First Impression: 2010 Honda Shadow RS

First Impression 2010 Honda Shadow RS KEVIN WING

A Bare Bones Bargain Cruiser

neighborhood of 37 hp and just over 40 lb.-ft. of torque if our previous dyno experience with the little Shadow motor is any indication (Honda doesn’t like to quote hp and torque figures). Blipping the throttle produces an exhaust note that sounds ready and willing enough, although the RS’ ability to get with the program is limited by its lackluster acceleration. In fact, it feels best when you’re not trying to hustle it. Short-shifting and taking advantage of its decent low-end torque is the best way to get the RS’ 507 lbs. (claimed curb weight) up to speed. That said, it still offers a soulful, joyful ride at anything up to 75 mph, making it useful for cruising the freeway as well as the boulevard. And with a claimed 56 mpg and a 2.8-gal. fuel tank with a 0.7-gal. reserve, the fun will last about 175 miles between fill-ups. The RS’ slick-shifting, wide-ratio 5-speed transmission feels as though it is matched well to the engine’s output. Its cableoperated clutch is smooth and progressive, and there is no significant driveline lash through its chain final drive.

Chassis & Suspension

by Scott Rousseau

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IRST INTRODUCED IN 1983, Honda’s Shadow 750 cruiser line

actually predates Harley-Davidson’s entire Softail clan by a year, and it has held a place in Honda’s family of metric cruiser models ever since. Although not to the same degree as its Milwaukee rivals, the Shadow line has certainly enjoyed its own loyal following; the various 700-800cc displacement models bearing the trademark name have sold over 250,000 units alone— and that’s to say nothing of the 500cc, 600cc or over-1000cc Shadow models that have also enjoyed healthy sales. For 2010, Honda has returned it to its roots by introducing two bare-bones Shadow 750s, the blacked-out Shadow Phantom and the roadsterstyled Shadow RS shown here. Honda recently introduced the RS by taking MCN on a short tour of the Southern California coast, and then surprised us with a special shop tour of American automobile racing icon Dan Gurney’s All American Racers, Inc. facilities. For auto racing fans, Gurney needs no introduction, but hard-core motorcycle fans should also know that Gurney has a passion for two-wheelers as well, and even designed his own limited-edition sportbike, the Alligator, powered by a heavily modified Honda single (tested Dec. 2003). In their own ways, both represent motorcycling stripped to its bare essentials, although the Alligator is a radical recumbent $35,000 sportbike and the RS retails for $7799.

Engine & Transmission The Shadow Phantom and Shadow RS models supercede the Shadow Aero 750c and Shadow Spirit 750, which are not being imported into the US for 2010. The Phantom mixes styling cues from both of its predecessors with extra attitude in the form of a “tough-guy” blacked-out graphic treatment, while the RS is designed to be more of a gentlemanly roadster, with styling that will inevitably draw comparison between it and Harley-Davidson’s Sportster 883 models. Both models use V-twin power for motivation, although the RS features a revised version of the 52°, liquid-cooled, SOHC engine that replaced the Shadow’s original 45° V-twin with the introduction of the Shadow 750 ACE in 1998. But instead of a CV carburetor, its three valves per cylinder—two 26mm intakes, and a single 33mm exhaust—are now fed by Honda’s PGM-FI fuelinjection with a single 34mm throttle body. Its slightly oversquare 79 x 76mm bore and stroke yield a 745cc displacement, with a 9.6:1 compression ratio that should produce somewhere in the 28

AUGUST 2010

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MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS

While the RS bears some resemblance to the ’09 Shadow Spirit 750, its steel chassis clearly has more sporting intentions, with a steeper 32° rake and 5.27" of trail (vs. 34° and 6.33") that make it relatively light-steering for a cruiser. The RS handled the few twists and turns we sampled without a tad of nervousness, and yet its 61.5" wheelbase offers straight-line stability that is plenty reassuring, which should make it an excellent candidate for beginners or returning riders. The RS uses Showa suspension components, with a nonadjustable 41mm conventional fork providing 4.6" of wheel travel up front, while twin outboard shocks with 5-way preload adjustability deliver a mere 3.5" of rear wheel travel. The fork and stubby rear shocks do an adequate job of taming the road, although we wouldn’t run out and look for a windscreen and a pair of saddlebags with which to traverse Texas on the RS. Still, it is nice to know that Honda engineers paid enough attention to deliver suspension that is well composed for a motorcycle at this price point.

Brakes, Wheels & Tires The RS wears Dunlop D404 tires, a 100/90-19 front and 150/80-16 rear, on spoke wheels. Braking duties are handled by a single, solid-mounted 296mm front disc with Nissin two-piston caliper, while a drum brake is used in the back. While the front brake offers decent power, we noticed a spongy feel at the lever which made modulation difficult. The rear brake could also use more feel, and its pedal travel is excessive. Being a nofrills ride is one thing, but braking action is the one area where the RS simply doesn’t hide its bargain-bike status very well.

Ergonomics & Instruments The RS’ mid-mount foot controls and dirt-track style handlebar contribute to its rider-friendly nature, offering a rather neutral riding position. Likewise, its seat offers a fair degree of comfort despite its slim appearance. The cockpit’s sparse layout is accented by the RS’ single, 110 mph analog speedometer, which features a complement of warning lights, including low-fuel, check engine, oil pressure and water temperature as well as a neutral indicator and a high-beam indicator. The large-faced unit is very easy to read while at speed.

Bottom Line The Shadow RS is a stark, no-frills motorcycle right down to its two color choices—Metallic Gray or Pearl White—but that’s part of its charm. A motorcycle doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun. The RS isn’t, and it is.