04-20-2018, 02:55 AM
Solid thread with a A LOT of good input by everyone!
IamLegend, you describe exactly the kind of "touring" that I do. 2-4 day 350 miles per day, camping off the bike romps.
Back in the day we didn't have all these niches that tried to convince us you needed a specific bike for a specific riding style. You rode what you had. Case in Point below. Best bike for touring. No. Can you tour on it. Yup. Are there better choices? Yup.
![[Image: ce1196deb40100ed8731deec120d2787.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201804/ce1196deb40100ed8731deec120d2787.jpg)
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. I consider the CB1100 one of the utility players of the bike world. It might not be the BEST choice for coast to coast riding but it CAN do it, and better than a lot of its peers. That's because at its core it's a UJM and that platform allows itself to be applied to a number of riding styles. It's heavy enough on the road to be stable in high crosswinds. In spite of its weight it's nimble enough to push trough twisty canyons competently. It's as reliable as an anvil. What's that worth 500 miles from home? If you have cast wheels you can plug flats and be back on the road in 10 minutes, again, what's that worth on the back roads of Maine with an approaching downpour and no town in sight for 20+ miles? It has more than enough power to pass at freeway speeds fully loaded without causing undue drama or having to plan to have two miles of open road to attempt it. It has enough space to kit out with baggage in a number of configurations. See below
![[Image: a6987babf0c21bec29695a39b438b80d.jpg?1]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201804/a6987babf0c21bec29695a39b438b80d.jpg?1)
![[Image: 23c810a93be9922f99db66e60d22d1dc.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201804/23c810a93be9922f99db66e60d22d1dc.jpg)
Not trying to tell you this is the do all, end all bike for your purpose and style of touring. Note that I'm in Utah and our weather here is much drier. The few rainstorms I've ridden through, (while close to epic) I didn't miss the windshield or fairing something like an FJ provides because I ride with heavy chaps, fully armored with helmet, waterproof boots etc. and just don't miss or need the extra protection. However, back east that may be a consideration.
Lastly, I don't use windshields. I have the aluminum fly screen there just to keep my gauge cluster clean and also a Dart fly screen. I like a clean wind stream that keeps my helmet from being buffeted. Wind pressure on my chest is a non issue for me at speeds of 80 mph.
IamLegend, you describe exactly the kind of "touring" that I do. 2-4 day 350 miles per day, camping off the bike romps.
Back in the day we didn't have all these niches that tried to convince us you needed a specific bike for a specific riding style. You rode what you had. Case in Point below. Best bike for touring. No. Can you tour on it. Yup. Are there better choices? Yup.
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. I consider the CB1100 one of the utility players of the bike world. It might not be the BEST choice for coast to coast riding but it CAN do it, and better than a lot of its peers. That's because at its core it's a UJM and that platform allows itself to be applied to a number of riding styles. It's heavy enough on the road to be stable in high crosswinds. In spite of its weight it's nimble enough to push trough twisty canyons competently. It's as reliable as an anvil. What's that worth 500 miles from home? If you have cast wheels you can plug flats and be back on the road in 10 minutes, again, what's that worth on the back roads of Maine with an approaching downpour and no town in sight for 20+ miles? It has more than enough power to pass at freeway speeds fully loaded without causing undue drama or having to plan to have two miles of open road to attempt it. It has enough space to kit out with baggage in a number of configurations. See below
Not trying to tell you this is the do all, end all bike for your purpose and style of touring. Note that I'm in Utah and our weather here is much drier. The few rainstorms I've ridden through, (while close to epic) I didn't miss the windshield or fairing something like an FJ provides because I ride with heavy chaps, fully armored with helmet, waterproof boots etc. and just don't miss or need the extra protection. However, back east that may be a consideration.
Lastly, I don't use windshields. I have the aluminum fly screen there just to keep my gauge cluster clean and also a Dart fly screen. I like a clean wind stream that keeps my helmet from being buffeted. Wind pressure on my chest is a non issue for me at speeds of 80 mph.