Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit Vs. Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit

The Honda Shadow is a popular cruiser lineup introduced in 1983. The Honda Shadow models were fitted with liquid-cooled 45-52° V-Twin engines with a displacement ranging between 125-1,100 cc.

The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit and the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit are two popular and classic cruisers in the Honda Shadow lineup. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit was introduced in 2001 as an upgraded version of the Honda VT750C. It had a raked-out front end, a classic tail light, and lower gears. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit was powered by an RC44E motor and fueled by dual constant velocity carburetors. Discontinued in 2007, it was replaced by the Honda Shadow VT750C2 Shadow Spirit.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit replaced the chain final drive with an upgraded shaft final drive. It was also powered by a 750 cc engine and had constant velocity carburetors to deliver fuel to the engine. A programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) variant was also introduced for markets other than North America. However, in 2012, the carburetor-fitted models were dropped in favor of the PGM-FI fuel injection models in North America. In 2013, the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit was upgraded with an antilock braking system (ABS) and was renamed the Honda VT750C2S Shadow Spirit.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit was built based on the Honda VT750C Aero’s frame with a chopper-style look. Several modifications were made to this motorcycle, including a more stretched front end, an extended wheelbase, and a lower seat height. This article is a detailed comparison between the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit and the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit.

The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit is a chopper-style motorcycle with a raked-out front end and low-mounted, semi-sweptback handlebars with rubber-mounted risers. It comes with a small, round headlamp, a bobber-style front fender, and a slash-cut, chopped rear fender with a classic tail light. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit is also fitted with a dragster-style seat capable of two-up riding, providing lower-back support for the rider. It has a blacked-out frame and radiator with a chrome finish. The chrome parts include the front fork, wheels, separate two-into-two bullet-style mufflers, battery cover, air filter cover, cylinder heads, and dual rear shocks. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit has a rounded rectangular-shaped air breather and a blacked-out radiator behind the front wheel due to being fitted with a liquid-cooled system. The chrome gauge cluster is mounted to a teardrop-shaped 3.6 gal fuel tank. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit has traditional spoked wheels and wide chromed rims wrapped around a large, thin front tire and a fat rear tire. It is available in a black color scheme with red pinstripe flame graphics that give it an aggressive chopper-style look.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit shares a close resemblance with the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit. However, being a modified version of the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit, it has a few distinctive features, including a teardrop-shaped air filter cover and a more raked-out front end that give it a chopper design. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit also comes with traditional spoked wheels and wide chromed rims wrapped around a 120/90-17 front tire and a 160/80-15 rear tire. It has a bobber-style front fender and a chopped rear fender with an integrated LED tail light. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is also capable of two-up riding due to being fitted with a sleek single-piece, gunfighter-style seat. The chrome gauge cluster is mounted to the teardrop-shaped 3.7 gal fuel tank. To complement its classic chopper look, the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit comes with a chrome round headlight nacelle, separate dual chrome mufflers, and mid-mounted, swept-back handlebars with normal risers. It is also fitted with a radiator in front of the engine due to being fitted with a liquid-cooled system.

The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit is powered by a 745 cc single-pin crank, liquid-cooled, 52° V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 60.5 Nm at 3,000 rpm and a horsepower of 43 hp at 5,500 rpm. The engine has a compression ratio of 9:1 and is fueled by Twin 36 mm diaphragm-type constant velocity carburetors. It has a wide-ratio, five-speed transmission connected to the rear wheel via an “O” ring chain final drive. The wet, multi-plate clutch with coil springs ensures smooth gear shifts and light clutch operation.

The 745 cc 52° V-Twin engine provides adequate horsepower and impressive low-end torque at all rpm levels. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit has a carburetor electric-heater system ensuring uninterrupted operation even in cold temperatures. The three valves-per-cylinder design, long engine strokes, and four spark plugs ensure impressive ignition and high power output. To effectively maintain the engine’s temperature, the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit comes with an aluminum radiator with a cooling fan.

The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit comes with a 296 mm front disc with a dual-piston caliper and a 180 mm rear mechanical drum brake to ensure adequate braking. It is an easy-to-handle, beginner-friendly motorcycle suited for daily commutes, long highway stretches, cruising on open roads, and riding through traffic. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit is capable of comfortable two-up riding and remains popular among motorcycle enthusiasts due to its reliability and affordability.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is also powered by a 745 cc liquid-cooled, 52° V-Twin engine capable of horsepower of 43 hp at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 60.5 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine has a compression ratio of 9.6:1 and a single 34 mm constant velocity carburetor (for models introduced in the North American market). In 2012, the CV carburetor was replaced by a programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) system, resulting in better fuel consumption and fuel delivery to the engine.

The major difference between the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit and the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is the final drive system. Unlike the belt-driven Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit, the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit has a wide-ratio five-speed transmission that connects to the rear wheel via a shaft final drive. It has a more streamlined design with a low center of gravity to ensure better handling. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit’s extended wheelbase and stretched front wheel ensures better linear performance. Despite having programmed fuel injection and a large build, it is an affordable motorbike suited for city travel, highway cruising, and riding through traffic.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit’s 745 cc, 52° V-Twin engine provides plenty of horsepower and torque suited for comfortable two-up riding. It is also a beginner-friendly motorbike with nimble and agile handling. The shaft final drive is durable and maintenance-free, ensuring quiet and smoother rides. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is also a fuel-efficient motorbike with a variety of aftermarket parts/accessories available on the market.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is fitted with a 296 mm single front disc with a dual-piston caliper and a 180 mm mechanical rear drum brake, ensuring adequate braking power. In 2013, the Honda VT750C2S replaced the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit with the addition of an antilock braking system (ABS).

The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit is a lightweight, comfortable chopper-style cruiser with excellent handling and cornering capabilities. It has a comfortable rider triangle ideal for taller riders due to being fitted with forward-mounted foot controls and semi-swept-back handlebars. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit can be slightly uncomfortable for shorter riders due to its forward-mounted foot controls and slightly forward riding position. It is a lightweight motorcycle with a dry weight of 225 kg (496 lbs). The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit’s engine does not produce excess vibrations, and the rider will hardly feel any vibrations through the handlebars due to being mounted to rubber-cushioned risers.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is a more comfortable cruiser than the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit due to its relaxed rider triangle. The mid-mounted, swept-back handlebars are within comfortable reach of the rider, ensuring an upright back position. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is ideal for shorter and taller riders due to being fitted with forward-mounted foot controls and a low seat height of 25.7 inches. It has a more planted design with a low center of gravity, allowing riders to comfortably steer while turning tight corners.

The Honda Shadow is a classic cruiser lineup introduced in 1983. The Honda Shadow lineup has several models/variants, including the Aero, Spirit, Sabre, Phantom, A.C.E, VLX, and American Classic Edition. The Honda Shadow Aero and the Honda Shadow Phantom are the only models still in production. The Honda Shadow lineup has different engine sizes ranging between 125-1,100 cc.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is a large cruiser ideal for traveling on open roads and through cities. It can also be transformed into an ideal touring bike by installing a more comfortable stock seat, a large windscreen, a fairing, saddlebags, and backrests. The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit has an ideal rider triangle with an upright back and adequate legroom for comfortable long-distance riding.

The Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is the upgraded successor of the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit. The Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit and the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit are best-selling models and popular among custom builders due to being easy to customize. Both motorcycles have chopper-style look and are powered by a 745 cc V-Twin engine capable of producing smooth horsepower and torque for comfortable two-up riding and cruising at highway speeds. Being a successor of the Honda VT750DC Shadow Spirit, the Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit is more agile, nimble, fuel-efficient, and comfortable due to being lightweight and fuel injected. It is also more comfortable due to its adequate legroom and upright back. However, both motorcycles are reliable, comfortable, affordable, and require less maintenance.