The CB1100 Community Forum

Alright, so I own two bikes, the CB1100 and a 1978 Honda XL175. The 175 is not a regular use bike. I drag it out every so often to run some gas through it. With a low top speed and replacement parts getting more scarce, I just can't use it much.

So, the CB serves as my weekend toy for pleasure rides. It's a fine bike, but I do miss having something light and nimble. Also, I enjoy a dirt road every so often. My last bike, a V-strom 650 checked off all the boxes of a somewhat nimble, dirt road capable bike that also worked well loaded down with luggage on a trip. Problem is, such a versatile bike tends to not excel in any one area. That, in turn, can make for a somewhat vanilla experience if you are after a bike that really tugs at your emotions. Some folks are in it for where the motorcycle takes you, which is fine, but I need something more.

The CB does satisfy my retro tooth, and I love the powerplant, but that's where it ends. It got me to thinking, is there any bike that really is the total package between performance, functional, and emotion? For me, I can't think of a single bike. Each person will answer this question differently, but I think it could be an interesting discussion. What say you all?

The CB1100 would do it for me.

Disclaimer: I have no need or desire to ride on dirt roads.

For me, it IS the CB. I feel the CB is light and nimble. But that's just my feeling from my experiences with mostly large touring bikes for the past 15 years. My middleweight tourer- Honda NT 700 felt fine to me UNTIL I got the CB. Now I only use the NT for long distances, the CB for everything else.

Same disclaimer for me- no need for dirt road capability.

As you can see by my signature, no...no, there isn't.

(10-23-2014, 12:24 AM)Capo_imp Wrote: [ -> ]As you can see by my signature, no...no, there isn't.

In a perfect world, my bank account and garage space would agree with this philosophy...

And that time and situation will soon likely approach for me. Retirement, college, etc. I'd like to sail off with three bikes. We shall see.

I don't think there is any one bike that would satisfy my every need albeit the DL650 does come close. I rented a BMW GS1200 for a day while vacationing in the Texas Hill Country and it was a fine ride in every way, comfortable, smooth. decent handling and excellent brakes. I generally love "adventure" style bikes but at 5'6" all of them are a challenge when I have to stop.

With all the graded dirt roads around home it would be nice to have a scrambler with some decent 50-50 dirt-street tires as a second bike. That new Ducati Scrambler has my eye.

For me, the CB1100 fits my overall needs best. The CB has no vices and it's an easy reach to the ground. I have done some 400 mile days on my CB and felt no need for a mount dedicated to touring. I'm even content with the saddle now that it has broken in. The only improvement I have in mind is a change to better tires (Pilot Road 3's). Lastly, I like stepping into the garage and seeing that gorgeous red Honda at the ready for anywhere I wish to go.

I'm hoping this is the one for me, if not I'll keep trying. The R9T is my 34th bike, so I really doubt it.
Bikes are like girlfriends.......

Gave up 2 bikes to get my CB1100 thinking it would be the 1 but that only lasted about 4 months and got another VStar 950T. The CB1100 does everything I want except for those times when we need a lounge chair.

Did you really think the CB1100 would be all it is AND a lounge chair?

All the months while I was lusting for one and looking at pictures, videos, and ride reports, I never thought it'd be a good lounge chair.