The CB1100 Community Forum

Well...the first signs of spring.

I did pull the trigger. I sold the CB and have a new Wee-Strom.

Spring has come early to the Five Valleys region of the Bitterroots...and I got some riding in, Wednesday and today, on my new Wee. About 350 miles on it.

For what it's worth. Now, I realize where I'm at - this is a CB board and I'm praising an entirely different machine.

But...really...it is what it is.

I do miss the classic styling. And I don't get the double-takes, either. Actually I am getting some, only because it's so early in the season. Even so, I'm not the only rider out and about.

But anyway. Ride experience...I'm finding...for me...the ergonomics are so much better. The mini-windshield and faired front end do cut the wind noise and pressure. Quiet and comfortable. And, the Wee being so commonplace...I got an excellent, inexpensive set of heated grips. Good to have in this fifty-degree weather.

Vibration. Of course with a V-Twin there's vibration. But...and this is a revelation to me...it's not a high-pitched buzzing. More of a much-lower oscillation shake that is not-at-all unpleasant. I'm completely fine with it.

Power. Still breaking in the Wee; but first impressions match the spec sheet. Much less - and that is to be expected. But my hotshoe days are over; and if I can judge, even the Wee will be able to crack triple-digits once broken in.

Final thoughts: First, all this crying in our beers for the old days, when bikes were REAL and men were men...is so much rotgut. These really are the Good Old Days - of fuel injection and balanced chassis and digital instrument clusters and heated grips and alternators. I compare this to my SR 500...no, I don't want to go back. I'll take the quiet, no-buffeting ride on the Wee any day.

That's true, for me, of the CB as well. Of course, FI made it a sweet runner. It had more power than a sane man could use. But that buzzing vibration...it needs balancing shafts. And the buffeting of a naked bike...I guess as I'm getting older, I'm getting less tolerant.

The CB is, in some places, classified as a "Cafe Racer." I think that's correct. It's a beautiful machine; it's a genuflection towards Honda's history and past; and it's fun to ride across town. As a touring rig...it's just not there.

As a utility ride...the very design of the chassis, with dual rear shock/springs...it's not there either.

As a long-distance ride...better pack the handlebars with lead shot. Otherwise the neuralgia in your hands will make you pack it in early.

Here's my take: The CB is middling as one's ONLY machine. Those of us, many, who can afford more than one...there should be room in the garage for a CB. It's significant. It's fun, for what it's for. It's beautiful.

But there are other machines, more nondescript, less spectacular, which do the day-touring, the light-trail-riding, the longer-trips and the severe riding, better.

Peace.

Hey JPT, we are all motorcyclists here first and CB enthusiasts second so I think I can speak for most when I say we are glad you sound something that you feel will make you happy.

The SV is a terrific motorcycle with a huge following, and a terrific aftmarket and probably a very active forum.

best of luck with the SV.

Didnt you pick up an electric zero? Did that not work out?

(02-19-2016, 11:28 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hey JPT, we are all motorcyclists here first and CB enthusiasts second so I think I can speak for most when I say we are glad you sound something that you feel will make you happy.

The SV is a terrific motorcycle with a huge following, and a terrific aftmarket and probably a very active forum.

best of luck with the SV.

Didnt you pick up an electric zero? Did that not work out?

I have that. It's a 2012...an early model. A running 2012 change moved from an open motor-case to a sealed case. I have an early open-motor model.

That's important. The open motor has issues with wet roads. It's not the best plan to be riding on streets with puddles that have various melting agents in with the water.

BUT...I've had it about, too. Had it up to 65 on the speedo...haven't got the GPS hooked up, so I don't know how fast it really was. But it keeps up with traffic.

The Zero...is my experiment. It will be my short-hop bike; my hot-hot-weather bike; my bike for when the price of gas hits $10/gallon, if it does. It's the bike I can run around the corner with, and not worry about what the short on/off cycle does to the engine; sludge buildup, whatever.

We'll see. It's probably not practical; but there's no accounting the lusts of a rider.

But, right now, I want to break in the Wee so when the weather really breaks, I can hit the roads and do legal speeds and not worry about break-in procedures...

You get it regarding the vibration. The Guzzi's are similar; an organic vibe vs. a buzz. Back in the good ol' days folks complained about vibration and what they really complained about was the high frequency. Low frequency vibes are OK though (as long as they are too high in amplitude).

I think a pulse like what Guzzi's and your Wee Strom have is even better than a bike with no vibration at all.

Please do more reports in Other Bikes if not here. So far, the CB does fit me well and the vibes are not objectionable at all. So far.

Yea, JPT, I just traded my CB standard for a new FJ 09 last weekend. While I loved my CB, I realize now it did its job, which was to get me to love street motorcycles (I am a life-long motocross rider. The CB was my first real streetbike). I'm sure I'll miss the CB...beauty, style, and that classic soul you just don't always see in these new bikes...but, like I said, the CB opened my eyes to what's out there, and today, for me, it's the FJ 09. PS...still lurk on the forum because you are a great group of guys who love motorcycles. Other forums are loaded with negatively. I'd rather be around the positivity that lives here! :-) so I check in often to see what I can learn.

(02-19-2016, 11:28 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hey JPT, we are all motorcyclists here first and CB enthusiasts second so I think I can speak for most when I say we are glad you sound something that you feel will make you happy.

The SV is a terrific motorcycle with a huge following, and a terrific aftmarket and probably a very active forum.

best of luck with the SV.

Didnt you pick up an electric zero? Did that not work out?

me thinks JPT went w/ a Vstrom, not an SV

650 Suzuki's are all the same arent they? just one is naked and one is dressed as an adv bike

cHikers, please post up something on your new acquisition in other bikes, and thanks for the kind words on the forum. Great group of people here.

(02-19-2016, 12:46 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]650 Suzuki's are all the same arent they? just one is naked and one is dressed as an adv bike

cHikers, please post up something on your new acquisition in other bikes, and thanks for the kind words on the forum. Great group of people here.

Pretty much.

I did almost buy a used SV. But with almost-zero-interest loans, I bought new...maybe foolish; but I got the MSRP cut a thousand dollars and then less than one-percent.

Can't match that with taking out of my savings to buy an SV. But...still...as far as I can see...the same basic chassis.

Too bad Suzuki is having such a hard time today. They have some EXCELLENT products.

Congrats on the new V-strom. I take Pamela's V-strom sometimes when running an errand in town and it's a sweet running bike. Strong points are smooth reliable motor, good ergos, fine stock seat and incredibly good fuel mileage.

Weaknesses are highly optimistic speedometer, easily corrected by changing to a 16 tooth counter shaft sprocket and weak brakes. The fellow that bought Pamela's '07 V-strom changed the front brakes to a salvage set from a GSX1000 along with braided steel lines. The stock Bridgestone tires are quite good but wear quickly.

I nearly bought a V-strom instead of the CB but I'm happy with my choice, besides Pamela lets me ride her bike whenever I want.

(02-19-2016, 11:28 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hey JPT, we are all motorcyclists here first and CB enthusiasts second so I think I can speak for most when I say we are glad you sound something that you feel will make you happy.

The SV is a terrific motorcycle with a huge following, and a terrific aftmarket and probably a very active forum.

best of luck with the SV.

Didnt you pick up an electric zero? Did that not work out?

Hear, hear! You too Chikers.

Hope to hear more from both of you about your new bikes and any adventures.

JPT, I know you were a keen follower of the whole philosophy of RLETs business. You might like to do me a favour and install some on the VStrom and report on it?