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smokey_243 wrote:I should have been more clear. I am wanting to move up to an 1100 class. I was at the Yamaha dealer this morning and the 1100 V Stars didn't talk to me. I like them OK but something was missing, maybe it's the lack of chrome on the engine, don't know. One big negative is no hydralic lifters. In my old age I find it harder to do maintenance I used to enjoy such as adjusting valve clearances. I have no preferance between belt drive or shaft drive. Any more all I want is to put in gas and ride. Thanks all for the response.

If the V-Star 1100 doesn't do it for ya (I don't blame ya there) check out the Honda Shadow Sabre 1100. It's the same price but it's water-cooled and has shaft drive. For the ultimate low-maintenance bike, however, kick in another $1,000 and step up to the Kawasaki 1500 Classic. It's shaft drive, water-cooled, fuel-injected, and has hydraulic valve lifters. It's about as "gas-and-go" as bikes get. And don't neglect to check out the used market or ask dealers if they have any previous-year leftovers. I paid sticker on my Mean Streak ($10,999) and have since seen brand new ones going for $9,000!

If I were going 1100cc, the Honda Sabre really would talk to me. I love their street rod look with the flame paint and mag wheels. Of course, like the others said, you could always jump on up, then there's the Mean Streak.....DROOOL!!

My brother in law loves his 2003 Spirit 1100.


Tom

I have a Spirit 1100 and love it. Handles great and it's one of the most comfortable bikes to carry passengers on a regular basis on this type and size bike. The other bike I really like, but it's better for solo riding, is the Honda VTX1300C. It sits a little lower than the Spirit 1100. And as far as customizing it, I think you will have more options with the VTX1300C.

My wife wants her own bike, so when she gets hers, I will most likely get that VTX1300C. I will keep the Spirit 1100 for 2-up riding and customize the VTX, I need at least a 250 rear tire for it. I want to make it look and sound like a mean Street Rod. It would look something similar to this one.

I've starting investigating the Kawasaki 1500 classic and it has potential. I'm going look at one Monday and if it's as good as it seems to be I may be riding it home. I still like my Shadow and have been trying to get the wife to drive it but she won't. If she'd drive we'd keep it. Thanks to all for the replies.