Rider Review: 2001 Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit

Early Riding Experiences

I'm documenting some of my early rides, because as the months go by some of my experiences could become vague, and I think they would be of interest to other bikers. I'm going to cut to the chase on many items so as not to bore you, but if you wish a more detailed transcript, I would gladly oblige and forward it on this post.

After a twenty-five year lapse, I decided to get back into biking, and after researching for three weeks I purchased a 2001 Honda Spirit with 2008 miles on it. The bike as purchased was equipped with a one piece Mustang seat with sissy bar, Cobra exhaust systems, saddle bags, windshield, owners manual, and stainless cables. It really looked showroom new. I purchased the Honda service manual and a battery charger/maintainer designed specifically for motorcycles and other small battery vehicles.

On the second day of ownership I took the bike out for a ride in my local residential area, where after the morning commute there is very little if any traffic in my neighborhood. Rewinding, I purchased a book titled "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles". It's about three hundred pages of savvy insights regarding the culture, safety and selection of a motorcycle. In fact, this book influenced me to purchase the Spirit 1100cc, as well as laying down a structured foundation in preparation for my first ride and developing a continuous process of learning, especially the safety issues.

My first backing out of the garage was a comedy of errors, and I almost dropped the bike a few times while backing with my heels while turning at the same time so that I can position the front of the machine toward the road. During this maneuver I realized a lighter bike would have been easier to handle. But after engaging in this exercise a few times it became easier and instinctive. I'm very happy with my choice of motorcycle, and probably would have been disappointed with something lighter.

I found it difficult making a hard right turn upon entering the two lane road from my driveway. In fact, I wound up in the lane coming at me, and projecting this might happen, I made sure both lanes were clear. In fact, all my hard right turns were terrible, but the left turns, being wider, were easier. Here again, with practice and concentration I had the hard rights down pat. I had to adjust the rear brake pedal for better control, this was an easy job and explained in the owners manual. I continued doing the stops, starts, turns, and emergency maneuvers in my residential area riding in first and second gear. For the first week I kept my speed under 20 mph. On the second week I found a nice straight stretch of road near me where I was able to execute lazy right and left curves as well as a few S turns while riding around the perimeter of a golf course. While riding in certain areas I pushed the bike up to an easy 35 mph.

If you are an out of the gate newbie, please don't do what I did, unless you engage an instructor who will ride your bike to a parking lot, and you meet him there with your car. Then perhaps you can start learning in a fairly safe environment. Of course, you must attend the MSF training school which I finally got into after two weeks.

I thought perhaps if I can learn one or two things that can help me, the course would be worth it. In fact, I learned many things, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Getting back on my own bike after the course, I noticed an immediate improvement in my handling and confidence level in controlling my machine. One of the most important assets that I feel this course offers is the safety aspect. When we flow into traffic, we must realize that there are many dangers facing us, and the MSF course focuses on how to survive.

I'm now a few months past the course, and I'm venturing out onto four and six lane roads with posted speed limits of 45 mph and less. Sure, some of the cages will blast by you at 60 or more, but generally I feel comfortable riding these streets, and surprisingly, the cagers, for the most part, are extending me a safety cushion. On the few occasions where I felt uncomfortable with the vehicle behind, or beside me, I'll either get away from them or leave the road entirely for another try later.

I find the Honda Spirit 1100 is a user friendly bike with very manageable clutch and throttle controls, but I'm not recommending it if your out of the gate. Even with the 600 to 800 machines, your learning experience should be taken in baby steps and place your highest priority on safety.

My wife is itching to get on the back of my (our) bike, but I not ready for that yet. Perhaps three or four months down the line I'll have her meet me at a parking lot, and we'll start the baby steps all over again.

Take the course first, read the above mentioned book, talk to bikers and dealers, purchase a motorcycle, ride and stay safe.

Capt. Shell

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