1998 HONDA Shadow VT1100 Tourer
Looking to finance this bike?
- Make: Honda
- Model: VT1100 ACE Tourer
- Price: Not Defined
- Year: 1998
- Engine: 1100
- Colour: Black/Ivory
- Mileage: 26000
- Current Location: UK.
American Cruiser UK are pleased to offer the following quality used motorcycle for sale:
UK REGISTRATION:R950 OUS
One owner from new, always garaged and serviced religiously.
26000 miles.
This beautiful low mileage example of the bike that Honda only manufactured for 3 years at the Marysville plant in Ohio USA before they were forced to stop due to a Harley Davidson lawsuit.
So-called “metric cruisers” from Japanese manufacturers had existed for a while, but no one would mistake one for a true American cruiser. Honda tried to change that by introducing a new version of the Shadow called the ACE, or “American Classic Edition.”
It took the American cruiser styling even further than the standard Shadow, with long fenders and a teardrop gas tank very much like a Harley. They even switched their V-twin engines from their standard dual pin crank to a single pin to get the stereotypical Harley engine note. Honda even printed “Made In USA” on the seat to remind everyone that despite being a Japanese company, this bike was just as American as any iron from Milwaukee.
This didn’t sit too well with Harley-Davidson. They filed lawsuits against Honda not only for copying their styling too closely but also for violating their sound trademark on the lope of a single pin crank V-twin. While sound trademarks are legitimate for short distinctive jingles, like the NBC chimes or 20th Century Fox fanfare, Honda argued that you couldn’t trademark the sound of an engine, particularly one like a V-twin that is common among many manufacturers. Yet there was little question the Honda had intentionally tried to mimic Harley’s sound with the single pin crank they used in the Shadow ACE. This change actually cost the engine 10 horsepower compared to its dual pin version, yet Honda seemed to believe that the loss in power would be worth the gain in cruiser cred.
Harley’s lawsuit against Honda lingered on into the early 2000s, with neither side ever really making a decisive argument. In the end, Harley-Davidson ended up dropping the case. By then, Honda had quietly discontinued the American Classic Edition of the Shadow. It seems the two brands agreed to disagree and just made the problem go away.
These bikes have rapidly become classics in the USA, finding super clean ones like this one is extremely difficult.
At just 26k miles in as many years this bike is seriously nearly like new and in stunning condition with only a few minute marks to the panels.
All original factory Ebony Black/Cream paintwork and excellent chrome set this bike apart and garner lots of thumbs up and comments.
A lot of extras are fitted and an easy transformation from full dresser to solo cruiser is easily achievable for a flexible riding style.
New tyres and service just completed this is a nicely balanced and easy bike to ride with an unbelievable amount of punch from a 1100cc and
super low maintenance from the shaft drive and water-cooled V Twin make this an easy bike to live with.
Nicest in the UK and capable of winning shows exactly as it is. A future Classic.
Beautiful colour combo. VT1100 ACE (American Classic Edition) Tourer
These bikes are reaching collectors status in the USA
New tyres, handbook and toolkit included.
American Cruiser UK offers:
Hand-picked from the USA.
All import duties & taxes paid & UK Registered.
Finance possible subject to status.
UK Delivery available.
Warranty available. (subject to age of bike)
Fully inspected & Valeted.
MOT’d ready to ride and enjoy.