buying a cb1100 in the next few days - decision making

[arva_imp]

hi all, everyone here seems to be well versed in motorcycling and also the vote taken for cb1100 riders on this forum shows that i do fall with the majority, so i am going to do a brain dump... please validate or convince me that i am wrong.

i want a reliable hassle free bike that will start when i want it to start, have a linear throttle response, naked and good classic styling. i will be parking the bike with no-garage, under covers and in a covered garage during winter. in short i wanted a honda accord of bikes...

so i started with honda cb500f, but that felt too small and i do have a buell blast which is a 500cc; the nc700x was too high for me and a little over engineered.

ducati scramble was cool looking but spotty performance and very temperamental when it comes to maintenance (not hassle free)

i do not want to ride triumphs or other such bikes (too many people i know have them)...

then i rode the bmw r nine t; wanted to buy it, fabulous looking bike, rides well etc; but again i am worried about how it will hold up to my careless maintenance and msrp of $15k was a bit much. the bmw f800r similarly seemed too much.

yamaha fz09 was fun to ride, but a little too peppy (even owners steer people away from its uneven performance) and the insurance quotes are way too high...

finally i saw the cb1100 and loved the looks; seems a bit heavy but seems handlable; i am looking for 1 bike to rule them all; i will never be a dirt biker; nor do any wheelies; i will go out on weekend rides with friends and maybe overnight trips; i will drive into the city maybe once or twice a week during summers...

also i have not ridden a cb1100 as there are no demo bikes... would have loved a cb750; but i only want to buy a new nike...

any reason why i should not buy the cb100?

for those of you who drink wine; i am not looking for a fantastic but temperamental super tuscan; or a fancy bordeaux or an overengineered aussie wine; but a easy drinking california merlot that tastes good year on year... or more like a high quality blended scotch as opposed to single malts... (nothing wrong with a 16 year old lagavulin, but for everyday drinking with lots of ice in the backyard, a chivas will do)...

thanks for indulging me...

[veech_imp]

Don't walk...RUN!....to buy a CB1100. It will be the perfect bike for what you have described, as so many of us have found to be the case as well.

[metalmaven_imp]

""""i do not want to ride triumphs or other such bikes (too many people i know have them)... """""


I have not actually seen another CB1100 on the road yet here in MN. I know other guys have seen another in the wild but it is a rare thing unless you are meeting up with other cb owners on a group ride (which don't exist where I live in MN). If you want something different, but familiar and Honda reliable I would say get it for sure. I considered a Triumph Bonneville and a Moto Guzzi V7 Special and though I still want the moto guzzi, I love my all black 2014 CB1100. It became my #1 option after reading many reviews on multiple bikes. This forum is great too, good guys with a lot of knowledge.

[kevbroce_imp]

If you can handle the CB's weight you'll love it. I'd say it's the least rider friendly aspect of the bike. Only other downside is the oil change and valve check service intervals. But most find the valves in spec. The Moto Guzzi V7 would be a good choice if the weight worries you.

[veech_imp]

Coming off a 850 lb Harley, the CB felt like a mini-bike to me!

[widude]

Yes, the CB1100 should be fine. Run a search through Cycletrader.com to see what's offered in your area. Most dealers put an ad there.

[jrns_imp]

If you can handle the CB's weight you'll love it. I'd say it's the least rider friendly aspect of the bike. Only other downside is the oil change and valve check service intervals. But most find the valves in spec. The Moto Guzzi V7 would be a good choice if the weight worries you.

----
I can speak to the weight.. after not riding for 34 years- I bought a CB1100 .. and quite frankly was terrified about the weight before I rode the bike- considering I was new to riding again after some time away.
Well- I got on the bike, and rode-and the weight was not an issue.
bike handled like magic. almost like it I was always riding it?
its incredibly balanced, well designed, handles amazing and you do not notice the weight ...at all (at least I didn't).
its a very "tame" bike-if that makes sense. You have to respect it-but it doesn't give you any surprises.
my first ride was almost 100kms-i just couldn't stop riding it...lol
I say this as a new rider. that's just my experience ...for what its worth. hope that helps

[arva_imp]

very helpful, thx. i rode a lot too in collage but then life/wife/kids happened and now i am looking to ride again... clearly with much smaller balls than when i was 20

If you can handle the CB's weight you'll love it. I'd say it's the least rider friendly aspect of the bike. Only other downside is the oil change and valve check service intervals. But most find the valves in spec. The Moto Guzzi V7 would be a good choice if the weight worries you.

----
I can speak to the weight.. after not riding for 34 years- I bought a CB1100 .. and quite frankly was terrified about the weight before I rode the bike- considering I was new to riding again after some time away.
Well- I got on the bike, and rode-and the weight was not an issue.
bike handled like magic. almost like it I was always riding it?
its incredibly balanced, well designed, handles amazing and you do not notice the weight ...at all (at least I didn't).
its a very "tame" bike-if that makes sense. You have to respect it-but it doesn't give you any surprises.
my first ride was almost 100kms-i just couldn't stop riding it...lol
I say this as a new rider. that's just my experience ...for what its worth. hope that helps

[MM300_imp]

I can’t provide a reason not to buy a CB1100.

It does everything well.

It’s definitely fast enough (unless you need to do 150 down to the Kwik e Mart)

It’s got the bottom end you’d expect from a liter bike.

It does two up like a big bike should.

Solid, confidence inspiring handling.

Heavy enough for excellent, comfortable and stable highway cruising.

It has styling that convinces everyone that it’s an old restored bike. Giving you the payoff of seeing the perplexed expression on their faces when you tell that that it's a new bike.

It lacks the kind of flash that, to my mind, would attract thievery.

I’d liken the CB to an HD Superglide with Japanese inline four power, handling and braking. A plus for me as I also like HD.

[redbirds_imp]

The CB is a very easy bike to ride. The generous low end torque and easy throttle response make it a pleasure. Other than actual valve adjustments (very few forum members bikes needed adjustment) which are costly, all other routine maintenance procedures are simple and easily handled at home. The brakes are superb, as good as many sport bikes. The CB has no handling vices, very steady and predictable in the twisties with good cornering clearance. Other than being a stunning bike to look at, it's not the best in any single category of performance but does everything well.