Long ride with 1986 vt700? - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

shdwboy11 · 03-26-2012, 09:54 PM

I just bought my first bike a 1986 Honda Shadow vt 700 it has 8,300 miles ive put at least 500 miles on it so far but would like to ride it across state which is a good 3hr ride 200miles long. I noticed in 6th gear at 70mph my bike is at 4500 rpm and that seems like it would be very hard on my bike to ride at that rpm for a long period of time any input would be great thanks!

Lukeduck · 03-27-2012, 12:03 AM

Should be no problem. I've made 400+ mile days on my CB250. If your 700 is well sorted you should have no problems. Ride safe, far, and often.

dernp · 03-27-2012, 12:39 AM

Ride it like ya stole it.

DaJesus · 03-27-2012, 12:53 AM

I've done 150 miles doing 85-90 on mine (Was in a big hurry don't ask)
I've had no problems. Like Lukeduck said. As long as all fluids are good and the bike is maintained it'll be all good.

tubes_rock · 03-27-2012, 07:29 AM

A Honda is made to rev. Check out that 9,000 RPM red line. Running at 6,000 RPM all day and all night won't hurt it a bit.

I've laid down 600 miles a day for several days in a row on my 1986 VT700 and aside from changing the oil, and needing to give my back a rest, the bike was ready for more. They're solid as they come.

As already mentioned, make sure you're up on your maintenance before heading out.

--Justin

shdwboy11 · 03-30-2012, 12:51 PM

Awesome thanks alot guys, i changed the oil, and overdrive oil cause it was prity thick and dirty almost black. Ill be trying this trip by the end of april ill let ya know how it goes again thanks.

John Hopkins · 03-30-2012, 01:34 PM

I've done 500 miles in a day on an '86 vt700, in a mix of heavy rain and sunshine..no problems..

John.

shdwboy11 · 04-02-2012, 05:03 PM

Thats awesome John thats encouraging, just curious how often should i change the oil on my shadow? I have about 2k miles on the oil right now but it looks prity clean but like stated above i want everything fresh and good to go on my lil trip so should i leave it alone or change it before i go?

John Hopkins · 04-02-2012, 06:06 PM

I don't really count 500 miles as a long trip, after all its less than 250 miles one way because you are going to do a bit of riding around when you get there 'otherwise what was the point in going' but if it is your first trip of any distance, you need to check the tires, brakes, hydrolic fluid, coolant, oil, battery, filters and plugs before you leave..just a general fresh to you bike checkup..after that a check after you return will let you know what is going to need checking every 500 miles or however long your trip is..

2k miles of riding should have used something, and if you compare the cost of an oil change to a repair I think it is worth doing..

John.

shdwboy11 · 04-03-2012, 07:51 AM

I took your advice i changed my oil and that went fine, but i changed my overdrive oil last week and i took my bike out for a cruise last night and seen that my overdrive oil was leaking out of the cap? The cap looks like its got an overflow tube in it so i think i filled it to much but im not sure any suggestions? I know that its for sure comming out of the cap tho i pushed it dow tight but it still seems to be seeping out.

03-26-2012, 09:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
shdwboy11 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 73	Long ride with 1986 vt700? I just bought my first bike a 1986 Honda Shadow vt 700 it has 8,300 miles ive put at least 500 miles on it so far but would like to ride it across state which is a good 3hr ride 200miles long. I noticed in 6th gear at 70mph my bike is at 4500 rpm and that seems like it would be very hard on my bike to ride at that rpm for a long period of time any input would be great thanks!

03-27-2012, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lukeduck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Ca. Posts: 479	Should be no problem. I've made 400+ mile days on my CB250. If your 700 is well sorted you should have no problems. Ride safe, far, and often. __________________ Come to terms with the ass that bears you/ 07 CB250/ 07 1100 Spirit with Velorex sidecar

03-27-2012, 12:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
DaJesus Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego California Posts: 86	I've done 150 miles doing 85-90 on mine (Was in a big hurry don't ask) I've had no problems. Like Lukeduck said. As long as all fluids are good and the bike is maintained it'll be all good. __________________ Back in the saddle after a 7 year break. Last edited by DaJesus; 03-27-2012 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Better wording

03-27-2012, 07:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
tubes_rock Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern NH Posts: 5,341	A Honda is made to rev. Check out that 9,000 RPM red line. Running at 6,000 RPM all day and all night won't hurt it a bit. I've laid down 600 miles a day for several days in a row on my 1986 VT700 and aside from changing the oil, and needing to give my back a rest, the bike was ready for more. They're solid as they come. As already mentioned, make sure you're up on your maintenance before heading out. --Justin __________________ 2010 Honda NT700V 1986 Shadow 700 1986 Honda Trail 110 (Postie Bike)

03-30-2012, 01:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
John Hopkins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tredegar,South Wales, near England, not far from Scotland. Posts: 3,389	I've done 500 miles in a day on an '86 vt700, in a mix of heavy rain and sunshine..no problems.. John. __________________ Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes right to the bone.

03-30-2012, 12:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
shdwboy11 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 73	Awesome thanks alot guys, i changed the oil, and overdrive oil cause it was prity thick and dirty almost black. Ill be trying this trip by the end of april ill let ya know how it goes again thanks.

04-02-2012, 05:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
shdwboy11 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 73	Thats awesome John thats encouraging, just curious how often should i change the oil on my shadow? I have about 2k miles on the oil right now but it looks prity clean but like stated above i want everything fresh and good to go on my lil trip so should i leave it alone or change it before i go?

04-02-2012, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
John Hopkins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tredegar,South Wales, near England, not far from Scotland. Posts: 3,389	I don't really count 500 miles as a long trip, after all its less than 250 miles one way because you are going to do a bit of riding around when you get there 'otherwise what was the point in going' but if it is your first trip of any distance, you need to check the tires, brakes, hydrolic fluid, coolant, oil, battery, filters and plugs before you leave..just a general fresh to you bike checkup..after that a check after you return will let you know what is going to need checking every 500 miles or however long your trip is.. 2k miles of riding should have used something, and if you compare the cost of an oil change to a repair I think it is worth doing.. John. __________________ Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes right to the bone.

04-03-2012, 07:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
shdwboy11 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 73	I took your advice i changed my oil and that went fine, but i changed my overdrive oil last week and i took my bike out for a cruise last night and seen that my overdrive oil was leaking out of the cap? The cap looks like its got an overflow tube in it so i think i filled it to much but im not sure any suggestions? I know that its for sure comming out of the cap tho i pushed it dow tight but it still seems to be seeping out.

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