03-28-2018, 09:15 PM
Difficult question for me to answer:
The 2012 BMW 1200R was an almost (then it was still air cooled), but I went with Triumph that year. My 2012 with dual oil pumps and oil cooler did fine in the desert. Great torque from 865cc.
Then Triumph got liquid cooled (still avoiding that) and the local Triumph-Moto Guzzi dealer changed ownership from good guys (brothers who rode) to a number cruncher who does not want my business (we had words over him moving my V7II to park his Jaguar. I probably embarrassed him and it went downhill from there). Worse, he also bought the BMW dealership.
Sportsters got too low (poor lean angles, now), but mine (2003 & 2002) were narrow, nimble and a lot of fun. The 1200 Sport was ~ 70 HP @ 5,700 RPM and 79 ft # @ 4,000 RPM. Close to same weight as CB1100 (501 # dry/537 # wet), but not as smooth at 80 MPH+. Harley has not had a Sportster of interest to me since about 2008.
The Moto Guzzi was fun, did well in the desert, but fueling was an issue. It was so cold natured that parking it for a few minutes required a warm-up time (warm-up of heated O2 sensors?) to avoid severe balking after re-start.
The Yamaha SCR900 or a Bolt was a consideration, to replace the V7II, but it did not feel natural on an extended test ride.
Never owned a Kawasaki or Suzuki, but Kawasaki would be a consideration, although I would expect more durability/longevity from Honda or Yamaha.
For me, none of this matters, as I expect the CB1110 to be number last.
Wife says" "Sure, I've heard that before"!, but this time is more certain.
Bottom line, I am extremely pleased to have the CB1100.
The 2012 BMW 1200R was an almost (then it was still air cooled), but I went with Triumph that year. My 2012 with dual oil pumps and oil cooler did fine in the desert. Great torque from 865cc.
Then Triumph got liquid cooled (still avoiding that) and the local Triumph-Moto Guzzi dealer changed ownership from good guys (brothers who rode) to a number cruncher who does not want my business (we had words over him moving my V7II to park his Jaguar. I probably embarrassed him and it went downhill from there). Worse, he also bought the BMW dealership.
Sportsters got too low (poor lean angles, now), but mine (2003 & 2002) were narrow, nimble and a lot of fun. The 1200 Sport was ~ 70 HP @ 5,700 RPM and 79 ft # @ 4,000 RPM. Close to same weight as CB1100 (501 # dry/537 # wet), but not as smooth at 80 MPH+. Harley has not had a Sportster of interest to me since about 2008.
The Moto Guzzi was fun, did well in the desert, but fueling was an issue. It was so cold natured that parking it for a few minutes required a warm-up time (warm-up of heated O2 sensors?) to avoid severe balking after re-start.
The Yamaha SCR900 or a Bolt was a consideration, to replace the V7II, but it did not feel natural on an extended test ride.
Never owned a Kawasaki or Suzuki, but Kawasaki would be a consideration, although I would expect more durability/longevity from Honda or Yamaha.
For me, none of this matters, as I expect the CB1110 to be number last.
Wife says" "Sure, I've heard that before"!, but this time is more certain.
Bottom line, I am extremely pleased to have the CB1100.