What other bikes did you look at before buying your CB1100?

[the_undecider_imp]

I had sold my V-strom 650 3 months before I bought the CB thinking I would take a hiatus from riding. I had grown bored with the little 'Zuk and figured my next bike would be something with character or generate lots of excitement. I really wanted a naked hooligan bike, but I didn't want to spend a ton, $3k tops.

First bike I tried to buy wasn't what I really wanted, but had the potential to be a cheap project. My neighbors have a 2002 883 Sportster that's been sitting a long time. The husband bought it for his wife's 30th birthday and she stopped riding after a little scare with the bike. She wanted it gone, but he thought otherwise. No dice.

Then, I thought about buying a Buell XB9S or XB12S Lightning. I rode a XB9S and loved the combination of the lumpy, but powerful H-D engine in a nimble package. I gave up on finding one that wasn't beat to Hades.

Also looked for bikes like a Bandit 1200, ZRX, and FZ1. In fact, I found my CB while looking at and test riding a used FZ1. It was over my budget for paying cash, but too good of a deal to resist. For not a lot more, I could have bought a new FZ09. I later test rode one to make sure I wasn't missing out. While that triple cylinder engine is a gem, the suspension was just all wrong. I haven't regretted not buying the FZ09 nor have I regretted buying the CB. I did miss having an appliance like bike for riding dirt roads and carrying stuff. Since buying another V-strom, I have been happy with my small stable of bikes. Can't think of anything I'd replace the CB with.