Honda VT600C

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The Honda VT600C was a cruiser motorcycle produced by Honda starting in 1988.

Description

Sometimes the big Japanese factories seem to work in concert. In fact, it's difficult to prevent leaks between neighboring design studios. Most products that come on the market are the result of detailed studies of customer preference; thus it's inevitable that they have similar themes and features.

Variations on the Same Theme

In 1988, the Yamaha XV535 beat the Honda VT600 Shadow into the market. The former turned out to be more popular than the latter; it had less customer appeal Nevertheless, Honda was no stranger to the world of medium-capacity custom bikes. In 1979 it had launched the CX500 Custom, followed by the VT500C, which gave way in 1987 to the Shadow. This time, Honda didn't do things by halves, presenting a genuine Low Rider whose specification lacked for nothing.

Looking the Part

With its tiny (0.3 gallon) tear drop tank, sparkling bodywork, softly curving dual seat and a V-twin engine, the Shadow looked great. However, its all-American look concealed the latest Japanese technology. Though it appeared to have a rigid frame, in fact it possessed an effective cantilever suspension. The 52-degree v-twin had offset cranks rather than the more common forked connecting rods in the interest of the best possible balance, and a single overhead camshaft per cylinder controlled three valves, a favorite technology of Honda's since the CB400T of 1978. It was the secret of the excellent torque of the engine, which meant that four speeds were sufficient.

1988

1988 Honda VLX



The VT600C'88 Shadow VLX was sold in 1988 and was available in one of two colors: Candy Wave Blue or Candy Wineberry Red. The frame was color matched to the body work. It had a single shock rear suspension. The engine was a 583cc SOHC 3-valve liquid-cooled V-twin linked to a 4-speed transmission through a chain drive. The serial number began JH2PC210*JM000001

1989

1989 Honda VLX



The VT600C'89 Shadow VLX was sold in 1989 and was available in one of two colors: Candy Wave Blue Or Candy Wineberry Red. The "Shadow VLX" logo on the tank was in script. the serial number began JH2PC210*KM100001

1991

1991 Honda VLX



The VT600C'91 Shadow VLX was sold in 1991 and was available in one color: Black. The serial number began JH2PC210*MM200004


1992

1992 Honda VLX



The VT600C'92 Shadow VLX was sold in 1992 and was available in one color: Candy Glory Red. The serial number began JH2PC210*NM300004.

1993

1993 Honda VLX



The VT600C'93 Shadow VLX was sold in 1993 and was available in one color: Black. The serial number began JH2PC210*PM400001.

1994

1994 Honda VLX
1994 Honda Shadow VLX in Black
1994 Honda Shadow VLX in Black
1994 Honda Shadow VLX in Black



The VT600C'94 Shadow VLX was sold in 1994 and was available in one of two colors: Black or Candy Glory Red. The serial number began JH2PC210*RM100001.

1995

1995 Honda VLX



The VT600C'95 Shadow VLX was sold in 1995 and was available in one of two colors: Black or Candy Glory Red. The gas tank was redesigned. The "SHADOW" tank logo was redesigned. The serial number began JH2PC210*SM600001.


1996

1996 Honda VLX
1996 Honda Shadow VLX (VT600C) in Black
1996 Honda Shadow VLX (VT600C) in Black
1996 Honda Shadow VLX (VT600C) in Black
1996 Honda Shadow VLX (VT600C) in Black



The VT600C'96 Shadow VLX was sold in 1996 and was available in one color: Black. The serial number began JH2PC210*TM700001.

1997

1997 Honda VLX



The VT600C'97 Shadow VLX was sold in 1997 and was available in one color: Black. The serial number began JH2PC210*VM800001.

1998

2001

2001 Honda VLX



The VT600C'01 Shadow VLX was sold in 2001

  • Engine Type: Liquid cooled, 52° V-twin, single pin crank
  • Displacement: 583cc
  • Bore and Stoke: 75mm x 66mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • Valve Train: SOHC, 3 valve per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Twin 34mm, diaphragm-type CV
  • Transmission: Wide-Ratio, 4-speed
  • Final Drive: "O" ring chain
  • Front Suspension: 39mm fork, 145mm travel
  • Rear Suspension: Single shock with 7-way spring preload adjustment, 90mm travel
  • Front Tire: 100/90H-19
  • Rear Tire: 170/80H-15
  • Front Brakes: Single 296mm disc with twin piston caliper
  • Rear Brakes: Mechanical drum
  • Seat Height: 650mm (25.6")
  • Wheelbase: 1605mm (63.2")
  • Dry Weight: 202 kg (445 lb)
  • Fuel Capacity: 12.0 liters
  • Color: Black


2003

2003 Honda VLX



2003 VT600C'03 comes in one color: Black

  • Engine: 583cc liquid-cooled 52° V-twin
  • Compression ratio: 9.2:1
  • Transmission: Four-speed
  • Driveline: O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front tire 100/90-19
  • Rear tire: 170/80-15
  • Seat height: 650mm (25.6 in.)
  • Wheelbase: 1600mm (63.0 in.)
  • Dry weight: 205 kg (452 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 11 liters

2004

2004 Honda VLX



2004 Shadow VLX 600

  • Engine Type: 583cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin
  • Bore and Stroke: 75.0mm x 66.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • Valve Train: SOHC; three valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Single 34mm diaphragm-type CV
  • Ignition: CD with electronic advance, two spark plugs per cylinder
  • Transmission: Wide-ratio four-speed
  • Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 39mm fork; 5.7-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Single-shock with seven-position spring-preload adjustability; 3.5-inch travel
  • Front Brake: Single-disc with twin-piston caliper
  • Rear Brake: Drum
  • Front Tire: 100/90-19
  • Rear Tire: 170/80-15
  • Wheelbase: 63.0 inches
  • Seat Height: 25.6 inches
  • Dry Weight: 452.0 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 2.9 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
  • Available Colors: Black
  • Model ID: VT600C
  • Warranty: 1 year

2005 Shadow VLX 600

2005 Honda VLX


  • Engine Type: 583cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin
  • Bore and Stroke: 75.0mm x 66.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • Valve Train: SOHC; three valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Single 34mm diaphragm-type CV
  • Ignition: CD with electronic advance, two spark plugs per cylinder
  • Transmission: Wide-ratio four-speed
  • Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 39mm fork; 5.7-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Single-shock with seven-position spring-preload adjustability; 3.5-inch travel
  • Front Brake: Single-disc with twin-piston caliper
  • Rear Brake: Drum
  • Front Tire: 100/90-19
  • Rear Tire: 170/80-15
  • Wheelbase: 63.0 inches
  • Seat Height: 25.6 inches
  • Dry Weight: 452.0 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 2.9 gallons, including 0.9-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
  • Available Colors: Black
  • Model ID: VT600C
  • Warranty: 1 year

2006

2006 Honda Shadow 600 VLX in White
2006 Honda Shadow 600 VLX in Red
2006 Honda Shadow 600 in Silver
2006 Honda Shadow 600 in Silver
2006 Honda Shadow 600 in Silver
2006 Honda Shadow 600 in Silver


2007

2007 Honda Shadow 600 VLX in Light Pearl Blue Metallic
2007 Honda Shadow 600 VLX in Candy Dark Red