12-28-2025, 02:32 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-28-2025, 02:49 AM by Gone in 60.)
Ok I’ll play. When the CB1100 came out in 2013 here in the US, I thought it was gorgeous. But, I had just bought a 2007 R1200R in like-new condition from a local BMW dealer with just 1700 miles on it. My second bike was a ‘93 Nighthawk 750 that I had restored to like-new condition.
I would sell the Nighthawk in late 2014 for the ‘12 Bonneville I still own.
Fast forward to April 2019. The BMW had 26k miles and was springing one electronic gremlin after another. Repeated fuel gauge issues. ABS problems. I loved it, but it became more aggravating to silently pray each time I turned the key that everything would work. And being a BMW, a malfunction like the ABS system didn’t just mean that the ABS didn’t work, it also meant the bike had no brake light. A broken fuel gauge also meant that warnings on the dashboard would constantly nag for attention.
I decided that it was time to let the R1200R go for something simpler and more reliable. I was shopping NC750X, but heard they were boring. FZ09s were high on my list, but they were out of my budget and most had modifications I didn’t care for.
Then, cruising Craig’s List while Mrs. G and I were waiting for our dinner in a Culver City Indian restaurant, I saw a ‘13 CB1100 in Bellflower with 1700 miles, described as like-new. I thought about how much I loved the first one I had seen, and that I missed that inline four on my Nighthawk. This was like a bigger, classier Nighthawk, sort of.
I showed the listing to Mrs., who said she knew how frustrated I had become with the BMW, particularly as the dealer had just quoted me $2800 to sort out the ABS once and for all. She said that as long as I thought I could get something decent for the BMW; I should call the guy about the CB1100, and that it looked pretty.
I arranged to see the Honda the next day, on a Sunday morning. Mrs. and I looked at it, and I was smitten. The bike lived in his garage next to his workout bench, and mostly he just admired it when he spent time in the garage. His wife however, wanted her parking space back, and as he never rode it, there was some clear pressure on him to sell it.
We negotiated a price, but being a Sunday, I couldn’t access the cash as the bank was closed. Also, I was about to leave for a week-long business trip. He agreed to hold the bike for me with a check for a deposit.
I left, with thoughts of the CB swirling in my head. I knew I would need things for it, like a luggage rack. I started searching online for information about the bike, and found this forum. I started asking the experts here for advice, and got a warm welcome.
As soon as my plane landed the following Monday, Mrs. G picked me up after packing some riding gear in the car for me. We headed to the bank, got the cash, and I informed the owner that we were on our way.
He and I had kept in touch while I was gone and all seemed fine. When we arrived to consummate the deal the bike was in his driveway ready to go, however, he said he was having second thoughts about selling. As he said this, his wife emerged from the house and said, glaring at him, that the bike was indeed for sale.
Looking a bit glum, he said that I should test ride it, that maybe I would not like it. I went around his neighborhood and although a bit heavier and smoother it did remind me of the Nighthawk. I loved it and went back to do the paperwork. He said “You were only gone a few minutes, that wasn’t enough time. Go take it on the freeway. You really won’t like it on the freeway.” I assured him that I was satisfied with it, but to appease him, I went out for a longer test ride and came back.
While I was gone, Mrs. G had been sharing pleasant conversation with the owner’s wife. We did the paperwork, payment was made, hands were shaken, and Mrs. followed me home. When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it.
The next day, I listed the BMW for sale, and two days later, I sold it for the same price I had just paid for the CB1100. I was upfront about the ABS. The buyer said he wasn’t concerned. My bike had a one-year-only optional paint scheme , he was a collector looking for that exact bike and it would be parked in his collection. Cleanliness was his only consideration. Fine by me! (Coincidentally I saw that bike last year at a Cars and Coffee in San Clemente. Still looked as clean as the day i sold it. I hovered around it for a while but the owner didn’t come around. I’d love to know if he’s still the owner and if it has been fixed or if it’s riding around with no brake lights)
I sent the original owner of my CB1100 pictures of it for a while to show him it was well cared for. Never did get a reply. She now has around 14,000 miles and is the queen of my collection.
I would sell the Nighthawk in late 2014 for the ‘12 Bonneville I still own.
Fast forward to April 2019. The BMW had 26k miles and was springing one electronic gremlin after another. Repeated fuel gauge issues. ABS problems. I loved it, but it became more aggravating to silently pray each time I turned the key that everything would work. And being a BMW, a malfunction like the ABS system didn’t just mean that the ABS didn’t work, it also meant the bike had no brake light. A broken fuel gauge also meant that warnings on the dashboard would constantly nag for attention.
I decided that it was time to let the R1200R go for something simpler and more reliable. I was shopping NC750X, but heard they were boring. FZ09s were high on my list, but they were out of my budget and most had modifications I didn’t care for.
Then, cruising Craig’s List while Mrs. G and I were waiting for our dinner in a Culver City Indian restaurant, I saw a ‘13 CB1100 in Bellflower with 1700 miles, described as like-new. I thought about how much I loved the first one I had seen, and that I missed that inline four on my Nighthawk. This was like a bigger, classier Nighthawk, sort of.
I showed the listing to Mrs., who said she knew how frustrated I had become with the BMW, particularly as the dealer had just quoted me $2800 to sort out the ABS once and for all. She said that as long as I thought I could get something decent for the BMW; I should call the guy about the CB1100, and that it looked pretty.
I arranged to see the Honda the next day, on a Sunday morning. Mrs. and I looked at it, and I was smitten. The bike lived in his garage next to his workout bench, and mostly he just admired it when he spent time in the garage. His wife however, wanted her parking space back, and as he never rode it, there was some clear pressure on him to sell it.
We negotiated a price, but being a Sunday, I couldn’t access the cash as the bank was closed. Also, I was about to leave for a week-long business trip. He agreed to hold the bike for me with a check for a deposit.
I left, with thoughts of the CB swirling in my head. I knew I would need things for it, like a luggage rack. I started searching online for information about the bike, and found this forum. I started asking the experts here for advice, and got a warm welcome.
As soon as my plane landed the following Monday, Mrs. G picked me up after packing some riding gear in the car for me. We headed to the bank, got the cash, and I informed the owner that we were on our way.
He and I had kept in touch while I was gone and all seemed fine. When we arrived to consummate the deal the bike was in his driveway ready to go, however, he said he was having second thoughts about selling. As he said this, his wife emerged from the house and said, glaring at him, that the bike was indeed for sale.
Looking a bit glum, he said that I should test ride it, that maybe I would not like it. I went around his neighborhood and although a bit heavier and smoother it did remind me of the Nighthawk. I loved it and went back to do the paperwork. He said “You were only gone a few minutes, that wasn’t enough time. Go take it on the freeway. You really won’t like it on the freeway.” I assured him that I was satisfied with it, but to appease him, I went out for a longer test ride and came back.
While I was gone, Mrs. G had been sharing pleasant conversation with the owner’s wife. We did the paperwork, payment was made, hands were shaken, and Mrs. followed me home. When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it.
The next day, I listed the BMW for sale, and two days later, I sold it for the same price I had just paid for the CB1100. I was upfront about the ABS. The buyer said he wasn’t concerned. My bike had a one-year-only optional paint scheme , he was a collector looking for that exact bike and it would be parked in his collection. Cleanliness was his only consideration. Fine by me! (Coincidentally I saw that bike last year at a Cars and Coffee in San Clemente. Still looked as clean as the day i sold it. I hovered around it for a while but the owner didn’t come around. I’d love to know if he’s still the owner and if it has been fixed or if it’s riding around with no brake lights)
I sent the original owner of my CB1100 pictures of it for a while to show him it was well cared for. Never did get a reply. She now has around 14,000 miles and is the queen of my collection.
You know what? I actually would like a pickle.