2014 CB1100 Standard ride review/XSR900 comparo

[Ulvetanna_imp]

After sitting on a 900RS Sparky was surprised that it was just as tall as her V-strom and after 10 years and two V-stroms, a tall bike is something she wanted to avoid. The Kawasaki does feel light coming off the side stand but they should have altered the suspension to allow a lower seat height. Lack of a center stand was another minus.

Yours Truly Wrote:The U.S.-spec Z900RS comes standard with their much thicker, taller seat. In other markets the Kawi comes standard with the optional shorter seat, and that's the seat Kawi uses to achieve their claimed 31.5" seat height. The U.S. version is nearly 33".
Just order up the shorter seat from the accessories catalog. A center stand is also a factory option for the Z900RS.

My buddy has one of these; I sat on it and it felt about right, but he had the optional shorter seat.

The specs are required to show the seat height as delivered; I am not sure whether they reflect the standard seat or not but they are supposed to.

The Z900 does have a nice low seat height and offers a higher seat as an option.

The bike is quite light, with a low CG and a good spec sheet, and KHI will sell plenty of them.

However, I would not rush right out and get one to replace a CB1100 because there is a very real difference when it comes to on-road stability and overall ride comfort. The CB has a heavier chassis and is a lot better at eating up the slab or long stretches of pavement, if that's your thing.

If it's just the seat height and concerns of possibly dropping the bike (yep, I whined about that stuff myself) then get the seat cut down, bolt on some Honda engine guards (the kind that don't drag in the turns) and keep your Honda.

The '17 forks are a direct swap onto an earlier bike and are more comfortable. I am very happy with the purchase.

Those, along with the Ikon rear shocks, tall K&H seat and more pulled back handle bars really make the bike an all day long rider.

I recall that thread and read it with great interest. You said it, the CB is a great all-day machine. With those upgrades it'll eat up pavement like nobody's business. I was about to do the Racetech front end on mine when I sold it.

If I get another, it'll be Type II bars and a low seat. I speculate the suspension and handling will be quite a bit better with the DBV forks and upgraded shocks.