(02-20-2023, 12:52 AM)1985CB450_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 11:34 AM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 10:05 AM)1985CB450_imp Wrote: As noted above unless you are racking up lots of highway miles having that 6th gear is not really a factor.

Max tq on this bike is at 5000 rpm so steady cruise at 4000 rpm or so keeps you right under the tq peak which means downshifting is not required in the event you need to quickly accelerate. I’d advise against running around town at 2500 rpm in 6th. If you get in a tight spot and need to accelerate quickly you are gonna need a downshift. Just because the bike will run 6th down low like that does not mean it’s ideal.

All my riding is city in the Dallas metroplex, many times I’ve had to quickly roll on the throttle to avoid distracted drivers. Regardless of speed if the revs fall below 3500 I’m looking for a lower gear.

A lot of bikes won’t tolerate lugging, my Monster 1100 was a 3 speed unless you were doing 50+ Mph

This bike isn’t ..that…

These bikes- even stock will run at 2500 all day long.

There is no such thing as lugging a modern CB 1100 unless you are a complete bonehead.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This bike isn’t ..that…

These bikes- even stock will run at 2500 all day long.

There is no such thing as lugging a modern CB 1100 unless you are a complete bonehead.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Any machine can be lugged, technically if you cannot quickly accelerate away in gear you are lugging the motor. The CB does not protest as it’s in a very mild state of tune.

What happens when you quickly open the throttle from 2500rpm in 6th gear? Nothing as you have the acceleration capability of a Nissan Sentra for the first few seconds until the motor spools up.

Now do that again in 4th at 4000 rpm…huge difference in response

(02-19-2023, 07:20 PM)Tev62_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 08:12 AM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote: "I would however trade any pre17 for one of the rare EX. Simply the more fine-tuned model."


Only true improvement in my mind is the front forks, while the gas tank looks goofy. And has a slipper clutch if you care about such things... I own a bike with one and haven't noticed a benefit.

You only notice the benefit of a slipper clutch if you downshift too early like an inexperienced rider. Those who have the natural feel and mechanical sympathy for their bike, which comes from experience, shouldn't notice the benefit.

You only notice the benefit of a slipper clutch if you downshift too early like an inexperienced rider. Those who have the natural feel and mechanical sympathy for their bike, which comes from experience, shouldn't notice the benefit.
So slipper clutches are for inexperienced riders….now I’ve heard it all.

Slipper clutches are designed to release clutch back pressure when doing high rpm downshifts, this prevents the back wheel from locking up. Why do you think every ultra high performing machine today has one?

I realize this is a grandpa bike and most are ridden as such but regardless that’s just a silly uninformed statement
Bottom line is if you ride the bike hard enough you will notice the benefits

(02-20-2023, 01:04 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 12:09 PM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote: Wouldn’t bother /= prefer.

Given both options, same exact bike in every way- AND having rode both to feel the difference- would you still choose the 5?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a good question, Dubs. Given when I ride distances I like winding roads, I’ve no real need for 6 gears. When I do have to take a freeway, I’d probably appreciate the extra gear. But, if I had a chance to trade mine for a 6-gear model (unlikely, as I don’t think there are any in Australia) I wouldn’t take it unless the deal was just too good to pass up.

(02-20-2023, 02:44 AM)m in sc_imp Wrote: I currently own 3 4 speed bikes, none of them would benefit from an extra gear, but they are all also under 10 HP and run out of HP before rpm in 4th, so, they are at the limit. On the CB where you will -never- hit the rev limiter in 6th, but -can- maintain an ideal rpm in 6th on the highway, it makes sense to have it. And, i do 'skip' gears upshifting pretty regular.

I speed all the time. I mean, every time i ride. Heck, the cb will hit the speed limiter on my CB at the top of 3rd, and that's with 1 tooth down on the front sprocket. Just depends how you ride.

(02-19-2023, 05:51 PM)Mixagon_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 11:16 AM)m in sc_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 03:22 AM)Mixagon_imp Wrote: Surely I'm not the only one who prefers 5 speed.
I think with 6 speed your changing gear way to much for very little gain if any.

I'm fairly certain you are, actually.

I'm fairly certain you are, actually.
There's lots of us especially Ford transit van owners with 6 gears, to many gear changes. A lot of 6 speeders miss gears out to save pointless changes, eg go from 4th to 6th, 3rd to 5th you get the drift.
The problem with bikes is you can't do this so unless your just sitting on a highway in sixth for hours and hours you have to keep going up and down the box and it gets tiresome. Also if you need overtaking power quickly you have to go down two gears at times instead of one.
I don't like sitting on motorways so the journeys I make in the UK are best suited to 5 speeds.

(02-20-2023, 01:04 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote:

(02-19-2023, 12:09 PM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote: Wouldn’t bother /= prefer.

Given both options, same exact bike in every way- AND having rode both to feel the difference- would you still choose the 5?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a good question, Dubs. Given when I ride distances I like winding roads, I’ve no real need for 6 gears. When I do have to take a freeway, I’d probably appreciate the extra gear. But, if I had a chance to trade mine for a 6-gear model (unlikely, as I don’t think there are any in Australia) I wouldn’t take it unless the deal was just too good to pass up.

(02-20-2023, 01:58 AM)m in sc_imp Wrote: the comment about the slipper clutch is laughable, truly. the 1st time i experienced one was on an aprilia SL1000 my ex wife had that had been tuned, and just flat out ripped. it did, absolutely, keep the back wheel from locking up. same on my ktm, ducati, and i added one to my grom when i went bonkers on the 4 stroke motor build and would absolutely lock up the rear wheel on an abrupt decel. It allows you to match rpm coming out of a corner much better. there is no down side to slipper clutch and is absolutely beneficial on certain bikes and riding styles..

as far as the 5 vs 6 speed. I can ride the CB at 2500 in 6th, have done it, and it will accelerate from there 'ok'. . its much easier to do with the power commander than it was, but i never really lug the motor riding. To me, 'lugging' a motor is, if you are at 'x' rpm, and try to accelerate and it just falls on its face.. you are lugging it.

But if you don't like 6th gear.. then just dont use it.

(02-20-2023, 10:01 AM)1985CB450_imp Wrote:

(02-20-2023, 01:58 AM)m in sc_imp Wrote: the comment about the slipper clutch is laughable, truly. the 1st time i experienced one was on an aprilia SL1000 my ex wife had that had been tuned, and just flat out ripped. it did, absolutely, keep the back wheel from locking up. same on my ktm, ducati, and i added one to my grom when i went bonkers on the 4 stroke motor build and would absolutely lock up the rear wheel on an abrupt decel. It allows you to match rpm coming out of a corner much better. there is no down side to slipper clutch and is absolutely beneficial on certain bikes and riding styles..

as far as the 5 vs 6 speed. I can ride the CB at 2500 in 6th, have done it, and it will accelerate from there 'ok'. . its much easier to do with the power commander than it was, but i never really lug the motor riding. To me, 'lugging' a motor is, if you are at 'x' rpm, and try to accelerate and it just falls on its face.. you are lugging it.

But if you don't like 6th gear.. then just dont use it.

Glad somebody else gets it

What I don’t understand is why would anyone ride in a gear where their 1140cc bike accelerates only “ok”…..

Too many years riding in city traffic for me to put myself in that position when a simple gear change improves your chances to get out of the way quickly