[Space Force 1]

What is the life expectancy of a Honda Shadow? I goggled this and the answer I got was 15 years, if properly maintained and kept indoors - I find that unbelievably

 

[swifty2014]

There is a member here with a Spirit with 160.000 miles on it.


[IMG alt="Captain D"]https://www.hondashadow.net/d2/avatars/l/36/36151.jpg?1655739296[/IMG]

"Captain D"

 

[gdb069]

A friends 1956 Triumph TRW suffered catastrophic failure due to metal fatigue in the top triple tree a few years ago, so I am very leery about riding long distances with any bike more than 60 years old. I will retire my Shadow in about 3 years at 30.

 

[299745]

I only just got mine and its 39 years young and I intend to ride till there are now more 83' parts available.
Will you sell it in 3 years then? @gdb069

 

[LeonIsMooi]

My '94 600 has no signs of stopping, these bikes hold up really well if you give them the love they deserve. Do you remember the Top Gear episode where they tried to destroy a Hilux? I like to think the Shadow is the motorcycle equivalent of that haha

 

[PhantomRider64]

I would say that the longevity of any mechanical object is at least 75% maintenance dependent and maybe 15-20% how you use the item. If the PO took care of your bike and you take care of it there is no reason that can’t last much longer than 15 years.

I have found the secret to keeping these bikes in good shape,,,ride them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gdb069]

...
Will you sell it in 3 years then? @gdb069

Here, classic/vintage motorcycle insurance is very, very inexpensive so I will keep it as long as there is room in the garage (probably) and ride to local motorcycle shows or for an hour or two locally. The last three years it was ridden just 1000 km per year and then oil change. I have a newish Goldwing for long distances and a few Brit bikes that are garage queens but I still enjoy the VT1100C2 a lot and its the easiest to maintain. The Shadows don't really appreciate in value as classics (unlike the Brits) so not much gained in selling ($2-2.5k)

 

[chevyman_ky]

Bought mine new February of 04. 1100 spirit. Runs as good now as it did new. 77000 miles on it. Very little repairs on it


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[D's Spirit]

My old VT1100 Spirit is three years past Google's expiration date...

Photo taken November 14, 2022 at my warehouse


Rode the Valkyrie to vote in this year's mid-terms even though the bike is ten years past Google's expiration date...

Maybe Google should re-think that 15 year sh!t!

 

[Space Force 1]

My old VT1100 Spirit is three years past Google's expiration date...
View attachment 305612
Photo taken November 14, 2022 at my warehouse


Rode the Valkyrie to vote in this year's mid-terms even though the bike is ten years past Google's expiration date...
View attachment 305613


Maybe Google should re-think that 15 year sh!t!

 

[Space Force 1]

Bought mine new February of 04. 1100 spirit. Runs as good now as it did new. 77000 miles on it. Very little repairs on it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Space Force 1]

I would say that the longevity of any mechanical object is at least 75% maintenance dependent and maybe 15-20% how you use the item. If the PO took care of your bike and you take care of it there is no reason that can’t last much longer than 15 years.

I have found the secret to keeping these bikes in good shape,,,ride them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Space Force 1]

My '94 600 has no signs of stopping, these bikes hold up really well if you give them the love they deserve. Do you remember the Top Gear episode where they tried to destroy a Hilux? I like to think the Shadow is the motorcycle equivalent of that haha

 

[1shadowsabre]

18 years on the Sabre and still flawless!

 

[bweighmaster]

What is the life expectancy of a Honda Shadow? I goggled this and the answer I got was 15 years, if properly maintained and kept indoors - I find that unbelievably

My 05 has 55,000 mi. Ready for another 50,000 .. It all depends on care and maintainence ...

 

[Troy Jollimore]

Yeah, that’s not quite the right question. I’d ride a 30+ year old Shadow without hesitation. As you can see, LOTS of good examples out there. It’s not so much the age, or even the mileage, but how it was treated. You can find some bikes for sale not even a decade old that are pretty much falling apart…

 

[oldguy]

A friends 1956 Triumph TRW suffered catastrophic failure due to metal fatigue in the top triple tree a few years ago, so I am very leery about riding long distances with any bike more than 60 years old. I will retire my Shadow in about 3 years at 30.

There's been a world of improvements in metallurgy between 1956 and the 90's, I wouldn't think it's an issue unless it's rusting from weather. to the point of failure.

Plus, it's british "engineering" vs Japanese/American.... I had 3 british bikes in the 70's, (slow learner,,,) They almost caused me to quit riding.

Edit: traded the last one in on a new 1976 KZ900 Kaw and never looked back.

 

[MoMo51]

Made 456,000 km on a '93 VT1100 until stolen August 2021. Bought it brand new in '93

 

[bweighmaster]

There's been a world of improvements in metallurgy between 1956 and the 90's, I wouldn't think it's an issue unless it's rusting from weather. to the point of failure.

Plus, it's british "engineering" vs Japanese/American.... I had 3 british bikes in the 70's, (slow learner,,,) They almost caused me to quit riding.

Edit: traded the last one in on a new 1976 KZ900 Kaw and never looked back.

KZ 900 Great bike ... wish they would bring it back ... ,

 

[h13man]

A little more refined but available. 2022 RS model

2018 model was the 1st. year intro for the KZ. Honda introduced the CB1100 in 2014 thus I assume somebody @ Kawasaki took notice though Honda will discontinue the CB1100 this year.