Honda Sabre 1100(V-65)

[motoman]

V65 Sabre cont.....

just lost what I added, so briefly here it is. Bike just didn't have the wow factor even tho it twisted a 10.25@127mph by the famous 'test' rider of the day, Pee-Wee Gleason who also gave the XS11 braggin' rights in fall of 77'. Nice bike, and held those braggin' rights for its three yr. production, but just didn't have the 'wow' factor I was expecting when they came out two yrs. after buying my Venturer. CZ, Fully expecting to buy it, even before riding it I alrady made a place for it in the man-cave. If it had had an rpm range where it really 'hit' like our XS's , FJR13's and some others, it would of followed me home. The top-end of an est. 175mph had no real interest for me neither. My likin' is more of the arm-stretchin' hard accelleration, and a somewhat old school sport tourer. It only filled one of those niches, even tho in very nice cond., 28K original and owned by a 70+yr.old gentleman. Took 30yrs. to feed the curiosity......now I know.

[CaptonZap]

Huummm, I wonder how long it will take before that empty space will get filled, and with what.
You know, nature abhores an empty space, or something like that.

CZ

[BigOates]

FWIW, If you do end up getting it let me know if you need to adjust the valves. No specialty too required. Just an offset box wrench, small flat head, and two sets of feeler gauges.

[CaptonZap]

No specialty too required. Just an offset box wrench, small flat head, and two sets of feeler gauges.

Sounds like a Triumph Speed Twin exercise.

CZ

[Bonz]

Am I reading that it didn't have enough of a "coming on the cam feel", thus you didn't come home with it? That V65 should stretch your arms better than any XS by a good margin, the power numbers are what they are and the XS isn't really close.

The perception is the XS hits hard, and it is a totally relative thing becuase there isn't much below 3000 rpm, so the XS naturally feels like a big hit when all 55-60 rear wheel ft/lbs come on line and the hp builds to 80-85 hp at the rear wheel. Anyone feel the XS puts more than either of those numbers down at the rear wheel?

The V65 engine puts down about 100-105 hp at the rear wheel, and 64-68 ft/lbs depending on which test you read. Like you noted, the power spread is at least 2000 rpm greater with the V65 vs XS, gotta love the 16 valve heads.

The fastest top speed of the day was the GPZ 900 (Ninja 900) at around 150 mph. The Ninja had the same or a bit more hp (which is what top speed is made of), much more aerodynamic and a whole lot lighter.

The "est 175 mph top speed" is really pie in the sky from back in the day.. The V65 Sabre might do a bit over140-ish. Calculated speed in top gear at redline is very different than actual top speed...

Anyway, bummer you didn't come home with it! It is a bike on my short list to own at some point.

[foreda]

V65 Magna

Picked up one a while back from a friend that need money. I have all the parts being painted and should be road ready soon. I'll probably sell it when I'm done but not sur yet.
Dale

[motoman]

Am I reading that it didn't have enough of a "coming on the cam feel", thus you didn't come home with it? That V65 should stretch your arms better than any XS by a good margin, the power numbers are what they are and the XS isn't really close.

The perception is the XS hits hard, and it is a totally relative thing becuase there isn't much below 3000 rpm, so the XS naturally feels like a big hit when all 55-60 rear wheel ft/lbs come on line and the hp builds to 80-85 hp at the rear wheel. Anyone feel the XS puts more than either of those numbers down at the rear wheel?

The V65 engine puts down about 100-105 hp at the rear wheel, and 64-68 ft/lbs depending on which test you read. Like you noted, the power spread is at least 2000 rpm greater with the V65 vs XS, gotta love the 16 valve heads.

The fastest top speed of the day was the GPZ 900 (Ninja 900) at around 150 mph. The Ninja had the same or a bit more hp (which is what top speed is made of), much more aerodynamic and a whole lot lighter.

The "est 175 mph top speed" is really pie in the sky from back in the day.. The V65 Sabre might do a bit over140-ish. Calculated speed in top gear at redline is very different than actual top speed...

Anyway, bummer you didn't come home with it! It is a bike on my short list to own at some point.

Well, in short Bonz, it just wasn't the 'wow' factor I always thought they were. Again, the V65Sabre is considered by ST owners who previously owned the 1100Sabre to be a refined ST, minus a few ponies with the motor facing the correct direction . As you know from owning one, the ST11 is bout as close as can be gotten to being the best of both worlds, bit of sport and touring. The ST tends to lean more to the touring side than sport, but as all the bike 'rags' noted back then, the ST was considered the "do it all well bike", many steps above others in that class. BTW, if your short list is getting short, this 65Sabre is still for sale. This example is definitely 'solid', low miles, Corbin seat, and rolls on new Metzlers.

[Bonz]

What does the seller have it priced at?

[motoman]

What does the seller have it priced at?

consignment....$1899. Seller previously turned down $1600. Found out he would sell at $1700. Obviously not a 'have to sell' situation.