Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 (VT1100C2) reviews

I actually wanted the 2023 Honda Shadow Phantom in Adventure Green, but couldn't find one close enough to where I live. I found the Phantom in Matte Black, thought maybe I'd just paint it, but...the Shadow Aero, which looked incredibly ugly in photos, looked surprisingly good in real life, with striking blue and cream paint. I sat on both bikes, but I fit better on the Shadow Aero, as it has a higher seat height than the Phantom. And I bought the Shadow Aero. The Shadow Aero is a very different ride from my 2006 Honda VTX 1300C, which I'm glad I didn't trade in. Of course, the Shadow Aero, which is half the size of the VTX, doesn't have massive reserves of power, but if you give it a chance, you'll find that it has power enough, and you'll get over 50 miles per gallon, which is sweet. The Shadow Aero is fuel injected, the VTX is carburated, so the Shadow Aero rolls on the power less suddenly than the VTX, but it certainly has enough get up and go for a speedy takeoff or for passing. And it's a showy bike. I call it my mini-cruiser. It gets lots of compliments; even people who aren't motorcyclists find the whole look of the Shadow Aero very pleasing. The one problem I've found is the seat. Although it is a nice-looking design, riding on it is truly a pain in the butt. After an hour of riding, my tailbone is so sore that I have difficulty moving my legs off the footpegs onto the ground. Excruciatingly painful. Bear in mind that I bought my VTX used with a Corbin seat, which isn't a problem even on all-day rides, so I know there are more comfortable seats available. Maybe the original seat on the VTX was as much of a PITA as the one on the Shadow Aero; I dunno. This is just my second week with the Shadow Aero, and the uncomfortable seat is the only really vexing problem I've found. My solution will be to remove the seat cover and place a combination of memory foam and gel that feels better to me, then I'll refit the original seat cover onto my 'improved comfort' seat. There seems to be plenty of room between the rigid foam and the cover, so I think that will work. Increasing the seat height a bit will be fine for me; the Shadow Aero has a much lower seat height than my VTX 1300C, and I'm quite comfortable on the VTX; I just ride in a bit of a different style on the Shadow Aero---I call it riding 'small' (although I must admit that on my first couple of miles on the Shadow Aero, before I figured out how to adjust myself to the bike, I felt a bit like a Shriner, riding on a motorcycle that seemed very tiny compared to the size of the VTX !) I really don't want to spend $700 to $1000 on an aftermarket seat, especially when considering that the base price for the Shadow Aero is less than $8000. Adding padding to the original seat seems a much more reasonable solution. When I've resolved the seat problem, I'll be very happy with my 2023 Honda Shadow Aero. Show less

I am 71 years old with a bad knee from a previous collision with a drunk driver, I'm looking for a bike as my final bike to carry me to the point I can no longer ride, I've owned 35 different bikes in the last 55 years all brands and types, there are advantages and disadvantaged to cruiser sitting position but the bike is fairly comfortable, there's another bike I'm looking at the NT700 but I think the ACE is the one it's lighter than a Harley has plenty of power I've run this thing to 110 mph most evo Harleys won't do that, plenty of luggage space, it handles great and is STABLE in turns like it's on rails, if you like rumbling exhaust of a 45 degree twin you might be disappointed because it's quiet, other than that I love this bike it's bullet proof, reliable old school no gas gauge,, those that say it needs more power I disagree plenty of power love the bike. Show less

I own a 2015 Honda Aero that I bought used in 2020 with 5,000 miles on her. The bike was used as my backup bike to my 2015 Yamaha V-Star 950) and I would use it to commute to work (100 mile round trip). In October of 2021 I totaled my Yamaha V-Star ( hit a deer at 50 miles per hour). Since then the Honda 750 has been my only bike and she how has over 25,000 on her. The Honda Aero is a very good overall machine capable of doing 80 miles per hour all day. The Yamaha 950 is in my opinion the next level up and was a exceptional machine. My Honda 750 has a windshield, mustang seat, bags, sissy bar, floorboards and large trunk bag. I consider my Honda to be my miniature Road King and a lot of complements on her. I retire in 2 years and will get myself a new bike as a retirement gift. I will keep the Honda 750 because it’s an overall very good bike with really excellent gas mileage. However, I will be buying a larger touring bike maybe a used 2017 Yamaha 1300 Deluxe ( last year made) or maybe even my dream bike a newer used HD Heritage classic. Show less

I have a Honda Nighthawk 750 it needs new parts but it still runs like a champion 🏆 My 6 year Anniversary is tomorrow for hells Angels Mc Nomad'shttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6VZRx4elqkf5cXo3nrc8y7?si=k3oCCROrRIqB2TUYcK93WA Show less

Hillsboro Motosports purchase of a 2021 HONDA CBR300R. DO NOT deal with these shady people. Classic bait and switch techniques. They seems to get good reviews; however, they are not very professional nor honest with customers. They've apparently had it too easy. Honesty in customer salesmanship is not in their in the offing. I have spent a good deal of amount of money in previous years with good and reliable M/C shops, but never here. Show less

After many, many years of fathering kids and doing the dad stuff, I opted to get back on a used 2008 Honda Shadow VT750 Aero. I used to ride waaaay back in my teens, circa 100 years ago. The thrill of getting on this machine is just too much to describe. I am the type of guy who will use this cruiser to, well, cruise. Hit the speed limit and I'm good. Wait a few extra seconds after the traffic light has turned green, and I am safe to go on. I let the crotch-rocketers zip by me. That's cool. The bike only has 7,800 miles on it! That's 7,800 miles on a 14-year-old bike! The last, and the only owner didn't ride it for two years and she put something like 560 miles a year during its life. I got the bike for a song and added some nice, black leather bags which cost me nothing. A friend just gave them to me. Cannot beat this deal. The bike is low and I feel in complete control. It's heavy enough to sustain moderate winds and happily hums at 60 mph. The gearing is a little low and you are soon into 5th by the time you hit 40 mph. The bike will let you know when to start downshifting. It's big enough to stand out in moderate traffic and I have not yet felt threatened by any tailgaters. Its also a gas-siper which is a good thing today. I believe it gets 60-70 MPG. Though, don't quote me on that. I fully recommend this bike to any other old fart, like me. It's also a nice bike to learn on. Not too big/too small. Perfect. Oh, and if you do buy this bike, don't forget a solid helmet and good quality jacket! Show less

When it runs, it runs good. Has nice torque getting off the line, and even can feel it kick in 5th and running 80mph. But the carbs have undersized jets which get clogged super easy also not to mention are hell to remove and put back in! You seriously have to rotate them ( barrel roll ) nearly 320°.. Also part of the frame is a hollow cavity that is literally passage from the air filter (which is stupidly positioned underneath the seat) to the intake. And I’ve encountered oil clogging which enturn caused the engine to sieze. Show less

I owned one of these for 10 years and put 63,000 miles on it. Sold it for $200 less than I paid for it brand new at the end of those 63k miles. Can you say sellers regret? This bike is what one moto mag back in the day called a “star cruiser”: too big, too heavy, and (yes!) too fast. I’ve two upped at an indicated 145mph. Had my butt in the saddle thru pouring rain for 12 continuous hours. V-4 engine, shaft drive, anti-dive front end, easily adjustable handle bars over a wide range. Fun to hustle down a backroad? Well……hell yeah!! I weighed ~140lb at 5’8” and could get my feet flat with a little stretch…..no problem and would do it all again. This bike is a beast, comfortable, handsome, long wheel base stable, and Honda reliable. Ah, the one that got away… Show less

This bike is very comfortable to ride on short or long trips becaus of the footrests and windshield protection. The maintenance have been kept up to date and most of the miles are long trip road miles. Show less

I have been riding this motorcycle for several years on short and long road trips. The foot rest that was added to this bike makes it so comfortable on long rides along with the front shield for bug and debris protection. The bike is great for cruising on back roads. Also have two gas tanks and it's not so loud as other motorcycles out there. Show less