07-14-2020, 05:12 AM
(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).
I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?
And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!
I can't speak for the AT specifically, but my dinosaur KLR650 seat height is similar at 35". I'm sure the AT suspensions is better than that of the KLR650...but I have done 700 miles days on the KLR, ridden it to Central America and back (Oregon), and it's very comfortable on the hiway--albeit not fast. Point is, I feel like I can ride on it forever and perhaps the AT provides riders with a similar feeling.
(07-14-2020, 04:39 AM)motoWest_imp Wrote: Question for those that have spent extended time on an AT, what's the ride like on a highway? When going 70+mph on the CB, I very much feel like a sail in the wind (I don't ride with a windscreen).
I don't understand how other forum members tour on the CB. I love the bike on most rides, but I find extended highway rides to be pretty fatiguing - mostly due to the wind. Which would you rather take on a longer ride, the CB or the AT?
And for those that can put in 4+ hours of highway riding on the CB - how the hell are you doing it!
I did a round trip OR to Illinois ride on a '14 standard, and it has much less leg room than my KLR. Because of more cramped riding posittion for me, it takes me a while to build up stamina. I took a week to ride to Illinois, I think it was 7 days and 6 nights, averaging 425 miles per day. The first day was rough...wondering if I was gonna make it. Then by the middle of the second day, I think I settled in and found a groove. By day 3, my back and neck muscles seemed fine and the rest of the 3 week trip I felt at home on the CB.
This isn't to say that the CB1100 is better than this or that for long distances; rather, it took me a few days to feel comfortable on it, and that wasn't the case on an "adventure style" bike.
I need to take more frequent stops on the CB to stretch legs. I added a seat pad forthe seat. Added hiway pegs on the engine guards. I'd say it made the trip do-able, but I'd never say it was totally comfortable...but it's the bike I wanted to do the trip on at the time, so that makes a difference.
The CB for me is rock solid as far as wind turbulance. I use ear plugs which greatly reduces the wind noise to the ears--a small detail that shouldn't be overlooked. I'm planning a few more long rides on the CB once things clear a bit.