Honda Spirit VT1100 Great Bike or Nightmare

[terbur750]

I am thinking about purchasing a new 2007 Honda Spirit. Anyone know anything about or owned one of these bikes ? I've read some user reviews on Motorcycle and ATV reviews, specifications, prices, used motorcycles by PowerSports Network and it seems the experiences range from either loving the bike and not having any problems or hating the bike and having terrible problems (major oil leaks, transmission problems etc.)

Thanks for any info,

Terbur750

[omegajim]

and what do you have now?

I wouldn't think a Honda would have problems, but the more and more I hear, the mfgs (across board) have been trying different ways of cutting costs. Don't take my word for it though, upon asking a reupholstery specialist, he mentioned "it happens quite a bit on the newer bikes."

So if there are any leaks, problems, I would tend to think they are rare, and they happened to be testing a bad example of that bike for that year.

But I won't just say that about Honda, I will say that about nearly any bike. They aren't all made to the same "standard of excellence" they would have you believe. Everybody, even BMW, a very pricey bike all things considered, makes a few clinkers.

A bigger question would be, what all else are you looking at?

What are you looking for?

and on and on, and on.

you get the point.

[wampa1]

Nightmare? definitely not... This is actually a great bike and will suit most peoples needs perfectly. One of the biggest questions when deciding if a VT1100 is a good fit for you is ride height. This bike hasn't seen many changes in quite some time, as a result it still sits higher like many of its older peers. A VTX1300 is a perfectly substitute if it doesn't fit properly. the best advice is to go in and have a seat. As far as problems with them, Honda has not had any to my knowledge. With any bike you get, make sure to get the 600 mile check up to check chain tension and valves (if necessary) and you will be on your way.

[terbur750]

Thanks, all good advice. I've currently got a 2007 VT750C2 and I am thinking about trading up mainly because the 750 has tube type tires and I've already had a flat on the rear tire (glad it wasn't the front) and also to get something a little bigger. Funny thing.....the user reviews on the Shadow Sabre are great accross the board. I think both these bikes are made in Ohio at the same plant but the Sabre has allot better user reviews. In fact, I read every user review on the site I mentioned in my post and none of them where bad on the Sabre. These 2 bikes share the same engine but I've also read the the Shadow Sabre has lower gearing and is quicker........anyone ever heard that ?

[sinn]

I have a 2005 Sabre. I can't help you with if it is quicker than another bike...as this is the only one I have ever ridden besides the 250 nighthawk at the MSF course. It has plenty of power for me though..and real quick when passing on the highways at higher speeds...quicker than I'm willing to push it. I've had no trouble with mine. Very rarely use the choke, starts first time every time.

[omegajim]

terbur750

Thanks, all good advice. I've currently got a 2007 VT750C2 and I am thinking about trading up mainly because the 750 has tube type tires

So you aren't really asking about this particular bike, you just want a bike with cast wheels.

Through dumb luck (in the strictest sense of the word) every beat up, old, out of tune bike I ever bought (well 4 scooters so far) they all had cast wheels and they didn't have tubes.

So you are merely asking "which bike with cast rims would be a good replacement for my vt7750?"

Might I suggest the Kawasaki 900?