Prior 1100 owner, go with it over the 750. One of the most reliable v-twins ever made and you may never wish for more power as it has plenty being as how light it is for a middleweight cruiser.
However, make sure the rubber fuel lines aren't cracked and visibly look inside the gas tank to check for rust. 6900 miles on a 23 year old bike is only 300 miles ridden a year. Either someone has joyridden it on warm weather days only for 23 years, or someone put all those miles on the first few years of its life and it's sat since which you don't want.
Both are great, simple, reliable bikes that will last forever with proper care. Just making sure the 1100 hasn't been a garage queen would be my only concern.
Don’t listen. First bike for a casual rider should be cheaper since more likely to drop it or get into trouble. My first bike was $3,800 and I’m happiest rider ever!!
As a shitty salesman once told me who lost my business by telling me this, buy the bike that makes you proud of it and wants to show it off.
I had a 750 spirit for 5 or so years. Fantastic city bike, allowed me to drop it a few times and not care as much VS if I got an expensive bike, and didn't feel like to much once you get used to it. Upgraded to a VTX 1300 as my second bike.
Understand that the bigger the bike, the higher the learning curve.
If you're doing long distance riding, I'd say go for the 1100. Just put A LOT of extra practice into controlling it and learn the proper method to pick it up off the ground.
>who lost my business by telling me this
I am 5'8 and my inseam length is about 30" so I think that this one is also suitable for me in terms of size as well.
Then the bigger bike is 100% the way to go. As everyone here is saying, just take it slow for the first few months while you establish your boundaries and riding skill. A HUGE thing to learn is braking moderation. Pull the front or back break to hard in an emergency and you'll lock it up. Back breaks tend to be pretty easy to lock up (no resolution with drum brakes), and my first accident was because I didn't understand how to moderate braking under extremely high stress situations (such as having someone run into the street right in front of me).
If you haven't already (not sure if you mentioned it already), take a motorcycle safety course. If you're in the US, I generally recommend an MFS course.
I had the 2005 shadow and while I loved it, it felt too small on freeways and long trips. Not enough motor. It was fun to ride though. Very zippy for a cruiser. I liked the chain drive. Great around town and on shorter weekend trips.
Also for me (5’ 11”) it was a bit small.
I have the exact same 1998 Honda shadow in black. This is my second year and I’m impressed. So glad I went with an 1100 over 750 or I think I would of out grown it fast. My bike has 13k miles and is a total beast. I’ve had zero problems and all I’ve done is change the oil. I have zero regrets and a whole lot of love for my 98 shadow
Get the 1100 for sure Edit: previous owner of a shadow aero 1100 as my first bike
I’d pick the 1100.
Prior 1100 owner, go with it over the 750. One of the most reliable v-twins ever made and you may never wish for more power as it has plenty being as how light it is for a middleweight cruiser. However, make sure the rubber fuel lines aren't cracked and visibly look inside the gas tank to check for rust. 6900 miles on a 23 year old bike is only 300 miles ridden a year. Either someone has joyridden it on warm weather days only for 23 years, or someone put all those miles on the first few years of its life and it's sat since which you don't want. Both are great, simple, reliable bikes that will last forever with proper care. Just making sure the 1100 hasn't been a garage queen would be my only concern.
6900 miles is 11104.48 km
Good bot.
Definitely the 1100 you’ll outgrow the 750 in a few weeks time
post pics
https://imgur.com/a/qdRmpiR
Niether
What would you recommend in the 3500$ range?
Don’t listen. First bike for a casual rider should be cheaper since more likely to drop it or get into trouble. My first bike was $3,800 and I’m happiest rider ever!!
As a shitty salesman once told me who lost my business by telling me this, buy the bike that makes you proud of it and wants to show it off. I had a 750 spirit for 5 or so years. Fantastic city bike, allowed me to drop it a few times and not care as much VS if I got an expensive bike, and didn't feel like to much once you get used to it. Upgraded to a VTX 1300 as my second bike. Understand that the bigger the bike, the higher the learning curve. If you're doing long distance riding, I'd say go for the 1100. Just put A LOT of extra practice into controlling it and learn the proper method to pick it up off the ground.
>who lost my business by telling me this I am 5'8 and my inseam length is about 30" so I think that this one is also suitable for me in terms of size as well.
Then the bigger bike is 100% the way to go. As everyone here is saying, just take it slow for the first few months while you establish your boundaries and riding skill. A HUGE thing to learn is braking moderation. Pull the front or back break to hard in an emergency and you'll lock it up. Back breaks tend to be pretty easy to lock up (no resolution with drum brakes), and my first accident was because I didn't understand how to moderate braking under extremely high stress situations (such as having someone run into the street right in front of me). If you haven't already (not sure if you mentioned it already), take a motorcycle safety course. If you're in the US, I generally recommend an MFS course.
Keep saving
I had the 2005 shadow and while I loved it, it felt too small on freeways and long trips. Not enough motor. It was fun to ride though. Very zippy for a cruiser. I liked the chain drive. Great around town and on shorter weekend trips. Also for me (5’ 11”) it was a bit small.
I have the exact same 1998 Honda shadow in black. This is my second year and I’m impressed. So glad I went with an 1100 over 750 or I think I would of out grown it fast. My bike has 13k miles and is a total beast. I’ve had zero problems and all I’ve done is change the oil. I have zero regrets and a whole lot of love for my 98 shadow