Mileage test

[John Hopkins]

I just took my Honda VT1100c Shadow for a mileage test..100 miles 8 litres (4.5 litres to an English gallon)..It's a strange bike, second gear under 30mph so not great for around town, if you get into third too soon it starts lugging..no get out of trouble oomph because it only has four gears, about 100 mph top speed but at 85 it tries to blow my feet off the pedals, It handles quite well but somehow I get the impression it should be towing cars out of ditches..

when it cools down I'll check the coolant level..I did the 100 miles non stop at all speeds so if the coolant is good it should be Ok for my trip around Britain..

John.

["Captain D"]

Glad to hear it, praying your coolant is good too...

[93gc40]

Shoyuld be lugging in all gears if going too slow for the gear. 4th below 45mph should be nearly impossible to add throttle. You don't say year but the POST 1987 VT1100s are rated as 105mph top speed. 3rd is your get out of troble gear, redline in 3rd is between 80 and 90MPH

[John Hopkins]

Originally Posted by 93gc40

Should be lugging in all gears if going too slow for the gear. 4th below 45mph should be nearly impossible to add throttle. You don't say year but the POST 1987 VT1100s are rated as 105mph top speed. 3rd is your get out of trouble gear, redline in 3rd is between 80 and 90MPH

Yeah..that sounds about right..of course third gear on the VT700 is ideal for around town..two totally different bikes in every way.

John.

[93gc40]

3rd is my around town gear on the 1100. I will often shift from 1st direct to 3rd, in town and not even consider 4th till speed is consistant 48+. 4th bogs below 47 and will simply stall at 40 or less. But then mine does 120mph at the 1/3 mile mark, with the top around 140.