05-12-2018, 03:14 AM
I read this entire thread with interest, and think that whether or not any bike is a keeper is influenced by personal taste, and a large number of other factors. I started out riding motorcycles in 1966 at age 17. Like most back then, I started out with small displacement and up graded to more power when I could afford it. See my "Blast from the past" post. From 1966 to now I have owned roughly 12 different bikes, and all were "naked bikes.
Out of all the bikes I owned and rode in the past, my all time favorite was a 1974 CB750 Four in Freedom Green, purchased new back then. For years I hoped that Honda would bring that bike back, and thought if it was resurrected in modern form, it would be a winner. To my dismay, for many years the so called Honda retro bikes were ( in my opinion ) nothing more than Harley styled clones. Then too the "crotch rocket" type bikes, more suited to the track than enjoyment riding, was all the rage.
In 2007, after being out of the saddle for a few years, I fell into the Harley mystique, and bought a CVO Softail Springer. It was fine in a straight line on the highway, but not very slow speed around town friendly. This was due to weight, and feet forward controls. Harley sets up all their bikes to satisfy California emissions, lean, and consequently they run HOT. Even after a Dyno tune with a richer mixture, it still ran hot ( nature of the beast ). I kept that bike for 10 years, until the 2017 CB110EX, came to my attention. I traded the Harley on a new 2017 CB1100EX, after doing considerable research.
Almost immediately, I found the CB a joy to ride, in town, and on the highway. It felt natural, and reminiscent of my beloved CB750 Four, albeit a modernized version. The spoke wheels, styling, and riding characteristics all had a very comfortable familiar feel, as well as nostalgia for me. The weight is just slightly heavier than my old CB750, but over 200 lbs. less than the Harley weighed. I once hit the rear binder on the Harley a little too hard, and the rear end started a fish tail. Scared the fool out of me. Now the ABS on the CB, is a comforting tool to have in reserve, but obviously not a replacement for proper riding and braking techniques. Unlike my old CB750, no points and condensers to mess with, and no having to sync and tune 4 individual carbs.
Some have commented about difficulties getting the CB1100 on the center stand. Whether it was my old CB750, or the CB1100, I found that it is not just a brute strength thing, but more a matter of technique and body english, combined with a little bit of strength ( I am now age 66, and weigh about 190 ).
Considering the age I am at now this may be my last bike, unless someone comes out with something that has the same flavor, but vastly improved over my 1100EX in the next year or two. Until then, the familiar feel, handling, styling, nostalgia, and pure joy of riding this machine, makes it a keeper for me.
Out of all the bikes I owned and rode in the past, my all time favorite was a 1974 CB750 Four in Freedom Green, purchased new back then. For years I hoped that Honda would bring that bike back, and thought if it was resurrected in modern form, it would be a winner. To my dismay, for many years the so called Honda retro bikes were ( in my opinion ) nothing more than Harley styled clones. Then too the "crotch rocket" type bikes, more suited to the track than enjoyment riding, was all the rage.
In 2007, after being out of the saddle for a few years, I fell into the Harley mystique, and bought a CVO Softail Springer. It was fine in a straight line on the highway, but not very slow speed around town friendly. This was due to weight, and feet forward controls. Harley sets up all their bikes to satisfy California emissions, lean, and consequently they run HOT. Even after a Dyno tune with a richer mixture, it still ran hot ( nature of the beast ). I kept that bike for 10 years, until the 2017 CB110EX, came to my attention. I traded the Harley on a new 2017 CB1100EX, after doing considerable research.
Almost immediately, I found the CB a joy to ride, in town, and on the highway. It felt natural, and reminiscent of my beloved CB750 Four, albeit a modernized version. The spoke wheels, styling, and riding characteristics all had a very comfortable familiar feel, as well as nostalgia for me. The weight is just slightly heavier than my old CB750, but over 200 lbs. less than the Harley weighed. I once hit the rear binder on the Harley a little too hard, and the rear end started a fish tail. Scared the fool out of me. Now the ABS on the CB, is a comforting tool to have in reserve, but obviously not a replacement for proper riding and braking techniques. Unlike my old CB750, no points and condensers to mess with, and no having to sync and tune 4 individual carbs.
Some have commented about difficulties getting the CB1100 on the center stand. Whether it was my old CB750, or the CB1100, I found that it is not just a brute strength thing, but more a matter of technique and body english, combined with a little bit of strength ( I am now age 66, and weigh about 190 ).
Considering the age I am at now this may be my last bike, unless someone comes out with something that has the same flavor, but vastly improved over my 1100EX in the next year or two. Until then, the familiar feel, handling, styling, nostalgia, and pure joy of riding this machine, makes it a keeper for me.