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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/30/2008 11:26:32 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 4 |
| As an intro, I have been riding motorcycles since about 1962 when I rode a Vespa Scooter for a number of years. I moved up to a 1980 Honda Goldwing GL1100, and after about 40,000 miles sold it to a friend last summer. I also have a Honda 1996 Honda Pacific Coast; a very great bike for about anything. Fast, economically, trouble-free, and with locking storage capacity for four or more sacks of groceries.
Having just purchased a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 from my brother in Alabama, I looked forward to the longest one day ride I had ever tried on a motorcycle. I rode it all the way to Iowa, 850 miles as the cycle flies, in one day. Before that, the longest trip I had made in a day was about 300 miles. Since I run, weight lift, bike and swimn, I felt physically up to the task. My butt still experienced soreness anyway, but it was not serious, and passed in a day of arrival home.
I sent a Hondaline luggage rack and throttle lock to Tom in advance. He had them expertly installed when I arrived. The lock was a fatigue saver, and I used it expensively throughout the trip. Tom already had a nice set of saddlebags mounted, and I brought a large sissy bar bag to attach to the passenger back rest and luggage rack. Tom had also installed a set on riding pegs on a home-made cross member. I tried them out twice, and both times resorted back to using the stock pegs that came on the bike. These are a compromise between total riding pegs and those immediately under the driver such is the case with most street bikes. They suited me real well. I have pulled hamstrings from my younger years, and long rides, even in cars, cause me to hurt in these areas. This did not occur on the entire trip; WOW!!!
Since this was mid April, I experienced a variety of weather conditions. Firing up at 5:00 AM on a cool Thursday morning (about 44 degrees F.), I shoved off in the dark riding due north out of Tuscaloosa on Highway 43, watching for deer and other criters as I traveled. I kept the speed down between 45 and 60 at this time for both animal awareness and getting used to the bike. I then followed Ala 13 to US 78 heading toward Tupelo, MS. This was the coldest part of the day, and my feet and face were cold. Late morning I shed a layer of shirts as I had on a light Cabelas wind proof shirt over a regular long sleeve sports shirt. The temp had climbed into the high 70's.
Having read many reviews written by other Shadow riders, I figured on stopping for fuel at legs between 100 and 130 miles each. With 4.2 gallons on board, that should give me a healthy reserve without having to resort to changing the fuel valve. Also, this would enable me to rest up periodically. At the young age of 66, this was needed. Every time I gassed up, the bike took between 2.5 and 2.7 gallons, and mileage ranged between 46 and 49 MPG at speeds between 70 and 80 mph. The 5th gear really seemed to be better suited at speeds above 60. Below that seemed to cause the engine to lug somewhat, but she had much power to spare. The power was greatly appreciated in Memphis and St. Louis as I had to really keep alert to avoid becoming a hood ornament. I used the horn once noth of St. Louis as I passed a truck whose driver decided to change lanes when I was beside him. The very loud horn got his attention very well. He was talking on a cell phone. The bike handled all challenges very well.
What began as a light tailwind in the early miles, turned to a strong crosswind around Sikeston, MO. While the wind was rattling my helmet and sunglasses, the bike held true and steady; impressive. After 40 or so minutes, the wind let up and became more northwesterly; that didn't help gas mileage, but made for more comfort for me.
Entering Iowa at dusk on US 218 introduced me to rain, and the nagging wish I had changed the rear tire before hitting the road; it was showing about 20% tread remaining from what was getting too worn. The bike handled the rain well as my brother had installed a Memphis windshield and a home-made below window shield to deflect wind. Both worked very well. With wind now out of the northeast, and once on Iowa 22, the west bound semi-tractor trucks really blasted me with water in passing. It was necessary to crane over the windshield periodically to make sure the road boundaries when the trucks passed. I was wearing leathers top and bottom, and the only real part of me that got damp was around the knee area; I had boots below. I did not stop to put on my rain suit, but if I was to travel many more hours, I would have done so.
Observations: The windshield, throttle-lock, luggage rack, and extra rear bag made for adequate storage to hold all my stuff. I highly recommend them. I neglected putting on the rain covers over the bags, and had some dampness in the interior.
Recommendations to Honda, while not vital, add a tach and gas guage. Being a pilot, I use the watch to estimate fuel burn. The odometer works similarly on a bike, but having had these instruments on other bikes, one tends to miss them when not there. Also, the rear view mirrors are standard mirrors, and as such do not show cars in a wide area. I always manually turn my head every time I change lanes, but on two or three ocassions I was surprised to find a car moving up in a blind area. Mirrors that bend around the rear view would be recommended.
This bike is a definite keeper. When I stopped for gas, sometimes people would come over to admire it or ask questions about it. I really like the throatie sound when she is running. Now send some warmer weather to Iowa.
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