What other bikes did you look at before buying your CB1100?

[Rebel73_imp]

For a while, the Triumph Thruxton was at the top of my list. It was a cool looking "out of the box" cafe racer.

In keeping with my affinity for cafe styling, I also looked at the Ducati Sport 1000. I even looked at the Norton Commando ($$$.

Then I stumbled upon this cool looking retro bike from Honda. It had available ABS, 6 gears, 4-2 exhaust, and was just beautiful to look at. I envisioned it as the perfect canvas on which to build my dream cafe bike. To me, it was just begging to be "cafe'd out".

In the end, it was Honda's reputation for quality, the performance advantage over the Thrux, and the price point that made it an obvious choice for me.

The Ducati was very nice looking, but even used cost more than a CB and the seating position didn't seem ideal for longer rides - not to mention the frequent ($$$ valve adjustments those Ducs need!

The Commando is a gorgeous bike, but at $20k+, it was just more than I was willing to pay, and not nearly as practical as the CB1100.

[avsbezzy_imp]

A little bit like you Rebel....
After a while I got tired of looking at every Triumph "cafe'd" with British Customs stuff...
And the Honda is a much better product for almost same money.

I have no "RAGRETS", 'know what I am Sayin'...

[buttaknife_imp]

Looked very seriously at the kawasaki w800... Love the bike but the drum brake on the back ticked me off..

[avsbezzy_imp]

Looked very seriously at the kawasaki w800... Love the bike but the drum brake on the back ticked me off..

Yes that's cool too, but way underpowered ( I rode a used one).
A little bit like a "Ciao Piaggio" LOL

[Gumby 1100_imp]

I seriously looked at the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone and Special which are much cheaper than the CB1100 here in Canada.

These Guzzis have a great retro look, but at only 750cc's it is seriously underpowered compared to the CB1100. Also, it has nice Brembo brakes, but no ABS which was the real deal breaker for me.

[gossman_imp]

Bonneville, but I wanted something with more power to ride plus I still have memories of the problems with my old British bikes.

[the Ferret]

Nothing. I was perfectly happy riding my Gen 1 FZ-1 and 750 Nighthawk until Honda said they were bringing the 1100 here.

[rboe]

V7; plenty of power but the bike was a bit small for my lanky frame.
Bonnevilles; test rode one: Meh. test rode another last year (private party), much better!

I ended up with a Griso after looking and deciding the CB was not coming here. About a year and a half after I got the Griso I pulled the trigger on the CB. Would not have gotten the Griso if the CB had been around. I also fully expected to sell the Griso once I brought home the CB, but they are so different and Griso does have that mighty 8V engine. sigh. I'm keeping her. More character than the CB mill.

[AndyHe_imp]

The Bonneville (a bit small), used 2006 VFR 800 (a bit too much forward lean for me), new VFR 1200 (bit too ugly for me though it rode like a dream), BMV F800GT (right leg got too hot next to the radiator), BMW R1200 RT (too many electronic gizmos to go wrong), BMW RnineT (headlight too transformer-ish for my tastes), Ducati Monster (too modern for my taste), etc... there were tons.

The only ones that spoke to me was the VFR 800 and CB1100 : comfort and simplicity made me go with the CB1100 which I don't regret at all.

[the Ferret]

"More character than the CB mill. "



translated: It vibrates, has electrical problems, there are no dealers near me or anywhere I go, and there's a good chance it's going to break down on my next ride

j/k Rboe