Honda Sabre 1100(V-65)

[motoman]

Anyone of you XSers have first hand experience owning one of these tire shredders? Came across a really nice low mile(28k) 84 that has had the cam oiling issue modifications(seperate lines from filter housing to top of heads)done. Gonna test ride it Tues. and what this scoot is all about. Never ridden one, but well aware of their great torque and smoothness aside from the 120ponies they have. Any specifics to look for when test riding would be appreciated.

[jjz28]

I would love to get my hands on one. I like the saber style better than the magna. They have the same engine though. They are really quick bikes.

[natemoen]

The early 45's and 65's have a well documented head oiling problem. I think Honda fixed it in 85 or 86. There are plenty of "fixes" for the problem and the DIY versions are very involved and the kits you can buy are $$.

[madmax-im]

Brant the V65 motor is a V4 was the Daddy to the ST1100 v4 and the Grandaddy to the ST1300 V4...tons of torgue but very high COG....The sabre was the sportier V65 and the Magna was the more luxury cruiser...but both were brutes...

[Courtney]

Ok, I'll bite, what's COG?? Cost of gas?

[jetmechmarty]

Ok, I'll bite, what's COG?? Cost of gas?

Concourse Owners Group

[madmax-im]

center of gravity...

[daveyg]

Friend had one, an 85 iirc, and I cleaned the carbs and tuned/sync'd it. Scary fast bike! Hopped on the local interstate and just rammed thru the gears real fast, looked down and was doing 148mph! Needless to say, I coasted from there for about 4 minutes... To the next exit.

[BigOates]

Let's see... Just went through this with a neighbor of mine when he picked one up. Make sure the gauges are there as they are expensive to replace. Also it's not uncommon for some to have an issue where they jump out of second gear under hard acceleration. I haven't had to go through the fix for it, but it does involve pulling and disassembling the motor. From my experience with my magna (V45) and a few other I know that own the V65 versions, the cam oiling problem was only really a problem on the 83 V65s and that was when the valves weren't getting adjusted or adjusted improperly. Hope this helps some. Also if you need some additional info check over at v4hondabbs.com Its basically an xs11.com but for the v4s.

[motoman]

Thanks all for input. Ben, Saw where alot of the ST riders went from this to their ST11's. This one being an 84, already has the 'kit' on it with the two stainless oiling lines from filter housing to heads. 84-85 was the only two years of the 1100. The oiling issue was corrected by Honda on the 85's. Unfortunately, the 84's oiling issue gave it's sales a black mark that could not be recovered from, and 85 was its final production. Realize they had the dreaded gear issue like the XS11's, but only if they had a 'hammered' life. With bike having low miles of 28K, and owned by someone ten yrs. my senior, this may not be an issue. There apparently will be three symptoms apparent if this issue exists, even tho it has not quite reached the point of releasing and engaging dogs trying to stay in the slots. Like I said, gonna take it for a ride Tues. and check it all out over and underside. No scratches or dings, and the exhaust still shows its pretty black chrome. Owner hasn't cheated on tires either as it has like new Metzlers on it, and the rear is same size as the XS Standards with the front being a 110-80-18. Both this and the Magna 1100 have had my curiosity ever since their introduction 3yrs. after buying my Venturer new(was no longer the 'baddest' bike on the road).....a title the Sabre/Magna 1100 held for some three yrs. Apparently, even the V-Max got left in the Sabre's wake. Not bad for a sport tourer of the day, and at a smaller cc than the Max, turning in the low 11's and high 10's out of the crate. Also notice rocking it vertical off sidestand, It's weight is WAY less than the Venturers and mimmicks more of the weight of a naked Special, which is nearly 150lbs. less than my Venturer(have weighed it with half tank fuel, and comes in @680lbs.) I know the power this scoot has on tap, but more interested if it 'fits' me or not, so will report back here after riding. BTW, if it ends up coming home with me, will be an addition, so at this point the Venturer and definitely the ST stay in the stable.

[CaptonZap]

BTW, if it ends up coming home with me, will be an addition, so at this point the Venturer and definitely the ST stay in the stable.

Are ya gonna put an addition on the garage, or just figure out how to park them closer? CZ

[DGXSER]

Wow, my friend had the 85 V-Max. Anything that can out run that should come with wheelie bars. That thing was scary fast.

[jjz28]

Most everytime I have seen them race on video, the vmax won. People have gotten our xs into the 11's too. I love the sabre and magna but I don't think its no vmax eater at all. The one thing I remember about sitting on a magna is how skinny and short they are. I would love to have either V65.

[Bonz]

That'll be a cool scooter Brant. Keep in mind the 120 ponies is at the crankshaft, and if I recall most of them dyno'd in the 105 hp range to the rear wheel. Just like the XS is rated 95 hp and puts out about 80-85ish at the wheel.

A really nice gain over the XS, even if it wasn't about the power or the looks its a bike, like the XS in the late 70's/ early 80's, that defined the mid 80's.

Put up a post once you're ride it, looking forward to hear what you think.

[motoman]

V65 Sabre riding impression

was somewhat limited with only 15min. seat time. Initially, right off, after leaving lot at stoplite, my feet missed the rider pegs. Not far off, but enough. They are set just a tad more forward than the XS's and my ST pegs, a bit different considering the sport-touring style of the bike. Also being somewhat higher, leg position of thighs is level with calfs being exactly perpendicular to calfs, kinda like sittin on a kitchen table chair is my best description. Different never the less, even having a nice Corbin seat attached. Power delivery was smooth and it pulled hard from 3K to 10K. That wide consistant power band is definitely to its advantage covering a w-i-d-e rpm range. For those that own or have ridden an ST1100, very similar, even though the ST does it in a narrower range of 4K to 8K. Advantage straight line goes to the Sabre, even though slight by 'seat of the pants'. Advantage straight line also goes to Sabre over XS11, even though slight by 'seat of the pants'. Handleing a bit more nimble than the XS understandably. Utilizes the same rear tire size as the XS Standard, with the front being 110-80-18. Many owners of the Sabre and Magna had went to a 140-80-17 on rear, as rim will safely accomadate and has no clearance issues with drivshaft tube. The 90degree V4 does have a bit of a 'thump' feel, but is balanced very smooth and not noticably felt. A local factory trained Honda mechanic here, whom I've known for 20yrs. owned one for 13 yrs. and regularly beat it up at the local drag strip. He told me he had to do just valve adjustment in thirteen yrs. and the motors are pretty much 'bullet' proof. No bucket -over shim, but utilizes lock-nut set screw arragement that requires Honda's specialty bent tool in order to do the adjustment. Braking is firm and solid, with little lever pressure required that Hondas are notorius for.