Triumph T120 v CB1100a

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I think the heat issue with air-cooled bikes is less about how much heat they throw off than the prospect of damaging the engine via overheating in hot weather/ stopped traffic. I've not had issues with either situation, and have some water cooled bikes that fry my arse and legs far worse than the CB.

Does anyone really think like that? Aircooled bikes have been around for 100 years. Millions of Harleys, Triumphs, Nortons, Hondas, Kawis, Yamahas, Suzukis and countless others have been ridden hundreds of millions of miles. I have not personally known anyone to balk at purchasing an air-cooled bike if that is the bike that suits their riding. I recall the Yamaha Seca series, Kawasaki GPz, Suzuki Katana, and yep, the Honda CB's. Twins, fours, so many different models.

Suzuki made an air/oil-cooled GSX-R for years and years, used the engine also in the Katana. I had a Katana 750, fantastic bike, ran beautifully.

Another funny point about the T120 vs the CB1100 with respect to authenticity of retro features are the fake fins on the Triumph. It's liquid-cooled, the fins are purely cosmetic. So that's kind of styling-only thang.

The opposite weighs pretty well in the Honda's favor; I have found nothing on the Honda that is not genuinely there for a reason and serves to support the bike's mission. It was built around an air-cooled mill, the fenders are chromed steel, the frame tubular steel, everything is what it seems to be.

That does not take away anything from the function or pleasure of the Triumph, of course, but does indicate Triumph knew its target buyer would not appreciate smooth cylinder jackets. Not exactly disingenuous but might be called "cosmetic" by some.

I noticed that images of the bike from the front are not easy to find, as the radiator does just slightly detract from the classic look.

Then again we've had at least one guy wanting to remove the CB1100's oil cooler, and yet another want to install a fan on it.

No. The engine temperature is the least of your worries when it's that hot. There's simply no escaping it.

Every degree above body temperature starts to create health issues.

I don't like riding in the heat, but the CB is better to ride than the Griso - in the heat. The left jug on the Griso heats up my leg pretty good.

If you do "abuse" and aircooled bike in the heat I'd be more worried about the oil holding up and just change oil more frequently.

I was very impressed with the Thruxton R and if I didn't have the Griso already I'd consider it. I'm considering it anyway. Then Harley came out with the Roadster and THAT bike is intriguing. But I don't really need another town bike, I'd like to have an open road machine and neither one fits that bill as well as the Griso (and the aerodynamics on the Griso still need some attention). I still entertain this notion that I'll do some road trips. sigh....

Unlike the 1960's, the choice between a Triumph or a Honda is not made so much on performance as nostalgia, which is going to vary from buyer to buyer. Luckily for Triumph buyers the quality of their bikes is so much better now, they can live the good ol' days without the pain of the good ol' days.

If I had the room and money I'd add an R and that Roadster to the fleet.

Yep, I like that Roadster quite a bit. Looks like fun, I had a Sportster Sport with the twin disks, it was pretty neat. Agree nostalgia is the key sales point. Explains the cosmetic cooling fins. Looks like a really neat bike though, I'll have to check one out.