The Honda Shadow VT600C, also known as the Honda Shadow VLX, is a cruiser

Cruiser (motorcycle)

Cruiser is the term for motorcycles that mimic the design style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s, including those made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior and Henderson. The market for models evocative of the early cruisers has grown to embrace 60 percent of the U.S...

 motorcycle. It utilizes a 583 cc V-twin

V-twin

A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...

 engine, a four-speed transmission, 35* rake, chain drive, and a single-shock softail

Softail

The term softail refers to motorcycles and bicycles that feature a rear suspension system with springs or shock absorbers to absorb bumps. On Softail motorcycles, the shock absorbers or springs are often hidden underneath out of view to give the appearance of a hard-tail or rigid frame, however...

-style rear suspension. The VLX engine is borrowed from the highly popular Honda Transalp

Honda Transalp

The Honda Transalp is the name given to the XL600V, XL650V, and XL700V series of dual-sport motorcycles manufactured in Japan by Honda since 1987. The Transalp bikes all feature a liquid-cooled, four-stroke 52° V-twin engine.- History :...

.

The VLX name derives from V-Twin, Lowered, eXtended rake.

The VLX is available on the American market in black only. A deluxe model costs more, for which one gets more chrome and a choice of colours.

1988 marked the first year of the Honda VLX. Its history spanned 20 years as Honda VLX disappeared from the Honda motorcycle lineup in 2008.

The Honda Shadow VT600C was also produced in Brazil from 1988 to 2005.