04-21-2015, 01:18 PM
This may strike some of you as hilarious but my current (and first) bike is a 2012 CBR250R that I have set up for touring. It fulfills its role nicely for the most part. Where it falls short is on the interstate (not speed; it will hold 85 mph but it simply wears you out after a couple of hours due to high revs and getting pushed around by vortexes near semis), passing power on two-lane highways, and heading up long grades and/or into a strong headwind. 98% of the time these shortcomings are of no consequence as I ride the deserted twisty backroads of Kentucky, but I take longer tours a couple weeks a year. My riding pals sometimes consider destination more than the ride and want to bust off interstate or highway miles at high speed.
Anyhoo...entering my fourth riding season with the CBR250R, the finance minister has approved the acquisition of an additional bike.
Here's where my heart/head is at:
The CB1100 really pulls at my heartstrings and is just so unbelievably beautiful. I think it is the best-looking bike ever made except for the classic British twins. It is also a pleasure to ride despite its excessive weight. It does not come equipped for touring but I imagine effective aftermarket windshields/fairings and hardbags are available. I have one dealer close to where I work and another (larger, more professional) one about an hour away. My reservations for touring mainly revolve around the chain (however I can live with it), the valve clearance inspection interval (7,000 miles), and potential cost and pitfalls (mechanic botching) of adjusting shim-under-bucket considering cam removal is required. Also I worry about air cooling in summer traffic. On the plus side, I think I would yank the fairing and bags and really enjoy the CB1100 on a daily basis.
The BMW F800GT appeals to my intellect. Very similar rake and trail to my CBR250R, with a similar riding position (I have Helibars on my bike). Equipping it for touring is an exercise in optional adders. I fear for my wallet and my closest dealer is two hours' ride away. However it is very light (only 100 lbs. more than my 250) and promises potential for spirited rather than relaxed riding in the twisties. On the downside...the bike is sporty but somewhat odd-looking and just doesn't seem like a bike that inspires passion. It seems like a bike intended to hold you over until you "upgrade" to an R1200RT. That being said, I could see this bike being a great weekend day-tripper or two-day-tripper.
Another draw to the BMW is the low and ultra-low seat options as I have a 29" inseam. Suffice to say that I am on the balls or toes of my feet even on the CBR250R. The CB1100 puts me a little higher (still manageable) but I have a Japanese friend who told me that lower seats are sold in Japan. These can be seen in some of the early CB1100 pictures of bikes sold outside of the US.
If funds were no object...I'd take both bikes. But I would like to solicit experiences and opinions from those here who do lay down serious miles on their CB1100 and can report objectively on its suitability as a touring machine.
Anyhoo...entering my fourth riding season with the CBR250R, the finance minister has approved the acquisition of an additional bike.
Here's where my heart/head is at:
The CB1100 really pulls at my heartstrings and is just so unbelievably beautiful. I think it is the best-looking bike ever made except for the classic British twins. It is also a pleasure to ride despite its excessive weight. It does not come equipped for touring but I imagine effective aftermarket windshields/fairings and hardbags are available. I have one dealer close to where I work and another (larger, more professional) one about an hour away. My reservations for touring mainly revolve around the chain (however I can live with it), the valve clearance inspection interval (7,000 miles), and potential cost and pitfalls (mechanic botching) of adjusting shim-under-bucket considering cam removal is required. Also I worry about air cooling in summer traffic. On the plus side, I think I would yank the fairing and bags and really enjoy the CB1100 on a daily basis.
The BMW F800GT appeals to my intellect. Very similar rake and trail to my CBR250R, with a similar riding position (I have Helibars on my bike). Equipping it for touring is an exercise in optional adders. I fear for my wallet and my closest dealer is two hours' ride away. However it is very light (only 100 lbs. more than my 250) and promises potential for spirited rather than relaxed riding in the twisties. On the downside...the bike is sporty but somewhat odd-looking and just doesn't seem like a bike that inspires passion. It seems like a bike intended to hold you over until you "upgrade" to an R1200RT. That being said, I could see this bike being a great weekend day-tripper or two-day-tripper.
Another draw to the BMW is the low and ultra-low seat options as I have a 29" inseam. Suffice to say that I am on the balls or toes of my feet even on the CBR250R. The CB1100 puts me a little higher (still manageable) but I have a Japanese friend who told me that lower seats are sold in Japan. These can be seen in some of the early CB1100 pictures of bikes sold outside of the US.
If funds were no object...I'd take both bikes. But I would like to solicit experiences and opinions from those here who do lay down serious miles on their CB1100 and can report objectively on its suitability as a touring machine.