| MODEL | HONDA VT 600C SHADOW 1988 - 1990 |
| Year | 1988 - 1990 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, 52° V-twin, SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 583 cc / 35.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 75 x 66 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 30.6 kW / 41 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 51 Nm / 37.6 ft-lb @ 3500 rpm |
| Ignition | CD with electronic advance, two spark plugs per cylinder |
| Induction | — |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4 Speed, wide-ratio (Brazil model 5 speed) |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | 39 mm centre-axle telescopic fork, 145 mm / 5.7 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Single shock, adjustable spring preload, 90 mm / 3.5 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 296 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 160 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 690 mm / 27.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 1600 mm / 63 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 207 kg / 456.4 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 170/80-15 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 Litres / 2.9 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 50 mpg |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h / 112 mph |
Launched for 1988, the VT600C (sold as the VLX in North America) was Honda's entry-level Shadow, built around a 583 cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin derived from the VT500 with three valves and two plugs per cylinder. Its key styling trick was a hardtail look: the single shock and triangulated swingarm are hidden so the rear end resembles a rigid frame. Chain drive and a four-speed gearbox kept it light and simple, and testers rated its handling above most Japanese cruisers of the time, though the engine felt busy at motorway speeds.
