1987 honda shadow 1100 – How many miles will the engine last?

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1987 honda shadow 1100 – How many miles will the engine last?

Dec

2010

Question by Roy: 1987 honda shadow 1100 – How many miles will the engine last?
I’m planning on purchasing a 1987 Honda VT1100 Shadow tomorrow, but the engine has 87,000 miles on it. The owner has had it his whole life and he says he has changed the oil every 2-3000 miles, which is good – but is it a wise decision to get this bike? I’m getting it for a great deal, but I don’t want the engine to crap out in 10,000 miles. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by olz431
That is alot of miles for a bike engine if it hasnt been rebuilt, granted they may all be gentle hiway miles……. I wouldnt expect a hard ridden engine to last 30,000 miles……

What do you think? Answer below!

In: Cars & Transportation Asked By: admin [

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6 Answers

Answer #1

That wouldn’t be too many miles on a car with a V6 but
it’s quite a few miles on a bike with a two cylinder engine.
That bike was built when Honda really built them to last, but it won’t last forever. I suspect another 10k-20k and something will let go.

Answered By: Scott R [

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Answer #2

actaually you should get over 100,000 miles on it. by the way Im a certified Honda tech. went to M.M.I took harley and Honda

Answered By: chopperchopster [

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Answer #3

another 25,000miles and it will be needing something major.
buy something with fewer miles and have a piece of mind.

Answered By: revitup [

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Answer #4

get a compression test done. if it is within spec then you are golden. also you may want to test the electrical output of the stator.

Answered By: Robert W [

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Answer #5

Mine had about 100k when I traded it in. compression was still fine. 3rd gear was shot though.

Answered By: johnrklinger [

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Answer #6

the amount of miles presently on the bike are not really a factor what is really the concern is how well was the bike taken car of i mean as far as how was it droven for thouse miles was it like on a drag strip every where it went or was it putted around every where meaning done the speedlimit or a couple like every one else how well do you know the seller becouse any one can say the oil was changed once a week and had never changed it at all in the end it all comes down to how do you plan on using the bike hot rod or transpertation thats the only way you can decide how long an engen will last and that isnt verry acurate but dont let it discourage you from buying the bike i have had bikes i tore up in my young age and then never quit me all my problems come from the carburator sprockets shocks and clutch and break handles and pedles
good luck

Answered By: Russell M [

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