OK. So, I think we've all at one time or another either wished we had a bigger bike or been told we need a bigger bike. I've thought I've needed a bigger bike many times. So now that I have a bigger bike, I'd like to put to ink some of my musings of being the owner of a "bigger" bike.
This week I bought a 1996 Honda Shadow 1100 ACE. This is a bike that was "recommended" to me once by a salesman at the local dealership as a good first bike. The salesman told me he never recommended less than an 1100, because people are just not happy with a smaller bike. I think we've all heard or felt that at one time or another. So when my wife gave me the go ahead to get another bike, I didn't hesitate to go for a bigger bike.
The first thing I have to tell you is that it is HEAVY. It weighs 600 lbs, which is not the top of the scale for a larger bike. But it feels every bit of the 600 lbs. It is hard to turn at a stand still and it feels like I'm going to drop it every time I move it around. Now my Savage I can hold one handed while I check the oil level. The 1100 I don't even TRY that trick with. It's harder to balance at a stop light, gotta use both feet. It's harder to take off and jump into traffic. And it doesn't turn as tight. All around, the Savage is so easy to handle compared to the 1100. I've taken the 1100 up through the hills and it scared me at first. It feels like it's going to fall over in the turns or push through the turn off the road. I know that is just me getting used to the bike, but can I just say that this is NOT a beginner bike. It's got WAY to much power and weight for a first timer. It makes me wonder about the HD riders that just have to have a big twin.
But, let's talk about the freeway since that's what I got it for. First of all, I still can only get a little over 100 miles out of a tank, which is only about 1/2 a gallon larger, with less MPG. And the wind still blows me around when I get around trucks. And the front wheel still gets moved by the rain grooves, albeit not as much. It does cruise a little faster than the savage, but that cuts into the MPG more as well. So really my savage with the chain conversion is almost as good of a freeway bike, and in some respects better (MPG). And did I mention the seat, although much bigger, still hurts after awhile.
Now, lets talk about maintenance. The 1100 has already been in the shop with a flat tire and rear brake pads. Could I have done it myself, maybe but didn't want to even try. The savage I've taken down to the frame and engine with no problems. All I've done on the 1100 is take the seat off. Everything looks so much more complex, and heavier, with more things to worry about....coolant, carb synch, 2 plugs ect.
So in summary, what I've found is that bigger is not always the answer to our "issues". The Savage is a great bike, and so are others. My friend's dad has a Honda 750 ACE and I loved it. Classic look, more weight, but not too much. Will I get rid of my 1100? No way! It' bad to the bone, looks and sounds like a HD, and is fun to ride. Will I get rid of my Savage? Absolutely not! It's fun to ride, work on, and can be loaned out to others safely. If I had to choose one, that would be hard. But only because the 1100 is in better condition than my savage. If looks we're equal, the savage would win. But, I'm just glad I don't have to make that decision. I can have the best of both worlds! (Now all I have to do is convince my wife I NEED a dual sport
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