07-05-2017, 08:22 AM
Decisions, decisions… Please bear with me. I’ll have an opportunity to test a brand new 2017, red, dual exhaust CB1100 on Friday and they’ll bring in a black 2016 later, for less money, if I like the ride. (I think the black looks awesome!)
I’m currently on a 2017 Triumph Street Twin and although it’s great around town, it lacks power and doesn’t like the freeway too much. I’ve toured on smaller bikes for sure and could with this I reckon, but that was at an age when I was pretty much oblivious to bodily comfort and cared mostly about the destination, rather than the journey. I might regret a long ride on this little bike, but keeping it is one option. Or, get something bigger.
The other option besides the CB is a 2017 Triumph T120 1200 (also black) for the same cost as the 2017 CB. Frankly, I’m much more drawn to the Triumph’s sound, un-buzzy engine and its low down torque which peaks at 3,100 RPM… But also puts me in a more expensive insurance bracket. CB is beautifully styled and no doubt reliable, a bit cheaper to insure, less costly initially (for the 2016), seems to have better accessory availability (Samurider)… but is an inline 4 with typical buzzy-ness. Buzzy-ness can be dealt with by using super heavy bar end weights + bar snake + Grip-puppies… so not too much of a big deal.
As I said, keeping the 900 is an option. It’s already paid for and has Rifle fairing and good hard luggage installed etc. I just miss having some good mid and low range grunt! Previous two bikes we’re an Aprilia Tuono 1000R and Triumph Tiger 1050… those bikes had power!
So now both the T120 and the CB1100 are appealing and somewhat comparable in general terms but the CB lacks that parallel twin “character” and the T120 costs considerably more… And now there’s rumours of a 2018 Triumph “Speed Twin”. Who knows what that might be all about??
I know nobody here can tell me the right thing to do and that’s not what I’m looking for anyway… I’m just bouncing my thoughts around and, fortunately, no one here has a vested interest one way or the other in what I decide.
Another factor is that no matter what bike one buys these days they ALL need suspension upgrades! What the heck's up with that? Maybe that’s always been the case but these days my body can’t tolerate the knocking around.
But either bike, including current one, will need some more money thrown at it for suspension. (At least the CB and T120 have some adjustability - unlike the Street Twin.
Being recently retired I also have to get used to the idea of not throwing money around like I used to…and that sucks! :-)
Anyway, I think I’ll go look at that T120 again this afternoon in preparation for Friday’s CB test.
Thanks for listening! ;-)
I’m currently on a 2017 Triumph Street Twin and although it’s great around town, it lacks power and doesn’t like the freeway too much. I’ve toured on smaller bikes for sure and could with this I reckon, but that was at an age when I was pretty much oblivious to bodily comfort and cared mostly about the destination, rather than the journey. I might regret a long ride on this little bike, but keeping it is one option. Or, get something bigger.
The other option besides the CB is a 2017 Triumph T120 1200 (also black) for the same cost as the 2017 CB. Frankly, I’m much more drawn to the Triumph’s sound, un-buzzy engine and its low down torque which peaks at 3,100 RPM… But also puts me in a more expensive insurance bracket. CB is beautifully styled and no doubt reliable, a bit cheaper to insure, less costly initially (for the 2016), seems to have better accessory availability (Samurider)… but is an inline 4 with typical buzzy-ness. Buzzy-ness can be dealt with by using super heavy bar end weights + bar snake + Grip-puppies… so not too much of a big deal.
As I said, keeping the 900 is an option. It’s already paid for and has Rifle fairing and good hard luggage installed etc. I just miss having some good mid and low range grunt! Previous two bikes we’re an Aprilia Tuono 1000R and Triumph Tiger 1050… those bikes had power!
So now both the T120 and the CB1100 are appealing and somewhat comparable in general terms but the CB lacks that parallel twin “character” and the T120 costs considerably more… And now there’s rumours of a 2018 Triumph “Speed Twin”. Who knows what that might be all about??
I know nobody here can tell me the right thing to do and that’s not what I’m looking for anyway… I’m just bouncing my thoughts around and, fortunately, no one here has a vested interest one way or the other in what I decide.
Another factor is that no matter what bike one buys these days they ALL need suspension upgrades! What the heck's up with that? Maybe that’s always been the case but these days my body can’t tolerate the knocking around.
But either bike, including current one, will need some more money thrown at it for suspension. (At least the CB and T120 have some adjustability - unlike the Street Twin.
Being recently retired I also have to get used to the idea of not throwing money around like I used to…and that sucks! :-)
Anyway, I think I’ll go look at that T120 again this afternoon in preparation for Friday’s CB test.
Thanks for listening! ;-)