2011 Honda

[JB1290]

I haven't looked at this bike since this thread was revisited but, have been looking at it more and more recently. I still maintain that it has a lot of similarities to the Sportster but, it does have some clean lines and has extreme potential for customizing based on individual needs.

There are two things about it that are a bit disappointing to me though...

1) Compared to the 2011 HD Sportster 883 Iron, they both have a starting price of $7999.00. In my experience in price shopping between brands, HD has always been the most over priced brand. Honda's prices have been one of the things that has drawn the customers into their showrooms. So, I guess I'm disappointed that the Shadow costs as much as the HD.

2) I still don't see why Honda is still using a rear drum brake on any of their bikes still. Even the Sportster uses front and rear disc brakes as standard equipment on their cheapest bikes.

Now, don't hate me for saying this but, if I was in the market to buy that style of bike in that price range, I would have to go with the HD. Mind you, the only reason I would make that choice is because the resale value on the HD will be a little better than the Shadow.

Just my .02 cents.

[coffee_brake]

Ride the two of them back to back and I bet you'll change your mind...

The Sporty is one ill-handling beast...the XR1200 is OK but the cruiser one...well I've ridden quite a few of them and all of them would instill fear in a new rider and indifference in an experienced one.
Not that the Shadow makes me quiver with excitement, either, it's just not my style. But at least I don't worry that my hands will go so numb that I drop the darn thing at the stop sign...

I'm not Harley bashing, I've owned a Twin Cam and loved it, but it ain't how I ride anymore...

[NightHawked]

I would say Honda is feeling confident to price it the same, always

thought they were priced less than the Sportster. Good point about the

brakes, getting kind of old to have drum brakes. Resale advantage has

gone to the Sportser. A test drive of both would be in order.

[JB1290]

You may be right, CB. It's true, the HD does vibrate a lot. The one I had was a pre rubber mount and would rattle the fillings out of your teeth but the newer rubber mounted Sportys are much better than they were. I cannot comment on the Honda as I have not ridden one. They could be much more comfortable to ride but, I still don't get the rear drum brake. And, I still believe that the resale of the Sporty will be better than the Shadow.

I guess I would have expected more from Honda if they are going head to head with HD against probably their best selling bike.

IMO, if you were to take someone looking for an entry level bike with no bias to either brand and compared them sided by side, I would be willing to bet that he or she would go with the Sportster.

The Sporty has a larger engine and f/r disc brakes.

I guess I would have to ride a Shadow in order to make a definite decision but knowing what I do about the HD and what I read about the Honda, the HD looks better on paper to me.

I believe the Shadow has more color options though.

[coffee_brake]

That shadow will smoke an 883 off the line and with a roll-on, too.

My Nighthawk 750 regularly left my Dyna with the 1450 cc's off the line. Neither machine would go faster than 120 mph....nevermind how I know that...

[JB1290]

The 883 is definitely no speed demon. It is surely fast enough to get you hurt. I remember the day I traded mine in for the Bandit. It felt like a rocket ship compared to the 883. After riding the Bandit, I was ruined for riding anything less han a liter bike.

I still love riding my NH but it feels like a pooch compared to the power of that 1200. 

[coffee_brake]

The 883 is definitely no speed demon. It is surely fast enough to get you hurt. I remember the day I traded mine in for the Bandit. It felt like a rocket ship compared to the 883. After riding the Bandit, I was ruined for riding anything less han a liter bike.

I still love riding my NH but it feels like a pooch compared to the power of that 1200. 

Yeah I understand that completely!
I really love the VFR700, it sounds so sweet and handles so well..but it feels pretty slow compared to the Bandit!

[hockeyhawk]

You guys/gals with the bandits are killing me. I was on the pa turnpike today doing about 70 in my truck and I was passed by a bandit that was cruising effortlessly, looked very smooth and comfortable.  I would love to ride one and see how it feels.

[hppants]

HH - effortless and smooth are very accurate terms.

I rode Soup's 1250 Bandit in North Carolina.  I'm telling you, that bike is stupid fast.  Regardless of the gear you are in, at 2K rpm, it will pull (and I mean PULL) right up.  My next ride will be a liter bike.  I hope I have the maturity to ride it.   

[muttstang]

yeah, that's why I'm torn between a VFR and a Bandit for my next bike...

VFR: dayum it's sexy!

Bandit: Power! + easier maintenance I'd imagine

[Option13]

One thing I'd like to do would be to take a dead GSX-R 1100 and swap in a Bandit 1200 motor. 

[hockeyhawk]

HH - effortless and smooth are very accurate terms.

I rode Soup's 1250 Bandit in North Carolina.  I'm telling you, that bike is stupid fast.  Regardless of the gear you are in, at 2K rpm, it will pull (and I mean PULL) right up.  My next ride will be a liter bike.  I hope I have the maturity to ride it.   

Yea Pants, me too. I'm really starting to lust after the bandit's. I also dig the 94/95 cb 1000's like Ari's. It's not in the cards right now, but it is in the future for sure.

[ariwhiteboy]

I recommend going with the...um...Bandit. 

Seriously, my bike is great (who wouldn't say that though) but it's a pussycat compared to a 1250s.  Not only are they stupid fast but the aftermarket parts market is way better than for a CB1000, which is, well nonexistent. The only thing I would say my bike has going for it (besides being a dead sexy Honda) is that it has held its value pretty well...which is inconsequential since I don't plan on selling it. 

[gammer]

but the aftermarket parts market is way better than for a CB1000, which is, well nonexistent.

I agree with this. I found that the aftermarket parts for Suzuki has always been better then Honda. If I still had my 78 GS550e, I'd still be able to buy all kinds of aftermarket parts for it.
Does this reflect the sales figures for the number of Suzuki's sold in North America compared to Honda's?

[JB1290]

I just think that the reason why the aftermarket for the CB1000 is so bad is because they had such a short production run in the US. So, there isn't as much money to be made off of it.

There are so many Suzukis (especially the Bandit) out there that there is more money to be made with the aftermarket parts.

Just an opinion.  

[hppants]

With some hard luggage, I think the big bandit might be my next bike.  I can get it for prolly 1/4 the price of the FJR or ST, and I really liked the riding position.  I might consider some small bar risers, but only after I rode it a while.

The power is awesome, though.  On Soup's bike, I ran it up to about 8500 in the 1st  three gears (redline is 11K - no point in getting stupid).  HOLY MAMA    - it gave me goose bumps!!  I'm doing like 105 mph and get this...... there's 2 MORE GEARS LEFT!!!  I have no doubt that bike would do 150, but that's really impractical.  The power is more practical in the twisties, though.  You just stick in a high gear and forget about it.  No more downshifting, feathing the clutch, holding a lower gear while you wind out your bike  - nope.     Just twist the wrist and she goes.

We should change the subject - I don't need to be spending money right now.   

[hockeyhawk]

I recommend going with the...um...Bandit. 

Seriously, my bike is great (who wouldn't say that though) but it's a pussycat compared to a 1250s.  Not only are they stupid fast but the aftermarket parts market is way better than for a CB1000, which is, well nonexistent. The only thing I would say my bike has going for it (besides being a dead sexy Honda) is that it has held its value pretty well...which is inconsequential since I don't plan on selling it. 

Good advice Ari, the short production in US could also be a problem just finding parts down the road as well. With that being said, its nice when you see a nice CB1K since they are few and far between.

[coffee_brake]

Ari scored a fantastic bike. It's perfect for him, IMO, and it was already set up beautifully with the Corbin and bags.

My Bandit...well it was quite the steal on its price, and considering my vehement dislike for fuel injection, I'm very well pleased.
With the Corbin, I will say that it is kinder on my behind than the Concours!
Now, all day, 600-mile days, the Connie's wind protection will always win, of course....but I won't hesitate to take the Bandit out all day if it's above 60 degrees!