RIDE REVIEW I 2024 HONDA SHADOW PHANTOM
P86
Suspension is about as basic
as it gets. The 41mm conven-
tional forks are non-adjustable,
and
the twin-shock rear sus-
pension is also non-adjustable
except
for spring preload. You
have 5.5 inches of wheel travel
up front and a whopping 3.5
inches in the rear. The bike
rolls on 15-inch spoked wheels,
including a semi-fat 160/80
rear tire. Seat heat is a low 25.6
inches, and overall wet weight
is 543 pounds (claimed); 553
pounds with ABS.
As you can tell, the Phantom
isn't a technical marvel, but
this simple and uncomplicated
motorcycle is still attractive and
has a lot going for it. For one
(and perhaps most importantly
for a cruiser), the Phantom is
quite handsome. It has that
Harley-Davidson Sportster
look, and one of the Phantom's
color options mirrors Harley's
trademark black/orange/silver
paint. The bike's designer says
he wasn't going for that Harley
look at all but just likes the color
orange.
Complimenting the Phantom's
eye-pleasing styling and skin
color is how well-built it looks,
and it does feel that way. Many
of Honda's more budget-priced
motorcycles are made in the
company's plant in Thailand, but
not the Phantom. It is manu
-
factured in Kumamoto, Japan,
where
Gold Wings are construct-
ed and assembled, which might
relieve
some of your worry
about the quality you're getting
in the budget-priced Phantom.
It's top-notch.
The Phantom is a pleasure
to ride, and it doesn't get much
easier to ride, either. You just
get on it and go. Even though
540 pounds is a lot of weight
for a motorcycle, the Phantom,
with its ultra-low seat height, is
simple to manage in the drive
-
way, in heavy stop-and-go traffic,
and
out on the twisties. It's well-
balanced, too, so rolling up to a
stop light with cars all around
you isn't a worry, which is good
for inexperienced riders.
The Honda Shadow Phantom is a handsome motorcycle. And its sub-$9000 price makes it look even better.
