Hey ya'll, I've got a itchin' for a motorcycle, and the model I like most is the Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. I've read up on these and they seem to be just what the doctor ordered. My primary question is which is the better years to go after, I want to stay newer than 1997 and can't afford newer than 2005 or so. I have found a couple of 1997's and a 2001 that is in my price range, but they look different and I wonder what are some non-apparant differences and which is the better years?

Here's a photo of the bike I want(or one like it);
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...UCK/shadow.jpg

Also, what are your thoughts on the Suzuki Maurader's and Kawasaki Vulcan's.

 

What's in your price range? Have seen some pretty good deals around here on Craigslist. (window shopping)

Buying used, I think it's more up to the care the previous owner put into it than it is who makes it.

 

3-5K. I've been cruising Craigslists also.

 

Seen a few VTX 1300's and a few V Star 1300's in that range too.

Seems the Vulcan 900's are about the same price. For the money, I'd get the bigger bike.

 

I have an 2005 VT1100 shadow spirit red with 2900 miles on it..5500 bucks.

 

Just outside of my price range, and red is the second last color I would choose.

I would love the silver one, but that's would mean a 07 model and the prices on those are too high. Next choice would be black, and that was offered in all years, so I have a good chance of finding it. The maroon one is beautiful as well. Is yours really red, or is it maroon?

Thanks for the offer!

 

Seems like when I was looking, everyone was black with the flames. Nice, but not for me.

I wound up finding a nice little 750 Vulcan. And found a good website for support. And parts. Gotten some great deals on parts through the members that would have been really expensive otherwise.

I know the 750 is smaller than you're looking for, but we like to rub in the fact they have faster acceleration than most 1300 models of their time.

 

i have a shadow 1100, '06 with about 14,000 miles on her. have added lots of extras since, of course! they discontinued that model, so VTXs will be more plentiful - the shadow owners i know are not so quick to sell theirs, even if they decide to upgrade to a newer Wing or VTX. Good luck - and you're right, they are about perfect for town/highway, and of course they're bulletproof/dependable.

 

My is the the maroon. May nego. an little. just send me an PM.Thanks.

 

OK, I found a 01 spirit 1100 locally and went and test drove it. First off, it's a fairly large bike, larger than I felt comfortable on and heavier than I would like, for now anyway. Next, I found the foward footpegs awkward, sitting back and having your feet up there didn't help balance the big bike. Of course, the streets I rode on were nothing but potholes and patches, and too much traffic. I think I'll back down to the 750 range of bikes and find some to ride. The more I look at the Nighthawk 750, the more I like it. For some reason, I only like the bike in black, the colored ones look too much like overgrown scooters. Now comes the task of finding one and taking a test ride on it. Another nice thing about the Nighthawk 750 is that most are in my price range. I do have a concern though about it's ability to handle 2-up when I'm ready for 2-up. And also it only has about a 130-150 mile range, which means if I use it to commute (80mi day), I have to stop for gas daily.