06-22-2018, 03:50 AM
(06-22-2018, 01:42 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: I think you'd find the CB to be very smooth at the speeds you prefer to ride. It's a low-revving engine at speed and not frantic. I'm like you -- I avoid freeways and rarely see speeds above 70-75 mph. For this type of riding, the CB is smooth, solid, composed, and completely within its element. I call my '14 the "velvet hammer."
I must offer a different opinion about 4-cylinder BMW's. The earliest K-bikes (from the late-80's) were indeed quite buzzy. And hot. My '98 K1200RS, also a 4-cylinder, is by far the smoothest motorcycle I've ever ridden. Unless you watch the tachometer, you won't know if you're at 3,000 rpm or 6,000 rpm. It's electric-smooth. The CB is a paint-shaker by comparison (though it's absolutely not a paint-shaker!). I haven't ridden the more recent transverse 4-cylinder K1200S or K1300S, but from what I've read, they don't have vibration issues either.
I have a friend who has a S1000R and he describes it as buzzy. I have also read reviews that describe that motor as buzzy.
But I have no personal experience so I cannot say.
But from everything I have read, I suspect you are right about the CB1100.
(06-22-2018, 03:03 AM)tommymck_imp Wrote: Regarding test rides, maybe it varies regionally. The Honda dealers here encouraged me to test ride new bikes I was looking at. They go along with though. The procedure is that they ask you to ride in front of them for a couple of blocks, at which point they move in front and you follow them on a route that has a little bit of everything in it. My guess is that they want you in front to start so that they can evaluate your riding before really heading out. They check your license, have you sign a waver, and away you go. When I was looking at the CB for the first time, the dealer asked if I wanted to ride it. I told him that I didn't want to put miles on his shiny new machine until I was sure that the CB was on my short list. He said that if I ride it, it'll be the only one on the list. Turns out he was right.
Regarding "buzzy", I don't think that the bike has a buzzy bone in it's body. I don't like riding a naked bike over 70, so maybe I just don't push it enough. It's as smooth as silk to me, even at highway speeds. I have the '17 six speed though, so if you're looking at an older 5 speed, that may be a little different. The 6 speed is turning just over 3000 at 65mph.
Maybe one reason for people perceiving the bike as buzzy is that, stock anyway, the sound doesn't have much grunt to it. More of a hum. Oddly, the sound seems higher pitched at 3Krpm than my other two bikes. You'd think that the pitch would just be a function of rpm. Maybe just an illusion, but that's the way it seems to me.
Other impressions are that the bike is sturdier and bigger than it appears by looking at it. It's a substantial bike. All in all, to me anyway, it's the perfect combination of low speed handling, high speed stability, and a super cool vibe.
This may be a good description. My 1992 Harley has a very pleasing low frequency soft rumble at cruising speeds. Of course when you get on the gas, you feel like you are shooting a 50 cal machine gun out your A$$. But if you take it easy, it is a very comfortable cruise.
The Versys is a higher frequency. Probably more of a buzz than a hum. Not uncomfortable, but not as pleasing.
(06-22-2018, 03:03 AM)tommymck_imp Wrote: Regarding test rides, maybe it varies regionally. The Honda dealers here encouraged me to test ride new bikes I was looking at. They go along with though. The procedure is that they ask you to ride in front of them for a couple of blocks, at which point they move in front and you follow them on a route that has a little bit of everything in it. My guess is that they want you in front to start so that they can evaluate your riding before really heading out. They check your license, have you sign a waver, and away you go. When I was looking at the CB for the first time, the dealer asked if I wanted to ride it. I told him that I didn't want to put miles on his shiny new machine until I was sure that the CB was on my short list. He said that if I ride it, it'll be the only one on the list. Turns out he was right.
Regarding "buzzy", I don't think that the bike has a buzzy bone in it's body. I don't like riding a naked bike over 70, so maybe I just don't push it enough. It's as smooth as silk to me, even at highway speeds. I have the '17 six speed though, so if you're looking at an older 5 speed, that may be a little different. The 6 speed is turning just over 3000 at 65mph.
Maybe one reason for people perceiving the bike as buzzy is that, stock anyway, the sound doesn't have much grunt to it. More of a hum. Oddly, the sound seems higher pitched at 3Krpm than my other two bikes. You'd think that the pitch would just be a function of rpm. Maybe just an illusion, but that's the way it seems to me.
Other impressions are that the bike is sturdier and bigger than it appears by looking at it. It's a substantial bike. All in all, to me anyway, it's the perfect combination of low speed handling, high speed stability, and a super cool vibe.
Yes, I had this impression sitting on it. I guess about 75 to 100 lbs heavier than my Versys and 100 to 120 lbs lighter than my Harley. But in between for seat height. Versys at 33 inch seat height and high gas tank carries its weight high. The Harley does not feel 200 lbs heavier than the Versys since the seat height is so low.