04-14-2015, 01:23 PM
28 here. I bought my '13 after having my license a little over 3 months. I didn't ride dirt bikes growing up, so I was quite a new rider when I bought mine in October of 2013. Out of choice I had sold my car and been living bicycle, then motorcycle, only so I wanted something that made sense as an only vehicle. I wanted something new, reliable, fuel injected cause I just wanted to ride and never worry about it, this isn't a weekend toy. I was considering the Star Bolt, but I'm not really a cruiser guy. I would have bought a 919 if I could find a decent one at the time and SV650's also tempted me.
In the end, it was a lot to do with the reviews. Everyone called it an easy to live with, do everything, well built, reasonable motorcycle. It totally made sense for someone who just wanted a standard bike to learn to ride, live without a car and figure out what kind of rider they wanted to be. I didn't particularly care for it looks when I first saw pictures of it, but as soon as I saw it in person I changed my mind. It was smaller than I expected and everything looked and felt much nicer than I anticipated. I didn't want something too powerful or sporty, too big, too slow, 10K was my limit, so this has worked out well. It's more bike than a Bonneville, less racy than the FZ-8, cheaper than the BMW's, didn't look like a Gladius, Versys, or Vstrom, more reliable than a Moto Guzzi, Aprilia or Ducati. Plus I don't typically trust mechanics but my local Honda dealer is AWESOME.
16,000 miles later, the CB's been a great choice. Daily commuting year round, 500 mile day's, camping trips, canyon fun, 2 up, it's does everything well and has been completely reliable. I can't imagine anyone that doesn't off road or tour 2 up would need anything else. Want/prefer, that's up to them, but the CB just works. My only complaints are it's too heavy, the suspension's a let down, tank range gets annoying, and the service intervals are absolutely awful. Fair trade offs to me.
In the end, it was a lot to do with the reviews. Everyone called it an easy to live with, do everything, well built, reasonable motorcycle. It totally made sense for someone who just wanted a standard bike to learn to ride, live without a car and figure out what kind of rider they wanted to be. I didn't particularly care for it looks when I first saw pictures of it, but as soon as I saw it in person I changed my mind. It was smaller than I expected and everything looked and felt much nicer than I anticipated. I didn't want something too powerful or sporty, too big, too slow, 10K was my limit, so this has worked out well. It's more bike than a Bonneville, less racy than the FZ-8, cheaper than the BMW's, didn't look like a Gladius, Versys, or Vstrom, more reliable than a Moto Guzzi, Aprilia or Ducati. Plus I don't typically trust mechanics but my local Honda dealer is AWESOME.
16,000 miles later, the CB's been a great choice. Daily commuting year round, 500 mile day's, camping trips, canyon fun, 2 up, it's does everything well and has been completely reliable. I can't imagine anyone that doesn't off road or tour 2 up would need anything else. Want/prefer, that's up to them, but the CB just works. My only complaints are it's too heavy, the suspension's a let down, tank range gets annoying, and the service intervals are absolutely awful. Fair trade offs to me.