In this article, we will offer a comparison review of 2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. The Honda Saber debuted in 1982 and remained in production until 1985. Honda re-introduced this bike in 2000 but with the Honda Shadow series engine. The Honda Shadow Saber 1000 debuted in 2001 and was in production until 2007. Meanwhile, Honda’s Shadow motorcycle line is one of the company’s oldest.
The Honda Shadow series was introduced in 1982, and several variants are still in production today. The Honda Shadow 1100 debuted in 1985 and was in production till 2007. The original Honda Shadow Spirit models in 2001 had 750cc or 1100cc engines.
On the other hand, the Saber 1100 engine has a lower gear ratio than the Shadow 1100 Spirit. The Honda Shadow has been upgraded several times over the years. Like the previous Honda Shadow models, the Saber 1100 and Shadow 1100 Spirit use a five-speed transmission system. Honda also introduced the ACE Tourer in 2001, powered by the Spirit 1100 engine.
2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 – Features Comparison
Design
The Honda Saber 1100 is a vintage cruiser with a big body. The Saber 1100 has more prominent fenders and a larger fuel tank. The only colored parts of the motorcycle are the kit fenders and the petrol tank, while the rest is covered in chrome paint. The rider and passenger seats are integrated, but there is no back.
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The Saber 1100 features a large round retro-style headlight. It sports a 41mm Stance fork with 160mm wheel travel, a 316mm disc brake, and tire size 120/90-18 upfront. At the rear are two preload adjustable shocks, 100mm of wheel travel, a single 276mm disc brake, and tire size 170/80-15.
The Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit Cruiser features chopped fenders and a large fuel tank. The only colored pieces are the fenders and fuel tank, while the rest of the body is covered in chrome paint, including the suspension, handlebars, exhaust, engine, and side panels. The Shadow 1100 Spirit has separate passenger and rider seats with a reclining back.
The Shadow 1100 Spirit also sports a small round headlamp and tail light with a unique design. It sports a 41mm telescopic fork with 160.02mm wheel travel, a 316mm disc brake, and a 110/90-19 tire size. It boasts two five-position preload adjustable shocks at the rear, with 100mm of wheel travel and a 170/80-15 tire size. The Shadow 1100 Spirit, unlike other cruisers, uses drum brakes instead of disc brakes.
Engine & Performance
The Honda Saber 1100 is powered by a 67.1 cu in (1,099cc), SOHC, liquid-cooled V-Twin engine with an 8.5:1 compression ratio. It has a stroke size of 91.4 mm (3.6 in) and a bore size of 87.5 mm (3.44 in), producing 68.9 hp at 5,500 rpm and 91 Nm at 2,700. The Honda Saber 1100 has dual 36 mm constant speed carburetors, a fuel tank size of 4.2 gal (15.8 L), and a fuel mileage of 45.5 MPG (19.3 km/l).
The Honda Shadow is powered by a 67.1 cu in (1,099cc), SOHC, 45° liquid-cooled V-Twin engine with an 8.5:1 compression ratio. It has a bore size of 87.5 mm and a stroke size of 91.4 mm. This engine produces 67 hp at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 67 ft-lbs (91 Nm) at 2,700 rpm. The Shadow 1100 Spirit has a 4.2-gal (15.8 L) gasoline tank and two 36 mm Keihin carbs that can achieve 45.5 MPG (19.3 km/l).
Comfort & Ergonomics
The Honda Saber 1100 sports a classic-style seat with front footrests, a low seat height of 691 mm (27.2 in), and a wheelbase of 1,650 mm (65 in). It has straight and wide handlebars, a trail length of 161 mm (6.3 in), and a rack angle of 32.4°. The Saber 1100 is a large cruiser measuring 2,440 mm (96 in) in length, 965 mm (38 in) in width, and 1,160 mm (46 in) in height.
The Honda Saber 1100 comes standard with a passenger seat and forward-mounted footrest, which ensures a comfortable riding position. The Saber 1100 is a heavyweight cruiser weighing 612 lbs (277.6 kg).
Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit features a classic design seat with a front footrest, low seat height of 729 mm (28.7 in), and a wheelbase of 1,651 mm (65 in). It features straight and chopper-style wide handlebars, a trail size of 152.5 mm (6.0 in), and a rack angle of 32.4°.
The Saber 1100 is a large cruiser with similar dimensions to the Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit. The Honda Saber 1100 comes standard with a rear passenger seat. The Saber 1100’s forward-mounted footrest allows for a more comfortable riding position. The Saber 1100 is a middleweight cruiser weighing 556 pounds (252 kg).
2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 – FAQs
What are the significant differences between the 2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100?
The Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit comes with a chopper-style handlebar and backrest, while the Saber 1100 has a regular wide handlebar but no backrest. The Saber 1100 Spirit has shared rider and passenger seats, while the Saber 1100 has a separate rider and passenger seats. The Saber 1100 has disc brakes at the rear, while the Shadow 1100 Spirit has drum brakes.
2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 – Which one is better first bike?
Both the motorcycles have comparable specs and performance. The Shadow 1100 Spirit, on the other hand, has chopper-style handlebars that provide superior comfort and maneuverability, especially for taller riders. Due to their 1100cc engines and moderate power output, both models are ideal for beginners.
2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 vs 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 – Specifications Comparison
| Specs \ Bikes | 2023 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 | 2023 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 |
|---|
Engine and transmission
| Displacement | 1099.0 ccm (67.06 cubic inches) | 1099.0 ccm (67.06 cubic inches) |
| Engine type | V2, four-stroke | V2, four-stroke |
| Bore x stroke | 87.5 x 91.4 mm (3.4 x 3.6 inches) | 87.5 x 91.4 mm (3.4 x 3.6 inches) |
| Fuel system | Carburettor. Two 36mm CV | Carburettor. Two 36mm CV |
| Fuel control | Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) | Single Overhead Cams (SOHC) |
| Ignition | Digital, two spark plugs per cylinder | Digital, two spark plugs per cylinder |
| Cooling system | Liquid | Liquid |
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Transmission type | Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) | Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) |
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels
| Rake (fork angle) | 32.7° | 32.0° |
| Trail | 161 mm (6.3 inches) | 153 mm (6.0 inches) |
| Front Suspension | 41mm fork | 41mm fork |
| Front-wheel travel | 119 mm (4.7 inches) | 160 mm (6.3 inches) |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability | Dual shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability |
| Rear wheel travel | 99 mm (3.9 inches) | 99 mm (3.9 inches) |
| Front tire | 120/90-18 | 110/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 170/80-15 | 170/80-15 |
| Front brakes | Single disc. 2-piston calipers. | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. 1-piston calipers. | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
Physical measures and capacities
| Dry weight | 259.9 kg (573.0 pounds) | 252.2 kg (556.0 pounds) |
| Seat height | 691 mm (27.2 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. | 729 mm (28.7 inches). If adjustable, lowest setting. |
| Wheelbase | 1641 mm (64.6 inches) | 1651 mm (65.0 inches) |
| Fuel capacity | 15.89 litres (4.20 US gallons) | 15.89 litres (4.20 US gallons) |
Other specifications
| Color options | Black, Black/Flame | Black, Metallic Silver |
| Starter | Electric | Electric |
