- Seller: Joseph D
- Location: Fairview, North Carolina
- Mileage: 25,975 Shown
- Chassis #: 1HFSC3902WA003821
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1,099cc OHC V-Twin
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Competing with what was considered by many to be the king of Japanese 1100-cc V-twins, the Yamaha Virago, Honda had its own secret powerhouse coming out called the VT1100, based on the Shadow engine. A V-twin engine isn’t usually thought of as being in a Japanese motorcycle by most folks, my included, but, as expected, they’re great bikes. This 1998 Honda VT1100C3 Aero has under 26,000 miles, and the seller has it listed exclusively here as a Barn Finds Auction!
Honda offered the VT1000 in several flavors for over 20 years, from 1985 through 2007. That’s a nice run, and a bit of trivia is that they were the first from Honda to offer footboards rather than footpegs. You can see a tiny ding on the top right side of the gas tank with a chip in the paint – the seller circled it in the photo above.
The 1998 through 2002 VT1100s were known as the C3 models, and Honda claimed the C3 Aero models had around 5 additional horsepower over the other VT1100s. On the other hand, they were around 40 pounds heavier. On the other hand, again, they had a lower gear ratio for more power during passing, but on yet another hand, that cut down the MPG a bit. That’s a lot of hands.
This example looks great, other than that one small tank ding, and you can see the mileage listed on the classy ivory-colored single-pod above with the odometer showing 25,975. I drive more than that every year, and I know a lot of you do as well. That’s only 962 miles a year on average over the last 27 years. The seller has included photos of the incredible amount of riding gear, saddle bags, riding gloves, jackets, and a ton of stuff that comes with this sale.
Here’s the Honda 1,099-cc OHC V-twin with 67 horsepower and a matching 67 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed by a five-speed manual and shaft drive sending power to the rear wheel. The seller says that at 74 years of age, it’s time for them to stick with four-wheeled vehicles, so that’s why it’s for sale. This looks like a great motorcycle even without all of the added riding gear, so please check out the photos and get your bids in on this Honda VT1100 Aero!
Bid On This Auction
Grog the frog bid $600.00 2025-04-16 14:15:45
Suave79 bid $500.00 2025-04-16 08:51:52- Grog the frog bid $250.00 2025-04-16 06:40:48
Hmmm…..not very many pictures. Not even one picture of the left side of the bike. I’d like a pic of: Inside gas tank, hubs, left bike side, tire dates, copies of any recent maintenance, startup video, running video, under seat, vin neck tag. Might even consider moving the bike outside for some better lit pictures. Not much shown here to go on. Comments on functioning operations of lights, blinkers, horn, etc. would be much appreciated. As much as the editors here complain of never enough pictures, I would think they would at least advise owners of these auction vehicles. Guess I shouldn’t complain, the abbreviated listing may keep the final hammer price down enough for me to purchase.
Big bike, old school look, V-Twin, etc. But they couldn’t steal the sound of the Motor Company’s hog’s. And there was the magic.
Japanese engines are probably better but you’re right.
What’s the other bike 🏍 in the garage 🤔
Just sold my shadow 1100 with this engine shaft drive and 5 speed I can say the drive train is smooth and powerful just too big for me this one is much nicer than mine was
I’ve got the 1300 cc version of this bike. Unfortunately it’s been sitting idle for over a year now. The bottom of the gas tank has rotted through, and this bike spent it’s entire life in Arizona. Been looking for another gas tank for a year now with no luck fining one for less than $700-$800. So, lets see what the interior of the tank looks like on this bike.
You have to give the Japanese credit for knowing what sells. I remember seeing ads on TV showing rugged individuals, on their H-D lookalikes, outside a dimly lit tavern. The caption: “Come ride with us.” They sure wanted that share of the market. I recall a comment where the Japanese industry was accused of copying Harley Davidson. The response was (paraphrased) “We’re only copying American Styling.”
Ok, this bike. Looks good but I question parts availability. It seems that the aftermarket is really good for early Honda, Cubs, 250/305, and 750s, but some of these newer bikes have either run their course, or haven’t reached the age where the aftermarket has kicked in.
That’s another the good thing about Harley, virtually every important part is still available either at the dealer or in the aftermarket. I have a ’79 Shovelhead and an ’08 Twincam as well.
Try and have your ’79 repaired at a Harley shop. They won’t. Most won’t even touch pre-2000 models. Why? Obsolete. You have to take it to a independent shop instead. So while you might be able buy the parts (for $$), be prepared to either install them yourself or have a non-Harley shop do it.
When Mr. Honda was still around, he made it a point that there would always be parts to fix any Honda. Those days are long gone.
A few years ago, I went to my local Honda dealer, and I asked “Do you have a set of points for-”
“No.”
“- For a-”
“No.”
“I just need points for-”
“No. We don’t have any points. We don’t carry any stock of parts for any bikes old enough to need points…”
That brings up an interesting topic. Honda wanted a share of the Harley market. But Harley didn’t try for the Honda crowd. Big mistake. Other than trot out a few mid-size limp-wristed models (see “Street” bikes)they ignored a huge segment of the motorcycle market. They could have taken a big bite out the VT bike sales by simply outfitting their most popular model, the Sportster, with soft bags, boards and a shield and marketing it as a light touring model. They continue to display myopic marketing and thinking, that’s going to bite them big time.
I’ve owned the ’79 for 45 years, the ’08 I bought new, I can either fix them myself or know guys that can. That’s the beauty about Harleys, they are rebuildable if necessary, try that with a 45 yo Honda and don’t tell me they don’t ever need it because they do and try to find parts for one that old if it isn’t already in the trash pile by then, its $$$ as you say. I wouldn’t let a Harley dealer touch either of my bikes they are way too expensive and no better than an experienced bike shop, the ’08 has been bulletproof. A friend bought a ’69 Sportster with a factory dresser style seat and bags new from the dealer and rode it all over the country. If you don’t want to, or can’t ride one that’s your problem, Terrrrry.
They tried with the V Rod. It didn’t work. The Asian bike types can’t understand the HD lifestyle. The Sportster is the starter, or “chick” bike. And definitely not their top seller. Though a lot of smaller in stature guys will feel comfortable on one. The Motor Company’s biggest problem is they’ve priced themselves out of the middle class market. Now that their German CEO is leaving, maybe they’ll right themselves. But today’s young men can barely figure out a scooter, much less handle a big hp motorcycle. Time will tell.
Contrary to popular belief, HD spent a lot of time and money studying the big Japanese bikes. The fours from the Big Four all looked and sounded the same, plus, the market was so saturated that anything more wouldn’t have made it. The V-Rod was actually a good idea. I tested one and was quite impressed. The only thing I didn’t like was the serviceability; a big twin was a lot more accessible. But I still wouldn’t have kicked a V-Rod off my driveway…
I’ve never had a problem with finding Honda motorcycle parts for my 70’s models. Several online shops that specialize in vintage Honda parts. And there’s always EBAY.
I owned one of these for two years. I rode with guys who had Harleys and it had absolutely no problem running with them. Very smooth bike and is ahoy to ride.
This VT compares favorably with the Harley Sportster 1200 at the time power-wise..and comes with a lot of goodies the Harley didn’t offer along with a far more reliable power train. Which brings to mind, if only Harley had offered a Sportster with this trim, they’d have sold like hotcakes. It’s like they were afraid to compete with the Honda.
I had the VTX1300R when it first came out. It had all kinds of bottom end power. However, the top end, even at high rpms was kind of lackluster. That was really the only thing I could knock the bike for. Hwy passing required dropping at least one gears sometimes two.
Aside from that it was a real nice ride. A lot of the bikes I’ve owned would have your legs and backside just begging for a break by the end of a full tank of fuel run. This one was still feeling pretty good after 165/170 miles. With a respect to the HD snobs. The Honda VTX motor was damn near bullet proof and had all the thump a V-twin lover could ask for.
The only reason I let it go was to get another full-on dresser
Not a”Harley snob”, but I know what I like. All the thump you are talking about doesn’t hold a candle to the Harley sound and you know it. I started this with stating the virtues of older Harleys and Harleys in general and Terrrrrry attempted to dis me because dealers won’t work on them, the reason is that they CAN’T work on them, their mechanics are young and have only trained on newer bikes and Harley wants to sell new bikes, not keep older ones on the road. You guys sound very defensive and I don’t blame you, I’ve been dealing with this for 50 years, you want fast bikes, I want a bike I can relate to and tinker with once in a while. My gas tank hasen’t rusted out, and I’ve had to repair it on rare occasions, it’s sitting in the garage right now in top condition and has always been running well and has never missed a riding season, that’s called love in my book. I have ridden 1000 miles non-stop several times and did 4700 miles in 9 days. I have filled the tank on my dresser while still straddling it and rode on, do that on anything but a GW. You can dog me, but never tell me that Hogs are not dependable or are slow, I took a pic at 112 mph riding one handed on 50 in Nevada and still had throttle left, that was on my 2000 Ultra, do that on your VTX, then come talk to me. No disrespect, we are all in the wind,
Over and out.
Jeez’o pete. It seems that like we can’t have a civil exchange about the above advertised auction bike and our own experiences with similar models of this Honda without somebody getting a bad case of, what, Honda envy, buyer’s remorse, brand hate or just a case of diaper rash.
Tell ya what; You want to rage against Japanese bikes, I’m sure there’s a bunch of reddit pages devoted to it. Otherwise chill, please. There is already enough hate in the world.
As for me I wish y’all peace & love and if you’re scootin’, keep the shiny side up
Your buddy Terrrrry started it, I was civil at first, just scroll up and see what I first posted. Like I said, I am used to insecure asian riders. Honda envy lol, I was never outrun on the big end on my ’70 Sportster by any 750 Honda, they would get the jump and that was it. I never push started a bike more often than a buddy’s early GW. I’m done with both you Hondorks.
I rode my shadow with Harley riders guys with Yamahas and Kawasakis we all rode together and were just bike guys together but just like Chevy vs Ford vs Mopar everyone has a preference doesn’t make one better than the other I can say these with the shaft drive are smoother than anything with a chain I’ve ridden many of both started off with a Husqvarna 125 dirt bike at 15 and maybe 10 bikes after
I had an 1983 750 Shadow until about 1990. It was a sweet bike. I wish I never sold it.
I’d be a whole lot more interested in bidding on this bike, but there’s no mention in the ad about the running status of the bike. Comon seller, help us out. Geez!
I recall a customer restoring an OW51 and Honda supposedly made a set of pistons for him! Back in the day!
Oval pistons I think?