05-16-2017, 05:54 AM
The skies finally parted and I was finally able to take out my new to me '14 CB1100A for its first ride, albeit a short one at just under 200km.
First, before giving my impressions I must preface them by adding that although I have been riding for 31 years and have logged about 250,000km in the saddle, most of that has been on V-Twin cruisers (28 years). Also, when I find something I like I tend to keep it so I haven't owned that many street bikes - '83 CM450E, '82 CB900C, '84 Virgo 1000, '00 Sabre 1100, '03 HD Night Train - so I don't have the wealth of experience of owning 50 different bikes to compare to like some on here.
What can I say about the overall package (ride and presentation) - simply amazing!!! I loved it.
Aesthetics - the bike is absolutely stunning to look at and I honestly can't think of anything that "needs" to be changed. I specifically wanted a 2014 model because I didn't want the blacked out 2016 (I still have my Night Train) and i don't like the spoke wheels, seat or 4 - 2 exhaust on the 2017. Sometimes I think I would like a red one but run into the garage and look at the Spencer Blue, soooo nice. If I were to nit pick, the mirrors seem a little too retro but work good so good enough. Maybe the fork lowers could be powder coated, and the tail light assembly is just strange but none of those things really bother me.
Ergonomics - I bought this bike as a back injury and surgery has made the seating position on my Night Train very painful. The upright position on the CB1100 is almost perfect for my 6'2" 230lb frame, I could use about 1" more leg room but close enough.
Seat - the stock seat looks good (far better than the new 2017 in my opinion) and is reasonably comfortable for what I will use the bike for - short trips on the back roads.
Suspension - far better than my Night Train, I'm sure I can dial it in a little better but need some more seat time first.
Brakes - the front brake is outstanding and takes very little effort to haul the bike down from speed. The back brake is every bit as bad as the front brake is good. Seriously, my HD back brake beats this one by a mile. Is it the ABS that makes it seem weak?
Exhaust - I absolutely love the twisted, discoloured header and 4-1 exhaust and dislike the symmetry of the new one. It gives the bike the look of a brawler. I dislike loud pipes (I put a Q series Vance & Hines on the Night Train, good power without making everyone angry) but it could stand to be a little louder.
Transmission - so smooth you barely even know you have shifted.
Engine - pure work of art, I could look at it all day. I even like the oil cooler as it serves a purpose (I put one on the HD) so is functionally beautiful. I know at big complaint is the power but it has more than enough for me to ride the back roads (highway rides will be rare) and responds remarkably like my HD up to 140km/h but is much faster 140-180kph, which really doesn't matter that much to me. 120-`130kph is a comfortable speed for me and the CB1100 gets there fast enough for me.
Handling - very nimble (again coming from the cruiser world) and required very little input to steer around the corners. I am no racing god and won't be dragging a knee anytime soon but I have touched parts of my HD down on occasion - I don't see it as an issue on the CB.
Overall I can't say enough how much I like this bike and I am ecstatic that I was able to ride more than 10 minutes.
Questions:
Being a V-twin guy the I4 is new to me, what is the best RPM range to cruise in? It seems to be most comfortable in the 2750-3000rpm range but that could be just be because I'm really used to low revving motors.
ABS- I've never had a bike with ABS, is the ABS light supposed to be on all the time on the dash? Mine is. Does the ABS make the brakes feel a little less responsive when stopping fast?
Anyway, that's my $.05 worth - for what its worth.
First, before giving my impressions I must preface them by adding that although I have been riding for 31 years and have logged about 250,000km in the saddle, most of that has been on V-Twin cruisers (28 years). Also, when I find something I like I tend to keep it so I haven't owned that many street bikes - '83 CM450E, '82 CB900C, '84 Virgo 1000, '00 Sabre 1100, '03 HD Night Train - so I don't have the wealth of experience of owning 50 different bikes to compare to like some on here.
What can I say about the overall package (ride and presentation) - simply amazing!!! I loved it.
Aesthetics - the bike is absolutely stunning to look at and I honestly can't think of anything that "needs" to be changed. I specifically wanted a 2014 model because I didn't want the blacked out 2016 (I still have my Night Train) and i don't like the spoke wheels, seat or 4 - 2 exhaust on the 2017. Sometimes I think I would like a red one but run into the garage and look at the Spencer Blue, soooo nice. If I were to nit pick, the mirrors seem a little too retro but work good so good enough. Maybe the fork lowers could be powder coated, and the tail light assembly is just strange but none of those things really bother me.
Ergonomics - I bought this bike as a back injury and surgery has made the seating position on my Night Train very painful. The upright position on the CB1100 is almost perfect for my 6'2" 230lb frame, I could use about 1" more leg room but close enough.
Seat - the stock seat looks good (far better than the new 2017 in my opinion) and is reasonably comfortable for what I will use the bike for - short trips on the back roads.
Suspension - far better than my Night Train, I'm sure I can dial it in a little better but need some more seat time first.
Brakes - the front brake is outstanding and takes very little effort to haul the bike down from speed. The back brake is every bit as bad as the front brake is good. Seriously, my HD back brake beats this one by a mile. Is it the ABS that makes it seem weak?
Exhaust - I absolutely love the twisted, discoloured header and 4-1 exhaust and dislike the symmetry of the new one. It gives the bike the look of a brawler. I dislike loud pipes (I put a Q series Vance & Hines on the Night Train, good power without making everyone angry) but it could stand to be a little louder.
Transmission - so smooth you barely even know you have shifted.
Engine - pure work of art, I could look at it all day. I even like the oil cooler as it serves a purpose (I put one on the HD) so is functionally beautiful. I know at big complaint is the power but it has more than enough for me to ride the back roads (highway rides will be rare) and responds remarkably like my HD up to 140km/h but is much faster 140-180kph, which really doesn't matter that much to me. 120-`130kph is a comfortable speed for me and the CB1100 gets there fast enough for me.
Handling - very nimble (again coming from the cruiser world) and required very little input to steer around the corners. I am no racing god and won't be dragging a knee anytime soon but I have touched parts of my HD down on occasion - I don't see it as an issue on the CB.
Overall I can't say enough how much I like this bike and I am ecstatic that I was able to ride more than 10 minutes.
Questions:
Being a V-twin guy the I4 is new to me, what is the best RPM range to cruise in? It seems to be most comfortable in the 2750-3000rpm range but that could be just be because I'm really used to low revving motors.
ABS- I've never had a bike with ABS, is the ABS light supposed to be on all the time on the dash? Mine is. Does the ABS make the brakes feel a little less responsive when stopping fast?
Anyway, that's my $.05 worth - for what its worth.