Tempted To Trade Her In

[Mandrau_imp]

Thanks for the input guys. Yes pdedse it is a bit terrifying for me. It hasn't helped that I get a subtle vibe at the local Harley dealership that they are doing me a favor and to not bother them too much over those pesky details like extended warranty and the fact the bike has 650Km on it and the only discount is saving on the freight (about $800 Canadian). Since I bought the CB1100 new in late June last year, I have ridden 33000Km and the bike has been flawless. The local Honda dealereship is small but friendly. Heck, the mechanic comes out and speaks with me about the bike during routing maintenace servicing. Got the day to sort this out before decisional Monday.

I did the opposite of what you are contemplating. I am 66 also. I owned a Harley CVO Softail Springer for 10 years prior to my 2017EX. I was a beautiful bike, and I suppose it was a "bucket list thing" to experience the Harley mystique. Choice of motorcycle is a very individual thing, and they all have some Pros and Cons. From my Harley experience, I will tell you why, for me the change to the CB1100 was the right thing, so you will have some feedback to consider. In the final analysis, the choice is yours regardless of what anyone else says, and I hope you are happy with whatever you choose, just go into it fully informed. What I have to tell is from my experience only, and others may have legitimate difference of opinion.

Harleys are expensive to maintain and insure. There is a standing joke that "HD" stands for "Hundred Dollars", i.e., you cant go into a Harley shop without ending up spending at least one hundred dollars. I prefer to do most of my maintenance, including oil and filter changes. None of the Harleys have a center stand, and probably could not be lifted onto a center stand if they had one. Consequently oil changes have to be done at the shop with a bike stand, or done at home on the side stand. Because the oil filter is horizontal n the front of the V Twin engine, doing an oil change at home is considerably more difficult and messy.

Harley V Twins are tuned very lean from the factory, in order to satisfy California emissions. Consequently they typically run very hot. I always had this nagging worry in the back of my mind, that the rear cylinder might not be getting enough air over the cooling fins, and I really felt the heat on my legs during long stop lights.

Getting older, and not quite as strong as when I was younger was definitely a concern for me. My Harley was over 750 Lbs., and by going to the CB, I shaved off over 250 Lbs. of bike weight. I can get the CB onto the center stand for maintenance and oil changes with no problem, and whereas getting the Harley out of the garage for a ride was a wrestling match, getting the CB out is a breeze.

The Harley was a great bike for cruising on a straight highway, but the twisties and low speed around town was like wrestling a tank ( at least for me ). I found that safely riding a Harley required a different riding style and mind set. This included going into curves more slowly, and increasing following distances. The more weight ( mass ) in motion, the more the handling characteristics change, and the longer it takes to slow down and stop. Although there are techniques to get a heavy bike upright by yourself if it is laid down, the more weight, the more difficult it is to do, especially if you are older.

I certainly am not bashing Harley, as I did get a lot of enjoyment out of mine for the 10 years I owned one. That said, Harley is in MHOP, a whole different ball game from what you are used to with your CB. My CB is a joy to own and ride in all aspects, including DIY maintenance, and riding in all situations and speeds. At this point in my life, and at my age, it was the right choice at the right time for me. I hope you will enjoy whatever bike you choose.

Currently, insurance on my CB1100 is $900 - For the Harley it goes up to $1500 annually. Thanks for your input.

[clearviewx]

A friend of mine also likes the new Harley but I personally would NEVER get rid of my CB to get a Harley but you have to do what you desire.

+1

[rboe]

It may be a mistake, it may be a great decision. You'll never know until you do it. Life is short and usually the only regrets are the things you DIDN'T do. So go for it. If the bike was well maintained I would not sweat the miles.

If it turns out you like the bike then you did good. If it turns out you prefer the CB then you can pick up a used one fairly cheap (well maintained used bikes are nothing to fear) and you learned something.

I just don't see much risk here. Ideally, own two bikes. But you say that is not an option - and that is not uncommon - so I think it's time to taste the fruit from a different tree.

[alprider]

and i study to give away the goldwing next spring....bcos the weight and it needs still any years until i am 60...the vultus and CBs are absolutly lightweights in front of the wing...

[LongRanger_imp]

2017EX, what is meant by "MHOP?"

I imagine the difference in insurance premiums is simply a reflection of each bike's replacement value. If you self-insure, compulsory liability coverage should be about the same.

[2017EX_imp]

2017EX, what is meant by "MHOP?"

I imagine the difference in insurance premiums is simply a reflection of each bike's replacement value. If you self-insure, compulsory liability coverage should be about the same.

That was a typo I missed...I meant to put IMHO ( in my humble opinion ). When I went from my Harley to the CB, yes full coverage insurance dropped by about $400 - $500 per year ( depending on coverage options ). The insurance thing is a choice, and I know for some just carrying liability is what the budget can handle, and others have it in the budget but are willing to assume more risk. For me, good full coverage insurance is the only way I will go, but to each his own.

[Offroad]

I had the same decision to make when looking at my my BMW K 1600 GT..... I decided to keep my CB for now since price has depreciated so much the 2014 standard is probably only worth about $4,000 now.

To let a bike of that quality go with only 7000 miles just goes against the grain of Common Sense.

But on the new one I kept worrying that someday soon I could be incapacitated somehow always looking back thinking I could have, I should have, why didn't I?

So on my 62nd birthday I bought myself a present and put 7000 mi on on it in 2 months.... I haven't regretted it for a second so I would say go for it.

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm seeing loads of K1600GT's on the roads these days, and far fewer RT's than in the past.

[SportsterDoc]

Go for it. If something pulls at your heartstrings, you'll regret not capitulating to the siren's song. Especially at 66.

That said, I'm not convinced the HD will cost more to maintain and service. No valves to adjust, no chain to deal with, bigger aftermarket. Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Keep us posted and send pics!

My experience with H-D parts is that they are moderately priced, there are tons of competitively priced aftermarket alternatives and quite readily available.

A drive belt is quiet, zero maintenance, but don't ever bend it backwards and don't let a pebble get between the belt and pulley/sprocket.

Post 13 of this link has some good numbers from a 1250 cc, pushrod motor: http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1973677

[the Ferret]

Doc...just going by things I have heard... Isn't the life expectancy of a belt generally less than that of an oring chain? Doesn't it take a specific tool to adjust, and isn't it very difficult to replace?