Honda VT1100C Shadow reviews

I bought this VT1100 in Nov. 09. I had read up on it a little but was really surprised when I rode it. It will flat scat, handles great too. It has gobs of torque and pulls all the way up to red line like a mad bull. Being tall it lacks in comfort for me only in leg room, but the seat is very comfy. This bike is great. You get a speedo, tach, temp guage, gas guage and dual disk brakes up front. The new shadows give you a speedo and petcock and that's it. Power is another thing too. This bike has a full 12 horses and 7 footpounds of torque more than the 1995 and later shadows. That power difference makes for a lot more fun. Honda had the perfect V-twin motor and they went and made it worse. Thanks Honda! Now fire the idiot manager that thought up that idea and bring this engine back! Show less

I bought the bike in 1987 when it had 4,000 miles and in the last nearly 20 years have added about 21,000 miles. I occasionally have considered replacing it, but after even a short ride always have changed my mind. The bike has been trouble free up to now (left front fork shows a very slight oil seepage), which is remarkable since it sits idle a large portion of the year (Seattle rain and all). I love this bike enough to recently turn down an offer of $3600 - I don't think I will ever sell it. Show less

I find the value for this bike to be exceptional. I traded for one and am very happy with the trade. It rides great, has plenty of power, and will only profit if I decide not to keep it. I am also enjoying giving it a custom paint job and new chrome such as mirrors and exhaust, but I find that online merchants only want to supply parts for new bikes....the irony is that new bikes don't require parts, but the rusted chrome pipes on my ride are in need. Keep your knees in the wind! Show less

I have been riding bikes since 1969. This is my fifth motorcycle. My last bike was a 1973 Suzuki (water buffalo) which I put on 63k miles before wrecking it. (My one and only accident). I purchased this bike in 1993 and other than replacing fluids, brakes, tires and spark plugs nothing else has been done. I now have 27k miles on the bike and it runs like the first day I bought it. I also pull a pop up two man camper/luggage trailer with no problem. My only complaint is the lack of polished chrome and would like to either do something about that or I may purchase another bike that is not so labor intensive in keeping looking good. Show less

I LOVE THIS Bike!! I had one in 87 and sold after going over Seas in the NAVY. I regreted it ever since. I found a nice one with 15K on it for a great price and I recommend this chasis (85-86) to everyone. At 17yrs old this bike still can hang with any of the new cruisers in the style department. I see this bike becomming a cult clasic in the distant future!! Show less

I am a young 69 years of age. I started riding again, after a 30 year absence, in 1997. At one time I had three motorcycles. In March of 2000 I was involved in an accident that totaled my 86 Honda vt1100 Shadow. After a year of healing I started looking for another Shadow. Found one in Oklohoma. Paid$3,333 for it. Just like new. Over 7,000 miles last year at 42 mpg. i don't believe there was ever a better bike built. I have covered the backroads of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklohome and have logged over 47,000 miles since 1997. Could afford a more expensive bike but it wouldn't be a better bike. Show less

This is my first bike. It only had 8100 miles when I bought it on Labor Day. Front forks and carbs were rebuilt a few months before I found it. Almost 2000 trouble free miles since has convinced me that this bike is a keeper for a long time. It is all stock with a shortish windshield that I wish was a mite taller so slipstream doesn't hit top of helmet. It starts right away and provides all the power and handling that a 6'0" 200 pound conservative cruiser could want. Shaft drive, water cooled, center stand, easy to change oil, stablility in cross winds, 40 mpg. I'll be on it first thing tommorrow. Show less

I bought my '86 in '96 with 6,333 miles. I knew the former owner. It was immaculate. It now has 34,000 miles and it seems like it is just broken in. It runs strong and handles well for a cruiser. As it gets older it seems to get better. It is not quite as cold blooded as it used to be. Warms up faster with less stumbling. I use it as a commuter ride (34 miles one way to work). Mileage is good even with a windshield. It always starts and runs smoothly. It even takes abuse well (dropped at 55 mph with only cosmetic damage). Only complaint. Most accessories are made for 87 and newer and have to be adapted to fit. Show less

It has been years since I've last ridden. My son has the motorcycle bug and we have gotton him a Honda Rebel 250. This has revived my interest, and for a year now I've considered buying a bike for myself. I've always wanted a cruiser and I like the Harleys. My bank account says otherwise though. At age 52 I wasn't sure I wanted to exhaust my bank account to by a motorcycle that I wasn't sure I would even drive that much. I found a used 86 Shadow 1100 that was in top condition with only 15000 miles on it. Everything was stock and it had been taken care of very well. I got it for a very reasonable price and asside from needing a new front tire and getting some work done on the turn signal switch, it is in perfect condition. I like it a great deal and at the price I paid I can't get hurt too badly if I decide that I'm not going to ride it much. It has been very reliable and is easy for an old guy to handle, while still having a bundle of performance. It is a little cold blooded and takes a while to warm up. Honda reliability and performance are all here in this bike and so far I would give it a strong recommendation. Show less

Well I have an '87 not an '86, but anyway I love the bike. After 78,xxx miles the stock seat finally got a hairline crack in it and is going to need replacing. Other than that and a stator replacement there have been zero problems him the bike. I consistently get slightly above 50 MPG and turn heads whereever I go. I was riding with my friend and his new 929RR and everyone that would walk by us or look at us would just stare at mine and not even give his a second look. Really pissed him off. I have added Cobra pipes and jet kit, K&N air filter, and high performance plug wires and she really screams. I put on 9,000 miles last year and look forward to putting on 10,000+ this summer. I gave it a four star rating because it only has a four-speed transmission. It works, but it would work a lot better with a five. I have thought about swapping it with the five speed from the Shadow Spirit but it will have to wait. I don't think I will let this bike go for many years. Show less