This is a difficult choice to make, because there have been many motorcycles that can lay claim to the throne of most reliable motorcycle. What gives us enthusiasts particular joy is the fact that they all belong to different styles of motorcycle, so no matter what kind of motorcycle you like, there is a model that you can keep forever. However, there still can be a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which motorcycle is built for riders who plan to keep it forever, provided that it can do the many different things that owners ask of it. Here then is our choice – and it won’t really be a big surprise to those who are fans of Honda. The Honda Shadow Phantom Is The Motorcycle Built For Riders Who Plan To Keep It Forever There are many great motorcycles that fit the description when you ask about motorcycles that can be kept forever, but the Shadow is a special one. It can be ridden by beginners; it is that docile. It can be a great second motorcycle for experienced riders. And it is a simple, fun motorcycle for anyone who wants the feel of an American V-twin cruiser, but without the price tag and maintenance costs of an American one. Also, the Shadow has been around for a really long time, so parts are available, affordable, and there was never much to go wrong with it in the first place. Starting Price: $8,699 HondaOne of the Shadow’s best features is its price. Up until recently, there used to be two different variants available, with the retro-styled, chrome-laden Shadow Aero delivering the great entry price thanks to optional ABS. However, the Shadow range now consists solely of the Shadow Phantom, and ABS is standard. It still fits neatly between the Honda cruisers on either side of it, and in a price gap in the middle of the competition as well. The cruisers that deliver more value haven’t yet proven themselves, so there are no real options to the Shadow at the price. The Honda Shadow Has One Of The Final Japanese V-Twins HondaThe Shadow’s V-twin was designed to mimic the feel of an American V-twin, and it does that quite well. You’d definitely be surprised to know, then, that it is a short-stroke design. This is topped with a relaxed 9.6:1 compression ratio, which means it will tolerate bad or low-quality fuel really well while still putting out 45 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 48 pound-feet at 3,500 RPM. The layout has a 52-degree V-twin that displaces 745 cc, and it is one of the unique engines today because there are two intake valves and one exhaust valve.Despite its age, it has liquid cooling and fuel injection, so it is extremely reliable. A five-speed wide-ratio gearbox is used, and there is no fancy new tech like an assist and slipper clutch. The Shadow chooses a driveshaft over a chain or belt, which makes it the most affordable Japanese motorcycle with shaft drive today. Honda Shadow Phantom Chassis HondaHonda chose the traditional route for familiarity and reliability. This is a double downtube frame, and Honda chose twin rear shock absorbers to preserve a low seat height. The 41 mm front forks have ‘beercan’ covers that make them look a little like inverted forks, and offer 5.5 inches of travel. The only suspension adjustment available is the five-step preload adjustment at the rear. There is 3.5 inches of travel available at the back.Honda uses a 17/15-inch wheel rim combination. These are spoke rims that need tubes for their tires. There are disc brakes at both ends – a 296 mm disc at the front, and a 276 mm disc at the rear. An identical two-piston floating caliper is used at both ends, and ABS is standard with the Shadow Phantom. The ABS isn’t switchable. Honda Shadow Phantom Dimensions HondaThe Shadow is the epitome of ‘long and low’. It is nearly 97 inches long, with a really long 64.5-inch wheelbase. The twin shocks give the seat a really low 25.6-inch height. Elsewhere, the fuel tank is a little small, at 3.7 gallons, although its efficiency offsets that somewhat. It weighs 560 pounds wet. The Feature List Is Barebones HondaProspective Shadow owners don’t queue up to buy one of these because of its feature list. This is a simple, no-nonsense motorcycle that is fun to ride and great to maintain. The features were never part of the appeal. There is a tank-mounted instrument cluster with an analog speedometer and an LCD at the bottom for information like the odometer. It is, surprisingly for Honda Powersports America, available in more than a single color. A gray/black color combination that you see in the images is there, along with a metallic orange option for no extra charge.The accessories list has a grand total of two items: a passenger seat and footpegs for $108, and a bike cover that costs $110. This isn’t worrying, because Shadow owners know there is a whole world of aftermarket accessory support out there, and there is something available for every Shadow owner. Honda Shadow Phantom Competition KawasakiThere are quite a few good options available if you intend to put a bike that lasts forever in the garage. Names like the Kawasaki KLR650, Suzuki SV650, Suzuki GSX-R750, and even the BMW R 1300 GS will vie for your attention. However, in the budget/middleweight cruiser segment, there are only a few Japanese options. The obvious choices would have been the Suzuki Boulevard C50 and the Kawasaki Vulcan 900, but they are a small step beyond the Shadow in terms of specs and price. And that is why we’ll turn to another Japanese stalwart: the Kawasaki Vulcan S.KawasakiThe Vulcan S couldn’t be more different from the Shadow. It has a 180-degree parallel twin engine, a monoshock for the rear suspension, a trellis frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, and the driveline is shared and derived from a middleweight sport bike and naked bike. However, where it is the same is in longevity. It has also been around the block more than a few times and is quite reliable. This is the unbreakable Japanese cruiser to get if you want it to be sprightly and fun in the corners as well. Honda Shadow Phantom Vs Kawasaki Vulcan S