03-01-2018, 01:04 PM
Guth, I love the translation there...
"The XSR900 is less than 200kg all boozed up."
Otherwise, I agree with what you're saying, and also with what they're saying, in that the CB1100 RS suffers from trying to be something it's not. Whereas all the other CB1100 models are exactly what they appear to be, the RS strays from the original mission by trying to look the part of a naked retro racer, which it most assuredly is not. I would also wager a very expensive dinner that the EX turns and rides better than the RS, which doesn't offer any real performance advantages over the EX despite the lower bars, radial brakes, thicker forks, and remote-reservoir shocks.
It's like the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. It's pretty, but it's not what it says it is on the tin.
Now, to be fair, compared to the original design brief for the CB retro, neither your bike nor mine is faithful to the original intent, either. Our bikes bare precious little resemblance to that first sketch, but at least they do deliver exactly what is promised by their full-retro appearance. The RS gives off mixed messages. Its retro looks are compromised by the too-modern appearance of the gold bits and radial calipers, while the sportier performance hinted at by these upscale pieces simply doesn't manifest itself out on the road. The bike is still just as relatively slow, soft, and heavy as always, only now it doesn't turn as nicely, nor is it as comfortable as it ought to be.
Lastly, I'm with the bald guy in the video, who clearly thinks the basic Z900 is the better deal and more effective motorcycle, compared to the Z900RS. Actually, the young guy seems to share that opinion, if you watch his body language and read between the lines.
"The XSR900 is less than 200kg all boozed up."
Otherwise, I agree with what you're saying, and also with what they're saying, in that the CB1100 RS suffers from trying to be something it's not. Whereas all the other CB1100 models are exactly what they appear to be, the RS strays from the original mission by trying to look the part of a naked retro racer, which it most assuredly is not. I would also wager a very expensive dinner that the EX turns and rides better than the RS, which doesn't offer any real performance advantages over the EX despite the lower bars, radial brakes, thicker forks, and remote-reservoir shocks.
It's like the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. It's pretty, but it's not what it says it is on the tin.
Now, to be fair, compared to the original design brief for the CB retro, neither your bike nor mine is faithful to the original intent, either. Our bikes bare precious little resemblance to that first sketch, but at least they do deliver exactly what is promised by their full-retro appearance. The RS gives off mixed messages. Its retro looks are compromised by the too-modern appearance of the gold bits and radial calipers, while the sportier performance hinted at by these upscale pieces simply doesn't manifest itself out on the road. The bike is still just as relatively slow, soft, and heavy as always, only now it doesn't turn as nicely, nor is it as comfortable as it ought to be.
Lastly, I'm with the bald guy in the video, who clearly thinks the basic Z900 is the better deal and more effective motorcycle, compared to the Z900RS. Actually, the young guy seems to share that opinion, if you watch his body language and read between the lines.