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

[Griso Guy_imp]

I had just sold my 2008 BMW K1200 GT. I was looking for a simpler more straightforward bike. Something that would not tempt me into creating a "special purpose" bike. Over the past 20 years I have had: a 1995 Triumph Thunderbird, added bags and windshield, not a good tourer however. Went to a new yellow 1997 Ducati 900 SS/SP, one of 120 made, Borla exhaust, Dymags, Kehin flat sides, I was still slow in the corners. Two new Thruxtons, a 2005 carb version, 2013 Thruxton efi version, each had suspension upgrades, exhaust upgrades, cosmetic upgrades, both were cool to look at, but slow and boring on the road, I bought so much aftermarket stuff I ended up having my own personalized UPS driver. Then came a 2012 Triumph Tiger 800 Roadie, my first real dual sport, turns out it was too heavy for the single track stuff I love, but it was a very competent street bike. Next I bought a new Suzuki DR650 nice little antiquated bike, did single track all day long but a nightmare on the Arizona freeways trying get home. In between there was 2001 Moto Guzzi Bassa, nice but quirky. 1999 Triumph Executive, typical Hinckley crappy suspension but nice motor and my first set of factory bags. A Hinckley Scrambler, way too heavy for any non paved surface and the exhaust got hotter than my Weber kettle grill. A 2002 VFR ABS, bright Red, loved it, rode it for 10 trouble free years sold it in 2012. I would have probably bought another if I hadn't found the CB1100 first. I also have a 2014 Moto Guzzi Griso, it's one of a kind right from the crate. fast smooth and loaded with character. It's the polar opposite of a UJM nothing against UJM's. I love em.