Sombra {Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 Motorcycle}

It was July of 2014 that I bought "Sombra", my Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 motorcycle.  I've owned motorcycles before, my first bike was a Yamaha 100 back in the '70's.

Early 70's Yamaha 100 Street Bike

It was my primary mode of transportation back then and I rode it everywhere.

I spent years without a bike through the 80's and 90's but in the early 2000's I wanted to get back on the road on two wheels so I bought an old, beat up 1978 Honda GL1000 Goldwing.

I loved the bike but I wanted something prettier, so I sold it and got a 1982 Honda GL1100 Aspencade Goldwing. I rode that bike until I developed neurophathy in my legs. The position of the shiftier on the Goldwing was under my hip rather than out front and it made the sciatic nerve in my leg hurt like the dickens.
So, with my health an issue and the fact I was not a safe rider because of the pain, I sold my Goldwing.

Again I was without a bike.

1978 Honda GL-1000 Goldwing

July of 2014 I decided to try riding again. I never felt right not having a bike. It's like something is missing and you can't quite put your finger on it. But at some point you know deep inside it's because there is no bike in your life to ride. I had determined that a bike with forward controls would not hurt my legs and after some long contemplation I broke down and bought the Shadow.

For a year the Shadow (Sombra) was my bike, loved riding it but in July 2015, one year later I found my Honda VTX 1800c for a good price and since riding no longer hurt, I set my sights on acquiring the bigger bike.  I bought the VTX and later put the Shadow 1100 up for sale.
Over the winter I had few interested potential buyers but as the weather began to warm up someone contacted me about the bike.

Sombra rolled off my driveway yesterday.

It's an odd feeling of sadness and joy seeing that bike go. After all it was the bike that got me back on the road. I had many road adventures on it and made plans for more travels. A motorcycle becomes your baby, almost like a child and as such sometimes you have to let them leave the nest so you can afford another one.

1982 Honda GL-1100 Goldwing

The VTX1800 is of course a bigger bike than the Shadow 1100, but it was the 1100 that helped me overcome the fear that I couldn't ride any longer, and get me back in the wind. So, there was a special love for that bike. It was smaller and nimble. Just what I needed to get back on the tarmac.

Because of the Shadow I'm now planning a long distant ride to Daytona Bike Week in March on the VTX 1800.

It's a huge step forward.

There will always be a special place in my memories for the Shadow. I loved the look and style of the bike and though it was smaller, it was a powerful motorcycle. I will never be able to say it just sat in the carport because I was on it riding every chance I had. There is a special bond between a man and his motorcycle and we had that bond. I was sad to see her go.

2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100

It's not like I don't have a bike anymore, I have the VTX 1800 and that bond is also solid with her. It's a great ride and I have plans for many road trips, some much further than I had imagined with the Shadow.

The future looks bright!



I will likely have more blog posts on future road adventures. Hang around and look for updates, with a little luck I'll have photos and video as well. Stay Tuned. :)

  

2004 Honda VTX1800c Motorcycle