Shootout: 2010 Honda Shadow RS vs. 2010 Harley-Davidson 883 Low

[Admin]

Since the 1980s when Japanese V-Twins began in earnest to whittle away from Harley-Davidson's customer base, a lot of discussion has evolved into what is now a perennial debate about who makes a better cruiser.

It's been a four-against-one prize match, and H-D has more than held its own, but that doesn't stop the Japanese from making motorcycles more and more like the original.

As previously written about, Honda's Shadow RS has been widely observed to have more than a passing resemblance to Harley's also recently reviewed 883 Low Sportster, although the Japanese bike's base price is $800 more.

Is Honda trying to say it has made a better Harley-Davidson than Harley can? Is it just a fluke of yen/dollar currency valuation that forces Honda to price its bike higher to make a fair profit?

In the case of the 883L and Shadow RS, it's almost beside the point, as this duo has personalities that are distinct from each other.

More: Shootout: 2010 Honda Shadow RS vs. 2010 Harley-Davidson 883 Low on Motorcycle.com

[Glenn W]

Wonder why they compared the Shadow with a Low? Why not compare it to a std. Sporty?

[benford46]

No Satandard in the 883 line anymore.

[Glenn W]

Guess that'd explain it then

[JOKENightTrain]

Originally Posted by Glenn W

Guess that'd explain it then

Just when I thought the 883L was the bike for my wife; I love Harley's but, ain't there always a but, her safety (pegs) and comfort (ride) are paramount to keeping her riding.

[04 sport]

In my opinion there is no comparison. The Harley is american made.

[1bdBagr]

kinda cool that the test took place in my backyard, so to speak, in the local mountains (above pic taken @ the Mt Baldy lodge)...i go there often. Shame Harley limits the selection of an entry level bike to a LOW 883 that makes it a bit unwieldly to big or tall folks. Not to mention the low lean angle. I guess they want to up-sell people to the Nightster and 1200's....
Tim

[FXDRYDR]

No way I'd buy this Honda over a Sportster... and the Sportster costs less!!! Who'd a thunk it!

[bdejong11129]

I was not easily seen in any of the pictures that the foot pegs on the Honda are all that higher from the ground than on the Harley. It would have been nice to see a measurement difference since such a big deal was made about grinding down the pegs on the road.

The bike is almost kid sized for me (6'3") so I never really pay much attention to them but they guys did look a little large for the bikes and maybe they should have the type of rider that would purchase this bike do the review.

While I ride a Harley because its a Harley I will not let the MoCo get away with anything just because. That being said I hope the HD starts to really pay attention and not take for granted that people will continue to buy them "just because" Ask the big three auto companies if they learned their lesson....

[JOHNNYWISHBONE]

"such a big deal was made about grinding down the pegs on the road."

PEGS COST ALMOST NOTHING.

[Homesick]

Originally Posted by 04 sport

In my opinion there is no comparison. The Harley is american made.

I've never heard anyone voice the opinion that Harleys're NOT made in America, so you're probably safe with that one.

joe

[Buck99]

If Harley's are so crappy and old, why do all the Japanese companies try to copy them right down to the shape of the tail lights?

[Josh818]

No two ways about it.... the Honda ain't a Harley.... Enough said! I owned a Shadow before my Harley... It is kinda like kissing your sister.... just ain't the same....

[nixdad]

Originally Posted by Josh818

No two ways about it.... the Honda ain't a Harley.... Enough said! I owned a Shadow before my Harley... It is kinda like kissing your sister.... just ain't the same....

Ok, ewwwwww!


Nixdad

[BackOn2wheels]

When I decided to get back in the saddle as a rider, my neighbors and friends told me that the Japanese bikes were just as good, dependable, easy to work on and had plenty of power. I rode several Shadows, an old Gold Wing, a Kawi cruiser of some sort and was not really impressed. I went to my Harley dealer when I saw an add for demo rides and took a day off to see what it was all about. The standard Sporty was nice but I didn't like mid controls. As I looked for more features and better ride, the prices started to go up. I found a nice softail standard but it turned out to have mechanical issues that caused problems. The dealer relented and assumed responsibility for trying to sell a bike with issues and cut 2 grand off the Dyna Low Ride I have now.

Since I have had the Low Rider, I took a short ride on a friend's new Kawi cruiser and he took the Harley. We were out for 50 or 60 miles when we stopped for a break. He said he was going to get rid of the Kawi and wanted to get a Low Rider. I wasn't impressed by the Kawi's acceleration or cruising 'road feel' but it was OK.