MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100C

Is it still great after all these years?

By Genevieve Schmitt, Photography by Teri Conrad

The Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100C is aptly named because its spirit the essence of this solid middleweight has inspired thousands of people to own one since it was introduced in 1985. It has survived changes in Hondas lineup for more than two decades.

Hard to believe this bike has been in Honda#39;s lineup for more than 20 years. Modern upgrades like digital ignition, a maintanence-free battery, and a halogen headlight among others, have kept the Spirit 1100 competing in its class all these years.

Today, you can still buy a new Spirit VT1100C as part of Hondas family of motorcycles. I tested the 2007 model. Honda did not introduce a 2008 Spirit 1100. When asked if this is the end of this enduring motorcycle, a Honda rep told me, “Never say never.” The company has been known to hold off releasing a model for a year or two only to re-introduce a new and improved version. Coincidentally, the 1100cc Shadow Sabre also disappeared from the 2008 lineup. I suspect these two models may be going through an extreme makeover, perhaps combining the best of both for one 1100cc model. Well have to wait and see.

In the meantime, Im told there are new 2007 1100s on showroom floors to be had, while there are also plenty of used ones around in relatively good shape given Hondas incredible track record of reliability. A bit of trivia: Honda did not produce the 1100 in 1991 because of a backlog of unsold 1990 1100s. (Back then, the 1100 was called Standard, not Spirit. The bike was renamed Spirit in 1997.) When dealers heard about this oversupply of bikes, they bought up the leftover inventory. Subsequently, the 1992 1100 was reintroduced with a big splash boasting several new colors including custom two-tone paint options.

With all the fancy, new technology powering motorcycles these days, its nice to ride a new one with features reminding us of where weve been, like the analog controls. Many motorcycles today have high tech digital displays. I like the Spirit 1100s analog display, each number individually rotating showing the miles Ive traveled.

Beginner bike or not? This Spirit 1100 is extremely comfortable to ride, but its seat height is higher than other cruisers in its class and the overall feel to me is a bit bulkier. I recommend beginning riders start on a smaller bike, both physical size and engine size.

The Spirit also still runs on a carbureted 5-speed engine, but dont think this makes the bike any less because it doesnt have 6 speeds or fuel injection. It has plenty of power and torque that commands the road just as well as those modern middleweights. Dual 36mm constant-velocity carburetors offer a crisp throttle response across a wide powerband that was felt every time I rolled on the throttle. Maintenance free features (read more modern engine technology) include a digital ignition and automatic cam-chain tensioners.

When I thumbed the starter button, that trademark deep, slow cadence Honda rumble coming from the liquid-cooled 45 degree V-twin engine reminded me of my very first motorcycle, a 1983 Shadow 500 the year the Shadow line was introduced. Twisting the throttle on the 1100, Im immediately propelled forward thanks to huge amounts of low-end torque. Shifting through the five gears as I throttle up to highways speeds I find power output is smooth with minimal vibration. The valve train consists of a single overhead cam and three valves per cylinder.

The large 170mm rear tire gives the bike a solid, planted feel.

The transmission is forgiving if you find yourself in the wrong gear. No sputtering or choking, just a constant output of power. A low maintenance shaft drive (versus a belt drive) sends power to the rear wheel. The suspension is superb on the 1100 gliding over imperfections in the pavement. The front consists of a 41mm fork providing 6.3 inches of travel, while the rear cushions the ride with dual shocks with a five-position spring preload adjustability. The stock setting provides 3.9 inches of travel. With a body weight of 117 pounds, I needed to tighten the preload a bit as I felt the suspension was too bouncy for me. Stock settings are based on a 180-pound rider. Brakes are standard fare with a single disc twin-piston caliper in front, and drum brake in the back.

Fit and Feel
Straddling the motorcycle, the first thing I notice is how I sink into the cushy, wide bucket style saddle. Its so wide, theres room left over on either side for me. I also like that the bike has a decent-sized passenger seat and comes with a backrest as standard equipment. Not many middleweights in this class do. The buckhorn style handlebars are positioned comfortably in front of me (no extra reach here), and the forward foot pegs are easily within reach for my 5-foot-6 inch frame. (A 5-foot-11 guy also fit on the bike just fine, too.) The seating position puts the rider upright instead of leaned over in a more aggressive riding stance. Seat height is 28.7 inches, higher than most of todays modern middleweights boasting seat heights at least an inch lower to accommodate the rising number of female riders.

Despite its higher-than-normal-for-a-cruiser seat height of 28.7 inches, the front part is very narrow. You can see my feet easily touch the ground when I#39;m scooted up closer to the tank.

While the 1100 is moderately light at about 560 pounds, it feels a bit large and bulky to me, something Im not used to with todays middleweights. Modern middleweight cruisers like the Kawasaki Ninja 900 (27-inch seat height) and Yamaha V Star 1100 (27.2 inch seat height), Suzuki Boulevard C50 (27.6-inch seat height) have a lower center of gravity and modern streamlined styling rendering them more compact making them feel lighter because theyre lower.

Styling wise, the VT1100C hasnt changed much since it was introduced in the 1980s. While its not as streamlined and loaded with chrome as many of todays cruisers, it still holds its own in a sea of modern cruisers. Its upswept rear fender, full size fuel tank at 4.2 gallons (including 0.6-gallon of reserve), and high pullback handlebars give the motorcycle a cool cruiser look. The 2007 model costs $8,699, a decent price for motorcycle with a long track record of success.

For more information, visit HondaMotorcycles.com.

This metallic blue color was offered in 2006. Nothing fancy about the styling of the Spirit 1100, but some people like a simple bike so they can customize it to fit their personality.

The Specs at a Glance: 2007 Honda Spirit VT1100C
Displacement: 1099cc
Seat Height: 28.7 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gallons
Dry Weight: 556 pounds
Colors: Black; Metallic Silver
Price: $8,699

WRN Recommendation
The Spirit 1100 is an old stalwart with creature comforts and power that still hold today. If Hondas newer VTX1300 family of bikes are just too much bike for you and the Spirit 750 C2 is not enough, the Spirit 1100 falls in the middle and might be just right. I suspect the 1100 is going through a makeover and may be re-introduced in 2009 or later, so try and find a used 1100 or bargain with your dealer on a new 2007.

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43 thoughts on MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2007 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100C

  1. Glad women are riding solo. This is a great bike. I bought a 2004 VT1100C in December 2014 with 2900 miles on it from a fellow who loved it but could no longer ride due to health issues. After a good carb cleaning and minor tweaking done by Honda certified dealer, bike runs flawlessly. It is now September 2015. Been commuting with it almost every day since January for a roundtrip of 150 miles per day. It had a windscreen. Added electric heated gloves which make a big difference. Added National Cycle hand grip wind deflectors, which also make a difference. The bike now has more than 13,000 miles on it and gets more than 50 mpg at 70-75 mph on I-95. The seat must have “broken in” because it is much more comfortable now. I am 6 feet and 180 pounds. New tires make it ride smoother. Will ride this till the wheels fall off and then I’ll put them back on! Great bike. Getting a bigger bike for 2-up riding, but this one is perfect for a single rider for this duration of a trip so I’ll keep the VT1100C as a personal ride.

  2. I own a 2007 1100 Honda Shadow Spirit and it is a great bike, but the seat isn’t a great seat for a long ride, especially for a passenger. Again it is a great bike but could be improved upon. I am going to find a more comfy seat. After two days of riding we can hardly sit down.

  3. After looking around for a bike to commute to school and work, I was split between the VT1100C and a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I decided to buy the VT1100C because of the shaft drive and all the good reviews that I found. I have to say that my 2007 gray Shadow Spirit is an excellent bike. It’s a bit heavy (my first street bike) but I get more comfortable on it every time I ride it. I’m thinking on adding a batwing fairing as my first upgrade. Thanks for all the comments since they made my decision a no brainier between the Vulcan and the VT1100C.

  4. I bought a 1986 VT1100C Shadow (the second year of the 1100) a couple of years ago now to get my feet wet with a V-Twin after owning a sport touring bike (XJ750RJ Yamaha Seca for more than 20 years) and have been adding things to it and find that it is still a great bike even though it is now a 27-year-old bike. I have sent the seats off to have them redone with memory foam. I have had to make my own luggage rack and saddlebag brackets. I re-jetted the carbs and put a UNI air filter in it and it runs much better and starts way better in the cooler months. I found an aftermarket Buell LED tail light with turn signals integrated that fit with very little work. This also requires you to replace the turn signal blinker relay with one that works with LEDs or you’ll light will blink too fast and will indicate a burned out bulb on the dash so with that done I could remove the rear turn signals and get a decent size saddlebags on the bike.The next thing to figure out for this bike is a way to make some forward controls for it. It only has 48,000 miles on it and I don’t know how many previous owners it has had but it still runs excellent and does not burn any oil…and gets between 42-47 mpg with a wide National Cycle windscreen and the lower wind deflectors that I added. Love this bike!

  5. I bought a “brand new” 2007 VT1100 Shadow Spirit (had 30 miles on it!) in the spring of 2011. Since then, I’ve put just over 1800 miles on it, including a really nice ride down through Montana, over Logan’s Pass. The bike has performed flawlessly and, yes, I’m getting excellent mileage out of it – last check was 57 MPG (Imperial, not US, gallons) or somewhere over 50 MPG US. The bike came fully equipped when I bought it, including a windshield and floorboards. I’d like to put a Mustang, Corbin or Saddlemen seat on it to improve long distance riding comfort, and I’m going to have to relocate the rear signal lights in order to accommodate some decent sized saddlebags, but overall this has been a great bike. I’m looking forward to lots of years riding it.

  6. Bought my VT1100 in March 2010. It was a new 2007. The next to last one Honda West Ft. Worth had. Have 1000 miles on it now and love it. Changing out the pipes this winter and have put saddlebags on that I got from my dealer and they fit fine. Only changes this bike needs is a 6th gear and fuel injection to be perfect.The windshield makes a big difference in open highway runs. Heading north on a run this weekend to the Wichita mountains. Can’t wait.

  7. This is the last of the (almost) maintenance free “affordable” motorcycles:1) Self-adjusting valves: Means in theory you don’t have to fork over $300 – $400 for adjustment.2) Shaft Drive:No belts to crack or chains to replace…just the occasional lube. 3) Cast wheels: Have you ever had to repair a spoked wheel tire? You know, the ones with an inner tube? In the middle of the desert? Cast wheels are tubeless.I am so sorry to see this one go. I used to own a Vulcan 750, which was as maintenance free as this Honda and even more affordable. With the advent of newer low to mid priced bikes requiring all sorts of maintenance, now the major Japanese manufacturers are removing the affordability previously offered. Only Harley offers bikes that require minimal maintenance. Get one with cast wheels, ditch the spokes, no valve adjustment and long lasting Kevlar belt.

  8. Hey all, I'm wondering how this bike works out for short-legged riders. I'm 5-feet-5, and have done fine on the Harley 1200 Custom when I demo'ed it. Seat height seems higher on the 1100, though.

    There's a great deal on an '07 so I thought I'd check in and see what folks have to say. Thanks.

  9. My girlfriend and I purchased our 2004 VT1100 spirit in June of 08. We have been very happy with it and ride every chance we get. A typical ride for us is 100-200 miles round trip. The bike seems to be at home whether your cruising through curvy two-lane back roads or out on the Interstate. Even on the longer trips it's still a comfortable ride. We try to ride on a budget so we tend to pack a lot of stuff with us. Ours has leather saddlebags and a luggage rack so plenty of room for our stuff. Even with both of us and all our stuff there's plenty of power without sacrificing fuel economy we still get 45-50mpg.

    I found a soft-side cooler apx. 1'x2'x1' that fits great on the luggage rack and paid less than $20 it's black so it even matches the bike. With having that we can even take the bike to go grocery shopping if we want without having to worry about rushing home afterwards.

    We've had absolutely zero trouble out of it while our car spends much of it's time in the shop. I ride it even in the winter (my g/f not so much) and it starts the first time every time even on the coldest days here in the midwest. My only complaint is that since we live on a gravel road first gear is a little tricky because of it's high gearing and the gap to second is a bit high, meaning I usually end up riding between 15-20mph in first gear. I'm not comfortable going much faster than that on gravel and the bike doesn't seem to like going less than 20mph in second gear. There was one other thing but it's a matter of personal preference and that is that for me the stock exhaust is to quiet. I wear a full helmet and with the visor up or down I can't hear the bike at all.

    When the bike was originally purchased new about the only thing they didn't order chrome was the handbrake reservoir cover. Ours also has the Mustang seats with front and rear back rests. They also added aftermarket forward controls that sit about 10 inches higher than the stock ones. If you've seen that Armorall commercial with Tony Stewart where he's standing there just staring at his corvette, that's me every time I walk out in our driveway and see the bike even after over a year. My brother paid fives times as much for his Harley and it didn't have half the extras and you couldn't pay me to trade.

  10. I bought a new left over 2007 Honda Spirit in June 2008. I moved up from a 2004 Honda Shadow 600. I am 61. The new Spirit has the all the power I will need for Interstate driving and the Adirondack mountains. I just returned from Americade 2009 where I saw thousands of bikes. I am very happy with the Spirit; no reason to buy anything else. I did 688 miles in four days and averaged 49.2 MPG. I now have more than 4300 miles on it.

    I find that fifth gear is great for cruising. Second, third and fourth gears have awesome and smooth power. I am 6 feet 4 inches and did add Küryakyn crusing extensions and ISO foot pegs. I also have a Memphis Shade windshield, temperature guage, clock, luggage rack and soon saddlebags. All in all, a great bike for all those who do not need a “huge” machine!

  11. I purchased my 2004 VT1100 Spirit back in 2005. I tour all over California with friends who have bigger bikes (Valkyrie) but have no trouble keeping up with them. I have added a lot of aftermarket accessories to make the long hauls much more pleasurable. I have owned several Honda motorcycles in the past and plan on being a proud owner of a Gold Wing some day. In the meantime, I am enjoying the heck out of my Spirit. Honda is the most reliable…period!

  12. I have a 2004, 1100 Honda Spirit, this is my second one, the first was 1999. I only have good comments on this excellent and reliable motorcycle, good power, nice handle, very good front suspension, good sound with the Cobra pipes I installed. I don't like much the front brake, but I can live with it.

    Last trip from Laredo to San Antonio, Texas, (300 miles round trip) it gave me 45 miles per gallon. Me and my wife, averaging 80 to 85 mph against the wind and 90 to 95 with the wind on my back. (I like to overpass the 18 wheelers at 100 mph) not good idea to stay aside of this monsters for long time. Vibration is part of the fun.

  13. I was glad to see this review. I sold my 1989 Honda Shadow 1100 five years ago and recently wish to buy another. I went on the Honda Web site and was disappointed to see it was no longer available. I bought my Shadow used and sold it years later for the same price. The only repair I needed was a new battery. This bike is very reliable and I hope they bring it back. If not I will try to find a used one.

  14. I have a 1100cc Shadow Spirit, my first bike since 1985. I love it. But my only draw back is accessories like saddlebags that seem to be a problem unless you want to spend about $400 to do it right. A tachometer would be nice, but a gas gauge I can live without. Overall, I give it 100 percent. I can't wait to take it out on weekend trips with my brother-in-law. He has a Yamaha 950.

  15. Very nice review, spot on! Exactly the bike that I own, black 2007 Shadow Spirit 1100cc. I had to travel out of state to find a new one but the additional traveling was well worth it. While visiting family up north I stopped by Chanute, KS and picked up a new one for a steal at $6599.

    I've read articles that riders are getting 50mpg? They must be riding 45 mph or something because the best I've done is 43mpg running an average of 65/70 mph on the highway.

    This is my first bike and have enjoyed it big-time. I think first-time riders should buy as must bike as possible to avoid having to trade up in a matter of months. I couldn't imagine being out on the Interstates on anything smaller.

    Thanks for the review!

  16. I bought a used 2001 Spirit with only 10K miles. I've almost doubled that in a short time because the bike is so great to ride. Solid, smooth and reliable. Just change the oil and keep gas in it — the Spirit does the rest.

  17. I want to buy the original exhaust system for a 1986 or 1985 Shadow VT1100C. Anyone know of one for sale?

  18. I purchased the 2006 Shadow 1100 brand new after owning a 1984 Honda V65 Magna that was just too much power and speed to handle! I now have almost 10,000 miles on it and I am very happy with it so far. All I do is change the oil and the bike does the rest without missing a beat. The thing I like the most about this bike is the beautiful look it has right out of the box and the solid reliable feel the bike has. I know when I am riding this bike that I really have something good and tough under me. My license plate reads, Honda Built To Last! And that's the truth!

  19. I have a 1997 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 that I have put on 105,000 miles. Never had any problems; only had to change the oil and replace the tires. Still has the original brakes. I really like it. My boyfriend bought me a 2009 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic for Christmas. I am still trying to get my body use to it. It's not easy to make it fit me as well as the Shadow did.

    I have spent the last month at the Harley shop trying to make my new bike as comfortable as the Honda. I may take the handlebars off the Shadow and put them on the HD. Guess it would be a Honda-Davidson then. Go Honda!

  20. I purchased my 2006 1100 Spirit because I have always loved Hondas and the Spirit offered the features I wanted: shaft drive, backrest for my son, radiator, no spoke wheels. I've loved it, but had to make some modfications for my short stature, 5 feet 4 inches. Bought a lowering kit to bring down the seat height by 1.5 inches, changed the levers to some that curve back in for my short fingers. Added some amplified speakers, purple windshield and lowers, and a little bit of chrome, she is all mine!

    Get 50 mpg with my son and I on it, and it hugs the curves with no problems. Had to learn that it doesn't need to be in fifth gear unless you are running 60, otherwise you lose the get-up-and-move you want to pull a hill.

    I don't think this is a beginner bike by any means. The weight alone is intimidating for shorter riders. Just wish I had gotten the blue instead of the black, but black shows off my chrome and purple accessories well.

  21. I purchased a new 2007 Shadow Spirit 1100 in May and am very pleased. I had been putting off trading in my BMW but when I discovered the Spirit was discontinued I immediately bought the last one I could find in my area. My only wish is that they would have included a tachometer. Not a biggie, just makes the instrumentation seem complete as every bike I have owned had one. The aftermarket ones do not fill the void. Overall a very nice bike and very moderately priced — and it's a Honda.

  22. I'm at 8k miles (in less than 5 months) and this is a very rock solid reliable bike that's very comfortable. It's got power, but requires down shifting to keep it pulling smoothly. The transmission and shaft are smooth. The rear drum brake (& shaft) keep the rear wheel shiny and clean. The single front disc works well. When riding 1-up it's get almost 50 mpg, and it will run all day at 70mph. Changing the oil is a snap and takes only minutes (no shop needed).

    It's one good lookin' smooth ride…yes it's quiet, but not too quiet.
    (don't get me goin' on 'loud pipes'….)

  23. I have a 1997 Spirit 1100. I've had this bike for eight years and love the Hard Krome Kicker pipes. The nice rumble and the loud bark when you get on it really turns heads.

  24. I started riding Hondas in 1970…Honda 90, SL175, SL350, V45 Magna, and now a 1988 Shadow 1100.

    The bike runs well, has 22,000 miles on it, and is ready to go on another 1000 mile trip any time I get on it. Gas mileage hangs in the 42 to 45 mpg range. The bike has plenty of power to haul my wife and me at freeway speeds and will run all day at 75 if I want to. I paid one half what I would have had to pay for a Harley 1200 Sportster of the same vintage, and it was well equipped with a Memphis Shades windshield, Cobra foot plates, new gel seat, and saddle bags.

    I am not crazy about the 4-speed transmission, but after more than 5,000 miles in the past year, I am getting used to it. Riders of these 4 speeds need to prepare for the unpleasant chirp of the rear tire if they shift too quickly into a lower gear. This can be unsettling if done while turning and irritating to a passenger if s/he is not prepared.

    Honda makes excellent motorcycles. My next bike? Maybe the VTX or a Gold Wing? We'll see. For now, I figure I have 50,000 miles to ride the Shadow. That's a few years' riding for me.

  25. I would like to start out by saying how happy I am with my VT1100, but like Jim, I'm not realy happy with the quiet exhaust. I'm a little leary of drilling holes in the back; not sure what sound I will get or if it will hurt my performance. What do you think?

  26. I have the blue 2006 1100. I can answer a couple of questions posted below. About saddle bags, my dealer sold me a $29.95 set of tail light extenders that allow a lot more options for saddlebags. Longer bags make a big difference and like the one reader who posted, I had to make extra holes to draw the bags up higher to keep the right one off of the tail pipe. I will bet the 2009 revamped Cruiser will have the pipes as true duals, one on each side.

    The gas mileage does suffer at 75 or 80 (our Hwy 44 has a MPH allowed of 75). I go from getting 40-45 at 65 and lower speeds to in the 30s believe it or not. I have installed a K&N air filter and have yet to calculate the mileage difference. I also drilled 6 holes equally spaced around the back of the tail pipes for a great yet tolerable rumble. If you go to pipes without baffles you risk burning the valves. Any good mechanic will tell you not to run straight pipes. Back pressure is good.

  27. Great site. Love the information.

  28. I have the blue 2006 Spirit you have pictured here. It is my first off the showroom floor. I could not ask for more in a bike. It has good looks that will last, and power that satisfies my need for speed. Handles in the corners very well with the larger back tire. I like that Honda didn't add a lot of extras on the Spirit so the owner can make this bike his or her own (which I am working on).

    I would have liked the stock exaust to be louder. I have made it sound like the 1100 that it is, and more grunt, too. I have had many compliments from other riders on the looks of the Spirit. I would recomend the Shadow Spirit to anyone.

  29. In regard to the lack of a gas gauge, I set my tripometer every time I tank up and start looking for a gas station at 150 miles. It is a fairly “short-legged” bike. I would try that and see what kind of mileage you are getting and adjust accordingly.

  30. I purchased a used 2004 Honda 1100C Spirit. I have to commute 120 miles a day on the back highways and needed enough power to pass big trucks. The man who owned the bike before had put a lot of extras on the bike and so far I am getting 45-50 mpg.

  31. I just purchased a new 2007 Spirit VT1100 and I love it. I seem to be getting around 50 miles to the gallon. I only wish that Honda would offer more accessories for this bike. I realize there are aftermarket accessories but none from Honda.

    A friend of mind just purchased a new VTX1300 and he has a lot more options for his bike then I do. The only thing that I really wished it had was a tachometer. I know you can listen to the engine or watch your speed, but I still prefer a tach. I still am very happy!

  32. I bought a 2000 Honda Shadow Spirit new and rode it for eight years before selling it. I took it to Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and China, totaling 38,000 miles. It was a great bike, virtually maintenance free. Now I am lost without it. I am looking for a 2006 blue color Honda Shadow Spirit.

  33. I have had my 2007 Spirit for 7500 miles. Just returned from a 2800 mile ride to Colorado and back where I was able to trade off with my son's Sabre (2004). I must say, the Spirit had a bit more vibration than the Sabre. If I could take a Sabre engine and put it in the Spirit I would have the ultimate in long-ride comfort with minimal vibration. I would have to ask if the engines are essentially the same, why the difference in the vibration level? The Sabre was just about as smooth as my V65 Magna!

  34. Thanks for all this info! I just picked up a “brand new” 2007 Shadow VT1100C off the showroom floor for a steal! I'm on my second day of riding it and I find my impatience has gotten the best of me. I haven't owned a bike in 12 years and my last bike actually had a gas gauge on it. So far, I love everything except that about the Shadow.

    What I mean by impatience is this: I have a 45 mile one way commute to work daily and rather than find out by running out of gas — anyone have any idea what kind of gas mileage the bike gets on the highway at a constant 65 to 70 mph? I can't seem to find anything on the web about it; found 2006, but not 2007.

  35. I've owned my 1998 VT1100 Shadow Spirit for about five years and this is one great bike. When I bought it, the previous owner had already put on so many extras I didn't even have to shell out the extra money to get the things I wanted on it.

    This bike is great on gas. I'm getting around 42 mpg with windshield. It has very good suspension, very smooth shifting, and seat height isn't a problem for me. I'm 5 feet 7 inches, and I easily touch feet flat when stopped, so don't let this discourage anyone from getting this cycle due to seat height.

    Very comfortable aftermarket Mustang seat with conchos and studs, (thanks to previous owner), makes those long rides much more enjoyable, and those miles go by even quicker when you don't have to think about your sore rear end.

    Like the one owner previously posted here, the saddlebags are a bit of a problem. It's not the brackets though. I was given the old saddlebags that came with the bike, I also noticed that on the bottom of the right bag had a muffler shaped burn hole along the length of it. I looked at the tailpipe and was thankful that the burnt bag hadn't left any messy residue.

    The new bags I bought online (Willie & Max) also give me the same problem. The right side keeps hitting the pipe and I have to stop and pull it up between rides to be sure it doesn't burn through.

    he only way i've been able to avoid/solve this problem is: when tying bags together, make additional holes in the leather straps on both sides of the bags so it pulls the bags closer together once they're tied. When they are laid over the fender it raises the bags about 1 1/2 inches above where they used to lay (depending upon where you made the holes).

  36. I have a 2004 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100 and have loved it since day one (since '04). I haven't had any problems with this bike.

  37. I just picked up a 1988 VT1100. The 1987-90 has a 4-speed trans with long gears. In 1992 or 94 they went back to the 5 speed. In addition this series has more horsepower — 67 compared to 60 in the 1990s series. Anyone out there who has ridden both and can offer some comparatives?

  38. I purchased a new 2004 Spirit in the summer of 05. The dealer still had a few in the crates. I really enjoy the bike and have added a Mustang seat, highway bars, Cobra cut-off pipes, a windshield and front running lights.

    For the price it is a great bike and it keeps up with my Harley friends when we ride. I do find it a little sluggish when carrying a passenger from the take off. I also had the dealer put on saddlebags on. Once I put on the Cobra pipes, the bag sat on top of the pipe and burnt the bottom and screwed up the chrome on the pipe. Overall a good value

  39. My husband and I started with a Honda 600. We mainly purchased it for economics reasons. We really enjoyed our weekend outing on our new bike with all the accessories. About a month ago, we both decided we needed a larger bike. So, we went and starting looking at the Honda's (no other brand will work for us). We both liked the 2007 Honda Spirit, so we purchased it.

    The ride is so smooth. My husband loves the way it fits him. The front seat and back seat are comfortable for both of us. But, I do have one problem. When we purchased the Spirit, it came with saddlebag mounts already as a option, so we were going to purchase saddlebags from the Honda dealership, but all they had would not fit our bike. I called several dealers and they told me that that is the wrong bracket for that bike. But the Honda dealer I bought it from says it is not. But, the problem is, that we are out of town with our bike and we are wanting to purchase the bags.

    Is any one else having any problems with this, and if so, can you please help us out. I am leery of purchasing them online to fit and they won't. The problem is the ones the Honda dealer has are long – they rest on the exhaust. So, if anyone has a solution to this, please respond.

  40. I just recently purchased the Honda Shadow Spirit VT750C2 2008 and love it. I was considering getting the Sabre (1100cc), but thought I should start on a smaller bike. At 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds this bike is perfect for me. Looking forward to spring!

    By the way, who makes the jacket you are wearing? Love it!

    1. The jacket I am wearing is FirstGear's Urban Angel that, unfortunately, is no longer being made. Too bad. You're not the first one who's asked about it.

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