Our today’s article is about the comparison review of 2023 Honda Shadow Phantom vs 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. Two fierce rivals, Honda and Yamaha, make the most reliable motorcycles. Both Japanese motorcycle manufacturers make reliable, affordable bikes.
Although both motorcycle companies primarily produce a diverse range of motorcycles, including sport, track race, dirt, adventure and touring bikes, they only have a small number of cruisers. Honda motorcycles offer superior raw performance despite Yamaha motorcycles’ tendency towards attractive designs.
Both Honda and Yamaha have produced motorcycles for a long time. In 1955, Yamaha unveiled its first motorcycle, the YA-1. Meanwhile, Honda built its first motorcycle in 1903, paving the way to becoming the largest motorcycle producer in the world.
Beginner-friendly motorcycles with bobber-inspired aesthetics and core features to ensure agile performance include the Honda Shadow Phantom and Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. Having a bigger engine than the Honda Shadow Phantom, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is slightly more powerful and elegant. As it guarantees a pleasant riding experience, it is also suitable for intermediate riders.
The Honda Shadow Phantom, on the other hand, is a low-powered motorbike with a low center of gravity and overall height that makes it the perfect beginner-friendly bike. This article compares 2023 Honda Shadow Phantom vs 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec in great detail.
2023 Honda Shadow Phantom vs 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec – Features Comparison
Design
The Honda Shadow Phantom is the most basic cruiser in the Honda lineup, with a bobber-inspired design and no expensive, heavy equipment. It is a compact cruiser with a mounted design and low seat height. Two straight, single-tone paint schemes with a matte black finish and two distinct, short dual chrome mufflers are offered for the Honda Shadow Phantom.
It features wide front forks and a gently sloping front end, providing a low overall height and a long wheelbase. The Honda Shadow Phantom enhances its vintage retro look with bobber-style front and rear fenders and an integrated taillight.
Additionally, it features a small spherical headlight encased in a matte black nosepiece along with bullet-shaped front and rear turn signals—a 3.7 gallon. A teardrop-shaped petrol tank is affixed to the vintage analog instrument cluster. Spatula-shaped chrome side reflectors flank wide, semi-swept back handlebars with standard risers.
Additionally, the Honda Shadow Phantom has a saddle in a gunfighter design that allows two-up riding. Additionally, it has wire-spoked wheels with massive Dunlop tires wrapped around them for a vintage look.
A bobber-style cruiser with a long, thin front fork and a low rear end is the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. It offers a simple, lightweight, and easily configurable design. The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec features a flat solo rider seat and a straightforward 3.4 gal. Peanut-shaped fuel tank.
Additionally, it has a bobber-style front fender and a small, chopped rear fender with a small LED taillight on top. Unlike the Honda Shadow Phantom, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec has a small LCD meter affixed to the straight drag handlebars. It also has a small spherical headlamp in the shape of bullets and front and rear turn signals.
Bridgestone® EXEDRA G721 F 100/90-19 front tires and Bridgestone® EXEDRA G722 R 150/80-16 rear tires, both wrapped around fashionable 12-spoke wheels, fitted with Yamaha Bolt R-Spec are to ensure high Front end.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is offered only in a Storm Gray single-tone color scheme with a matte black and gray finish. It boasts a two-into-one exhaust pipe that gives it a contemporary look, as well as a sleek and distinctively styled engine and frame. Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 and Yamaha Bolt R-Spec are similar in appearance and share an aggressive riding style.
Engine and Performance
The Honda Shadow Phantom is a budget-priced, new-generation cruiser powered by a small 745 cc liquid-cooled 52° V-Twin engine that churns out 44.6 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 64.94 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. Despite being an essential and affordable cruiser, it has 56 mpg fuel economy and programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) that guarantees smooth throttle response.
For smooth gearshifts, clutch engagement, and ride enjoyment, the Honda Shadow Phantom sports a wide ratio, a five-speed transmission, a wet multi-plate clutch, and a cleaner shaft final drive. The 745cc engine delivers enough power and torque due to the light weight of the motorcycle to provide an exhilarating riding experience for beginners. For intermediate and experienced riders, the Honda Shadow Phantom will be a slow and uninteresting motorcycle.
The Honda Shadow Phantom is quick and agile thanks to its low seat height, low center of gravity, lightweight, and small dimensions. Additionally, the Honda Shadow Phantom Navigate offers neutral handling for turns and U-turns.
For a pleasant and smooth ride on paved roads, the Honda Shadow Phantom features dual rear shock absorbers with spring preload adjustment and a 41 mm front fork. A billet aluminum triple clamp is included with the big and fat front fork to provide neutral handling. Preload-adjustable twin rear shocks offer 3.5 inches of wheel travel, compared to 4.6 inches for the front suspension. Although the Honda Shadow Phantom lacks standard ABS, the 296mm single front disc and 180mm rear drum brakes offer ample braking.
Another entry-level motorbike with a straightforward and minimalist style is the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. But since it is equipped with a 942 cc air-cooled, V-Twin engine with 65 horsepower and 80.4 Nm of torque, it offers an enjoyable riding experience. The two-to-one exhaust pipe creates a satisfying rumble, and the 942 cc V-Twin engine guarantees consistent torque and power delivery at all speeds.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec also features a twin-bore fuel injection system to deliver good throttle response and fuel efficiency of 51 mpg. The 942cc engine offers good acceleration at all gear levels while being a lightweight bike.
Due to its lightweight, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec also lacks standard ABS, but its 298mm single hydraulic front and rear discs ensure reliable braking. However, when traveling at high speeds, braking is marginally adequate. To stop the bike safely, you must apply the front and rear brakes simultaneously.
With a belt drive that can withstand over 100,000 miles and a five-speed transmission, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is a well-liked and reliable motorbike. One of the best V-Twin cruisers for new and experienced riders is the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec’s shorter wheelbase and longer, less raked-out front result in smooth handling while negotiating tight turns and U-turns. Wheel travel is 2.8 inches for the rear dual piggyback shock absorbers, while 4.7 inches for the front telescopic forks.
Comfort and Ergonomics
A comfortable motorcycle with forward-mounted foot controls, the Honda Shadow Phantom offers ample legroom for all riders. Despite a low seat height of 25.8 inches and a low-mounted, semi-swept back handlebar, the bike maintains an upright back position. The user of this motorcycle can ride it non-stop for three to four hours without getting tired.
Due to its comfortable rider triangle, this small cruiser is suitable for short and tall riders despite its simple, lightweight design. With a windscreen and backrest, the Honda Shadow Phantom is an excellent urban cruiser that is beginner-friendly and perfect for cruising on motorways and wide roads. By adding the specially designed SADDLEBAGS for the Honda Shadow Phantom available at Viking Bags, it can also be used for comfortable light touring.
A sporty cruiser with an aggressive riding position and ergonomics, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec. It features low-mounted, drag handlebars and mid-mounted foot controls for compact legroom. To reach the handlebars, the rider must lean slightly forward in their seat.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, on the other hand, offers taller riders plenty of room to adjust their limbs thanks to its long front end and comfortable riding triangle. Despite having more athletic ergonomics, it’s perfect for long, comfortable rides.
The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec has a straightforward design that is easy to modify. Many small businesses outside of Yamaha also produce Yamaha Bolt R-Spec aftermarket components, as the motorcycle is a well-liked custom model among custom builders. You can turn this bike into a bobber, chopper, or cafe racer by adding aftermarket items.
By adding Saddlebags, a windscreen, Sissy Bars, and backrests, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec can also be converted into the ideal touring bike. It can also be used for a comfortable two-up ride with the passenger seat later.
2023 Honda Shadow Phantom vs 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec – FAQs
Is the Honda Shadow Phantom Good for Beginners?
The Honda Shadow Phantom has all the required features of a perfect beginner bike. It has a low center of gravity, low seat height, and low power engine. The Honda Shadow Phantom is also relatively easy to control due to its lightweight—riders with no riding experience.
2023 Honda Shadow Phantom vs 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec – Technical Specifications
| Specs \ Bikes | 2023 Honda Shadow Phantom | 2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec |
|---|
Engine and Performance
| Displacement | 745 cc / 45.46 cu in | 942 cc / 58 cu in |
| Engine Design and Type | 52° V-Twin, Four-Stroke Engine | SOHC V-Twin Engine |
| Cooling System | Liquid-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| No. of Cylinders | Two | Two |
| Valves Per Cylinder | Three | Four |
| Horsepower | 44.6 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 65 hp |
| Torque | 64.94 Nm @ 3,500 rpm | 80.4 Nm |
| Stroke | 76 mm / 3 in | 3.26 mm / 83 mm |
| Bore | 79 mm / 3.11 in | 85 mm / 3.34 in |
| Fuel Injection System | Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI); 34 mm Throttle Body | Twin-Bore Fuel Injection |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 | 9:1 |
| Transmission | Wide-Ratio, Five-Speed | Five-Speed |
| Final Drive | Shaft | Belt |
| Clutch | Wet, Multiplate | Wet, Multiplate |
| Fuel Economy | 56 mpg | 51 mpg |
| Muffler | Chrome, Separate Dual Mufflers | Stylish Single Muffler |
| Exhaust | Two-Into-Two Exhaust | Two-Into-One Exhaust |
| Frame | Steel Frame | Double-Cradle Frame |
| Starter | Electric | Electric |
| Gauges | Fuel Tank-Mounted | Handlebars-Mounted |
Wheels
| Wheels | Steel-Spoked Wheels with Black Rims | Stylish 12-Spoke Wheels |
| Tires | Front: Dunlop® 120/90 R17 64S Rear: Dunlop® 160/80 R15 74S | Front: Bridgestone® EXEDRA G721 F Rear: Bridgestone® EXEDRA G722 R |
Braking
| Front | 296 mm Single Disc with Twin-Piston Caliper | 298 mm Single Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear | 180 mm Drum | 298 mm Single Hydraulic Disc |
| ABS | No | No |
Suspension
| Front | 41 mm Front Fork | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear | Dual Shocks with Five-Position Spring-Preload Adjustability | Dual Piggyback Shocks |
| Front Wheel Travel | 116.84 mm / 4.6 in | 119.38 mm / 4.7 in |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 88.9 mm / 3.5 in | 71.12 mm / 2.8 in |
Dimensions and Weight
| Trail | 160 mm / 6.3 in | 129.5 mm / 5.1 in |
| Rake | 34° | 29° |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 3.7 gal | 3.4 gal |
| Ground Clearance | 129.5 mm / 5.1 in | 129.5 mm / 5.1 in |
| Width | 825.5 mm / 32.5 in | 944.88 mm / 37.2 in |
| Height | 1089.7 mm / 42.9 in | 1120.14 mm / 44.1 in |
| Length | 2395.22 mm / 94.3 in | 2291 mm / 90.2 in |
| Seat Height | 655.32 mm / 25.8 in | 690.88 mm / 27.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 1640.8 mm / 64.6 in | 1569.7 mm / 61.8 in |
| Wet Weight | 549 lbs / 249 kg | 542 lbs / 245.84 kg |
