Honda Shadow Phantom 750 Vs. Indian Scout Sixty

Honda and Indian Motorcycles are not fierce rivals as both specialize in producing different types of motorcycles. Indian Motorcycles is an American motorcycle manufacturer that mainly competes with Harley Davidson in the American tourer and cruiser markets. Indian Motorcycles is well-known for motorcycles with traditional styling and bobber-inspired looks. They are also expensive like Harley Davidson motorcycles. Indian motorbikes have a low center of gravity and a low seat height, ensuring comfortable and smooth rides. Meanwhile, the Japanese motorcycle company, Honda, makes one of the most reliable motorcycles in the world with low failure rates and a different V-Twin feel.

The  Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the  Indian Scout Sixty  are the two most prominent entry-level bikes with smooth handling, low seat height, and relaxed ergonomics. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is ideal for beginners with its low-powered engine and neutral handling. Meanwhile, the Indian Scout Sixty is more powerful and torquier than the Honda Shadow Phantom 750. It has a bigger engine size, an optional ABS, and an appealing bobber-style look. This article is a detailed comparison between the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the Indian Scout Sixty.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 stands out due to its simple and stripped-down look. It is a small motorcycle with a low seat height and a lightweight design. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 has a slightly raked-out front end, ensuring a low overall height. It is only available in two simple single-tone color schemes with a blacked-out finish, except for the chrome short dual exhaust pipes. For an improved bobber look, the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 comes with bobber-style front and rear fenders with a small integrated LED tail/stop light. It is also fitted with a small headlamp fitted inside a matte black nacelle and bullet-shaped turn signals. The gunfighter-style, single-piece saddle is capable of two-up riding. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is fitted with wide, semi-sweptback handlebars with standard risers, and the gauges are mounted to the peanut-shaped fuel tank with a capacity of 3.7 gal. For a classic look, it also comes with fat Dunlop front and rear tires fitted around steel-spoked wheels with black rims.

The Indian Scout Sixty’s bobber-inspired styling, compact design, and modern look is based on the old Indian Scout model. It is one of the classiest and most attractive entry- and intermediate-level cruisers with a tuck-and-roll solo rider seat, chrome split dual exhaust, and matte black finish. The Indian Scout Sixty also has a unique engine design with a classic and modern touch. It has a small, uniquely-designed front mudguard and a chopped, full rear mudguard. Unlike traditional cruisers, the gauges are mounted to simple, semi-sweptback handlebars with classic teardrop-shaped, chrome side mirrors. The Indian Scout Sixty is also fitted with a small aggressive-style fuel tank with a capacity of 3.3 gal. To give it an improved bobber look, it also comes with fat Pirelli Night Dragon front and rear tires wrapped around cast-black wheels.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is a low-powered beginner-friendly motorbike with good handling. It is fitted with a 745 cc 52° V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 64.94 Nm @ 3,500 rpm and a horsepower of 44.6 hp at 5,500 rpm. Despite being underpowered, the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 offers a fun riding experience for beginners due to its impressive power delivery at all gear levels. The long-stroke V-Twin engine design helps improve the low-range torque. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 has a five-speed, wide-ratio transmission that powers the rear wheel via a final shaft drive. It also features a programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) system for smooth throttle response and has a fuel mileage of 56 mpg.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750’s 41 mm front fork has an aluminum triple clamp and matte-finished shrouds for a bold look. The sturdy front fork, low seat height, and less wet weight ensure better neutral handling and performance while turning corners and riding through busy traffic. The spring preload-adjustable dual rear shock absorbers ensure better comfort when traveling long distances. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 has a single front disc and a rear drum brake that provides adequate braking for a lightweight motorcycle.

The Indian Scout Sixty is a beginner-friendly and intermediate-level lightweight motorbike that is easy to handle. The Indian Scout Sixty is powered by a 999 cc liquid-cooled, 60° V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 78 hp and a torque of 88.13 Nm at 5,800 rpm. Despite being fitted with a comparatively larger engine, it is 3 kg lighter than the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 due to being built with lightweight parts. The Indian Scout Sixty also comes with a five-speed transmission that connects to the rear wheel via a belt drive. Its smaller size, low overall weight, and compact design provide a fuel economy of 58.8 mpg.

The Indian Scout Sixty is a well-rounded cruiser with a responsive engine, good throttle response, and nimble handling. If you want a stylish, head-turning cruiser design with quick acceleration for daily commutes, around-town cruising, and riding through traffic, the Indian Scout Sixty is an ideal motorcycle.

The Indian Scout Sixty’s 41 mm telescopic front fork has a wheel travel of 4.7 inches. However, the rear dual shocks have smaller wheel travel and cannot provide smooth and comfortable rides on bumpy roads. Built with non-adjustable suspensions, the Indian Scout Sixty is only suited for paved roads. However, you can replace the stock rear suspensions with adjustable springs to improve comfort. The Indian Scout Sixty also comes with 298 mm single front and rear disc brakes, along with an optional ABS for reliable braking.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 provides a comfortable riding position and relaxed ergonomics. Though fitted with semi-sweptback handlebars, this Honda model allows the rider to comfortably sit in a slouched riding position with the seat providing a little lumbar support. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 has a low seat height of 25.8 inches, making it extremely comfortable for shorter riders. With its forward-mounted foot controls and comfortable rider triangle, it is also an ideal option for taller riders. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 can also be used for long-distance rides if equipped with a windscreen, and  backrests. However, it is not suitable for two-up riding due to its low-powered engine.

The Indian Scout Sixty draws inspiration from the classic 1920 Indian Scout model but has a slightly sportier stance and ergonomics. The Indian Scout Sixty has a slightly aggressive riding position due to its spacious rider triangle. The rider has to sit slightly forward to reach the low-mounted, semi-sweptback handlebars. However, a taller rider can comfortably sit with an upright back by stretching his/her arms to reach the handlebars. The forward-mounted foot controls also ensure adequate legroom for taller riders. Though the Indian Scout Sixty has a low seat height of 25.6 inches, it provides a ground clearance of 5.7 inches. It can be transformed into an ideal touring motorbike by installing a few aftermarket parts, including a windshield and  backrest.  The Indian Scout Sixty can also provide comfortable two-up riding by replacing the solo rider seat with a two-up saddle.

The Indian Scout Sixty has aesthetic appeal, well-rounded performance, better handling, less weight, pleasing exhaust sound, and high maneuverability, and is suited for riders with no prior riding experience.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is a low-powered motorcycle powered by a small engine. However, due to its simple build and low weight, it can reach a top speed of 100 mph.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the Indian Scout Sixty are both simple bobber-inspired cruisers with minimal looks and lightweight parts. Both are versatile motorbikes with comfortable ergonomics and rider triangles suited for shorter and taller riders. However, the Indian Scout Sixty is more agile, lightweight, and powerful due to being fitted with a 999 cc engine. It is considered an intermediate-level bike due to its fast acceleration and quick throttle response.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the Indian Scout Sixty ensure good handling due to their low overall height and low center of gravity. However, the Indian Scout Sixty is slightly uncomfortable on unpaved and bumpy roads due to being fitted with a non-adjustable rear suspension. However, with a few modifications, the Indian Scout Sixty can become a comfortable and versatile motorbike suited for daily commutes,highway cruising, and long-distance rides. Apart from the non-adjustable rear suspensions, the Indian Scout Sixty is superior to the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 in terms of aesthetics and performance.

If you want your motorbike to look good and perform better, Viking Bags has a good range of high-quality aftermarket parts. You can easily transform your motorcycle into a versatile commuter that can travel comfortably across long distances. The aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags include sissy bars, crash bars, fairings, and handlebars. There are also different luggage options to increase storage capacity, including sissy bar bags and saddlebags