Honda 700 Shadow VT700: Detailed Specs, Background, Performance, and More

• Table of Contents
• 1. A Brief History of Honda 700 Shadow VT700
• 1.1 1984 Honda Shadow 700
• 1.2 1985 Honda Shadow 700
• 1.3 1986 Honda Shadow 700
• 1.4 1987 Honda Shadow 700
• 2. Honda 700 Shadow VT700 At First Glance
• 3. Honda 700 Shadow VT700: A Buyer’s Guide
• 3.1 What is the Top Speed of the Honda Shadow 700?
• 3.2 How Much Does a Honda 700 Shadow VT700 weigh?
• 3.3 How Much is a Honda 700 Shadow?
• 4. Honda Shadow VT700 Specifications
• 5. Aftermarket Parts and Luggage Options for Honda Shadow VT700

Riding a bike on a scenic motorcycle road with friends is one of the greatest feelings. Having a long trip on your bike will always cheer you up. If you are depressed or feeling lonely, believe me, take your bike, pull the throttle, and go for a ride. Motorcycle riders have an edge over those who prefer other modes of transportation; riding a motorcycle is a part of lifestyle, love, and passion.

Also Read: How to Find A Perfect Motorcycle Ride Using Google Maps

After presenting all the Harley-Motorcycles bike profile series you may have previously gone through, we bring up a bike profile series for Honda as well. We aim to give riders brief information about the motorcycles to help them to decide what motorcycle could be the best fit for them. So let’s begin with the Honda 700 Shadow VT700.

VT700 is a cruiser motorcycle produced from 1984 to 1987. This bike is commonly known as the Honda Shadow 700, which replaced the Honda VT750C. In this article, we’ll be discussing the detailed specifications, background, performance, and more about the Honda 700 Shadow VT700.

1. A Brief History of Honda 700 Shadow VT700

The Honda Shadow belongs to a family of cruiser-type motorcycles produced by Honda back in  1983. The models from the Shadow line of motorcycles featured a liquid-cooled 45 or 52-degree V-twin engine varying from 125 to 1,100 cc engine displacement.

In 1983, Honda launched the Shadow series of motorcycles in an attempt to meet the American cruiser market with the VT500c and VT750c. However, due to tariff restrictions in the US on imported Japanese bikes over 701 cc, the VT750c was downsized to 700 cc in 1984 and sold in the market as VT700c.

1.1 1984 Honda Shadow 700

Special identifying features of this bike were the round headlamp and instrument casing with a chromed front fender. The dual horns were mounted on the front and the front wheel bore a dual disc brake system. The side covers had the “Shadow 700” decals and the engine was a 694 cc (42.4 cu in) SOH three-valve liquid-cooled V-twin with a six-speed, shaft drive transmission from 1984 to 1987. Also, the twin-plug cylinder heads and new hydraulic valve adjusters were included.

1.2 1985 Honda Shadow 700

In 1985, this bike featured polished chrome engine side covers. The engine was the same as the 1984 model year.

1.3 1986 Honda Shadow 700

In 1986, this bike received an upgrade of the rear fender and adopted a flair look over the rounded style. The engine remained the same as the 1984 model except it was polished instead of black, with the right engine cover graphic painted black. The mufflers were a little lower with a more straightforward style. The controls and front pegs were shifted forward while the rear peg support bracket became solid. The backrest was optional for this year’s model. The most prominent change was the cast wheels which changed from a ten-spoke to a five-spoke.

1.4 1987 Honda Shadow 700

The 1987 “VT700” model featured the same engine as the 1986 model, but the difference was that the right engine cover was not painted. The side covers were chrome and the five-spoke cast wheels came with a single front disc brake.

2. Honda 700 Shadow VT700 At First Glance

 

The Honda 700 Shadow is the most radical motorbike ever built by Honda. This was a model that was sold between 1984 to 1987. This version of the Shadow was one of the most popular entry-level bikes because it was easy to handle and comfortable for longer trips. This motorcycle is powered by a 745 cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine which is the ideal size and power for those just learning how to ride.

Also Read: Best Cruiser Motorcycles for Beginners in 2022

This bike features a battery-powered inductive ignition and the engine is activated by an electric starter. The bike came with a shaft drive with a six-speed transmission, 1.54-inch air-assisted forks with 5.31 inches of wheel travel, and the dual rear shock suspension with adjustable spring preload with 3.7 inches of wheel travel.

This bike has dual front disc brakes with a two-piston caliper and drums rear brakes. Moreover, they came with a 110/90 by 19 front tire and a 140/90 by 15 rear tire. It is equipped with a 3.3-gallon fuel tank with the estimated weight of this bike being around 501.6 lbs.

3. Honda 700 Shadow VT700: A Buyer’s Guide

3.1 What is the Top Speed of the Honda Shadow 700?

It is a cruiser-type motorcycle produced by Honda from 1984 to 1987. This bike is powered by a 745 cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine matted with a six-speed transmission. It is estimated that this bike can reach up to a top speed of 95 mph.

3.2 How Much Does a Honda 700 Shadow VT700 weigh?

The Honda 700 Shadow is equipped with a 3.3-gallon fuel tank. The estimated weight of this bike is around 501.6 lbs.

3.3 How Much is a Honda 700 Shadow?

It has been a while since Honda stopped the production of the 700 Shadow, so it is not possible to list an exact price for this bike. You can search for this bike on an online motorcycle selling website or you can find this bike at any motorcycle auction. However, you’d need to be lucky to find a Honda 700 Shadow in good condition.

4. Honda Shadow VT700 Specifications

Engine	Four-stroke, 45° V-twin, SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder
Capacity	745 cc / 42.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	75.5 cc / 42.3 cu-in
Cooling System	Liquid-cooled
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Induction	2x 36 mm diaphragm-type CV
Ignition	Full transistor ignition
Starting	Electric
Max Power	62 hp / 45.3 kW @ 7500 rpm
Max Torque	62.1 Nm / 45.8 ft-lb @ 6000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Transmission	6-Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Frame	Double cradle
Front Suspension	39mm Air assisted telescopic forks
Front Wheel Travel	135 mm / 5.31 in
Rear Suspension	Dual shocks adjustable spring preload, 94mm wheel travel
Rear Wheel Travel	94 mm / 3.7 in
Front Brakes	2x 275mm discs, 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Drum
Front Tyre	110/90-19 62H
Rear Tyre	140/90-15 70H
Rake	32°
Trial	140 mm / 5.5 in
Wheelbase	1525 mm / 60.0 in
Seat Height	760 mm / 29.9 in
Ground Clearance	150 mm / 5.9 in
Weight	227 kg / 501.6 lbs
Fuel Capacity	12.8 Litres / 3.3 US gal

5. Aftermarket Parts and Luggage Options for Honda Shadow VT700

It has been a while since Honda has discontinued the production of the 700 Shadow, but there are many riders who still love to keep the old beauties. However, the model has become aged and the latest models you will see around have improved technology and features.

But if it's your bike and you want to keep this beauty with a fresh look, you can always modify your bike according to your tastes and riding comfort. If you are in the habit of going on long tours, nothing is more convenient than installing a sissy bar to keep your back relaxed. Or you can mount a luggage bag for your camping and one-day trips to carry your camping tent, raincoat, etc. along with you.

Also Read: 6 Best Motorcycle Trip Planner Apps for Adventure Touring

Moreover, there are a number of options available that will give your bike a stunning look. But there are many riders who praise the vintage styling of this bike and keep it in stock as a classic icon. You can slightly modify your bike by attaching a pair of good-quality saddlebags to carry your daily essentials.