It’s official. Honda is looking to give its cruiser bikes a tougher image. No proof is better-suited to reinforce that than the new 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom.
Looking like direct competition to Harley-Davidson’s similarly blacked-out Sportster, the Shadow Phantom offers an entirely new look for Honda’s motorcycle line. With a shorter front fender, beefed up fork and thicker front tires, it’s a burly bike with a very manly, retro feel.
Sporting a low-slung saddle (about 25.7-inches in height), all-black finish with silver accents and an overall custom aesthetic, the Phantom takes the long-running Shadow line into the next level. It’s the first motorcycle in the range with a fuel-injected 745cc V-Twin engine, all blacked-out to blend in with the bike’s overall theme, mated to a five-speed transmission that sends power to the rear via shaft drive. Other bike details include a 64.5-inch wheelbase, forward-mounted foot controls, improved suspension (41mm fork front, five-position dual shocks at the rear) and a curb weight of 549 lbs.
Hard-edged looks, manageable power and sporty specs make the Honda Shadow Phantom a particularly attractive cruiser. It also comes in only one color – black – so best look elsewhere if you’re looking for something in pink. Hit up your local dealership come November, when it goes on sale for $7,999.
[Honda ]