ADV bikes are great. Love the riding position, and having suspension that doesn't throw you over bumps. They'll last if you do the maintenance too, at 100k miles I had to shim 4/6 exhaust valves and replace the cam chain.
I've bee trying to find a 1100 shadow but all that seems to be out there are 750'sDealer got an 1100 in stock so went and looked.
Think a perfect bike for someone about 5'7"
no way or chance of adapting it to fit me.
It was a black one and like an 82 Heritage special they went a bit overboard.
Guess I'll be tweaking the 1100 shadow a bit for touring this year.
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Less Ywain falls together.
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I've bee trying to find a 1100 shadow but all that seems to be out there are 750's
I've got to replace my clunky Triumph
The search is on
You would think the 750's would be a little small on week long or more trips?There's several around me I think the sabres are a good fit for touring.
Man I didn't want that Sabre but it had ALL the right goodies including saddle bags threw a low ball his way and it was in the van the next morning. Changed two connectors that were plugged in wrong and bingo bango. ( I ended up smoking the voltage regulator figuring out the problem so had spend $50 for a new one) All in wasn't as much as dealer fees and sales tax on a new bike.
A late Aero is good too, the last year 2001 aeros had 10 more hp than the 2000 down aeros. and needed it. LOL
These are a bit pricy but been for a sale for a while, yah never know
https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/montello-99-honda-shadow-aero-1100/7283787289.html
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/milwaukee-2004-honda-shadow/7285481916.html
The 750 shadows are pretty darned good bikes would suit for touring, I put a few miles on Allison's
I'm going to keep my mind open as to which one I getI haven't owned a V-star 1100 but it's right in the neighborhood of the 1100 shadows and they're around for sale..
600lbs wet.
It might be a little hard on the 750, on the 80mph western freeways the 650 just stayed at 70 and everybody just passed us politelySounds like we think similar, the big tourers are just too big for campgrounds parking lots etc.
Thinking of stripping doo-dads off the shadow for weight reduction. and more of a ratbike ethos.
I think a 750 shadow is quite a bit more relaxed than an XS650 the forward pegs sit comfortable, one with floorboards even better, but not sure about 80MPH western freeways.........
You would think the 750's would be a little small on week long or more trips?
I did the 650 for a few summers but we did mostly 2 lanes When we would be on the interstate for hours the 650 was just running to hard for my comfort
While the 900 Triumph was happy no matter where we were driving but it's such a clumsy bear at slow speeds like trying to turn around on a 2 lane road
It might be a little hard on the 750, on the 80mph western freeways the 650 just stayed at 70 and everybody just passed us politely
Few more to think aboutI have been thinking more and more about looking for another old bike with longer legs. Any more that two hours on my XS and I just feel beat up, it really limits me on how far I’m willing to ride it. Sure it’ll do 65mph for hours on end, and you could probably do 600 mile days on them, but I don’t want to. I have been thinking a lot lately about what would be the best, most affordable $$$, most reliable, easy to maintain, comfortable, used bike out there. Here’s what I’m thinking.
Gotta be a Japanese, mass produced, long production run with a proven track record, preferably shaft drive or belt drive. Did I mention low cost and low maintenance? Some of the candidates,
More sporting,
Kawasaki Concours 1000, first generation, cheap as chips, made a million of them, legendary reliability. Low mileage , clean examples can still be found for little money.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/d/peoria-kawasaki-concours/7283195946.html
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Honda ST1100, first generation, same pluses as the Kawasaki. A little more expensive but bulletproof.
Suzuki Bandit 1000, good bike, but not a shaftie.
More cruiserish,
Honda 1100 Shadow
Honda VTX 1300
Yamaha Star 1300
Yamaha Star 950 Touring model
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Touring
I don’t have any interest in a real land barge, such as an old Goldwing or a Yamaha Venture.
Stripped down bikes, maybe take a look at the honda nc750x, the vstroms, tenere from yamaha.