08-27-2014, 02:28 AM
(08-26-2014, 01:32 PM)the_undecider_imp Wrote: I was a little miffed to learn the 2014 had a 6 speed right after I picked up my 2013. Logic would dictate more cogs are better, right? Maybe, but Honda did a great job matching the 5 ratios to this engine. You can get away with that when you torque curve is so flat.
I find that cruising 70-75 mph is smooth and at 4 rpm, it pulls like a tractor without downshifting. With such a power plant, less gears means less shifting. I still try to shift to the nonexistent 6th gear, but I also tried shifting to "7th" on my V - Strom and in my former car.
I haven't ridden a 2014, so all I can't say if it's better. I can say I like my 2013 and don't feel like the extra money I'd have paid would have been worth it for the transmission alone. There are certainly compelling reasons aside from that to get the newer model. I am happy I found a good deal and was able to pay mine off already.
I blew the cobwebs off the CBR the other week and rode it to work. Six gears is more work. I ride in the highest gear I can get away with, so I'm basically just going from 3-5/6th right away. More lever presses = annoying.