02-12-2018, 12:44 AM
(02-11-2018, 04:17 PM)Guth_imp Wrote: VLJ, your story is a great example of "understanding your intended application". One of the reasons that the CB1100 works so well for me is that I have about as much interest in riding the bike on the freeway or long stretches of interstate as I do sticking my fingers into the electrical outlet. That's just not my thing. So the fact that the CB doesn't do all that well in such situations doesn't really matter to me. Similarly, I'm not really out to tear up the twisty backroads either. For me, when I say that I like "just going out for a ride" that's pretty much what I mean. Whether running around town or exploring the local country roads, "going for a ride" is what I like and the CB does very well in this case. It doesn't take much in the way of performance to keep me happy and in this regard the CB has more to offer than I can take full advantage of. In a nutshell, the CB1100 fits my primary intended application exceedingly well. Plus the bike has performed very well when I was using it for my commuting needs. So in my case the CB1100 is a luxury piece of machinery that is versatile enough to meet all of my needs. I don't know why I never developed an interest in riding for more performance. When it comes to pushing a machine more to the limit or slogging freeway miles I suppose that I'd just rather be in a car. Different strokes and all that I suppose.
I can understand how the CB might present a bit of a conundrum for other guys who might have more varied intentions than myself. If you really like to push your bike hard or tend to do a lot of freeway miles then the CB1100 might not be the best single bike to own. However, if you have the luxury of owning an additional bike (or more) to satisfy those other moto-cravings then the CB1100 is a wonderful luxury machine to have at your disposal for those things that it does do so well.
That's funny...I think too that one's opinion of the CB1100 as a long-distance bike choice might stem from previous bikes. Prior to purchasing a '14 standard, I did two separate month long trips from OR-Guatemala/Mexico and back on my 07 KLR650. Very appropriate bike "down there" and quite capable on the U.S. freeways...maybe because I didn't know any better?
Then I decided I wanted a bike for touring the States, but one that would be fun for relaxing day rides around Oregon. But I wanted to look good, I mean a bike that looked good...so the CB1100. While my first day out on a 14 day ride to the midwest and back was a little rough, from there 400-450 miles per day were the norm and I thought the CB did great even with some daunting South Dakota winds while maintaining 75-85mph for long stretches. I think my neck muscles have never been stronger. I'm over 6'3" so fairings are a nuissance in that they push the air right into my forehead...bare and I've no problem.
The Street Twin I bought in December is a delight around the hills and dales in the area, but I feel overwhelmed on the hiways at 70+ after 20 minutes. I miss the heft of the CB, the stability it has at 75-80. So for me the CB was an awesome choice for long distance travel, and I suspect that VLJ's friend would get used to a little buffeting on a CB without fairing; but if a fairing helped him on the xsr900, then if the CB had one, it should smooth that out for him as well.