02-27-2018, 02:27 AM
(02-26-2018, 10:09 PM)JohnL_imp Wrote: My current ride is a 1984 interstate and it’s finally time for it to retire. Modern GoldWings, including the 2018, seem to be a little more bike than I want to deal with from a either a mass or money standpoint. Is a CB1100 with bags and a shield going to solo tour reasonably well, or am I likely to regret this?
I only do 1-2 (multi day) long rides per year. Most of my riding is in south east Texas, vainly in search of curvy roads....
As you appear to be changing from touring to back road riding, a CB1100 would probably be the better motorcycle. I enjoyed my Goldwing Aspencade when Penny rode with me. There is no better motorcycle when riding two up for long distances. She always referred to it as "The Cadillac of Motorcycles". Now that she is no longer interested in motorcycling, I ride alone. Which has its advantages.
The CB1100 is a strong and stable motorcycle for highway riding, and it will also handle well on twisty back roads. All of my rides are 8 to 5 on the quiet back roads of cottage county. The CB1100 EX is easy to ride enthusiastically through the corners, or just glide through the woodland scenery. It is also about half the price of a Goldwing.
Chain maintenance is not a problem. I now use Tirox Synthetic Chain Wax. It goes on white and dries clear. It does not fling and mess up the rear wheel like other chain lubes. I clean and wax the chain after every second ride. I have only adjusted it once when it was a few months old.