Honda Shadow Phantom 750 Vs. Suzuki Boulevard C50

Small-displacement motorcycles are the most popular choice among novice riders because they are lightweight, easy to handle, and safe to ride. Finding the right motorcycle that suits your current riding skills can be hard. If you are looking for an entry-level motorcycle with laidback ergonomics and capable of long-distance rides, cruisers are the best options. However, it is hard to find entry-level cruisers since most models have big and powerful engines.

Fortunately, two of the most reliable and affordable motorcycle companies, Honda and Suzuki, still manufacture factory-made custom-style cruisers with small-displacement engines and minimalist designs for beginners. The Honda Shadow Phantom and the Suzuki Boulevard C50 are inexpensive and easy to maintain. Both motorcycles are beginner-friendly as their engines do not produce much power, and they are also versatile cruisers capable of daily commutes and long-distance rides.

The Honda Shadow series was introduced in 1983, fitted with 500 cc and 750 cc engines. The Honda Shadow lineup was intended for the American cruiser market. Like most cruisers, they were powered by V-Twin engines ranging between 125-1,100 cc. Except for the Honda Shadow 750, the rest of the Shadow lineup was discontinued.

Meanwhile, Suzuki working on its Intruder series to help it become popular worldwide. However, in 2005, Suzuki had to change the name to “Boulevard” to appeal to conservative American motorcycle buyers. As a result, the Honda Intruder VL800 Volusia became the Suzuki Boulevard C50, which currently is still in production. This article is a detailed comparison between the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is one of the simplest Honda models with no heavy parts. It is available in only two simple, single-tone color schemes with a blacked-out frame, engine, front fork, and chrome separate dual mufflers. It is a small-sized cruiser with a low seat height, planted design, and a chopper style. The front fork is slightly raked-out to provide better control and linear stability. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is fitted with a single-piece, gunfighter-style flat seat capable of two-up riding. To keep the weight low, it comes with bobber-style front and rear fenders with an integrated tail/stop light and bullet-shaped turn signals. There is a small round headlamp enclosed in a black nacelle, with the gauge cluster mounted to a teardrop-shaped small fuel tank with a capacity of 3.7 gal. The Honda Shadow Phantom also comes with flat semi-sweptback handlebars with standard risers and steel spoked wheels with black rims to enhance the bobber styling.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is slightly heavier and bigger than the Honda Shadow Phantom 750. It has a classic cruiser design, large chopped front, and rear fenders, and an old-school tail/stops light. Most parts are chrome coated, including the front fork, large headlight nacelle, engine, triangle-shaped air filter cover, gearbox, and long slash-cut dual mufflers. The chrome gauges cluster is mounted to a peanut-shaped fuel tank with a capacity of 4.1 gal. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 has a hardtail design with a cleaner rear-end look due to being fitted with a single rear shock absorber hidden under the seat. It also has a deeply-cushioned, leather-textured seat capable of two-up riding. For a plush riding experience, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 also comes with wide buckhorn-style handlebars and floorboards.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is not a fast motorcycle due to being fitted with a low-power 745 cc liquid-cooled, 52° V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 64.94 Nm at 3,500 rpm and a horsepower of 44.6 hp at 5,500 rpm. It stands out from other motorcycles by being simple, fun, and easy to ride. The 745 cc engine produces a decent throttle response and an exhaust note that attracts beginners. Despite being low-powered, the engine evenly distributes the power and torque across all gear levels for a smooth riding experience. The long-stroke crankshaft design also ensures good low-end torque.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 has a wide-ratio five-speed transmission, a wet multi-plate clutch, and a cleaner shaft drive for smooth gear shifts and ride quality. Being a more affordable and simple motorcycle, it does not come with modern features, except the Programmed Fuel Injection ensuring moderate throttle response and fuel mileage of 56 mpg.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is a lightweight, small-sized cruiser with a low seat height of 25.8 inches, ensuring a low center of gravity for improved handling and cornering. It can comfortably be used for highway cruising, daily commutes, and riding through traffic. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750’s raked-out front end ensures a better linear performance, which makes it stable, agile, and easy to control.

Due to being a lightweight cruiser, the Honda Shadow Phantom 750’s 296 mm single front disc brake and 180 mm rear drum provide reliable braking. The 41 mm front fork is quite responsive and has a large diameter for neutral handling, and the spring preload-adjustable dual rear shocks ensure a smooth riding experience.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is powered by an 805 cc liquid-cooled, 45˚ V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 69 Nm at 3,200 rpm and a horsepower of 53 hp at 6,000 rpm. The 805 cc engine provides exceptional torque delivery at low rpm levels. The long staggered dual exhaust pipes also ensure a responsive power delivery and deep exhaust sound. The 45˚ V-Twin engine also features offset crankpins to ensure optimum firing intervals for better V-Twin performance. The Suzuki Boulevard S50 also has a fuel injection system with dual throttle valves for a better air intake to ensure a good throttle response. The fuel delivery system is coupled with an AFIS (Auto Fast Idle System) to avoid hassle-free starts during cold conditions.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 has a wide-ratio five-speed transmission that connects to the rear wheel via a shaft drive for comfortable highway cruising. Despite being a modern-day cruiser, the oil-damped front telescopic fork and the link-style single rear shock with coil spring do not include preload adjustability and cannot provide smooth long-distance riding. However, the front suspension has a long wheel travel of 5.5 inches, while the rear mono-shock also has an adequate wheel travel of 4.1 inches. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is slightly heavier than the Honda Shadow Phantom 750, weighing 611 lbs, resulting in the single front disc and rear drum brakes providing ineffective braking.

Despite being a small cruiser, the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is comfortable for average and taller riders due to its adequate legroom and comfortable rider triangle. It has an extended front end, a longer wheelbase, and a low seat height ensuring a low center of gravity and light handling. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is fitted with forward-mounted foot controls, ensuring enough room for taller riders to adjust their legs comfortably. Though the handlebars are flat and slightly swept-back, it still provides an upright back and a comfortable riding position. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750’s low seat height, low weight, and neutral handling make it a versatile motorcycle suitable for multiple purposes, including daily commutes, highway cruising, and long-distance rides. Making a few modifications, like adding a windshield, saddlebags, and backrests will make this motorcycle better suited for commutes and long-distance travel.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is a midsize cruiser ideal for slightly trained and intermediate-level bikers. It has a classic cruiser design with ergonomics best suited for relaxed long-distance riding. This motorcycle is powered and big enough for a two-up cruising experience. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 has a seat height of 27.6 inches which is slightly uncomfortable for shorter riders. However, the comfortable rider triangle makes it a friendly motorcycle for all riders. It has forward-mounted floorboards for more comfortable cruising. The Suzuki Boulevard C50’s wide buckhorn-style handlebars ensure a relaxed riding position suited for continuous long-distance rides. Due to being a slightly heavier motorcycle with good throttle response, it is less suitable for novice riders. The Suzuki Boulevard C50 can also be used as a touring bike if equipped with saddlebags, windscreen, and backrests.

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is a low-power bike, fitted with a small-displacement engine. However, its smaller size, minimalist design, and low weight allow it to reach a top speed of 100 mph.

The Suzuki Boulevard C50 is powered by an 805 cc engine that can produce good low-end torque, smooth acceleration, and throttle response. However, due to being slightly bulkier, it can only reach a top speed of 99.4 mph. 

The Honda Shadow Phantom 750 and the Suzuki Boulevard C50 are reliable entry-level cruisers capable of producing low-end torque. However, the Honda Shadow Phantom 750 is a lightweight, simple, and comfortable motorcycle with a stripped-down cruiser feel. It is one of the best entry-level motorcycles in the Honda lineup. The Honda Shadow Phantom 750’s bobber look and the blacked-out, matte finish makes it quite an attractive motorcycle. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 has classic styling, long and heavy fenders, chrome finishing, and a bulkier appearance. When it comes to a complete cruiser with better visual appeal and better cruising and touring performance, the Suzuki Boulevard C50 is the ideal choice.