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+--- Thread: the CB a better cruiser ? (/showthread.php?tid=328)
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the CB a better cruiser ? - j3gq_imp - 01-18-2022
Found this [url=https://ridematerial.com/are-cruisers-good-for-long-distance-rides/]article interesting. It discusses what makes a good or a better cruiser - some objective arguments, some a more subjective. But our CB1100 seems to tick 3 and a half boxes out of 4.
So I hope for some comments from some of our long-distance aficionados !
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - emptysea - 01-18-2022
Seems to me that the author was pretty clear in differentiating, at least in his close, between a cruiser and a "standard" motorcycle. He references the Bonneville, but could have easily referenced the CB1100. The CB1100 is not a cruiser, despite them being classified as such on Killboy's Tail Of The Dragon photo page.
That said, while the article goes into great, if subjective, detail on what makes a bike more or less comfortable, he concludes by essentially saying "you should ride what you like as long as you're comfortable". Certainly, for someone new to riding 250+ miles per day, they may want to give some thought to taking their Sportster cross-country without doing at least one or two longer rides near home. It all comes down to whether the rider is comfortable. My wife is comfortable for 300 miles on her cruiser. I suppose part of that might be because it's a Triumph Speedmaster and not an Indian or Harley and therefore does not vibrate nearly as much. The author seemed to point to vibrations as well as seating position as major obstacles to riding a cruiser long distances, but my wife's bike fits her (after we added step-back risers to the bar) and is as smooth as nearly any twin ever made. I would say that one would be smart to be more circumspect of using a cruiser for LD riding, but if the bike fits you (physically and psychologically) then ride it till you can't.
I take issue with his fuel mileage comments, but only by a few miles. I have to pee or stretch about every 130 miles. I can push it to 150 0r sometimes 160, but then I have to add fuel anxiety to my bladder and knew pains. So I stop for gas, sometimes pee, stretch, and go. I have not been in an area yet where I couldn't find a gas stop within that range. I almost did someplace in South Dakota or Wyoming (I'd have to get back to my notes), but we found a place with a giant sign that said "GAS", not brand name, and it worked out. I'm not one to "just ride" and I'm envious of those with that carefree gene in them, so I almost always know where the next gas station is or make sure the ride leader knows.
I love the CB1100 for distance riding. I do. I don't have much to compare it to, though. I like that it's light compared to its touring competition. I like that it's stable, that it handles well. I like that the instruments are simple to read and operate and give me most of the information I need at a glance -- that information being my speed and how many miles I've traveled since my last stop. I like that old guys in 70s vintage C-10s ask me "What year is that?" at gas stops. And finally, I love when Goldwing riders ask me about my Iron Butt Association license plate backer, "You did your Saddle Sore 1000 on THAT?"
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - LongRanger_imp - 01-18-2022
For laughs, I mounted one of my IBA license plate backers on my Honda Monkey (which I failed to include in the listing of bikes I’ve owned over the years). It elicited quite a response!
I always considered my CB1100 to be a cruiser, not because of its ergonomics or any particular design or styling feature, but just because that’s how I typically rode it. Relaxed, comfortable, in no rush to reach my destination (assuming I even had one).
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - GoldOxide_imp - 01-18-2022
If I can chill on a Honda Monkey, a Yamaha V-Max, a Honda Gold Wing (probably a bad example, terrible cruiser), or a BMW S1000RR (yeah I know, wasted usage), then I would call that cruisin' only because of (what MTC said) "comfort" and what you make it to be, and I will add: How it resonates in your soul as you do the chill.
... time for a low ball, neat.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - the Ferret - 01-18-2022
I consider a cruiser more by ergos than ability to go someplace at any particular pace. Apes or pullbacks, step seat, feet forward in front of hips is what I think of when I hear the term cruiser.
You can cruise on just about any bike, you can tour on just about any bike, you can go from cafe to cafe on just about any bike and you can race on just about any bike. You can do any of those things on a CB 1100.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - Cormanus - 01-18-2022
There's lots of wisdom in that article unrelated to the question. posed by j3gq. It didn't change my view that the CB1100 is not a cruiser. It simply doesn't meet the ergonomic requirements.
However, I wonder of j3gq meant "tourer" rather than "cruiser"? While the CB1100 is not of the genus cruiser, I reckon it's a fine touring motorcycle. It can be made comfortable enough; it has sufficient power to travel at the speed limit comfortably all day with plenty of reserve to overtake; it can comfortably haul a load (and a passenger if required); and its range forces one to get off for a refuel and stretch after a sensible time.
I take issue with this:
Quote:...the endurance of the average rider is around 3 hours of non-stop riding. With experience, that could stretch up to 4 hours. Anything beyond that is uncommon. Assuming an average speed of around 40 to 50 MPH on US roads, that gives us a distance of around 150 to 160 miles.
Road safety authorities in Australia encourage motorists (cars and bikes) to take a break every 2 hours. I've no idea what evidence supports this, but I'm sure there's some; it certainly aligns with my experience and preference. Four hours without a break seems excessive to me. Two hours on the other hand is about time to fill the CB's tank, take a pee and ease the growing discomfort in my knees and backside. That's about 200 kms or 125 miles. As noted, it neatly aligns with the range of the CB1100's tank.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - GoldOxide_imp - 01-18-2022
It could be anyone riding continuously for more than three hours (assuming fuel and food is a non-issue) is not human.
I couldn't group ride with such riders. The tourer (err, I mean ... cruiser) and I would demand a break.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - pdedse - 01-18-2022
(01-18-2022, 02:13 PM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote: It could be anyone riding continuously for more than three hours (assuming fuel and food is a non-issue) is not human.
I couldn't group ride with such riders. The tourer (err, I mean ... cruiser) and I would demand a break.
Agreed; for me it's 70-100 miles before I stop for something, 120 at most. But a lot of times it's to take a photo and so I stretch, eat, drink, nature call during the same stop. When i do a long distance trip, the main point of doing so is to see new things, explore forlorn roads and such. This also means stopping to check alternate routes on the map.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - Tev62 - 01-19-2022
No account seems to be taken of ones age. In your younger years you put up with all sorts. Sub-standard clothing (i.e. just jeans and a leather jacket in all weather conditions), extreme riding position bikes, do big distances on naked bikes, crappy suspension and so on. I used to do long days on my CB350K4 and it never dawned on me it wasn't the right bike for the job or somehow substandard. At a soon to be 60 I now I wouldn't dream of touring on my CB1100, I think you can tour on anything but that doesn't make the CB a good tourer compared to more focussed bikes. I like my long travel electronically adjusted suspension, heated seat and large electrically adjustable windscreen on my Tiger, I can ride for long days on this bike if called for. I know I would be suffering over the same mileage on the CB, it is a completely different beast, it will do it but I couldn't. That is not a criticism though, it was never designed and created as a tourer.
RE: the CB a better cruiser ? - GoldOxide_imp - 01-19-2022
(01-19-2022, 05:46 AM)Tev62_imp Wrote: No account seems to be taken of ones age. In your younger years you put up with all sorts. Sub-standard clothing (i.e. just jeans and a leather jacket in all weather conditions), extreme riding position bikes, do big distances on naked bikes, crappy suspension and so on. I used to do long days on my CB350K4 and it never dawned on me it wasn't the right bike for the job or somehow substandard. At a soon to be 60 I now I wouldn't dream of touring on my CB1100, I think you can tour on anything but that doesn't make the CB a good tourer compared to more focussed bikes. I like my long travel electronically adjusted suspension, heated seat and large electrically adjustable windscreen on my Tiger, I can ride for long days on this bike if called for. I know I would be suffering over the same mileage on the CB, it is a completely different beast, it will do it but I couldn't. That is not a criticism though, it was never designed and created as a tourer.
... and did anyone here "drink water" during their teenage riding tours on scrappy bikes? I don't recall doing so.