Engine Life, 21k too much?
Engine Life, 21k too much?
Hello guys and gals. I've been lurking around here for quite some time but never registered till now.
I'm getting back into motorcycles this year and have been looking around for a cruiser. I own a 1982 Kawasaki 440LTD and desparetely need an upgrade. I am looking into 2 bikes, a 1995 Honda shadow ACE VT1100 with 21K miles or a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE 750 with 5K miles. They both run for $3k. I like them both but was mainly wondering about engine life on the 1100cc engine. Does it still have a lot of life left in that bad boy or should I look the other way. It is very well maintained and always serviced but would like some other opinions from the experts.
I'm getting back into motorcycles this year and have been looking around for a cruiser. I own a 1982 Kawasaki 440LTD and desparetely need an upgrade. I am looking into 2 bikes, a 1995 Honda shadow ACE VT1100 with 21K miles or a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE 750 with 5K miles. They both run for $3k. I like them both but was mainly wondering about engine life on the 1100cc engine. Does it still have a lot of life left in that bad boy or should I look the other way. It is very well maintained and always serviced but would like some other opinions from the experts.
- jonnythan
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Re: Engine Life, 21k too much?
Barely broken in, especially for a Honda.dabears51 wrote:Hello guys and gals. I've been lurking around here for quite some time but never registered till now.
I'm getting back into motorcycles this year and have been looking around for a cruiser. I own a 1982 Kawasaki 440LTD and desparetely need an upgrade. I am looking into 2 bikes, a 1995 Honda shadow ACE VT1100 with 21K miles or a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE 750 with 5K miles. They both run for $3k. I like them both but was mainly wondering about engine life on the 1100cc engine. Does it still have a lot of life left in that bad boy or should I look the other way. It is very well maintained and always serviced but would like some other opinions from the experts.
Get the 1100 and put 100k on it.
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If the engine was taken care of and serviced at regular intervals then you'll have no problems with 21k. Keep it serviced and the engine will probably outlast the frame.
I've got 35k on my Vulcan 500 and it's still going strong... and this is with me postponing some servicing.
Congrats on the purchase.
I've got 35k on my Vulcan 500 and it's still going strong... and this is with me postponing some servicing.
Congrats on the purchase.
One thing you can count on: You push a man too far, and sooner or later he'll start pushing back.


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Put 31000km on my last bike and the engine was just as strong as the day I bought it. I think... I didn't really use all the engine the day I bought it.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
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I'm really excited about my purchase. I'm the 3rd owner but the guy before me had all the maintenance records on hand. I'm already used to the bike except when I open her up in second and third gear
. The sound of the cobra exhaust and the speed still intimidates me a little.
I guess 21k isn't so bad!

I guess 21k isn't so bad!