10-05-2017, 03:55 PM
(10-05-2017, 11:41 AM)the_undecider_imp Wrote: The Shadow 1100s are good bikes, but underpowered and just not all that fun to ride. I would rather ride the CB11 long distances. Those Shadows are very reliable and low maintenance. They have hydraulic valve lash adjusters, so pretty much all you need to do is change the oil and spark plus on occasion. I think of it as a vanilla bike, but others may really value such qualities.
Rode a 1100 VT Shadow build in 1997 for 2 years. Bought it 6 years ago with 6.000km and sold it after nearly 2 years with 33.000km. In a way it was a good bike, a watercooled Harley imitation with a cardan shaft. Never had an issue or mailfunction with it. The longest trip ĺasted 10.000km from the north of Germany to Gibraltar back and forth within 3 weeks. I liked the torque, the easy maintenance and could arrange myself with 50 horsepower not being that much but in a way fitting. On the long run I could not fully adjust to the seating position on a chopper and didn't like its vibrations, not always riding that slow while touring longer distances. Also the fuel consumption wasn't as low as I tried to make it, averagely 6 and a little more for 100km. Sometimes below. Though having more an interest in classic bikes like the CB and the W, I somehow miss the comfort of hydraulic valves and a cardan shaft. My befriended mechanic always asks me, why I sold the VT, there was and wouldn't be much to do with this bike. It will probably last a long time. I hope, the CB and the W will do the same requiring a bit more maintenance. And after 43.000km anf 52.000km they still do.
Wisedrum