1986 Honda reviews

I've owned mine now for over 15 years and have truly enjoyed it. I've averaged right at 3,000 miles per year. Averages 48 mpg but needs premium gas. My only maintenance problem was a burned out "stator & volt. reg. at about 30,000 miles and a choke cable replacement. Highly recommend Metzler 88 Marathon tires. They give me the best handling and at least 20,000 miles durability. I can never get more than 30 months from a battery no matter how you nurse it. Totally reliable, and has never leaked a drop of oil. There's little to no after-market accessories available.................woody Show less

I am a young 69 years of age. I started riding again, after a 30 year absence, in 1997. At one time I had three motorcycles. In March of 2000 I was involved in an accident that totaled my 86 Honda vt1100 Shadow. After a year of healing I started looking for another Shadow. Found one in Oklohoma. Paid$3,333 for it. Just like new. Over 7,000 miles last year at 42 mpg. i don't believe there was ever a better bike built. I have covered the backroads of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklohome and have logged over 47,000 miles since 1997. Could afford a more expensive bike but it wouldn't be a better bike. Show less

This is my first bike. It only had 8100 miles when I bought it on Labor Day. Front forks and carbs were rebuilt a few months before I found it. Almost 2000 trouble free miles since has convinced me that this bike is a keeper for a long time. It is all stock with a shortish windshield that I wish was a mite taller so slipstream doesn't hit top of helmet. It starts right away and provides all the power and handling that a 6'0" 200 pound conservative cruiser could want. Shaft drive, water cooled, center stand, easy to change oil, stablility in cross winds, 40 mpg. I'll be on it first thing tommorrow. Show less

If you have a '86 Goldwing Interstate, or Aspencade, hang on to it i had mine for 13 yr's and never had one bit of trouble with it, I got the new bike bug and not liking the gl 1500 i got a '99 Ultra Classic rode it for two years, service costs out of sight, traded it straight across for a new gl 1800 in June'01. I just hope this new wing is as good as the old '86 Show less

I bought my '86 in '96 with 6,333 miles. I knew the former owner. It was immaculate. It now has 34,000 miles and it seems like it is just broken in. It runs strong and handles well for a cruiser. As it gets older it seems to get better. It is not quite as cold blooded as it used to be. Warms up faster with less stumbling. I use it as a commuter ride (34 miles one way to work). Mileage is good even with a windshield. It always starts and runs smoothly. It even takes abuse well (dropped at 55 mph with only cosmetic damage). Only complaint. Most accessories are made for 87 and newer and have to be adapted to fit. Show less

I have owned this model for five years. Bought used from a friend with 4,200 miles on it. It now has 7,400 miles on it and still looks like new. I live in the mountainous region of northern California on the coast, and find that this bike is so versatile, and such a pleasure to ride. I am considering letting it go only due to my obsession for more power. Thinking of the CBR1100XX. Ironically some of the new sport touring bikes resemble this same design, ie. Kawasaki,Suzuki, and Yamaha. Maybe Honda will re-think their strategy and introduce a new Nighthawk CB1100S, for those of us who would like just a little more from a shaft driven machine. 15 years old, and I and this machine still get's with it! Show less

Bought the bike used 2 years ago. Not exactly what I wanted but the price was right. I was pleasantly surprised, has plenty of get up and go. The only problem is ergonomics -- short framed bike dosen't work too well with a tall guy. Installed aftermarket highway pegs and that helps somewhat. I don't even use the stockpegs, do all my shifting and braking with heels. It has a Corbin seat on it, and I wish I could have tried one with stock seat. Put on about 5,000 miles and aside from normal maintenance no problems at all. Show less

I bought my Shadow about three years ago and have put on about 30,000 km. including some long trips. The previous writer was right, they don't make them like this anymore. The engines redlines at 7,500 rpm and according to my dealer and contemporary reviews had a peak h.p rating of 67! (Possibly slightly less for the U.S., as the Canadian version had 750 cc vs. 700 cc for the American version due to tarriffs at the time on imports > 700 cc). Compare this power to the rather anemic output of current cruisers and you will shake your head in disbelief; the Sabre "power cruiser has only about 60 hp and is 1100 cc, and even the new Harleys don't match it. The one thing about the 86 Shadow, however, is that you can't be afraid to rev it close to the redline. Aside from the performance, I get quite a few compliments on the looks of this bike. Show less

My bike has 25,000 miles on it now. I bought it used from the original owner in 1989 with 3,000 miles on it. I have replaced the chain, both tires, front and rear brake pads, front fork seals and battery. All these only once. The bike is quick to respond, very reliable, has a sixth gear overdrive, excellent brakes and a very good finish in chrome and paint. All the welds are excellent and the overall workmanship is very good. It is extremely low, making it good for short riders or women. It has enough power to provide good sustained highway speeds. I expect this bike to be a collectors unit in the next five years. Age and scarcity are starting to set in. If you can get one under 2,000US do so. As I am six feet, I found it slightly cramped until I installed an engine guard with forward foot rests. Now I travel on 400 mile trips in a day without fatigue. Show less

It has been years since I've last ridden. My son has the motorcycle bug and we have gotton him a Honda Rebel 250. This has revived my interest, and for a year now I've considered buying a bike for myself. I've always wanted a cruiser and I like the Harleys. My bank account says otherwise though. At age 52 I wasn't sure I wanted to exhaust my bank account to by a motorcycle that I wasn't sure I would even drive that much. I found a used 86 Shadow 1100 that was in top condition with only 15000 miles on it. Everything was stock and it had been taken care of very well. I got it for a very reasonable price and asside from needing a new front tire and getting some work done on the turn signal switch, it is in perfect condition. I like it a great deal and at the price I paid I can't get hurt too badly if I decide that I'm not going to ride it much. It has been very reliable and is easy for an old guy to handle, while still having a bundle of performance. It is a little cold blooded and takes a while to warm up. Honda reliability and performance are all here in this bike and so far I would give it a strong recommendation. Show less