it a pain-in-the-ass during city commutes due to the generic facts of a cruiser being a wide and lousy turner. But Honda has brought in a twist to the dynamics of this laid-back cruiser that makes it both competitively nimble and city-friendly.
Honda has dialed down on the curb weight with just 560 lbs. that makes it very much impressive for a cruiser. For reference, the cheapest and least powerful Harley Davidson Softail comes in at 630 lbs. The riding layout is still old-school with an obtuse rack angle that adds to its stability. So it is going to take more tarmac to turn around, but you won't feel the weight on your hands.
Comfortable Upright Riding Posture; Ride Height Is A Spot-On
Cruisers have the most comfortable seating positions of any motorcycles out there. The footpegs are positioned forward and you sit upright with a fairly wide handle-bar. The seat is wide and provides ample cushioning to give you a sore-free bottom. Add all this to the lower ride height, and you have a beginner-friendly recipe.
There is ample suspension travel with 4.6 in. of travel from the 41mm front forks and 3.5 in. of travel from the pre-load adjustable rear shocks. The brakes are fairly sufficient with a dual-piston 296, disc up front, and 180 mm drums at the rear. The thick wide tires are rated at 120 mm upfront and 160 mm at the rear, which provides for added confidence at all times. The only downside it packs is the absence of ABS even as an option. So if ABS is a prime factor, then going for the Honda Shadow Phantom will suffice.
Clean Sweeping Lines, And An Easy-On-The Eye Design
Honda has positioned the Shadow Phantom above its Rebel twins. It takes the age-old cruiser formula of building a low-slung bulky and laid-back motorcycle and adds a few modern touches to it. It sure has a few cues that have the essence of good old American Vintage Cruisers from the 1950s. But Honda's pick on keeping things simple has done the trick here.
Moreover, the weight is crucial which the Japanese automaker has managed to drastically cut and this makes a good case for a beginner motorcycle. It is offered in 2 shades only - black and white, Simple Right?! Chunky tires, a wide well-padded seat, and a generous splash of chrome make it stay in the vibe. It looks rugged yet aesthetically pleasing to make you feel comfortable.
Foolproof Honda Reliability And Happy-Go Pricing
Reliability has always been the ace up Honda's sleeve and it plays a very crucial role here. Honda Engines are made to last an apocalypse and so it's safe to say that the Shadow Phantom will not bother you with any pestering problems. Vouching for a new Honda Shadow is a win-win as it packs a factory warranty package that includes 1 year of transferable, unlimited mileage warranty, and flexible extended optional warranty available with HondaCare Protection Plan.
It is quite rare for people to go for a cruiser as their learner motorcycle, but Honda has given an eased-out approach that makes it even more soothing to just jump on one and worry about nothing. In fact, the Honda Shadow Phantom has been made popular, even by new lady-riders across the globe, thus showcasing its beginner-friendly characteristics.
Sources: Powersports.honda.com, Totalmotorcycle.com, Ridermagazine.com, Topspeed.com, Webbikeworld.com, Rideapart.com