Touring: CB1100 vs. F800GT

[Stichill_imp]

Front brake on the CB is very very good. Better than my Griso. Never rode the F800GT so I can't compare. The CB will put out some heat in stop and go traffic, but in general it has to be very hot in Phoenix for me to notice it. The Griso is much worse in that regard. The 650L is not a problem.

Had to raise the bars on the 650L and the Griso, but not the CB (yet). Custom seats needed all around.

I'll be keen to hear your impression of the CB once you ride it.

The F800GT front brake is amazing. I could not believe the light pressure combined with very efficient deceleration. I never even went anywhere near the limits but that brake was impressive to say the least. I rode the CB1100 in [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5596]Germany last year. I don't remember any impression that the brake was a beast, but it seemed up to the job for sure.

If you've ever driven a German-spec'd car in Germany, you will understand that they take their brakes very seriously. With the autobahn, that is an absolute "must." For many years, you never saw Japanese cars in Germany because the brakes just couldn't cut it. That seems to be changing these days.

Stich, we must live pretty close, I live just east of Cinti about 30 miles. Anyhow my son got his Ducati from right next door to the Harley/Beemer place, and yes, a total pia to trailer back and forth for service.

BTW if you need a test ride on a CB might I suggest a trip to Beechmont Motorsports just off I 275 at the St Rt 125 exit. Good guys I've bought a bunch of bikes there.

Wow that's a good tip about Beechmont. I have never been there. Our little Florence dealer is "OK" to work on my CBR250R but these days they are doing a lot of quad repairs so the shop is full of mud dust. I dropped off my bike there for its 16k valve clearance inspection - all cleaned up and looking good - as a courtesy to the mechanic and to leave the impression that it is a cared-for bike. It came back covered in brown dust and with a boogered up timing inspection port cover. I have been thinking of switching to Maysville but maybe Beechmont is the better option.

Recently I've become aware of a humble little shop south of Walton, Kentucky called South 25 Cycle. The owner, Nate, seems to be a carbureted Honda guru. My buddy bought a '94 VFR750 from Arizona and it turned out the carbs were completely gummed up. This guy in Walton got it running like a Swiss watch on nitro.

So...used 2014 CB1100 DLX models for sale seem to be non-existent. In Ohio, Honda of Marysville seems to be the most aggressive on price (that's where I got my CBR250R).