12-30-2017, 02:35 PM
mickey, Cormanus, when I compare the CB1100 EX and the XSR900, it really comes down to love/lust vs speed. The XSR is so much better than CB1100 at everything speed-related: acceleration, top speed, rpm potential, quick revving, braking, ground clearance, tire grip (180 vs 140, and a much stickier compound), agility, handling capability, traction control. The CB1100 is so much better at subjective things that matter more to me now: pride of ownership, and simply loving what I have. It's also plusher, more relaxing, and probably a bit more comfortable overall. The XSR900 is the far superior tool, in most respects anyway, and I do like it, but I don't love it. It has a few styling elements that I don't really like. Also, if I'm looking at it strictly in terms of performance, yes, it stomps the CB1100, but there are other bikes that stomp the XSR, although there are few motors that can match the XSR's in the real world, particularly in anything as remotely as comfortable as my XSR is with the bar risers.
There are things about the XSR I will never love and always wish were different. With the CB, the only things with which I might find fault are those giant aluminum footguards, which somewhat intrude on my heels. Honestly, I see no functional purpose for those things, but at least they're not as intrusive as the footguards and even the exhaust pipes on many recent Ducatis, and the Ninja 1000. Oh, and I wish the engine cylinders were entirely silver, rather than the black/silver mix. Otherwise, there really isn't a single aesthetic detail on the CB that I would change. I would like the speed limiters in the higher gears removed, just on principle, but if the bike is as soft and heavy as everyone says it is then I really don't need it to be any faster, since any extra speed would probably prove unusable. So, because of its design brief, I'm fine with its relatively low hp/torque and overall lack of power.
Well, I think I'm fine with it, anyway. Never having ridden one, or anything else that slow in recent years, I'm only guessing that I'll be fine with it, based on what everyone says about it. I know it will do 100 mph, and it probably doesn't take all day to get there, and that's all I need now. Hopefully it doesn't require downshifting from top gear to blow by traffic. My XSR's insane acceleration in top gear is downright addictive.
Here are the things I really look forward to with the CB1100:
-The fueling. All I ever hear is the fueling on the '17 is like a set of well-tuned carbs. No snatchy throttle, no need to be careful with the throttle, mid-corner. The fueling on my XSR is really good, but I still need to be more careful with it mid-corner than I imagine I would with the CB1100.
-The instruments. I know this sounds lame, but I absolutely love the '17 CB's instruments. I'd prefer the twin clocks to have the green face of the '14 Deluxe clocks, but I'm okay with the black, and love the blue digital screens. I also love the layout of the info in the digital screen, and I really love the chrome.
-Love the symmetry of the matching brake/clutch reservoirs, of the dual horns, of the whole presentation of the headlight area.
-Love that headlight. Man, I love it.
-Love that brilliant red tank. I have always loved brightly colored bikes, and while my XSR is somewhat handsome and even a bit menacing, I want that beautiful, joyous red of the '17 EX.
-Along those same lines, I love the chrome fenders, shock springs, footguards, and the aluminum chainguard. So much high-quality eye candy. Pride of ownership. Pride of ownership. Pride of ownership.
-I love the sound of the '17 EX. I also love the sound of my piped XSR, but that stately, rumbly baritone of the stock '17 is a soundtrack I really want playing beneath me on a long ride.
-I want the high-quality bits and pieces that adorn every inch of the '17 EX. Everywhere I look on that bike, I find something that pleases me.
-No drive modes. Just one really good one. Perfect. Drive modes are an answer to a question no one with a bike with great fueling ever asked.
-I want that view from the saddle of the CB, with that gorgeous cockpit and illuminated retro turnsignals. That aspect of the CB1100 EX just pleases the crap outta me.
-I love the CB1100 EX's saddle design. I'm not a big fan of the RS's saddle, but the EX's and mickey's 14 Deluxe saddle looks just right. I'm also fairly convinced that at my weight I'll find it plenty comfortable.
-Regular 87-grade gas. No more required Premium 91.
-While many people complain that the EX only has a 4.4-gallon tank, that's still a lot larger than the 3.7-gallon tank on my XSR, and the CB gets better fuel mileage. I would imagine a 200-mile range is do-able, provided I'm not pushing too hard.
-The CB's tires last forever. It will be nice not to need to replace the rear tire every 4,000 miles.
-You know what else will be nice about those tires? Not feeling my usual stupid, ego-driven desire to scrub them to their very edges.
-Along those same lines, and this is a huge one, I look forward to slowing down and enjoying a more stress-free, competition-free style of riding. I don't want to keep testing myself every time I ride. Eventually that sort of riding, that level of pushing myself, is going to end badly, and I need to stop. The CB1100 is my ticket to the next, and probably final, stage of my riding life.
-I love Honda. It's my favorite brand, and I'm happiest when I own a Honda. No Honda has ever failed me, car or motorcycle, and the majority of my favorite bikes I've owned have been Hondas. Of all my bikes, I've put the most miles on Hondas. I hold onto them longer.
-I fully expect a '17 CB1100 EX to be dead-nuts dependable, for a very long time. I have faith in my XSR, as well, but I simply don't feel its overall build quality is quite up to the level of the CB1100.
-With the XSR, I don't feel any desire to dote on it. I treat it like a farm animal, similar to the way mickey treats his '14 Deluxe. I wash it only when the bug splatter is so egregious that I can't handle it any longer. With the CB1100, I actually look forward to doting on all its special little details, even including those maddening spokes.
-As absolutely great as the XSR is, it still has a bit of a disposable feel to me. It's a really cool, somewhat stylish, exceedingly fast and competent craftsman's tool. (I feel the same regarding the Ninja 1000.) As long as I have the XSR, I will always have a roving eye. I will continue to check out every other bike that comes along, such as the Z900. The CB1100 is something very different. It's unique. The CB1100 has no direct peers, other than maybe the T120, which simply isn't as jewel-like as the CB1100 is to me. This big CB is the definitive Feel Good. It's truly a Life's Reward. It's a Forever Girl, and I really want a Forever Girl.
So, yes, as fantastic as the XSR is, particularly with all the changes I've made to it to help it suit me better, it still doesn't inspire the same sort of admiration, faith, and long-lasting desire as the CB1100 EX does for me. I like the XSR. I respect it, and I enjoy it. Big fun, and a faithful companion. I love the CB, though.
Big difference.
There are things about the XSR I will never love and always wish were different. With the CB, the only things with which I might find fault are those giant aluminum footguards, which somewhat intrude on my heels. Honestly, I see no functional purpose for those things, but at least they're not as intrusive as the footguards and even the exhaust pipes on many recent Ducatis, and the Ninja 1000. Oh, and I wish the engine cylinders were entirely silver, rather than the black/silver mix. Otherwise, there really isn't a single aesthetic detail on the CB that I would change. I would like the speed limiters in the higher gears removed, just on principle, but if the bike is as soft and heavy as everyone says it is then I really don't need it to be any faster, since any extra speed would probably prove unusable. So, because of its design brief, I'm fine with its relatively low hp/torque and overall lack of power.
Well, I think I'm fine with it, anyway. Never having ridden one, or anything else that slow in recent years, I'm only guessing that I'll be fine with it, based on what everyone says about it. I know it will do 100 mph, and it probably doesn't take all day to get there, and that's all I need now. Hopefully it doesn't require downshifting from top gear to blow by traffic. My XSR's insane acceleration in top gear is downright addictive.
Here are the things I really look forward to with the CB1100:
-The fueling. All I ever hear is the fueling on the '17 is like a set of well-tuned carbs. No snatchy throttle, no need to be careful with the throttle, mid-corner. The fueling on my XSR is really good, but I still need to be more careful with it mid-corner than I imagine I would with the CB1100.
-The instruments. I know this sounds lame, but I absolutely love the '17 CB's instruments. I'd prefer the twin clocks to have the green face of the '14 Deluxe clocks, but I'm okay with the black, and love the blue digital screens. I also love the layout of the info in the digital screen, and I really love the chrome.
-Love the symmetry of the matching brake/clutch reservoirs, of the dual horns, of the whole presentation of the headlight area.
-Love that headlight. Man, I love it.
-Love that brilliant red tank. I have always loved brightly colored bikes, and while my XSR is somewhat handsome and even a bit menacing, I want that beautiful, joyous red of the '17 EX.
-Along those same lines, I love the chrome fenders, shock springs, footguards, and the aluminum chainguard. So much high-quality eye candy. Pride of ownership. Pride of ownership. Pride of ownership.
-I love the sound of the '17 EX. I also love the sound of my piped XSR, but that stately, rumbly baritone of the stock '17 is a soundtrack I really want playing beneath me on a long ride.
-I want the high-quality bits and pieces that adorn every inch of the '17 EX. Everywhere I look on that bike, I find something that pleases me.
-No drive modes. Just one really good one. Perfect. Drive modes are an answer to a question no one with a bike with great fueling ever asked.
-I want that view from the saddle of the CB, with that gorgeous cockpit and illuminated retro turnsignals. That aspect of the CB1100 EX just pleases the crap outta me.
-I love the CB1100 EX's saddle design. I'm not a big fan of the RS's saddle, but the EX's and mickey's 14 Deluxe saddle looks just right. I'm also fairly convinced that at my weight I'll find it plenty comfortable.
-Regular 87-grade gas. No more required Premium 91.
-While many people complain that the EX only has a 4.4-gallon tank, that's still a lot larger than the 3.7-gallon tank on my XSR, and the CB gets better fuel mileage. I would imagine a 200-mile range is do-able, provided I'm not pushing too hard.
-The CB's tires last forever. It will be nice not to need to replace the rear tire every 4,000 miles.
-You know what else will be nice about those tires? Not feeling my usual stupid, ego-driven desire to scrub them to their very edges.
-Along those same lines, and this is a huge one, I look forward to slowing down and enjoying a more stress-free, competition-free style of riding. I don't want to keep testing myself every time I ride. Eventually that sort of riding, that level of pushing myself, is going to end badly, and I need to stop. The CB1100 is my ticket to the next, and probably final, stage of my riding life.
-I love Honda. It's my favorite brand, and I'm happiest when I own a Honda. No Honda has ever failed me, car or motorcycle, and the majority of my favorite bikes I've owned have been Hondas. Of all my bikes, I've put the most miles on Hondas. I hold onto them longer.
-I fully expect a '17 CB1100 EX to be dead-nuts dependable, for a very long time. I have faith in my XSR, as well, but I simply don't feel its overall build quality is quite up to the level of the CB1100.
-With the XSR, I don't feel any desire to dote on it. I treat it like a farm animal, similar to the way mickey treats his '14 Deluxe. I wash it only when the bug splatter is so egregious that I can't handle it any longer. With the CB1100, I actually look forward to doting on all its special little details, even including those maddening spokes.
-As absolutely great as the XSR is, it still has a bit of a disposable feel to me. It's a really cool, somewhat stylish, exceedingly fast and competent craftsman's tool. (I feel the same regarding the Ninja 1000.) As long as I have the XSR, I will always have a roving eye. I will continue to check out every other bike that comes along, such as the Z900. The CB1100 is something very different. It's unique. The CB1100 has no direct peers, other than maybe the T120, which simply isn't as jewel-like as the CB1100 is to me. This big CB is the definitive Feel Good. It's truly a Life's Reward. It's a Forever Girl, and I really want a Forever Girl.
So, yes, as fantastic as the XSR is, particularly with all the changes I've made to it to help it suit me better, it still doesn't inspire the same sort of admiration, faith, and long-lasting desire as the CB1100 EX does for me. I like the XSR. I respect it, and I enjoy it. Big fun, and a faithful companion. I love the CB, though.
Big difference.