The Honda VT1100. (1985-2007) Similar to ...

Well. The Japanese realized that you could best compete with Harley with machines ... that looked like Harleys. And the Honda VT1100 's did. Success guaranteed.

Better than Harley

But of course the Japanese had technically all approached it in a less Stone Age-like way in terms of technology. The 1.099 cc Twin had, of course, liquid cooling. And we're not saying it had sports lungs, but with its three valves per cylinder (two small intake valves, one large exhaust valve) and two spark plugs per cylinder, it outperformed its big example. And of course it had an overhead camshaft per cylinder. The valve lifters were hydraulic, so no valves had to be adjusted.

A four or five bin

The VT1100s were available with four and five gearboxes. In addition, the four bins of the 85'ers ​​and 86'ers ​​were somewhat vulnerable. The gear of the third gear broke. And there are NO parts to get for that. So: No matter how beautiful a VT1100 four-speed gearbox with a poorly switching gearbox is, LET IT STAND! The VT1100s had cardan drive. And that is always a plus.

Hints. "Sounds like ..."

There is a difference in the placement of the lever taps in the blocks. The 1995-1999 models are roughly equipped with big ends that run on one tap. The others walked with adjusted lever taps. The first ones sounded more like Harleys. The second version ran more smoothly.

With such an 67 hp at 5.000 rpm, the VT1100 is still good at power. But if, with all that power and torque, you realize that the engine is also nice to ride on the lowest revs in the highest gear, then you go on the beet bridge. The transmission line is hardly damped.

The VT is going to be very boxy when the engine speed is too low and the gear is too high. The stiffness in the transmission can also be found when switching to a lower gear. Then the rear tire will sometimes beep. The bin is not an example of butter soft switching.

More dynamic than expected

Annoyingly, the VT1100 is not very manageable at the lowest speeds, think of cruising on the boulevard of Doesburg. This is going considerably better with speed. Even on winding secondary roads, the Honda V twin does well. And if you need to brake for a crossing wolf, the single disc in the front wheel does that well.

It has of course to do with cherishing the low looks, but the rear suspension is kneiterhard. The fact that VT driving is not tortured for the driver is due to the thickly padded seat. The duo passenger / V must be of a slender build and must be very fond of the driver. Because she's bad.

Low mileage

Funny enough, you can still find these machines with surprisingly low mileage. They are clearly from the time that motorcycling was not a blind passion, but a piece of lifestyle. The older ones also have double disc brakes and an exhaust on each side. But that didn't look like a Harley. The two exhaust bends on one side have already produced quite a few molten rain trousers and burns to bare calves.

Cheaper than a Harley

You already have a Honda VT1100 from around € 1.850. The toppers are at asking prices up to just under € 5.000. And each for themselves they can give you a lot of driving pleasure for that money.