Newbie looking at purchasing 2014 Deluxe

[drodg33]

I don't think I'm really all that old, but I look at the new bikes with their heavy transformer styling cues and they leave me cold. Bikes like the CB, Triumph Bonneville, Moto Guzzi V7 Special (and Racer for some odd reason) and now the Yamaha SR400 I find very attractive. I wish Kawasaki would bring over the W800 and that Honda would do a refresh on the GB500 (GB650 perhaps?). I nice 500-650cc single, standard, with classic British early bike styling would make for a nice day or town bike. Better than a large 1100cc brute (I find the CB is gentle in town but ideally a 400lb single or small twin would make more sense and be light enough to throw through the twisty bits - not unlike the Guzzi V7). The Royal Enfield should be mentioned but a buddy has one and he is sorting that bike as often as I did my old 350 four. Maybe even more so. A nice cool bike, but it should be a second bike, not a primary.

But the V7 is just a bit small for me and while I like V twins and singles, having at least one inline four in the stable rounds things out nicely.

I had visions of long rides and tours when I got back into riding but for the most part is has not materialized (two long over nighters in five years - the shame!) and yet I still buy gear like I'm going to tour. What a dreamer! Perhaps when I retire.

For me the CB really hits most of ticks for a bike for me and where I used to think the old 650L would be last bike they would pry from my cold dead fingers, the CB may just be that machine. It's heavier, but much easier to swing a leg over......

I know I have all of the stuff and I did do some longer rides from Indiana down to the Appalachians etc. I am ashamed to say not many. I think it was more about the dream of a long ride, tour. I don't really do that anymore. Though I still dream.... I have had my share of BMW RT's also that are great bikes but local service doesn't exist and so I think the CB1100 can work for me with a few mods until I can take off 10 days and do a real tour.