Opinions on 1983 Honda Sabre for a first bike.

[yoda731]

Hey, folks. Thanks in advance for your help and thoughts.

My wife & I are a one car family, as my work usually has me out of town five days a week in a rental vehicle. But, happily, I am on an assignment for a while that lets me stay home and work in my boxers. (OK, so that's not a job requirement, just a luxury.)

Anyways, I'm looking to buy a motorcycle for my own wheels, for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I've wanted to learn to ride for a long time. I am taking the MSF course at Orlando Harley in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I am shopping for a used bike, so I can get familiar with it and not be TOTALLY clueless at the MSF course.

I've found an '83 Sabre listed for $1000. Stated to be in good condition, only 17k miles. The price sounds right (to me, as a know-nothing...), and I know Hondas will run forever if they are maintained, so I'm not too upset about the age of the bike.

Its a 750cc engine. I'm 6'0, and 240 lbs. My intent is too just ride locally around town on back streets for a good long while, but I will at some point want to hit the highways. I'm thinking this bike will have the power to do that.

So, the questions are:

1. Is the Honda Sabre a good bike in general?

2. Does it sound like it would be a good bike for me from what I have said?

Thanks-- I am really enjoying and learning from this forum. I look forward to being able to contribute in the years to come...

JC

[earwig]

I think it will be a perfect starter bike for you... I started on a Honda Shadow Spirit 750... You may find it to be a little small for your size though; I am 5'11 175lbs... although I was 220 lbs when I learned how to ride and I just felt sort of big for it... but as a starter bike it'll be fine and can definitely handle the highway just fine.

[DivideOverflow]

The sabre is WAY different than the shadow 750.

The Sabre V45 is a 750cc V-4, where the shadow is a V-2. It makes about 90hp to the crank, and has about 46ft-lbs of torque. (Compared to the shadow's stock 41hp and 40ft-lbs).

It has more than enough power to hit the highways. Very good bikes as well, but you just need to be aware the the carbs are very complicated, and not very easy to work on. It isn't impossible to work on them, but they are a tad tricky.

visit www.v4hondabbs.com They have a lot of good information on those bikes. I would be worried that it is a "tad" much on the horsepower side for a beginner, but the powerband isn't too bad, so as long as you aren't revving the heck out of it, it is pretty docile at regular speeds.

I don't know about the size of the sabre, but I am 6'0 and 220, and I fit on my Interceptor just great. I did sit on a 500cc Magna, and that felt really small, but my guess is that the 750 Sabre is a lot bigger.

[mustangski]

I disagree on the too much power for a beginner. I started on an 84 magna 700cc, which is pretty much the same bike. It was a great starter bike and it ran great. Although I definitly agree on the whole carb thing, I wouldn't touch those just take it to a shop. You will be alright on it, they are great bikes.

[earwig]

Sorry... I know the new Honda Sabre is an 1100 V-Twin cruiser so I just assumed the 83 sabre was a smaller V-Twin...

[DivideOverflow]

I disagree on the too much power for a beginner. I started on an 84 magna 700cc, which is pretty much the same bike. It was a great starter bike and it ran great. Although I definitly agree on the whole carb thing, I wouldn't touch those just take it to a shop. You will be alright on it, they are great bikes.

it still falls under a "grey area" bike. I think it would be alright assuming the person is a quick learner and gets the basics down pretty well. I've just seen some people who try to either rush it, or have a harder time getting the basics down, and just end up dropping their bikes.

[yoda731]

Thanks sincerely to you all. After considering your insights, I've made an offer on the Sabre, and will get back to this forum later in the week as to whether I got it.

JC

[jmillheiser]

The sabre could work if you are restrained with the throttle.

the V4 is known to be resonably docile at low rpms but REALLY wakes up when it hits around 6000rpm.

would actually be a very nice bike for long highway trips 80mph would be effortless for this bike.

the sabre is an 80s version of what we could call a sport tourer now.

its similar to the interceptor, but is bigger and has shaft drive instead of chain, and is heavier.

the shaft drive is nice to have, its smooth running, requires no adjustment, and doesn't need a lot of maintainance.

The sabre is a heavy bike and it wears most of its weight up top, can be a pain for a new rider.

my CX500 only has 50hp, it will hit 60 in about 5 seconds and will effortlessly cruise at 75-80mph, power goes a long way on a bike

[jmillheiser]

$1000 for a good running sabre is a good deal