CB1100 or Harley?

[UJM Guy_imp]

Guys you can't dispute the market place. If you think Harley has some how figured a way to "put it over" on the cycle buying public please let's discuss what it is that "they" seem to know that few others do.

I am not convinced that the Harley Life style keeps the business a float and doing well. People just will not spend money for image alone. The bikes have to in the end carry the weight or the company would sink slowly into the sunset.

I think Harley makes an excellent bike. Personally I feel their engines are not up to modern standards. I am admittedly the odd man out and likely you other guys are as well. I am the only one I know who rides his Harleys with stock pipes. I believe the things that I don't appreciate about Harley are the thinks that many find most appealing.

Regardless it's nice have plenty to pick from. I tend to like and appreciate odd vehicles. I've owned Peugeots and SAAB's for proof of that statement. Harley's might be like a Chevy or Ram pick up. You can knock them but you can't say that they don't have something there that works for a ton of people. The CB 1100 is like a totally rebuilt vintage Volvo or maybe a BMW 2002. Neat vehicle but it's not going to sell to the guys that like Muscle Cars. Maybe that's what a Harley is a bike equivalent to a Chevelle Supersport. People love those old Chevy V8's even when they know there are more modern power plants for sure.

Very well put bublerboy 64,

I am very content with my 2005 Road King but even with a lot of modifications and accessories it doesn’t look or act very different from the other quarter million or more Road Kings on the street. I like your analogy of comparing the CB1100 with a Peugeot or a SAAB, it makes it more special. I consider my CB1100 and 2010Vmax “special” because they are not just another cookie bike. It’s really nice to ride something different.

But I think of the CB1100 more like a restomod rather than a restored CB750 or CB1100F. It has been decades since I have been on a CB750, but in my memory it was not nearly as nice as todays CB1100. Honda did a great job of making it look the part of a classic, but fortunately I think it rides more like a modern bike.

I like to think I buy a bike because “I” like it, not for what other people think. But I suppose if I do project an image it would be someone that wants to be a little different.