CB Owners, Looking to purchase soon and wanted to get some impressions on how important the 6-speed and throttle response improvements on the '14 is compared with the '13 model, from an performance perspective.
I think both years are very attractive and I don't do a lot of long distance rides.
There are several used '13 I can get for 2-3K less than a '14 and, if the performance difference is negligible, I'd probably stick with a '13. Having said that, I don't mind spending extra for performance if it's noticeable.
I searched the forum and couldn't find much from a true comparison stand point (someone who has saddle time on both machines).
Appreciate any advice you are willing to offer. Thanks
Welcome spakins and good luck with your decision. There's a couple of members who have owned both; even a couple who own both, so you should get some good advice from them.
I'm in Australia and I have a 2011 model (pretty much the 2013). I've done a bit of long distance riding on it and found it an excellent bike. Maybe the 6th gear would add something, but it would not be a game changer for me if I had the option of the 2014 model.
I can say this much. I love the gearing of the 14 standard right out of the box. If you do a lot of highway travel, I would recommend a 14' model. If not, stick with a 13' or older and save a few pennies.
Ferret has owned both and I'm sure he'll chime in. I have only ridden the DLX once and I noticed no difference in performance other than it was much smoother at speed in 6th. Pretty sure they geared the 6 speed to accelerate like the 5 speed, but again, there are people who will comment that know more than I.
I have 8000 miles on each. You wouldn't notice a difference unless you rode both back to back. Few hundred less rpms on the freeway in 6th on the 14, a few more miles out of the tank. The differences are mostly cosmetic. The 14 dlx does have ABS std if that's important to you, and you could conceivably find one of the 13s that had the optional ABS. If not save the jingle for upgrades you may be interested in and get the 13.
I think they are tuned the same. The 14, in theory, should be slower due to the extra weight it carries. But she is governed to 112mph so you'll never see the difference unless you have the ECU reflashed. In the real world there is little need for that.
Four into two looks better, but is a hassle when dealing with the chain and tires. Six speeds would be very nice for longer trips over 70mph.
In many ways it's a flip of the coin. Kinda depends on which one you like the looks of better. Either bike (in red......
) look dang good.
On reflection, I want to vary what I said before.
If I had no CB1100 and a choice between 2013 and 2014 models and money wasn't an object, I'd probably go with the 2014 model. But it would have more to do with the aesthetics of the DLX and the ABS brakes than the number of gears or performance. At the risk of bringing on metallyguitarted's apoplexy, I'm with the Ferret on the question of symmetry.
However, the DLX hadn't been invented when I bought my CB1100 and hasn't come to Australia, so it was not an option. If that changed, I doubt I'd trade.
Thanks for all the feedback guys
I have both bikes. Second what Ferret says. 300rpm difference in 6th gear. Other than that I can't tell the difference other than 13 is a bit lighter to push around the garage
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Ferret, is there a way to block an entire thread?! Or am I limited to MTC? For heaven's sake. Somebody do something!