Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

The Shadow VT11 OOC has been restyled from the ground up for 1987. The big V-twin has a lower wheelbase and a superwide rear tire. The smaller HurriGlne is suspended in frolll by 37mm forks with TRAC anti-dive, and rear suspension is similar to the CBRIOooF. The CBR600 also has drilled dual front disc brakes and a single drilled disc in the rear; 17-inch S-spoke aluminum wheels; heavy-duty Q-ring chain; and a . swingarm-mounted rear fender. F~e1 tank capacity is 4.4 gallons and seat height is a low 30.3 inches. Details on the 600 are the same as the CBR I000, including the 12-month unlimited mileage warranty. Production Hurricanes will be available in America in blue/black (1000) and white/black (600) color combinations sonwtinll' in April or May. Honda has decided LO take a new stab at the custom sport market .in 1987 by completely restyling last year's Shadow 1100 and Magna 700. The Shadow reportedly has a more powerful engine that provides more LOrque; a wide ratio four-speed transmission; a longer, lower chassis; and the largest rear tire ever put on a production motorcycle; the Shadow will retail for $4898. The Magna, also boasts a new, more powerful engine (increased 4.5 horsepower to bring it LO 80 horsepower IOtal); radiGll "hotrod" styling; ultrd long, low chassis and low seat; and a dish-style solid aluminum rear wheel. The Magna will sell for $3998. The vn IOOC Shadow is powered by a 10000c, liquid-cooled 45° vtwin, and Honda's offset, dual-pin crankshaft reportedly produces perfect primary balance. Redesigned three-valve, twin-spark plug cylinder heads and fins enhance the Shadow's CUSLOm appeardnce. The big engine has a hydraulic valve adj uster system . designed to eliminate valve adjustment, and also sports maintenancefree automatic cam chain tensioners. The engine is fueled by two 36mm -diaphragm-type constant velocity carburetors. Other features include a slim radiaLOr which improves styling; a hydraulicdlly-assisted clutch designed never to need adjustment; radical-style exhaust system with both pipes on the right side; electric starting; and digital solid state ignition. The Shadow has 41mm air-adjustable front forks; stylish twin, chrome rear shocks; a large front disc brake with twin pisLOn caliper and large rear drum brake; strong, lightweight five-spoke cast alloy wheels; a huge 170/80-16 rear tire; shaft drive; low 26-inch seat height; chrome pullback handlebars and forward-mounted footpegs for full custom seating position; 3.4 gallon fuel tank; and chrome sissy bar with padded backrest. The Magna has a radical four-into~ four, dragster-type exhaust. Additional features include a 55/60wall halogen he-ddlight; large chromeplated speedometer; several chromeplated and polished detail pieces (headlight, side covers, side stand, shift and brake arms); 12-volt, 16AH battery; and large dual horns. The Shadow will be produced in America at Honda's manufacturing plant in Marysville, Ohio. The Magna's liquid-cooled, DOHC goo V-4 has perfect primary balance (according LO Honda), tapered inlet ports, four valves per cylinder, compact engine design, screw-type valve adjusters, and four high-performance 32mm diaphragm-type constant velocity cdrburetors. The hydraulicclutch reportedly never needs adjustment, and Honda claims the five-speedplus-OD-sixth trdnsmission provides "responsive city performance and open road fuel economy." The bike also sports a radical four-into-four drdgster type chrome-plated exhaust, a 350-watt AC generator, and digital ignition system. '. In the suspension department, the Magna has 39mm air-adjustable front forks, and chrome-plated rear shocks mounted to a rectangular-section swing'drm; the rear shocks have fiveway adjustable .spring preload. The new Iy designed frame allows a long 65.4-inch wheelbllse, and a low 27.8-inch seat height, which helps enhance the bike's custom styling. Brakes include a large, drilled front disc and rod-actuated rear drum. The Magna has a five-spoke, 19-inch front wheel, a low-profile, 16-inch "solid dish" aluminum rear wheel, and tubeless tires front and rear; the rear tire is a wide, low-profile 150/80-16, which complements the radical styling of the bike. The shaft-driven Magna has a 27.8inch seat height, new design sweptback handlebars, two-piece seat with detachable pillion, new sponge-rubI~r style handgyipsand a lar!{c 3.-1 ~al- The Magna's new styling includes a 150/80H-16 rear tire mounted to a low profile, 16-inch "solid dish" aluminum rear wheel . Ion fuel tank for extended cruising. Details incl ude a 55/60-wall halogen headlight, and e-dsy-to-readelectric tachometer, keyed fork lock, and chrome detailed items (shift and brake arms, meter covers, sidestand, etc.). Both the Magna and the Shadow have Honda's l2-month unlimited mileage warranty. Most other Honda models remain the same or have been changed only slightly for 1987. The Shadow VT700C, Honda's other mid-sized custom bike, is the same as -last ye'dr's model, except for a few changes in grdphics. In the touring class, Honda still offers the Gold Wing Aspencade and Interstate, but has dropped the Aspencade SCI_ Improvemellls to both new Gold Wing models include new graphics, a new three-stage foam seat; reduced exhaust and drivetrdin noise levels, and the addition of Dunlop Touring Elite GT rear tires. On the Aspencade only, Honda has added electronic cruise control, an all-new fairing with a new ventilation system, and a rddio filter to enhance reception. For the entry-level rider, Honda stiJl offers the Rebel CMX450C and the Rebel CMX250C; both bikes sport 1987 gT'dphics, but remain unchanged from 1986 mexlds. In the dual purposecatagory, Honda's XL motorcycle series offers new graphics but no new features. Returning for another model ye-dr are the XL600R and the XL250R. Also offering nothing more than new graphics for 1987 are the TL200R Reflex and the XR-R series of offroad enduro motorcycles, including the XR600R, XR250R, XR2ooR, XRlooR, and XR80R. • 23

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