Bummed by a test ride

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Just got back from a 60 mile ride and saw this thread. After I installed the Street Shield I had noticed a buzz between 4,500 and 5,500 rpm, nothing real bad just a little annoying. So the other day when it was raining, I took the clamps off the handlebar and put some thin rubber strips between the handlebar and clamps to help with vibration, but didn't get to test until today.
So I took it out of town a ways into some twisties and held the rpms between 4,500 & 6,000 through the turns using mostly 2nd gear. The buzzing is now nearly gone, except for being faint at around 5,500. Anyway it handled flawlessly and seemed very happy to be in that range. After owning a CBR1000, I know the power is less, but like others have said the CB1100 is a more refined, peaceful ride; but also has some degree of the fun factor in it. Mostly I run near the 3,000 mark, + or - 500, and being older I don't need to go super fast anymore.

I'll chime in that not only does the bike like to be in the 3000-4500 rpm range, it also does not seem "unhappy" near the red line. Not sure what the OP is feeling for the engine, but it's not unhappiness.

I'm in agreement with CharlieBravo and EmptySea. In twisties the bike is very happy at 4000 to 7500 RPM. It fades a little then to the red line. The torque curve reflects this. At higher RPMs the CB is responsive to throttle and has solid engine braking. The last is important as, particularly downhill, the bike carries a lot of momentum into the corners, especially when loaded for touring. Cruising in fifth at 3300 to 4000RPM the bike eats up the miles and it's an easy place to be, for both bike and rider. Still responsive to throttle in sweepers and over hill and dale, so it can induce, in me at least, a kind of lazy soporific complacency that, when I first got this bike, found me snatching at the brakes in downhill twisties to wash off both the kinetic and considerable potential energy the bike possessed. Solution? Get off the proverbial backside and get cracking. Make that engine work in 4th, 3rd, 2nd and (rarely) 1st throughout the full rev range. It's not a 'Blade but it's damn good. I say again, damn good.

co6aka, 'Bummed' by your test ride? Well, the test ride is like a chaste first kiss. You've still got the whole Kama Sutra waiting. Enjoy. If you can.

Cheers