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If you started over 750 or 1100?

7.5K views 51 replies 47 participants last post by  Lonerider60  
#1 ·
I have a question, a friend has caught the cruiser bug after seeing my Shadow ACE. After owning a Shadow would you go 750 or 1100? I went 750 because I just started riding again (so is he) but knew my wife wasn't coming along or that I was doing any touring right now (as I think he will). Thanks

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#2 ·
I started on a 750. If I had to do it again, I would get atleast and 1100 :)
 
#5 ·
I went shopping for something in the 750 range but stumbled into a good deal on an 1100 Sabre. I was concerned at first about the extra power but my MSF instructors told me I'd be fine with it. I can't compare it to a 750 but I can say I'm very happy with the 1100.

Just my opinion but if your friend is taking a refresher course/lessons get the instructors opinions on their skill levels and let that decide.
 
#6 ·
I've had my 750 Spirit for like 2 years now and couldn't be happier. It had Hard Krome straight pipes and was rejetted from the dealer so probably has a little more gusto but I've never had any issues with power at all.

Did a 500 mile ride last year with full bags and wife on the back no problem. This year did 1000+ miles with 4 other guys on 1200+ harleys and not once felt left behind. Of course they could have burned me if need but, but any normal/hard acceleration, highway it was great.

Only complaint with mine is I would like a bigger gear. It is shaft drive so can't change out the gearing, but on the highway if you're working over 70 it can get a LITTLE buzzy and higher rpm than I'd like, but honestly not a problem and put in over 8 hours in a day.
 
#7 ·
Rode 4600 miles cross country this spring with two Harleys. My 750 Ace did a fine job and used less gas than the Harleys. I only weigh about 155 lbs., but I don't see the need to upsize yet.
 
#10 ·
Well if it's a CC only question I would go 1100. Under most circumstances 1000cc is the smallest I would ever recommend for a V-Twin cruiser. If Customization were in the "new" bikes future I would go with a 750 Shadow or more likely a V-Star or even more likely Harley. I cancelled an an order for a 2002 Sportster when I bought the 1993 VT1100 in 2001. Best decision I have ever made, regarding bikes.
 
#12 ·
This year I've seen some late 90's ie: 97 and 98 1100's for sale around here for very cheap, under $4k, which came as a bit of a surprise to me.

No regrets going with the 750, it's very nimble for what it is, power is adequate for my stature and, I prefer the single pin crankshaft sound. Plus, the 750 and 1100 are in different insurance brackets here, that extra few hundred bucks a year makes a good deal of difference for my budget. The only other Honda cruiser I'd consider as an alternative would probably be the VT1300, although I'm sure the VTX is a pretty awesome bike too but, 1800 is a fair bit..not to mention cost all the way around.
 
#14 ·
As far as Honda Shadow's ( had other bikes ) go I started on the 1100 and if I did it again I'd do it again. ;-)

95% of my riding is highway at 80+ speeds so that power and stability is perfect.

If most of my riding was in the city I might prefer a 750.

Nah! I'd still go for the 1100. ;-)
 
#18 ·
My first bike was a 1998 750 ACE...loved it. I was without for 10 years and found a great deal on a 99 1100 ACE. Weight wise and handling wise I haven't noticed a big difference. A bit more get up and go with the 1100. IMO couldn't go wrong either way.
 
#19 ·
I started back into riding on a 09 Aero 750, had it about a year and put on 11000 miles, power was not a problem with me, the problem got to be the size, Im 6'1 and 230 lbs, I commute about 100 miles daily, as I tarted riding further for fun on the weekend like 300 plus miles, I started feeling cramped on the bike, just not enough leg room, at time I felt like just sitting on rear passanger seat just to be able to stretch my legs, and even on tight slow speed turns I would have to bend my legs out as not to hit the handle bar no my knee, the Sabre 1100 fits me alot better, think I could have handle it right off the start as well.
 
#21 ·
I'd be more than willing to trade my 1100 for a 750 that runs right... I'd be the only one ever on the bike so I think a 750 would make for a fun little toy, maybe even chop it out a little bit.
 
#24 ·
Having only just started, I can't really say 'if I started over' ... but there is part of me that is already thinking ahead to my next bike. My 750 is a lot of fun, and I have no regrets starting with it. But I think that I could have easily started again with a larger bike (1100), and I would have been fine. And it would have made the longer highway trips that I would like to take more appealing.


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#26 ·
I had that exact decision to make - 750 vs. 1100. I found a 2009 750 that rode like a dream, but it was just too small. I kept pushing back in the seat to get more legroom. Being a new rider, I was intimidated by the size of the 1100, but I bought it anyway. Have been happy so far.