Honda Shadow Aero 750 Vs. Suzuki Boulevard C50

Honda and Suzuki are Japanese motorcycle brands that have been producing motorcycles since the 1950s. Both motorcycle brands specialize in producing top-quality and reliable motorcycles. However, Honda is one of the largest motorcycle producers worldwide and also manufactures other products, including power plants, generators, lawnmowers, personal watercraft, marine engines, and cars. Meanwhile, Suzuki is more focused on producing motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), commercial vehicles, and motor engines for other companies.

Honda and Suzuki have produced several beginner-friendly models, including the Honda Shadow lineup, the Honda Rebel series, the Suzuki SV650, and the Suzuki Boulevard C50. However, narrowing down to the best beginner-friendly cruisers, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50 are two reliable and affordable cruisers.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 is a vintage-style, modern cruiser that draws inspiration from the 1970s. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 has a bulky and classic cruiser look with several chrome bits. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Honda Shadow Aero 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 is a lightweight, beginner-friendly cruiser ideal for beginners and shorter riders with a low seat height and extended wheelbase. It has both vintage and modern looks with its chrome and blacked-out finish and a dual-tone old-school color scheme. The Honda Shadow Aero 750 has a slightly beefier front fork with a classic round headlamp fitted inside a chrome nacelle, enhancing its retro look. Built with a custom appearance, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 also has pulled-back buckhorn handlebars with round-shaped chrome side mirrors. The two-piece saddle includes a classic tuck-and-roll rider seat and a flat passenger seat resting on top of a large chopped rear fender with a slightly extended tail design. The front fender is also large and stylishly chopped, providing a good view of the fat front tire wrapped around the wire-spoked wheel. The Honda Shadow Aero 750 has a blacked-out engine with a chrome air filter and short dual mufflers. This motorbike has a balanced shape, ensuring good stability and handling.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 and the Honda Shadow Aero 750 share a close resemblance.  Both motorcycles have a round headlamp enclosed in a chrome nacelle, fuel tank-mounted gauges, separate dual mufflers, wire-spoked wheels, and V-Twin engines. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 has large front and rear fenders, an old-school tail/stop light, and bullet-shaped turn signals. The rear mono-shock is hidden under the seat, giving this vehicle a cleaner hardtail look. Most parts come in chrome, except the double-cradle steel frame. The separate dual chrome mufflers have an extended and slash-cut design. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 also has swept-back buckhorn-style handlebars and floorboards for a complete cruiser look. It also comes with a two-piece cushioned saddle capable of two-up riding.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750’s low-power engine makes it an ideal entry-level motorcycle. The 745 cc liquid-cooled, 52° V-Twin engine has a torque of 64.94 Nm and a horsepower of 44.6 hp. It is reliable, affordable, easy to maintain, and a fuel-efficient motorcycle due to being fitted with programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI), ensuring a fuel economy of 56 mpg. The maintenance-free and cleaner shaft drive connects the five-speed transmission with the rear wheel to ensure a smooth-running operation. The PGM-FI system also ensures smooth starts in cold conditions, unlike carburetors-fitted motorcycles.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 is a versatile motorcycle best suited for daily commutes, long-distance rides, cruising on highways, and even riding through traffic due to being lightweight. Though an entry-level bike, the engine ensures good low-end torque delivery, adequate horsepower, and smooth throttle response at all gear levels for a comfortable cruising experience.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 also has a telescopic front fork and five-position spring preload-adjustable twin rear shocks, having adequate wheel travels for comfortable rides. The 2022 Honda Shadow Aero 750 also has an optional ABS, a single front disc, and a rear drum for effective braking.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is also an entry-level motorcycle powered by an 805 cc liquid-cooled, 45˚ V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 53 hp at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 69 Nm at 3,200 rpm. Despite its bulky look, it is a midsize cruiser with a mid-displacement engine best suited for long-distance weekend rides. The 805 cc, 45˚ V-Twin engine has adequate power for beginner and intermediate-level riders, able to produce smooth acceleration at all gear levels.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 comes with an oil-damped telescopic front fork with coil spring and a link-style mono-shock without the preload adjustability. The braking is inadequate, considering the wet weight of 611 lbs (277 kg). The Suzuki Boulevard C50 only has a single front disc brake and a rear drum brake. It also lacks the ABS feature that keeps its overall cost low.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 is one of the most comfortable cruisers in the midsize cruiser category. Being a vintage-style cruiser, it has ideal ergonomics that ensure comfort on long-distance and continuous rides. The Honda Shadow Aero 750’s low seat height of 25.9 inches makes it suitable for shorter and taller riders, and the forward-mounted foot controls also ensure adequate legroom to keep the legs in a stretched position. The rider can comfortably sit in a laidback riding position due to its low-mounted, swept-back buckhorn handlebars. Overall, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is best suited for around-town cruising, daily commutes, long-distance rides, and riding through traffic due to being lightweight and easy to handle.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is slightly bulkier than the Honda Shadow Aero 750, weighing 611 lbs. It is an intermediate-level motorcycle with laidback riding ergonomics and a mid-displacement engine. The carefully designed ergonomics and rider triangle make it suitable for all riders. However, a beginner can find it slightly hard to handle this motorcycle due to being slightly heavier. For improved comfort, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 comes with forward-mounted floorboards that provide a comfortable place to rest their feet and provide adequate legroom. The low-mounted, semi-sweptback, buckhorn-style handlebars also ensure an upright back position for comfortable long-distance rides.

The Honda Shadow Aero is a beginner-level cruiser with a mid-displacement engine. The engine produces adequate power and ensures a smooth throttle response to reach a top speed of 95 mph.

The Honda Shadow 750 is a lightweight and economical cruiser due to being fitted with a low-power engine. It has a low fuel consumption of 56 miles per gallon.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is fitted with an 805 cc engine that produces adequate horsepower and smooth acceleration. The 2017 Suzuki Boulevard C50 can reach a top speed of 99.4 mph.

The Honda Shadow Aero 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50 share a close resemblance in aesthetics and performance. Both motorcycles are entry-level cruisers fitted with a mid-displacement engine capable of adequate power, good low-end torque, and smooth acceleration. However, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is slightly underpowered, which makes it best suited for beginners. If you are looking for a comfortable, lightweight, midsize cruiser with good handling and cornering, the Honda Shadow Aero 750 is a good option. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 is slightly larger and more powerful than the Honda Shadow Aero 750. The 805 cc engine produces good power and throttle response and can quickly accelerate. It also has laidback riding ergonomics and is better suited for long-distance two-up riding. However, the Suzuki Boulevard C50’s biggest drawback is the lack of ABS and a rear disc brake. For a more relaxed touring experience, Viking Bags offer specially-designed saddlebags for Honda Shadow Aero 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50. Backrests are also available for Honda and Suzuki motorcycles to provide extra comfort to the riders.