Honda motorcycles are known for many things: reliability, everyday usability and smooth performance, but not aggressively designed V-twin cruisers. Or that’s what you might think if you don’t look closely enough at the company’s lineup. In fact, Honda has made some incredible V-twin cruisers in the past, including the VTX 1800, Shadow Spirit and Shadow Phantom.
Of these V-twin cruisers, one motorcycle stands out the most: the Honda Fury, a thoroughly aggressive chopper that makes no concessions to appearance. The best part is that this age-old motorcycle is still for sale and relevant even today. If you’re looking for an aggressive V-twin cruiser that’s unlike any other without sacrificing Honda reliability, nothing can beat the Honda Fury. This is why.
To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article comes from authoritative sources such as Honda Powersports.
The Honda Fury is Honda’s most aggressive V-Twin powered cruiser
Starting price: $11,499
The Honda Fury kills two birds with one stone, offering a dramatic chopper design and a suitably powerful V-twin engine. It easily comes close to a custom helicopter without having to resort to giving a lot of money to a custom shop. It has a sloping front, an open chassis, a large front wheel, a fat rear tire and a low, long stance. Within this design is a big V-twin engine, which may not wow you with its performance, but is still useful for weekend cruising. Not to mention, it’s a V-twin that will outlast all rivals.
This design is also the most aggressive in Honda’s line of cruisers, closely followed by the Shadow Phantom. The latter is another custom-style cruiser with a V-twin engine, but it doesn’t look nearly as custom as the Fury. Instead, it looks like it’s designed to steal customers from the Harley-Davidson Sportster. Meanwhile, the Shadow Aero, with its old-school cruiser design, is anything but aggressive (though still beautiful). Although the Rebel line appears aggressive, it lacks the V-twin experience.
A bold design that stays true to the dramatic Chopper design traditions
The chopper design stems from the post-World War II bobber trend, where the design is taken to the extreme. They have always been design-first motorcycles, and the Fury remains true to that tradition. It features an extended flight line with a forward swept leading edge, an elongated fuel tank and a large V-twin engine. It is completed with a large 21-inch front wheel up front and an ultra-wide 200 series rear tire, along with a two-on-two chrome exhaust. Take him anywhere and he will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention with his aggressive attitude.
The Honda Fury is also a relatively blank canvas motorcycle, given its minimalist take on chopper design and limited color options. Honda offers the Fury in just one color option, Adventure Green, which challenges you to give it a custom candy paint job. Add in some more chopper touches, like a sissy bar and colorful seat leather and matching grips, and the Fury looks like it was born in a custom shop, not a factory.
Design highlights
The flared front with sturdy forks creates a low, long and slim appearance
The 3.4-gallon fuel tank is slim and long, mounted high on the frame for a quirky look
The radiator is subtly mounted to accentuate the sleek lines of the motorcycle
You can easily remove the passenger seat and pegs for a sleek, solo look
Big-Twin experience with Honda reliability and a maintenance-free shaft drive
Power: 57 hp
The aggressive stance is nothing without a characterful engine, and nothing beats a throbbing V-twin, which the Fury does well. It features a large 52-degree V-twin engine that prioritizes strong power delivery. The engine features a single pin crankshaft that is said to give it a power pulse feel while dual counter balancers limit primary vibrations. Honda says it has managed to strike a balance between true V-twin character and everyday usability and reliability.
The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which Honda claims gives the motorcycle exhilarating roll-on acceleration and easy highway cruising. The transmission is connected to a neatly tucked end-shaft drive, delivering smooth power without the stress of cleaning the chain every other week. According to the company, even the exhaust has been tuned for a raw exhaust note, which should complement the engine’s aggressive design.
Performance Specifications
Engine type | 52 degree V-twin |
|---|---|
Displacement | 1,312 cc |
Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
Valve train | SOHC, three valves per cylinder |
Torque output | 79 LB-FT |
Transfer | Five-speed manual transmission |
Last ride | Shaft |
Responsive handling combined with suspension tuned for a comfortable ride
Frame type: high tensile strength steel
The more priority you give to design, the less comfortable a motorcycle will become. That was the case with choppers, but not with the Honda Fury. Instead, the company has focused on giving the Fury more everyday ergonomics that balance comfort without sacrificing the chopper feel. As such, it features a relaxed driving triangle that is said to be comfortable on city roads and highway cruising.
What should make the Fury even more comfortable is the basics. For example, the high-tensile steel frame, while serving as an aesthetic base, is said to provide a responsive and smooth ride quality. The frame is paired with a sturdy, 45mm extended front fork and a rear monoshock that’s tuned for a smooth ride with plenty of travel to soak up bumps. You can even fine-tune the preload and rebound damping of the rear monoshock for extra comfort.
Rake | 32 degrees |
|---|---|
Path | 3.6 inches |
Wheelbase | 71 inches |
Seat height | 26.7 inches |
Front suspension | 45mm fork, 5.1 inches of travel |
Rear suspension | Single shock, 3.7 inches of travel |
Control weight | £675 |
The closest thing to a helicopter you can buy from a dealer
Nothing comes close to the Honda Fury when it comes to custom chopper style, and the only one that comes close is the Harley-Davidson Breakout. It’s a striking custom-style chopper, with a sloping front end, a 21-inch front wheel, an ultra-wide rear tire and a powerful M8 117 V-twin. Unfortunately, it’s still a Softail cruiser and doesn’t put as much emphasis on the helicopter aesthetic as the Fury does.
Other chopper rivals to the Honda Fury live in advertisements and custom shops. The first involves old cruisers that have been chopped up and modified into helicopters, and the reliability and custom quality of such models is hit and miss. Meanwhile, pure custom choppers, as good as they are, are also ridiculously expensive and eat your bank balance for breakfast. That’s why the Fury stands out, not only as the most aggressive Honda V-twin cruiser, but also as a unique helicopter that is a classic in the making.
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