Honda Shadow RS (2010-2013) VT750S/VT750RS Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda Shadow RS, also known as the VT750S in Australia and VT750RS in the US. The “RS” stands for “Retro Standard”, referring to the upright seating position.
Here are all the models of Honda Shadow VT750 for which we have maintenance schedules:
- Honda Shadow ACE & Deluxe (1998-2003) – first with the 52-degree 745cc V-twin. Twin carburettor fed, chain drive
- Honda Shadow Aero VT750C (2004-2007) — Higher compression ratio, better mid-range torque, single CV carburettor
- Honda Shadow Spirit 750 (2001-2007) — Twin carburettor-fed, chain drive.
- Honda Shadow RS VT750RS / VT750S (2010-2013) — mid controls, fuel-injected, chain drive
- Honda Shadow Phantom / Black Spirit (2010+)
The Honda Shadow RS or VT750RS is a cruiser, part of the VT750 line, but with an upright, almost standard position. It’s part of the Shadow line of mid-size cruiser motorcycles that Honda has been producing since 1983 in many guises.
The Shadow RS uses the same liquid-cooled, 745cc V-twin that produces an amount of power that’s just “fine” — not slow, but not hair-raising by a long shot. The Honda Shadow RS was different to other cruisers in the Shadow line in that it has:
- Different geometry — mid-mounted foot controls and handlebars that put the rider into an upright posture, and slightly higher seating (750mm/29.5 inches)
- Fuel injection (some others in the same era had it, like the Phantom, but the Shadow line is old)
- Spoked wheels with tube-type tyres
- A chain drive (most of the Shadow line were shaft drive)
The Honda VT750RS is sometimes compared to an entry-level Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Iron.
This post was originally published December 9, 2020, but has since been significanly updated.
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Honda Shadow RS / VT750 RS Service Intervals
The Honda Shadow RS / VT750RS has 4000 mile / 6400 km service intervals. But you only need to change the oil every 8000 miles / 12800 km or annually.
The valve service interval is also every 8000 miles / 12800 km, but has no time-based interval (i.e. you don’t need to do it annually, as you do the oil change).
Since the VT750RS has a chain drive, make sure you clean and lubricate the chain, and adjust chain tension as necessary.
Finally, keep the Honda Shadow RS’s coolant fresh.
Honda Shadow RS/VT750RS Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda Shadow RS, a.k.a. the Honda VT750RS.
Notes
- At higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
- The break in service is omitted (that time has passed)
- Honda recommends you get the steering and wheels serviced by a qualified mechanic. Other stuff you can do with the right tools, skills, and a service manual.
Some recommended replacement items are linked below for convenience.
Maintenance Procedures:
- I: Inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary
- C: Clean
- L: Lubricate
- R: Replace
| x 1000 mi | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x 1000 km | 6.4 | 12.8 | 19.2 | 25.6 | 32 | 38.4 | Every |
| Fuel Line | I | I | I | ||||
| Throttle Operation | I | I | I | ||||
| Air Cleaner (K&N HA-7504) | R | R | More often if riding in wet/dusty areas | ||||
| Crankcase Breather | C | C | C | C | C | C | More often if riding at full throttle or in rain |
| Spark Plug (NGK DPR7EA-9, gapped to 0.8-0.9mm) | I | R | I | R | I | R | |
| Valve Clearance | I | I | I | ||||
| Engine Oil (Pro Honda GN4) | R | R | R | Year: R | |||
| Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC) | R | R | R | ||||
| Engine Idle Speed | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Radiator Coolant (Honda coolant) | I | I | R | 2 years | |||
| Cooling System | I | I | I | ||||
| Secondary Air Supply System | I | I | I | ||||
| Evaporative Emission Control System (if fitted) | I | I | |||||
| Drive Chain (Motul chain paste) | 500 mi (800 km): I L | ||||||
| Brake Fluid (4) (Pro Honda GN4) | I | I | R | I | I | R | 2 years |
| Brake Shoes/Pads Wear | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake System | I | I | I | ||||
| Brake Light Switch | I | I | I | ||||
| Headlight Aim | I | I | I | ||||
| Clutch System | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Side Stand | I | I | I | ||||
| Suspension | I | I | I | ||||
| Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners | I | I | I | ||||
| Wheels/Tires | I | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering Head Bearings | I | I | I |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda Shadow RS/VT750RS
The Honda Shadow RS has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures.
Note that the Shadow RS has tubed tyres.
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure (when cold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 100/90-19M/C (57H) | DUNLOP D404F METZELER ME 880 Marathon | 29 psi (200 kPa) |
| Rear | 150/80B-16M/C (71H) | DUNLOP D404 G METZELER ME 880 Marathon | 29-36 psi (200-250 kPa) depending on load |
About the Honda Shadow RS/VT750RS
The Honda Shadow RS is quite a unique motorcycle in the Honda Shadow line-up.
It’s based on the same fundamental engine platform as the rest of the Honda Shadow line-up. The engine is a 745-cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin with a single overhead cam and 3 valves per cylinder.
It makes a very modest peak power of 32 kW (43 hp) at 5500 rpm, and peak torque of 60 Nm (44 ft-lb) at 3000 rpm. That’s less power than some learner-approved bikes (in the UK and Australia / NZ), though the 745-cc capacity makes it ineligible for learner-legal schemes.
Still, the Honda Shadow RS is an excellent starter bike if you’re in a place that allows it. It’s modestly powered, but not slow, and it’s very stylish.
The Honda Shadow RS is a little different its cruiser companions in the Shadow line.
Firstly, it has a more standard riding position. The footpegs are higher and closer to the rider, and the bar is a little lower.
Secondly, the Honda Shadow RS has a chain final drive, rather than a belt as found on most cruisers, or a shaft as found on the Phantom.
Thirdly, the tires are tubed, rather than tubeless. This means that fixing a flat will have you using a patch kit rather than your plugging tools. Don’t plan on having a flat, I suppose.
Ride gear on the Honda Shadow RS is pretty basic. There’s a five-speed transmission. The front suspension is a non-adjustable 41mm fork, and the rear suspension is via dual shocks with 5-way spring preload adjustability.
The brake on the front is a single 296 mm disc and a 2-piston caliper, and the rear brake is a 180mm drum brake. Yes, a drum!
Just in case you were wondering if there’s anything modern on the bike… well, ignition is solid state, and there’s fuel injection and two spark plugs per cylinder.
The Honda Shadow RS is designed to be a stylish and easy to live with alternative to something like the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883. So like the Iron 883, this isn’t a fast bike.
Not that that’s likely to matter. The relaxed rider triangle of the Shadow RS and basic riding gear encourages docile riding. A few years have passed since the Shadow RS was available, but I think a more apt comparison would be the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, for example — a bike designed to be enjoyed, not flogged.
If you really push it, you might get a 0-60 mph (0-100 mph) of around 7 seconds, but… why ?
Manual for the Honda Shadow RS/VT750RS/VT750S
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2012 Honda Shadow RS. It’s the same as in other years.
You can download the manual for the Honda Shadow RS from Honda here. An archive copy is below.
