Your Honda Shadow blends classic looks with modern performance. This cruiser bike no doubt turns heads, but it also offers an optimal blend of power, fuel economy and easy maintenance. Whether you’re a first-time Shadow owner or you’re looking for new ideas for equipping your ride, this guide to Shadow aftermarket parts and street motorcycle riding gear is a great starting point for your shopping.

Should I Buy OEM or Aftermarket?

Truth be told, neither OEM and aftermarket parts are inherently superior to each other. Rather, these categories offer different expectations for fit, performance and modding capabilities. Original equipment manufacturer components are the factory parts installed on you Shadow during assembly. They offer consistent fit, dependability, and performance, which is great when it comes to the engine, electrical system, and somebody components. Aftermarket parts are produced by third-party companies and change your bike’s looks or function in a variety of ways. From high-flow air filters and lighter batteries to sprockets and chains, these Honda Shadow aftermarket parts and accessories can change your machine’s exterior or tweak its performance.



Pay Attention to Your Tires

Before you decide to do any major mods or upgrades, it’s a good idea to evaluate your Shadow’s tires. Most new bikes come with OEM tires, but you can always swap those out for models that better suit your riding style and habits. You likely have a cruiser or touring tires on your machine by default, but you may wish to change to sport touring tires if your riding style calls for it. One example of a solid sport touring tire for the Honda Shadow is Shinko’s 230 Tour Master. This tire packs in key features like a staggered tread design and Aramid belted construction, making it perfect for high-mileage riding with a dependable grip on both wet and dry roads.

Speed-Focused Upgrades

Of course, you may be looking at ways to boost your Shadow’s speed. One common approach to achieving this goal is adjusting the gearing ratio. Simply put, the gearing ratio is calculated by dividing the number of teeth on your rear sprocket by the number of teeth on the countershaft sprocket. Smaller ratios result in higher top-end speeds while larger ratios typically produce more bottom end, so you need to keep these in mind if you plan to upgrade. Most decide to swap out the front sprocket, and you can find plenty of great options from top aftermarket brands like JT Sprockets, Sunstar and Parts Unlimited.

Weight reduction is another popular modification. Fortunately, you can shave a little off your Shadow’s weight by simply changing your battery. Both lithium and lithium-ion batteries are popular choices for their lighter weights and increased cranking amps. A couple of examples include Western Power Sports’ Featherweight Lithium Battery HJTZ14S-FP-IL and BikeMaster’s Lithium-Ion Battery DLFP-14ZS, weighing in at 2.5 and 2.4 pounds respectively.Shop at a Trusted Parts Store All this advice holds for parts, accessories and riding gear. Pay attention to both price and quality when you’re equipping your Shadow with Honda bike parts. Choose a reliable Powersports store to ensure you get the best possible value.