VT 1100 C2 Shadow ACE

1998 Honda VT 1100 C2 Shadow ACE Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1998 Honda VT 1100 C2 Shadow ACE custom - cruiser motorcycle, Honda pairs a 1099 cc (67.1 cu in) liquid-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 50 HP (36.5 kW) at 4,500 rpm while maximum torque reaches 88 Nm (64.9 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 45.5 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (2,500 rpm) and peak power (4,500 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the VT 1100 C2 Shadow ACE measures 261 kg (575 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.19 HP/kg (5.22 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 730 mm (28.7 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Honda archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1996 to 2000, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.