Owner reviews
Judging by user reviews, the Honda Saber motorcycle is truly a benchmark in its class. The owners include the advantages of the unit as its beautiful exterior, practicality and durability of the engine, high mileage, stability, comfortable landing, and safety.
Among the disadvantages, consumers note hard standard seats and the high cost of original spare parts. As for the “seats”, which lead to the fact that the back becomes wooden after a long trip, no one forbids replacing them. Otherwise, the bike in question is every motorcyclist’s dream.
Reasons for popularity
These days, this bike is still very widely represented on the secondary market in Russia and other countries. The most often found on sale is the Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit, probably because there were so many of these motorcycles produced. Honda Shadow 1100 Saber is also often found, but old first-generation Shadows in a “living” state are problematic to find - age, alas, does not spare anyone. However, there is no point in chasing this modification specifically - the more recent Spirit, ACE and Saber easily outperform their ancestor in all respects - the Honda Shadow 1100 has very good technical characteristics even by modern standards.
The reliability of Honda motorcycles has already become a proverb, and absolutely deservedly so. Even 20-year-old Honda Shadow 1100s often feel great and look no less good, if, of course, they were in caring hands. But if the Honda did not spend the winter in a snowdrift under the window, and its previous owner did not reduce all maintenance to changing the engine oil, you won’t have to worry about its technical condition.
Honda VT 1100 Shadow Saber: technical specifications
Below is a list of tactical and technical indicators of the motorcycle in question:
- power unit – Honda VT 1100 Saber – 2007;
- engine volume – 1099 cc. cm;
- cylinders (diameter and stroke) - 87.5/91.4 millimeters;
- maximum power - forty-nine kilowatts;
- ignition type – starter;
- speed – 5500 rotations per minute;
- power - about sixty-six horsepower;
- fuel tank capacity – sixteen liters;
- weight – two hundred and sixty kilograms;
- tires – 170/80-15;
- brakes – disc type “Single-315 mm”;
- year of production – from 2007 to 2009.
In addition, it is worth noting the external design of the motorcycle, which resembles a small copy of the American Harley Davidson, since it also has some chrome parts and a unique engine layout.
Main competitors:
- Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star (aka V-Star 1100) for the US market. This bike is so similar in performance and design features to the Shadow 1100 that choosing between them comes down to a simple question - which of the two bikes do you prefer.
- Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan . A heavier, structurally archaic, but proven cruiser over the years. It has an excellent range without refueling, and is similar in dynamics to the VT1100, but is inferior to it in maneuverability.
- Suzuki VS1400 Intruder . An old-fashioned motorcycle that looks more like a chopper than a cruiser. The older versions (the first two generations) are distinguished by very high power, the more recent ones, produced under the name Boulevard S83, have already been “strangled” for the sake of environmental standards.
Dimensions and weight
The motorcycle reaches 1160 mm in height, 965 mm in width and 2435 mm in length. These are impressive dimensions even for a cruiser. The seat height is quite high for the class - 730 mm, which will be appreciated by taller cruisers. Wheelbase – 1650 mm. Weight without fuel is 260 kg, which is the average weight for this type of motorcycle. The tank is large and reaches 15.8 liters. Gasoline consumption per 100 km of road is 5.17 liters, which is very good considering the size.
Chassis and brakes
The steel frame has a classic look for such a machine. The VT 1100 Shadow Saber features a stunning black paint job that highlights the bike's understated power. The wheels are alloy, which goes well with the modern look of the model. The steering wheel has standard dimensions.
The pendulum suspension at the rear is equipped with two shock absorbers. The stroke is 100 mm. At the front, there is a telescopic fork with dimensions of 41 mm and a stroke of 150 mm. The rear brake is a single-piston caliper and a 276 mm disc. There is also one disc at the front, but its size is 316 mm, and the caliper is two-piston.
Test Drive
As a result of the run-in, several important points can be noted:
- The motorcycle suspensions performed well, despite their stiffness.
- The vehicle handles the road perfectly and shows excellent maneuverability.
- We are pleased with the reliable brakes and comfortable seating.
- Fans of exclusive models will appreciate the ability of the engine to change its “melody” after switching from low to high speeds.
- A comfortable steering wheel and information display only contribute to comfortable movement.
The Honda Saber motorcycle is an ideal option for short-term travel around the city and beyond. It is unlikely to be suitable for long walks, but it can rightfully be called one of the best choppers in the line.
Engine
The engine of this model is V-shaped. This is a two-cylinder and four-stroke unit. Its effective volume is 1099 cm³. The motor is cooled with liquid. There are three valves for each cylinder. At 2700 rpm, the maximum torque is 88 Nm, and its maximum power at 5500 rpm reaches 53 hp. The bike accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, and its top speed is 172 km/h.
For whom
The version has the following features:
- wheel rims have a special shape;
- the engine is the same as that of the Spirit modification;
- high power.
The motorcycle is not very suitable for beginners. However, in the hands of a professional, the Honda VT 1100 Shadow Saber will become a real ship, smoothly and majestically plowing the road.
Device
The Honda Saber frame has a classic twin-frame design with decent performance. It is positioned as a stable operating element, regardless of the modes used when operating the motorcycle. This part is most often subject to styling and all sorts of modifications; fortunately, there are more than enough materials and devices for this.
At the rear, the suspension is adjusted by preloading the springs. The front fork responds well even during emergency braking. In general, the suspension unit can be described as comfortable and energy-intensive. It is not prone to breakdowns and makes it possible to have good control of the vehicle on different surfaces.
The brakes do their job perfectly and do not require any tuning. The rear brake control takes some getting used to and may seem harsh at first. It is worth noting that the Honda Saber motorcycle is very comfortable, so much so that some modifications were produced with a focus on reducing comfort.
brief information
Most Japanese motorcycles are characterized as stable vehicles without frills or flaws. This characteristic also applies to the Honda Saber. Everything about the motorcycle is thought out to the smallest detail. The bike has several modifications, aimed primarily at the American market. There are models whose engine imitates the legendary Harley Davidson engine. Its connecting rods are placed on one rack, and the sound of the running “engine” has become rougher.
Another feature of the power unit is the increase in “vocality” at low speeds and its leveling at maximum load. This is due to the fact that the more similar a unit is to a Harley, the better it sells.
In Russia, this model was also not ignored. The S-2 modification can be purchased not only secondhand, but also through official dealers. An important factor is that the device is designed for various types of road surfaces without significantly changing the comfort of movement.
