Hello, goodbye bikes

[mininsx_imp]

Thanks all,

My master plan for CB1100 ownership continues unabated, - after 15 years out of the saddle, a 'back to biking' course last Sunday went well - three hours of being shouted and sworn at by a large blonde lady could have been, well, interesting if I hadn't been so preoccupied with trying to ride smooth, (so she wouldn't carry out her threat to put me back on the 125) and not run into her backside ..... STOP SNIGGERING, IT WAS AT A JUNCTION.

I even have a target - 25 miles away in a showroom sits a shiny, black, 2014, EX with just 250 miles on the clock.

And this is where it gets complicated.

When I went to view said black beauty, after throwing a leg over, surreptitiously wiping some drool (mine) off the tank and chatting to the salesman (apparently the previous owner found her too heavy), I somehow drifted over the road to the same dealer's Kawasaki franchise.

Negotiating my way past the attractive petite mature secretary in a tiny mini skirt at a desk by the door, I sidled up to 'plan B' - a Kawasaki VN900 (that's a Vulcan to those on the other side of the pond).

Brand new, this retails at £7400, the Honda brand new is just under £10000, and yes, you can see where the savings have been made in the acres of plastic on the Kawa.

Next thing I know, the petite bimbo is manhandling the 500lb bike out of the rank like a pro for me to have a look at it.

Turns out she's actually senior salesman, a qualified engineer, has been riding since she was 17, and oh, has just returned from a holiday biking around Spain.

God, I hope she doesn't read this forum.

Anyway, she was good enough to lend me a tyre (tire) iron to beat my male chauvinist ego back into a sack with, and promised to call me about delivery times and availability, as the model in the shop wasn't my first choice.

Today, true to her word, she leaves me a message on my answering machine; my model of choice is available, but if I was interested in the showroom model she'll let me have it at £1000 off the list price!

The second hand CB1100 across the road, has a price tag just £500 off new list price, and, as Cormanus mentioned, they are rare as hens teeth over here so I'm not hopeful of haggling much off with the salesman.

God, I hope he doesn't read this forum.

So, do I go for 'plan A', expensive, glamorous, gorgeous and high maintenance, all chrome and spokes; or do I settle for 'plan B', the fun cheaper alternative, low, big, comfy, and dressed mainly in black....

....damn, clearly didn't tie that sack properly.

Decisions decisions.....

As impartial and totally unbiased forum readers, what do you think?

I am uniquely qualified to answer this question for you because (1) I bought my 2013 CB1100 used with 160 miles on it, and (2) guess what I traded in? A 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom Special Edition.
The low mileage on the CB was the result of the PO not liking the bike (!), and he traded it in on a Suzuki Burgman scooter. I liked the Vulcan and put over 5,000 miles on it, but there's no comparison to the CB, they're two very different bikes. The Vulcan is not as quick, but for a cruiser, it does pretty good (I outran Harleys on a regular basis), it is comfortable but has limited rear suspension travel, it handles pretty good, but things touch down easily since it's a cruiser. Around town the engine is very smooth with very little vibration and on the highway it's fine until you go past 70 MPH. Things get real buzzy above 70 on the Vulcan. That engine has been around a long time so it's pretty reliable but there have been stator problems with the Vulcan.
As for the CB1100, IMO it's more comfortable, quicker, smoother, rides better and it's lighter than a Vulcan. Good luck deciding!

[The Spaceman_imp]

The Spaceman is always so exquisitely succinct, don't you think? The question, though, requires some unpacking and waffle and I've nothing better to do at the moment, so here goes.

To start with, ponder this range of questions and answers.
[li]Are you trying to save money? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you trying to avoid cleaning? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you really a cruiser man? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you trying to hit on the petite sales manager? A. This is a hard one. If you don't buy the Kwaka, she may be so pissed that she'll want nothing to do with you. On the other hand, if you do, your real motivation will be as obvious as ... well, you think of a good metaphor. In that case, she will never really trust you. Particularly when you glance sideways at a Honda. Either way, long or short term you'll dip out.
[/li]
Go this way and when you wake in the morning you'll be stuck with the Kwaka. If you're a cheapskate, cruiser lover who hates cleaning and secretly loves a broken heart, you'll be a happy man. Read no further and hand over the deposit.

But I'm betting you'll always have a wistful glance for any CB1100 you see and will wonder whether you did the right thing.

Now, let's consider another scenario.

You buy the Honda. The petite and beautiful Kwaka sales person is stunned by your integrity, secretly loves the bike and wants to go riding with you. A lot. Sounds all right, doesn't it?

Another scenario? Persuade the petite one to defect across the road and sell you the Honda.

Now to be serious, just for a moment.

When I got back into riding after a long lay off, I bought a cruiser—in my case, a Honda VT750 Shadow. Great bike. Comfortable, powerful enough for me, economical. All good really. But I didn't like riding it as much as I had expected. It just didn't feel right. I eventually realised (I'm in Australia and being upside down all the time means it takes a while for things other than blood to get into the head) it was because I'd done all my earlier riding on naked-style bikes. I felt more comfortable sitting up straight; I liked the way they felt as I headed into and out of a corner a whole lot better; and I much preferred the look of them. The CB1100 came along about this time and it spoke to me of all the bikes I had ever really wanted as a young fella. Eventually a wise friend of mine advised me to stop dreaming and buy one. I did and I've never looked back.

If you like riding cruisers, buy the Kwaka. The CB1100 isn't a cruiser, although I've done a bit of touring on mine and, so far as I'm concerned it does a fine job. If you prefer riding naked bikes, don't stuff around. Buy the CB1100. If cleaning bores you, do a superficial job occasionally and just ride the bloody thing (yes, I know that will have me branded a heretic by many members of this forum). But, like most of us here, you won't stop smiling and you may, just may, have a Kawasaki-riding travelling companion to keep you company.

That's what I was going to say, but I was pressed for time.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

I have to confess, Squid, at this point (being that I obviously have no investment in your situation anyway!) I don't even care about what bike you ultimately end up with - I'm just MASSIVELY enjoying your write-ups!

...but best of luck with your decision anyway.

[Insolentsquid_imp]

I have to confess, Squid, at this point (being that I obviously have no investment in your situation anyway!) I don't even care about what bike you ultimately end up with - I'm just MASSIVELY enjoying your write-ups!

...but best of luck with your decision anyway.

Many thanks for the kind words, there are quite a few quick, clever, witty posters here - clearly CB1100 owners are a special breed - except maybe those with red ones.....
[/quote]

I am uniquely qualified to answer this question for you because (1) I bought my 2013 CB1100 used with 160 miles on it, and (2) guess what I traded in? A 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom Special Edition.
The low mileage on the CB was the result of the PO not liking the bike (!), and he traded it in on a Suzuki Burgman scooter. I liked the Vulcan and put over 5,000 miles on it, but there's no comparison to the CB, they're two very different bikes. The Vulcan is not as quick, but for a cruiser, it does pretty good (I outran Harleys on a regular basis), it is comfortable but has limited rear suspension travel, it handles pretty good, but things touch down easily since it's a cruiser. Around town the engine is very smooth with very little vibration and on the highway it's fine until you go past 70 MPH. Things get real buzzy above 70 on the Vulcan. That engine has been around a long time so it's pretty reliable but there have been stator problems with the Vulcan.
As for the CB1100, IMO it's more comfortable, quicker, smoother, rides better and it's lighter than a Vulcan. Good luck deciding!
[/quote]


Superb reply Mini

A Burgman?????? - even I think that's beyond the pale.....