10-04-2018, 03:55 AM
Cormanus Wrote:I used to be a bit of a if-you-want-to-change-so-much-about-it-why-don't-you-get-a-different-bike kinda guy, but I've changed my mind. It seems to me people buy bikes for a whole range of reasons. I bought the CB1100 because it pressed lots of buttons and I don't have a great need to change it. It's fine for me pretty much just the way it is. I just want to ride it and it's pretty good for that. I know it may be sacrilege to say this, but I'd probably still have bought it had it been water cooled.
For others, though—VLJ perhaps—the bike is a beautiful thing and lovely to ride, but it would be way better with more ponies. I don't know whether he's of a disposition to tinker; if not, I guess he'll live with it.
Truth be told, yep, I too probably would have bought it if it had been liquid-cooled, everything else being equal....with one caveat. In exchange for giving up that air-cooled authenticity, a liquid-cooled CB1100 would have needed to boast more power.
Otherwise, yes, you described my feelings to a tee. I view my CB1100 as a beautiful thing and lovely to ride (perfect description, btw), but I would enjoy her even more if she at least offered the old air-cooled Bandit 1200's torque, and twenty-five more rwhp. Around town and on country roads, she's already perfect. Ideal. Couldn't be happier. Out on the highway, however, especially up in the mountains, riding at elevation, I want that missing extra grunt.
Still, I will not tinker with her. With the wobbly taillight issue now fully sorted, I'm not going to touch another thing on this bike. The power deficit certainly isn't ruining the ride for me. In fact, it really only enters my consciousness when I'm riding at elevation, or when I've just hopped off of the Yamaha. On the flipside, every time I hop onto the big CB after riding the Yamaha I'm immediately happier to be on the Honda. It's just the overall refinement. The squeaky brakes notwithstanding, everything else on the Honda is so smooth, polished, user-friendly and, well, just plain enjoyable, it's like dipping into a warm, welcoming bath..."Aaaaaahhhhhhh, it's good to be home."
For others, though—VLJ perhaps—the bike is a beautiful thing and lovely to ride, but it would be way better with more ponies. I don't know whether he's of a disposition to tinker; if not, I guess he'll live with it.
Truth be told, yep, I too probably would have bought it if it had been liquid-cooled, everything else being equal....with one caveat. In exchange for giving up that air-cooled authenticity, a liquid-cooled CB1100 would have needed to boast more power.
Otherwise, yes, you described my feelings to a tee. I view my CB1100 as a beautiful thing and lovely to ride (perfect description, btw), but I would enjoy her even more if she at least offered the old air-cooled Bandit 1200's torque, and twenty-five more rwhp. Around town and on country roads, she's already perfect. Ideal. Couldn't be happier. Out on the highway, however, especially up in the mountains, riding at elevation, I want that missing extra grunt.
Still, I will not tinker with her. With the wobbly taillight issue now fully sorted, I'm not going to touch another thing on this bike. The power deficit certainly isn't ruining the ride for me. In fact, it really only enters my consciousness when I'm riding at elevation, or when I've just hopped off of the Yamaha. On the flipside, every time I hop onto the big CB after riding the Yamaha I'm immediately happier to be on the Honda. It's just the overall refinement. The squeaky brakes notwithstanding, everything else on the Honda is so smooth, polished, user-friendly and, well, just plain enjoyable, it's like dipping into a warm, welcoming bath..."Aaaaaahhhhhhh, it's good to be home."