The 2026 Honda Shadow Phantom ABS is a classic cruiser designed for riders seeking timeless style and reliable performance. Its 745cc V-twin engine delivers smooth, manageable power perfect for both highway cruising and urban riding. Known for its iconic shadow design, accessible riding position, and dependable ABS braking system, it appeals to cruiser enthusiasts valuing tradition and practicality.
The 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S Performance is a lightweight custom cruiser designed for riders seeking manageable power and accessible handling. Its 649cc parallel-twin engine delivers smooth 60 horsepower with excellent torque characteristics, making it ideal for both newcomers and experienced riders transitioning to cruiser styling. Known for its agile maneuverability and approachable performance, the Vulcan S Performance balances cruiser aesthetics with genuine rideability.
Both are cruisers, so this is a like-for-like choice.
2026 Honda Shadow Phantom ABS: It is built primarily for laid-back cruising and everyday street riding rather than outright performance or long-distance touring.
2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S Performance: Built for relaxed cruising and stylish everyday riding rather than outright performance or long-distance touring.
Verdict: Choose the 2026 Honda Shadow Phantom ABS if you want a lower seat. Choose the 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S Performance if you want more power and lighter weight. Check the full table below for every figure, and the size comparison for fit.
| Specification | 2026 Honda Shadow Phantom ABS | 2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| Category | Cruiser | Cruiser |
| Color Options | Flare Orange Metallic, Deep Pearl Gray | Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Flat Raw Graystone, Metallic Flat Spark Black Metallic Flat Spark Black |
| Comments | Model id: VT750CBS | - |
| Engine | ||
| Capacity: | 745.0 ccm (45.46 cubic inches) | 649.0 ccm (39.60 cubic inches) |
| Engine Type | V-Twin, four-stroke | Parallel Twin, four-stroke |
| Fuel Consumption | ✓4.20 litres/100 km (23.8 km/l or 56.00 mpg) | 4.50 litres/100 km (22.2 km/l or 52.27 mpg) |
| Bore x Stroke | 79.0 x 76.0 mm (3.1 x 3.0 inches) | 83.0 x 60.0 mm (3.3 x 2.4 inches) |
| Compression | 9.6:1 | 10.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid | Liquid |
| Fuel System | Injection | Injection |
| Starting | Electric | Electric |
| Ignition | Digital with 3-D mapping, two spark plugs per cylinder | Digital |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 3 | - |
| Lubrication System | - | Forced lubrication, semi‑dry sump |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 44.2 HP (32.5 kW) | ✓60.0 HP (43.8 kW) @ 7500 RPM |
| Torque | ✓65.0 Nm (6.6 kgf-m or 47.9 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM | 63.0 Nm (6.4 kgf-m or 46.5 ft.lbs) @ 6600 RPM |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 0.1762 HP/kg (wet) | 0.2829 HP/kg (dry) |
| Transmission | ||
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Final Drive | Shaft | Chain |
| Clutch | Wet multiplate | Wet multi-plate |
| Brakes & wheels | ||
| Front Brakes | Single disc. Two-piston calipers. | Double disc. ABS. Two-piston calipers. |
| Front Brakes Diameter | 296 mm (11.7 inches) | 300 mm (11.8 inches) |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc | Single disc. ABS. Single-piston caliper. |
| Front Tyre | 120/90-17 | 120/70-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 160/80-15 | 160/60-17 |
| Rear Brakes Diameter | - | 250 mm (9.8 inches) |
| ABS | - | Yes |
| Dimensions & weight | ||
| Wheelbase | 1638 mm (64.5 inches) | 1575 mm (62.0 inches) |
| Seat Height | ✓650 mm (25.6 inches) | 706 mm (27.8 inches) |
| Wet Weight | 250.8 kg (552.9 pounds) | ✓226.0 kg (498.2 pounds) |
| Fuel Capacity | ✓14.80 litres (3.91 US gallons) | 14.00 litres (3.70 US gallons) |
| Reserve fuel capacity | 3.40 litres (0.90 US gallons) | - |
| Overall Length | - | 2309 mm (90.9 inches) |
| Overall Width | - | 879 mm (34.6 inches) |
| Overall Height | - | 1100 mm (43.3 inches) |
| Dry weight | - | 212.1 kg (467.6 pounds) |
| Chassis & suspension | ||
| Front Suspension | 41mm fork | 41mm telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability | Lay-down offset rear shock with linkage and adjustable preload |
| Front Wheel Travel | 130 mm (5.1 inches) | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 89 mm (3.5 inches) | 81 mm (3.2 inches) |
| Rake (fork angle) | 34.0° | 31.0° |
| Trail | 161 mm (6.3 inches) | 119 mm (4.7 inches) |
| Frame | - | Tubular diamond, high-tensile steel |
| Ground Clearance | - | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
"Best" (✓) reflects that single spec only, not overall suitability - a bike can win on paper and still be the wrong choice for you. Ties are all marked; specs with no clear better/worse direction (e.g. displacement, wheel size) are never marked, only tinted where bikes differ.
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Specs are pulled from the same categories used throughout the site: engine and transmission (capacity, power, torque, gearbox), physical measures (weight, seat height, fuel and tank capacity), frame and dimensions, speed and acceleration, and brakes, suspension, frame and wheels (including tyres) - plus general information and maintenance data where it's on record for a bike.
A highlighted cell means one bike has the clearly better raw number for that spec - more power, less weight, and so on. Fields where "better" genuinely depends on the rider - seat height above all - are deliberately never highlighted: a lower seat isn't automatically the right choice, it's a fit question only you can answer. Winning a row also isn't the same as winning the comparison - a bike can lead on paper in half the rows and still be the wrong bike for you.
Yes - the tool doesn't restrict what you compare, though a highlighted spec means less when the two bikes aren't really doing the same job.
It shows as "-" and is never highlighted as a winner - a missing figure never beats one that's actually reported, and never blocks the rest of the row.
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