• In 1990, Honda introduced two entries in its perennial Shadow line: a mid-bore 600 and a big-bore 1100. Both are laid-back, feet-forward, cruiser-style bikes. The Shadow is all about cruising and comfort, not performance and speed, though these bikes feature the reliability and relatively low price that Honda is known for.
  
  

Heritage

• Harley-Davidson inspired V-twin cruisers -- sometimes referred to as "metric cruisers" because they are machines built to metric specifications, not "standard"---from each of the major Japanese manufacturers. These models offered cruising comfort, lower prices, lighter weights, greater dependability and technological advances over their American inspiration. Unlike Harley cruisers, the Shadow line is not exclusively large-displacement motorcycles. These bikes have been made in a variety of smaller displacements, including the 1990's mid-bore 600.
  
  

The VT1100C

• The Harley-inspired 1990 1100 Shadow is a liquid-cooled four-stroke, with a bore of 87.5 mm and stroke of 91.4 mm. The bike displaces a total of 1,099 cubic centimeters and produces a modest, cruiser-like compression ratio of 8:1. Dual overhead cams operate three valves per cylinder, and the engine puts out 67 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. The bike's maximum torque is 73 ft./lbs. at 3,000 RPM. Like most Harleys, the Shadow delivers power from a four-speed transmission via belt drive. Unlike Harleys, however, it uses two spark plugs per cylinder. While it is not a high tech motorcycle in most ways, it utilizes a solid-state, electronic ignition system. Front suspension features a conventional coil spring and oil-damped cartridge fork system, with 41 mm fork tubes. Rear suspension utilizes a nostalgic dual shock and swing-arm system, with five-position adjustable pre-load. There are twin disc brakes in the front and a single drum in the rear.
  
  

VLX 600C

• The 600 Shadow's 75 mm bore and 66 mm stroke create a higher 9.2:1 compression ratio than its 1100 counterpart. The valve train is a single overhead cam with four valves per cylinder. The 600C utilizes an electronic ignition system. Maximum horsepower is an adequate 41 at 6,500 RPM with torque peaking at 37.6 ft.-lbs. at 3,500 RPM. Suspension and brakes are scaled down from the 1100 but feature the same configuration. The brakes are twin discs in the front and a single drum brake in the rear.