The Best Universal Japanese Motorcycle! Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100C 

I was a Harley guy for ever. Had a friend was a Motorcycle mechanic. I asked him point blank what is the best Motorcycle ever built? He said Honda Shadow 1100 all day! So I bought a 06 1100 Shadow Spirit brand new. 50 thousand miles later its still running like the day i bought it. Only repairs were fuel pump at 48 thousand and a fuel pump pulsar at 45 thousand and recently am having Voltage regulator issues so am now upgrading to a mosfet universal one. Other then that its been great.

I bought my vt1100 in 86 and still have it, old school shadows had 78hp and a 4 speed+ overdrive transmission and in my opinion was the best of the shadow years.

Ya. Went around St. Paul. Traffic is nuts. I held my Wing on 90 to 100.

The Aero 1100c3 is the 1.

Honda Shadow Saber is better!

This was my dream bike when I first started riding. I had a 1985 Honda Rebel at the time. I love the handlebars on this bike.

I have a 1990 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100c, it used to be my dad's. when he passed it was given to me. Now I be restoring it from bottom up because it hasn't been running since 2011. it's only been sitting there. Great video

I have a 1995 vt 1100 ace, love it

I have a 02 Sabre VT1100C2. I fell in love with it. Going cross country on it. I am so comfortable on it. Has everything I need and want. Enough power for my style of riding. Has the style and look I love, fits my short legs. I do agree, it could use a bigger tank. My average speed is 80mph. Even if I start out staying at 65, it seems like I end up at 80. It just cruises like a bird gliding. I get about 45 to 50mpg at that speed and 50 to 55mpg at anything under 70mph. I've just gotten in the habit of getting fuel at 100mi. I've only had to switch to reserve once and that was when I hit 118mi on the tank. But I also was going 90 and faster the whole tank. Sometimes the urge to totally open the throttle is hard to fight lol. I have Vance and Hines pipes on her, she's loud. But a nice loud. Nice rumble. I call her Roxie. I added floorboards and that was a another total level of comfort. I'm not one for forward controls and never thought about floorboards before. Been riding for 40yrs. After I added the floorboards, this bike became my forever bike. My retirement plan lol. Traveling across country on my bike is my retirement plan hahahahaha. Semi-retired now. Getting started early on my retirement plan. I'm lucky I only work on the weekends now so I'm taking week long trips now. Enjoying every minute of it too. Can't wait for the month long trips

I have a 2000 Honda shadow aero vt1100c3 that I brought last year it's my first bike very easy to ride.

Bought a 2006 shadow sabre for $1500 with only 5k miles. I think it fits me better than any of the 500 plus bikes I've ridden. Besides my 2006 sv650, if I want to go have some fun and just enjoy riding, I pull out the shadow. I think it handles fantastic and the weight sits real low. Slow speed maneuvering I think, is great. I'll never sell. Good video, brother.

Actually the Aero is the best Honda from 1998 until now.

I just got my '07 Shadow Sabre 1100. Like yours, it's a great bike. Love it.

🙂 thanks for the video, you mentioned 500 to 700 miles a day, that sounds like your up there with your typical Over The Road Trucker 🚛😎🚛

I have the 2002 VT1100C looks just like this. love it, It runs great, fun and easy to ride, plenty of legroom, hydraulic lifters so never have to adjust those. Shaft drive so no chain maintenance. I have a VTX1800C but ride this mostly. Way easier to ride in town and in my driveway compared to the 1800. Not sure why this guy thinks this is not good to ride in town. He must be comparing this to a moped. I had a VT750DC and this 1100 is way easier to steer than even the 750. The VT1100C spirit is gear slightly higher than all the other Vt1100's. I did not notice any vibration on mine. This engine has a dual pin crankshaft so it has even firing. The 1995-1999 VT1100C2 ACE and 1998-2000 VT1100C3 Aero models use a single crank-pin engine and those models only were made to mimic the sound and vibration of the Harley. But not this one. Don't rust what the speedometers say on these they are often off (showing faster by around 10%). They do sell an electronic device that corrects this.

Mine is a 2004 C2 Sabre. Bought it with 15,000 miles, it now has 24,500 miles. Along the way I've replaced tires, brakes, changed the oil, changed the differential oil, and replaced the plugs. I've had a few repairs, the handlebar turn signal control would stick so I disassembled, cleaned, lubed and put it back together and it's fine now. I also had to replace my stator......that was a big job for me but I got it done; However, I now have a very, very small oil leak from the stator cover. More of an irritant than a problem. I like my bike, I'd buy it again. It gives me the feel of a Harley but not the Harley cost. Pluses over a comparable Harley is first... the purchase price and low inexpensive maintenance.... plus a balanced motor, three valves per cylinder, four spark plugs, liquid cooled, shaft drive and the bare minimum of electronics......electronic ignition, electric fuel pump and that's it. The only negative I have about the bike is when you have to jack the bike off the ground. You just can't roll a jack underneath and jack it up. There is a video of how to build the jig on RU-vid......it's a very old video but it helps. I enjoyed the video, thank you.

i have this bike. Bought a new '07 and customized it. Hey, This engine also has a duel pin crankshaft for long life. I've met folks with this bike that were pushing over 150K! Just keep the oil clean.

I didn't catch if you mentioned what year your Shadow was produced.? I just bought an '86 Shadow VT1100, I always really liked the aesthetics of the '85-86 bikes as they're definitely a V-Twin cruiser but almost a bit more like a Virago, or Intruder as far as the V-Twin and looks for the Virago and it seems super similar with the mid controls much like my Yamaha XJ1100J Maxim and similar in wheelbase but narrower with the V configuration. I'm really looking forward to riding all the cruiser bikes this year. The poor Maxim 's (both '82s; 750, 1100) and I just grabbed up a '94 FXDWG Evo 80 Dyna Wide Glide. I'm now eyeing a Kawasaki '96 ZG1000 Concourse and a VF1200 just hit Marketplace today(that's easily the most powerful cruiser of the '80-90s era with the ZG behind it. There's also a super clean '83 CB1000C that's super similar in looks to my first ever bike ('82 CB650SC Nighthawk) I would be happy just getting the CB1000C as it's extremely clean and also has a windscreen. About to join the Combat Veterans Rider's Association and get in some good group riding and some benefit rides and community service volunteering.

Very good and informative video. Plus I really enjoyed seeing the sights with brief details about the places you chose to stop at. Much appreciated.

Nice video brother I've got a 1997 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 I love it it's my first bike

I’m really only getting 125 miles before I have to flip to my reserve tank... is that an issue? What should I be getting?

i have a 2000 1100 shadow sabre and a vtx 1800 which i love also.the 1100 is great for around town,. the 1800 not so much heavier but outruns any harley i have ever owned and a lot more comfy. than my harley i also just bought a new 2023 goldwing in candy red. has 500 miles on it now but not good for short rides to town too big and too heavy . great bike. but the 1100 is my go to bike. sounds good looks good and staarts when i want. the harleys rarely start fast when hot out. always in the shop. or the electronics go bad, i do not carry spares on the honda never ever had to cll AAA to take me home. the harls i had at least 3 of them knew the flat bed tow trucks a few times. stay away from over priced harleys they are pure ass junk and the 1100 and 1800 were made in the u.s.

I have 2 02 honda shadow sabres. Spot on. I love em. Ill keep em both until i stop riding. Im 6'5" 330 and ride 2 up with the gf. It does everything i need it to do. Its a phenomenal bike for any type of riding you want.

Just got. 97 1100. Mine is getting 39mpg, but I am a big guy and I like to get on the throttle.

I own a '97 shadow spirit vt1100c and I absolutely love it, super reliable.

If you want an inexpensive comfortable reliable common sense motorcycle that handles good won't scare the crap out of you and as he says you can iron but this thing, won't impress anyone in the bar but I don't care it impressed me. I see people paying pre.inum prices for new cruisers when in reality this is a better bike.

Hello, I am going to consider this type of bike for myself, as it seems really reliable( plenty confirmations from around the world). Could you please inform - what is your height, and how it will suit tall man? 188cm ..) Thank you in advance for your opinion!

i've had 4....the last three were honda 1100 aero...slow but beautiful...

Nice review, thanks for sharing. I have a 2003 Honda Shadow Sabre VT1100c2. I love it! There used to be a great community called The Sabre Group online that has sadly gone by the wayside. They were a great source for anything regarding this fine motorcycle. I have a windscreen and saddle bags that help to make her more comfortable to ride and add utility. The really great things about this bike are it’s reliability and the unbelievable ease of maintenance. I run Metzeler 880 Marathon tires that are a world better than the stock Dunlop’s she came with. Enjoy your ride and try to be safe out there.

I just bought one but then i don’t know if i need foot begs,crash bars and foot rest.

Enjoyed the video! I have an '03 VT1100 Spirit and you pretty much reinforced what I already knew about the bike...super reliable, minimal maintenance, comfortable, etc. Yeah, it just might be the Best Universal Japanese Motorcycle! Also, it is possibly the best value in motorcycles out there.

Fuzzy I know what you mean I have a 03 750 spirit

Best motorcycles I have a 92 shadow vt1100C

I have a 1987 and I see they have not changed much.

Being a v-twin I am not sure if this fits in the UJM definition.

Hondas are great but honestly think Yamaha cruisers are the best, Hondas reliability is second to Yamaha, I’d go with any of their bikes, but Yamaha cruisers had much better styling & great looking accessories back then before they got out of the cruiser market.

This is my current ride - a stock, 2000 w/ 16K mi. My 2nd VT100-C, I also had an '02 Sabre 1100, & many others. The 1100 Shadow Spirit is a sleeper in that it may not excel in any 1 area (except comfort), yet overall, it does everything well & yes - it may be the best all-around UJM ever. I had a 2017 Triumph Bonnie T120 (1200cc) to re-experience the feel of my '66 & '68 Bonnies. It was a great bike - beautiful, more powerful, but too techy for me. The Shadow actually has more 'soul' & satisfying feel when riding it, so I sold that Triumph & am happy again w/ the Shadow - simple, Honda-reliable, bulletproof, most capable, comfortable, good-looking, soulful. I love this bike!

Just got a 2003 shadow with only 3000 miles on it for my first motorcycle. Amazing bike. Planning on going on my first big trip within the next couple weeks. But I have to agree with you and say she’s in her element when you’re on the highways compared to being in the city. Regardless it’s a great dependable bike overall

I have a 2006 1100 spirit, I love my bike, but she start vibrating at 60mph/ 2500 rpms. At what speed yours start vibrating??? She's my first bike ever love it!!

I think I used to own that bike.!

I have a Motorola smart watch I use as my speedometer! 👍

Great video. I just bought a 2000 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 for my first bike. Liking it so far around the city and eager to go on a longer trip. The color is red and black, looks beautiful when shined.

Sweetly simple mid size cruiser. I ride an '04 model looks just like it. I'm getting ready to do a carb overhaul next week. Hope it ain't the fuel pump. By the way I read that they copied the Wide Glide Harley on proportions. OH, what were your symptoms on the fuel pump failure? I'm getting a lot of lean popping from the rear cylinder. I do get looks and comments of admiration occasionally and people like all the chrome

2002 1100 Aero and a 06 Soft Tail. Honda is for GO IE Reliable Harley is for SHOW 🛠🛠$$ I Find the Honda a smoother ride and better in the twisties better lean angle. Lots of back roads and toasties in N Central WA, Idaho and Central OR Fuel mileage on Honda is at best 42 MPH??? Wife has an 06 street glide Slightly better ride than my Honda on the road BUT the Honda is a lot easier at slow speeds and ground handling Thanks for tire tips

Had a 1999 VT00C for 19 years, till a work truck murdered her. Great bike! Top speed is over 115, rode her generally at 90-95 on freeway, 47mpg...and Im a very heavyset man. Your windshield must slow you down. Only upgrades (non cosmetic ones) were cartridge simulators in forks and drilled out silncers on pipes. The cartridge simulator completely changed the bike...nice and soft in the straights, but braking and cornering completely changed (way way better). I could keep up with SOME sport bikes (if they didn't know how to pick a good line). In 19 years, NEVER had to replace back brake, it wore like iron. Miss that bike!

I purchased my 2004 Sabre in 2021 for 3k. It had 13,000 miles and was in great condition. I have been looking for a windscreen or batwing. I see you have a Memphis Shade. Have you figured lower screen?

Love my 2003 shadow spirit! Beautiful lines! Looks like no other. Even to this day, it's impossible to find a similar look. I especially love the rear fender! Very unique. My wife and I talk about getting a new ride every year, and after looking around and much discussion, we decide to hold on just a little longer. We truly feel a close bond to this machine. So reliable. Never any major issues. And super comfy. Our favorite rides are slow, back roads to nowhere. Many great rides. We'll probably just keep this beauty forever!

Had a 1988.. loved the driveshaft and the only difference I see right off is I had floorboards on mine. I got rid of it about 16 years ago.. all I ever did was change oil.. after being on a small Sport bike for years, I thought maybe in my mid 60's now, I should get a HD softtail as the last bike.. or at least a HD1200.. just to say I had a HD before I exit.. But Somehow here I am looking at old VT1100's.. its just a nice bike for highways to 75.. bit heavy around town, slow turner and the castings pitted on the controls and the seam on the gas tank leaked once.. easy fix... but dang it was dependable... if Honda still made the 1100, now with Fuel Injection and ABS I would be at the dealer..

Yes, I replaced the fuel pump on my girlfriends 2000 Shadow Aero 1100 C3. Rebuilt the carbs and replaced the fuel filter too. I've pulled the rear wheel off to have the tire replaced due to a nail in the tire and put it back together. Tricky jacking the bike up in the air because of how the engine sets below the frame. Just hit 50,000 miles on the bike. I ride a Yamaha Stratoliner S, a 113, 1854... darksided of course...

I have an 01 sabre love it. Had it for 10 years only had to do oil, tires, brake pads a spedo cable and head tube bearings.

You can change that gauge light for an led. That should help a lot!

Can u please make a video on how to remove the seat cause I have no idea .!!

Great bike I have a 2001 love it I actually have a video on mine on my channel pass by check it out..my bike when o get down to 1.5 gallons I have to use reserve it's the fuel petcock there know to loose vacume when the bike doesn't have enough weight of the gas in the tank so if it dont start when low it's not your fuel pump take iut your petcock and rebuild or replace I did it and now dont need reserve untill I'm almost empty like less than a 1/2 of gas left . cool you call your bike (the shade) that's what la sombra means..leave me a comment on what you think about my bike thanks great video..

I am from Minneapolis and have been a life long rider. I currantly have 3 in my garage, 2001 1600 Yamaha Road Star, 2018 H-D Electra and my prize possession , 1974 Norton 850 Commando. ( bought new in '74 ) Anyway, enjoyed your review, but... on at least 2 occasions you mentioned going through Mpls. and the traffic was 100 MPH plus! Dude, you better check the app on your phone ! No where do I see traffic at that speed. WE DON'T GO THAT SLOW!! Seriously, check that app, it's giving you wrong speed. Be safe out there.

Last year, with all the shutdowns etc, there really wasn't much to do, so I decided to buy myself another bike. I've been riding since I was a teenager (many years ago), but sold my last bike a few years ago. Was looking for a Shadow Spirit 1100 but couldn't find a good one at the time. I found a really nice VTX 1300C though and enjoyed riding that until the snow started flying. As for your question about the fuel pump - the last bike i owned before I bought the VTX was an older Honda V45 Magna. Found it on Craigslist for a few hundred dollars. It was very clean, except for two things: there was a small tear in the seat and it wouldn't start. The mileage was really low though, and the price was right, so I trailered it home as a project bike. The previous owner said that it had an issue with the fuel pump that he had tried to fix a few years before, but couldn't get it running. He actually tried to re-wire the pump, but botched the job. I couldn't find a factory replacement, so wired in a universal pump that matched the pressure and flow rates per Honda spec. The bike still wouldn't run unless I wired the pump directly to the battery. It wouldn't get power through the wiring harness, despite a good, clean connection and good fuse and ground. Eventually tracked the issue to a faulty ignitor module. Replaced with a junkyard part I found on eBay and the bikek ran like new.

Have an 02 1100 Spirit. Absolutely, rock solid. Can you tell me the manufacturer/model of back-rack you have on yours? I’d like to get one for mine

I still ride my 99 shadow spirit vt1100..88k on the clock.. She's rough, leaks like a Harley.. But she's dependable. I've rode from Texas to florida multiple times, can't beat her.

And here i am totally in love with my 05 honda shadow aero 750 bobber.....now i want an 1100

They are a great old bike! If you find an 85-86 in good shape they ran higher compression and more cam for more jam. Probably have that top end you were looking for

i havbe a 2000 shadow sabre, i have ridden it cross crountry from washington state. my sweet spot is 75 mph. mph. i passed many a harley ( which i have owned many of them over the years) broke down as i passed them. lil thing has plenty of power . people seem to forget that a big harley was 74 cu and less hp . i love it rides good handles good. great lil bike

Have a 95 vt 1100...bobbed it...(took off the 'bitch' pad, done with the 'bitches') 42k miles repaced the clutches...had a sportster,superglide,triumph trident,norton commando, gotta say this is the best.....✌

Why anyone would think a Japanese bike would have a French name, I can't imagine lol. Is pronounced the same as "Saber".

I'm considering buying one. Super cheap with 9k miles. I do have a few questions though. Does she feel like she is laboring to maintain 75 mph? How hard is the clutch pull? Does vibration in handlebars at road speeds bother the hands?(I had an 883 and it was terrible). My commute is 52 miles 1 way so how fatigued are you at an hour or so? If you do 600+ miles a day I'm guessing fine. Thanks for your time.

Nice video. I still have my pristine '96 1100 ACE with 13K original miles. Drag bars, Cobra pipes/jetting, Jardine forward foot controls, custom layered peel-away paint scheme, stretched tank, Sabre fendersfenders, Kuryakyn turn signals. This baby rides like a new bike of its day. Looks like a HD Softail so I call her a Hardley-Davidson, lol I too also own a 2003 100 yr anniversary Road King so we think alike, lol

My marine buddy has a 1994 Honda Shadow VLX 600 VT600CD. He used to have a 2001 Honda Shadow Aero 1100

I have same bike with only 12k miles. But my speedometer keeps come on and off. Any idea ?

how often do you change the coolant. now Honda recommends blue coolant.

yeah great bike ,have an shadow 1100 c 94 mod ,now passed 100,000 km. but i need to change the hydraulic valve lifters ,they are totally worn out. made in the usa . mutch bike for the money .

I'm picking up a 2002 Shadow spirit 1100 this Sunday. Can't wait 😆

Really good explanation video. I just got one too and know nothing about it

I want to buy one so bad, is it really worth it??

My shadow1100 is a 92 two tone that I picked up with less than 1800 miles on it 8 years ago. Only 4 gears, but love riding it.

I just bought a 2000 VT1100C. I bought it to resale it, I got it for $600 because it needed a fuel pump and fork seals. One of the previous owners removed the baffles from the mufflers, so I installed some Cobra slip ons and I am getting ready to jet it and do the fork seals. The fuel pump was a PITA to change, but I got it done. I found a free download for the Factory Service Manual, so I am able to do all the work myself.. For the $ and the fact that it’s a Honda, I feel like I won the lottery. Easy bike to ride and fairly comfortable. Mine has 57,000 miles on it and starts right up. After I jet the carbs and sync them, I expect this bike to be near perfect mechanical condition. I’ve told myself I will sale it come spring…but we will see. Nice job on the video, your shadow looks really good.

Nice bike - take care of it -- it will take care of you

600

❤️

i have an 02 1100 spirit..I love it!!

Fantastic review! I have a 2009 750 spirit & i think you have really got it spot on for both bikes!

Just got an 03 shadow spirit 1100 and fell in love with her instantly. Great bikes

They didn't change them much

I have a2007 sabre, bought in 2012 with only 12000 miles. Have 34,000 on it now, runs perfect. No valve adjusts to worry with and shaft drive. Oil changes every 3000 with amsoil and new coolant every two years and brake fluid flush every two years. A total workhorse for cruising 300 miles on a Saturday. Hello from Houston, Tx.

I had a Spirit model and changed it to Sabre. for both of them a must have thing is wind deflectors / lower windshields. They will remove a headshake and you will enjoy every ride, especially on highway.

My 2005 honda shadow spirit 1100cc goes 135 top speed , I raced a buell for fun and he spanked me good!! 😎✌🏻

Exactlywhat I'm looking for:comfortable, lazy cruising; low maintenance.

I have a 1999 VT 1100c with 17000 trouble free miles, best bike 4 the money !!

"Minneapolis!" (the Iroquois word for "night mare")

I have one I bought in 2008. 1989 miles on it. I work to much.

Honda vt1100 are the best i had an 05 harley dyna glide and I would take my honda over the harley any day

AWESOME BIKE I HAD ONE RODE IN GREAT SMOKEY MTS. 1999 1100 CC

I've had a couple of shadow 1100's, superb bikes. By the way I had mine sitting comfortably at 115mph 😉

I'm 56 at 6'2" how would I fit ?

I have a 97 shadow spirit 1100 ...I love that old bike

I got a predecessor ;) Honda VT 500custom from 83' .. what can I say ..Honda. Your is far better lookin' , I think this Honda models are very good maded and reliable..especially in fuel consumption, no need some special maintenance, just basic "works". Wish you millions of happy miles on your Honda! 👍👍👍