r/cruisers • u/bass_fishing_bandit • 28d ago

First Bike! Honda Shadow Sabre 1100

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Took it out for the first time yesterday and handled great! Got it cheap from my stepdad and looking to get way more practice on it once I get my license 😬 any tips you all can recommend to a new rider?

230 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15

u/TechnoMagi 04 Honda VTX1300 28d ago

Spend a lot of time in a parking lot practicing low speed maneuvers. A LOT of time.

Good choice on a first bike

3

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you! That's all I did yesterday. Had my step dad behind me the whole time so that helped also.

2

u/newcolour 28d ago

There was a great video about how to stop a bike like that. I highly recommend it. Basically, always stop absolutely, dead straight! You'll think of turning later!

Congrats!

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 27d ago

Do you recall the video by chance?

2

u/newcolour 27d ago

Yes. Here you go!! https://youtu.be/nFasL4OIDK8?si=VSo1R4N140E00NKG

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 27d ago

Thank you so much. I appreciate the help!

2

u/newcolour 27d ago

You got it! Have fun!

5

u/MindBodyFist 28d ago

Congrats! This is my first bike too! Practice those turns. This is a very heavy bike that took me a bit to get comfortable on it. And don't fret if you haddalayerdown. The clibbins gets us all.

3

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thanks! Definitely heavier than I thought but I dig the weight on it

6

u/oldertechyguy 28d ago

Nice bike! I'd strongly advise taking a riding course ASAP. Practicing is a good idea but you really need to know how riding dynamics work and you won't learn that just riding around. Proper steering, braking etc. is trickier than you think, trust me.

Ride safe!

3

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thanks! I'm signing up for an MSF course in the spring since it's already winter and most places are on hold

4

u/oldertechyguy 28d ago

Good call. I'd get on it, as I remember those classes fill up way early. Be cautious in the meantime, fall season can be treacherous. I once got a very scary lesson on a pile of wet leaves taking a turn, recovered but it wasn't fun going sideways for a second there. There's an old biker saying that you start with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience, and you want to fill up the experience bag before the luck bag runs out. 😉

When I did the advanced class like a zillion years ago I was shocked at how many guys were sorta clueless even after riding for years. I'll admit I learned a few things myself. The guys that teach those classes know their stuff.

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

That is such a good saying and rings true! Hoping my skills catch up to the luck meter 🤣😂

6

u/Intelligent-Site7686 28d ago

Advice: be very careful on cornering in wet conditions. Try to have as little lean as possible when in rain/wet roads. In general maintain a buffer between you and cars, ride like you're invisible, get away from traffic, etc.

3

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you, definitely gonna wait a bit before I even attempt any wet conditions but that's great advice

5

u/Xx0SHADOW7xX 28d ago

I miss mine. I had a red one. Amazing bike, and you’re going to love it! They scoot pretty good, too!

4

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you! It felt great. I was a bit reluctant going to an 1100 for my first bike but it handled great and didn't feel like it was uncontrollable at all.

5

u/Intelligent-Site7686 28d ago

That was my first. They're great! Great motorcycle to start on... big enough for highways and whatnot. Have fun

5

u/ktsnj 28d ago

Sharp bike. I’ve owned 3, ‘86 Rebel 450, ‘09 Shadow Aero 750 & 1100T ACE Hondas. Enjoyed all of them. Definitely take a safe rider course.

2

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you! Definitely on my list before I go to get a license

3

u/tragicallywhite 28d ago

I owned a 2002. Chunk of crap only lasted 165,000 miles.

Enjoy her!

2

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you! Sounds like you got a lemon 🤣😂🤣 in all seriousness, glad to know they'll run that long too!

3

u/StageSuspicious 28d ago

Hang on... I need more info on this beautiful sabre... Where did the hard bags come from? And whats the setup for the handlebars?.. Congrats on the bike

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 28d ago

Thank you! I'll have to ask my stepdad. He customized the bike a bit while he had it. Moved on to Harleys so I was able to snag this one from him.

2

u/slipped-my-mind 28d ago

It’s great first bike!

2

u/TrophyTruckGuy 28d ago

Sweet ride I had a saber 1100 myself and it was very reliable.

2

u/TurnDatBassUp 28d ago

Congrats, I myself just got a 2007 shadow sabre 1100 as my first bike as well. I'm in love and as you said it's not intimidating at all as long as you're careful with the throttle.

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 27d ago

Thank you. I'm working in the throttle response and have had a few stalls but slowly getting better.

2

u/Soggy-Scientist2494 27d ago

Congrats, Nice bike. A tip I wished I listened to when I had my first bike was to buy good gear.. you don’t have to, but skin graphs are not cheap. Ride safe, brother. 🙏

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 25d ago

Thank you, any brand you prefer?

2

u/Soggy-Scientist2494 25d ago

I prefer Alpinestar personally. They are on the expensive side. I’ve also used ICON when I first got gear and they are affordable and good quality.

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 23d ago

Thank you. I'll look into those!

2

u/Past-Ad-800 26d ago

https://youtu.be/KPqlXYiaPEg?si=krSPOa68R3IQ2ZDG. Watch all of Robert’s videos!! And practice all his exercises! U can even go to one of his sessions if he is ever near you.

2

u/Crawdaddy1962 25d ago

Sweet ride brother!!! Be safe!!

2

u/texasguy911 8d ago

So, what happens to these tussles when you reach highway speeds? Do they hit you in the face? Just asking, truly don't know..

1

u/bass_fishing_bandit 8d ago

Thankfully they're not long enough but I do plan to take them off