01-10-2018, 02:31 AM
(01-09-2018, 05:07 PM)Guth_imp Wrote: The problem is that many of these things are simply too subjective and there are very few people that are totally pleased with every single aspect of this bike (or any bike for that matter).
You guys are talking about a lot of different variables, yet even those of us who really like the CB1100 can't agree about something as simple as the seat. Some of us are perfectly fine with the seat that came with the bike from the factory, while others are ready to bin the thing before they are even able to make it all the way home from the dealership the first day of ownership. Jeez, I'm almost surprised that we haven't had someone who trailered their CB home from the dealer report that their butt hurt from just looking at the seat in their rear view mirror, lol. Similarly one man's smooth, refined, engine is another man's buzzing nightmare, and so on, and so forth. It's almost a miracle that we can all manage to hang out here together and still get along after all this time. The reality is that we all typically have a few things that we are willing to compromise on and other things that we simply aren't willing to compromise on. Those things will vary for each and every one of us.
Most all of us here like the CB1100 quite a bit. However, if someone were to conduct a study I'd imagine that they would likely determine we tend to like this motorcycle for a wide variety of reasons and those reasons would probably differ a fair amount from one person to the next (but with a few key reasons that are practically universal among us).
Having owned a dozen motorcycles during my 27 years of riding, I agree that there is no perfect motorcycle. The reasons for choosing a particular motorcycle also changes as we ride down the road of life. I certainly would not have a appreciated a Goldwing in my twenties. Now however I consider it to be the "Cadillac of Motorcycles".
When I returned to motorcycling after a 25 year hiatus, I bought a CB500XA. That decision was based on price and a straight-up riding position. I thoroughly enjoyed the three summers I rode it. But, there's always a but, the seat and handle grips were uncomfortable after a couple of hours riding, and it created a lot of wind noise at highway speeds. Grip Puppies, a MadDog seat pad, California Scientific wind screen, and 3M ear plugs fixed all those annoyances.
One year into riding I saw pictures of the 2014 CB1100 Deluxe and was immediately captivated by its looks. The perfect motorcycle I thought. Unfortunately it was not available here in Canada, and importing one would have been too expensive. But I never stopped looking.
Then in 2017 CB1100 EX became available in Canada. Not as pretty as the Deluxe and twice the price of my CB500XA, but I just had to have one. A beautiful motorcycle with the easiest to operate motor I have ever encountered because of it's wide torque band. Smooth, quiet and strong at highway speeds, or when tapped down a gear for a rapid pass. Accidently start off in second, no problem.
But it didn't take long before the little niggles like the uncomfortable handle grips and seat began to get noticed. Again Grip Puppies and the MadDog seat pad fixed those. It also took a while to get use to a top heavy motorcycle that was 115 pounds heavier than my light and nimble CB500XA. But I adjusted and learned to enjoy the extra power at highway speeds.
Do I enjoy my CB1100 EX? Absolutely! Would I ever trade it in? Maybe... Motorcycles are like girl friends, there is always one that comes alone that appeals to you more for what ever reason. Like the 2018 650cc twin-cylinder Royal Enfield Interceptor. Is this a better bike than the CB1100? It depends on what floats your boat.
I have always like the looks, sound and feel of the late-60s British motorcycles, particularly BSA Lightnings. The Interceptor has that look and sound. And silly things like nut and bolt valve adjusters, rather than cans and shims, appeals to me.
Has nostalgia (a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations) affected my good sense. Probably. But a test ride may bring me back to my senses. As I have often said, "Old motorcycles are like old girlfriends. You always wonder why you gave them up, until you meet them again. Then you say to yourself, now I remember."