Is your CB a keeper?

[Nightengale_imp]

I find that motorcycles, at least in our developed country's, evoke quite the emotion. Not only from a decision to buy but from a decision to keep. I bought my orig. 2013 because it reminded me so much of the orig CB750, (that I had never owned or even rode for that matter), back in the day. Then, one year later, I traded her in on my 2014 Deluxe because it reminded me even MORE of that orig CB750. I won't sell this bike because it pushes all the buttons I wanted pushed. For me, it's a terrific, middle weight, all around UJM. It can take me almost anywhere I want to go. It's not the best handler, sport bikes are better. It's not the best tourer because its too small, it lacks storage, protection, and has that #%^+ chain which I hate. My Harley is better. It wouldn't make a good Adventure Bike although I know of at least a few people who are trying to prove that it is. My KLR is better. And frankly (I'll get hate mail for this), I don't think the fit/finish is really that good. But that 4 cylinder air cooled engine loves to rev and has a design that belongs in a museum. It has 4 chrome headers and 2 chrome mufflers that love to sparkle, and the way it sounds under way is just too good for ears. It pushes the buttons. I could say similar things about the other bikes in my stable... while they push different buttons, they push MY buttons. I don't think anyone buys a motorcycle in the US, Canada, Austrailia, France, Great Britain, or in any other developed county in the world for any reason outside of emotion. No one NEEDS a motorcycle here... we just WANT one, or two, or three...

Perhaps your Harley is also air-cooled (as most are)? Ha! Don't get me started on bikes that belong in a museum, you're obviously riding TWO of them. Which is really what it is all about. Ride it.

I enjoy technological developments as much as anyone, but often think, "is this really necessary?" or even "good"? I've got tons of features on my phone that I'll never, ever use. Even more on my computer (and I'm a computer professional) and so on. Given the choice - I'd buy products WITHOUT the extra features (which is one of the attractions of the CB1100). But there were / are some things I'd rather have then the 'old' (like good brakes, my old CB750 stopped like a train).

Yet they just keep adding more junk to our fun... I honestly fail to see the point (beyond their profit motives of course and safety improvements).

I fitted the so-called 'missing pieces' I think I need to my CB1100 - and my DR650, making them even better. I'm glad somebody made these parts, and the profits that went with them, but I really never "needed" any of them. I just wanted them. So as Cormanus pointed out - we're grateful (appreciative?), but there are downsides to all of this.