04-26-2013, 01:28 PM
(04-25-2013, 11:52 AM)SL70_imp Wrote: So I have test ridden the CB11 and really liked it, didn't get to spend much time at higher freeway speeds though. How do you like the 5 speed and the final gear ratio, is it relaxed at 65-70, or is it revving kind of high? Any buzziness/vibration issues?
I would want this bike to do everything from short trips around town to the once or twice a year week long tour.
I've found that the lack of vibration cues is going to take some getting used to. Twice I've found myself going down the freeway at 75 in third gear, happy as a clam. Only when I looked at the tach did I realize that 4th or 5th might work better.
I'm used to my CB750 which runs at 5000 rpm at 75 in top gear. The CB11 is only turning about 4200 rpm at 75. I actually stick to 4th gear on the highway unless I'm planning on spending a lot of time around 75 or higher. Although the engine pulls nicely from the low rpms, I prefer to keep it in the sweet spot on the power band that kicks in around 4800 rpm.
The gears are nicely spaced and there's no need for a 6th gear as far as I'm concerned.