Honda Shadow Sabre

The Honda Shadow Sabre VT1100C2.

The Shadow Sabre was, at its introduction, the "hot rod" of Honda's cruiser line. As such, it has lower gearing than other 1100cc Shadows, for a stronger punch off the line, while retaining the exact same (dual pin crank) engine as the others.

The Sabre stock speedometer is 10% optimistic; the odometer is optimistic as well, but not as much.

Many Sabre engines develop a "tick" which is an oil starvation issue in the engine and can usually be resolved easily, if caught early, by switching oil and blowing out (cleaning) the clogged gasket. Honda knows about the problem but doesn't like to recognize it.

If the exhaust pipes are fully replaced, and a K&N air filter is also installed, the carbs will need to be re-jetted.

Sabre parts are all the same from 2000-2007 except the paint schemes and a small change to the electrical relay in an area you'll probably never seek out.

The Shadow Sabre replaced the Shadow A.C.E. in 2000.

The Sabre was retired (again) after the 2007 model year.

The iconic Sabre wheels are cast aluminum, milled down.

The majority of the Sabres in the United States were made in Marysville, Ohio.

There are many Internet forums dedicated to the Honda Shadow Sabre. The father of them all was The Sabre Group (TSG), which shut down in April 2006, spawning the forums of today.