Shadow Showdown || 1985 Shadow 500 vs 2000 Shadow 600 

Nice video! Just picked up a 07 Shadow vlx600 with 2,400 miles for $1,500! Can't beat the price.

Very good video, you earned my subscibe. My son's have owned each of the bikes and your observations are spot on.

The 80's had some of the coolest bikes. I had the 2000 shadow, wasn't impressed. It was too small for me, but it didn't give the same enjoyment as a lot of my other bikes. I've always been impressed with the 80's and 90's shadows. Really nice bikes.

I have multiples of both bikes. Those are aftermarket exhausts on the VLX and it is not the original paint. The VLX is beginner friendly because of its low seat height and accessible peg controls. The VLX also has a bit of a delay to beginning acceleration.....Like you can count to two before the throttle reacts, which is good for a beginner because it's like the bike is asking you, 'Did you intend to pull out? Well, Ok, here we go.' The VT500c rides like a dirt bike: Lots of suspension. [Note the more active suspension of the front forks in this video.] The ride is also smoother because of the shaft drive. The bike is also lighter and seat height a bit higher, and it's skinny, making it feel and ride like a dirt bike. ie. The bike rides under your butt and you can throw the bike under you from side-to-side like a dirt bike.] I have ridden my VT500c on many dirt paths and even lots of gravel up and over a mountain. It's a fun ride and and faster than the VLX (a little). The VLX is better for longer distances because the seat is softer and a more relaxed riding position. You can readily get aftermarket (custom) parts for the VLX and they make great bases for bobbers. The original handlebars for the VT500c suck....The handle/grip angles are horrible, but I simple replaced these with more ergonomic bars/grips. I think my they also make my VT500c seem/ride/handle like a dirt bike................Get rid of those original handlebars!

Excellent review, great commentary!

just purchased the 85 model and this video is 100 percent accurate. very unique bike and you can tell the engine was borrowed from a sports bike.

Sweet 85 shadow! I just subscribed! Love my 85 shadow 700.

Gurren Lagann reference was 👌🏼👌🏼 Just picked up a vt500 and customized it. Can’t wait to start the season

I have re-read my previous comments (four months ago) and should have added that the VLX could also use different handlebars as well. On each of these bikes (and I have three of both) it is critical for the feel of the ride and ergonomics to pick handlebars that suite you personally, as the originals on the VT500c have unnatural wrist angles and some of the more modern (ie. post 1997) bikes have bars that are too wide. Of the two, I have had more issues with the VT500c engines and electronics going bad,.......... but then again they are from 1985. Both bikes have turn signals that break if you dump the bike, but you can find replacements on Ebay rather easily. The VT500c is definitely more fun to ride and I have surprised my friends with how much like a dirt bike it really is (ie. light, thinner, higher up, with springy suspension and narrow seat. It has adjustable air suspension on the front forks you can play around with. On the other hand, as the bike ages, the electronics can be a pain in the butt, especially if the bike has been exposed to the weather.

I had vt500 years ago. I loved the engine and six speed gearbox combination with shaft drive .It will do you sporty ride same as relaxing once.

It almost sounds like your rapping to that slick tune in the back🎉

I love the VT500C, it was my first bike i got new out of the crate in 1987 for 2000 dollars, the 600 i don't like due to the air box crashing into my right knee

Great video I love my VT500C 86 I really dont like the 600 the VT500C has more power and better transmission

Great video man, thoroughly enjoyed your comparison here. I’m looking at vt500’s of similar years. What was your height? I’m curious if the vt500’s riding/sitting position would become too uncomfortable for a 6’4” beginner rider.

Vt500 was my first bike. Then the 97 vf4 magna

Vt 500c great bike .

I had both bikes vt 500 is a fast bike even 800 suzuki intruder can't keep up with vt 500

What song was playing when you were riding the '85?

I got the 83 vt500🔥

I love my vt500 and average 50.1 mpg,would love try out a vt600

The video was very informative and very very well shot ,but the music although nice music was very distracting when trying to hear the commentary.

The only difference with the ascott mechanically is in the drive haft ratio

this dude looks like Cleaveland from Family guy

Got a 600 94 shadow gone to sell it few times still got it. Great bike acceleration quite good can overtake fine, not great top speed but not designed for that. The 500 not got good rep in UK, fragile engine not high mileage. My vt 30,000 plus miles no problems. Put new stanchions on tyres that's it. Get rid of irritating (music?) just talk its not a disco 😂

My friend we want to know about the motorcycles, that music is to loud, sorry my friend, but is true

oops....."more modern VLXs..."