Preaching to the Choir . . .

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Hondas are wonderful things, that's all there is to it. Their reputation has been earned in many fields... motorcycles, automobiles, generators, lawnmowers, weed trimmers, the list is nearly endless.

In this day and age I'm almost cynical of myself for being such a fan of the brand. Even though most of their current range of motorcycles and automobiles are a stylistic miss with me, I still marvel at the overall level of engineering Honda puts into these products and the reliability they are able to get out of them. I'm still planning to buy a Honda generator in the not too distant future. While I understand that the Yamaha generators are regarded just a well, I guess that I'm a Honda guy at heart as they won me over a long time ago. Plus like a lot of people when it comes to cars or motorcycles, I don't care all that much how a generator looks, lol.

After more than a decade of owning my '88 Hawk GT, I'll probably shed a tear when I finally get around to selling it this spring. The CB1100 inspired me to start this forum and after almost five years it has firmly entrenched itself as "my bike". The more time I spend with the S2000 the more it amazes and impresses me. For that matter the S2000 and the CB1100 both likely represent the "last of their kind" as far as Honda's production goes be it a naturally aspirated roadster or an air-cooled inline-four standard. Heck, I still look at my Honda lawnmower with admiration after 20 something years of constant abuse. Can't imagine myself ever getting so "fired up" (lol) about the e-replacement coming down the pike for all of these products. But I get it. I'm guessing that the Hawk, the CB and the S2000 will still all be running by the time gasoline is no longer available.

Vouch all you would like, but there is a large difference between saying that the 2017's suspension is better (or even "superior") and saying that the 2013's is poor, which if not stated overtly, was certainly implied in Ulvetanna's comment.

Let me be clear: I didn't intend to imply that, I felt it was already clearly stated.

There is a large technological gap between the quality and function of the 2017 CB1100's suspension components and chassis and those same items on the 2013.

If those who own 2013/2014 versions are pleased with them there is no need to speculate as to whether they're good bikes. They are. They are not the same bike as the '17 onward, though. And more aggressive and sporting-oriented riders are going to be much happier they have a choice now.

I thank Honda for updating the bike and at least causing me to consider purchasing the new version, because I like.

'Magic carpet' , those were the first words I said to my friend Honda dealership owner after my first ride when he asked me 'well , what do you think? '. Man VLJ it's amazing how similar we feel and describe this motorcycle.

Ferret , I believe you are going to change your mind after riding the '17 EX.

Great writing Cookiemech , as for BMW's you're absolutely right. I was technical advisor at BMW Athens headquarters from 1990-1997 for cars and motorcycles and I can tell you from my experience that K-series was always two notches up from R-series. They make the best alround bikes still. But don't tell them , they are arrogant enough.. I learned a lot from them , in fact they made me an engineer and I'm grateful and I respect them , but CB is CB.

Keep Choir performing...

The Ferret has never ridden a 2017 and it has been out this long?

Maybe he should give one a whirl.

Ulv, at this point I can't even recall if you've even test ridden one yourself yet?

In this day and age I'm almost cynical of myself for being such a fan of the brand. Even though most of their current range of motorcycles and automobiles are a stylistic miss with me, I still marvel at the overall level of engineering Honda puts into these products and the reliability they are able to get out of them. I'm still planning to buy a Honda generator in the not too distant future. While I understand that the Yamaha generators are regarded just a well, I guess that I'm a Honda guy at heart as they won me over a long time ago. Plus like a lot of people when it comes to cars or motorcycles, I don't care all that much how a generator looks, lol.

After more than a decade of owning my '88 Hawk GT, I'll probably shed a tear when I finally get around to selling it this spring. The CB1100 inspired me to start this forum and after almost five years it has firmly entrenched itself as "my bike". The more time I spend with the S2000 the more it amazes and impresses me. For that matter the S2000 and the CB1100 both likely represent the "last of their kind" as far as Honda's production goes be it a naturally aspirated roadster or an air-cooled inline-four standard. Heck, I still look at my Honda lawnmower with admiration after 20 something years of constant abuse. Can't imagine myself ever getting so "fired up" (lol) about the e-replacement coming down the pike for all of these products. But I get it. I'm guessing that the Hawk, the CB and the S2000 will still all be running by the time gasoline is no longer available.

Vouch all you would like, but there is a large difference between saying that the 2017's suspension is better (or even "superior") and saying that the 2013's is poor, which if not stated overtly, was certainly implied in Ulvetanna's comment.

Let me be clear: I didn't intend to imply that, I felt it was already clearly stated.

There is a large technological gap between the quality and function of the 2017 CB1100's suspension components and chassis and those same items on the 2013.

If those who own 2013/2014 versions are pleased with them there is no need to speculate as to whether they're good bikes. They are. They are not the same bike as the '17 onward, though. And more aggressive and sporting-oriented riders are going to be much happier they have a choice now.

I thank Honda for updating the bike and at least causing me to consider purchasing the new version, because I like.

'Magic carpet' , those were the first words I said to my friend Honda dealership owner after my first ride when he asked me 'well , what do you think? '. Man VLJ it's amazing how similar we feel and describe this motorcycle.

Ferret , I believe you are going to change your mind after riding the '17 EX.

Great writing Cookiemech , as for BMW's you're absolutely right. I was technical advisor at BMW Athens headquarters from 1990-1997 for cars and motorcycles and I can tell you from my experience that K-series was always two notches up from R-series. They make the best alround bikes still. But don't tell them , they are arrogant enough.. I learned a lot from them , in fact they made me an engineer and I'm grateful and I respect them , but CB is CB.

Keep Choir performing...

The Ferret has never ridden a 2017 and it has been out this long?

Maybe he should give one a whirl.

Ulv, at this point I can't even recall if you've even test ridden one yourself yet?
Just figured the moderator might have a connection or something. None available to test ride in my area. My regular dealer would surely let me, if he had one. I think the few members who have them and have commented seem pretty upbeat about the bikes, though.

Whoa! I am not trying to say that the CB1100 EX is the greatest thing since sliced bread, since I haven't ridden every motorcycle. I have never ridden another CB1100, so I don't know how it compares with earlier models. If my only criterion were how it handled potholes, then it probably isn't as good as my (cheap) KLR 650, with its long-travel suspension.

I thought the entire package (of the EX) was well-orchestrated and competent. That's all I meant.

That's okay, 'cause I'm saying exactly that!



As far as I'm concerned, my CB is one and a half points from perfection. The first thing is the front brakes are still squealing a tiny bit, if I slow down just so. It doesn't do it all the time. I have to come to a very slow, gentle, gradual stop, and it does it right at the very end. Harder braking means no squeals. The other thing is only worth a half-point deduction, because I haven't decided yet whether I really consider it a flaw, per se, which is the lack of XSR-style explosive acceleration right off the bottom.

Ridden in isolation, I never want for more when I'm on the CB. Riding her immediately after hopping off the XSR following a serious sport ride, okay, I kind of miss the way the XSR rockets away with any good handful of throttle.

That's it, though, just those two small things. I'm sure the brake squeal will eventually get sorted, and I love the CB's overall power delivery so much that I really don't care that it's not as fast as the XSR. It still satisfies just as much, only in a different way.

That'll go away in time. My rear brake did that. Cleaning the rotors can sometimes help. I eventually replaced the pads with EBC HH and did the Galfer stainless steel lines (clutch, too). SOOOO good after. But very good before. One finger after the work was all that was needed.