08-28-2014, 01:35 AM
I wrote to the engineers and they like the ratios of the five, personally. Speed limit in Japan is 63 mph and they said it pulls nicely in top gear from high 20s mph all the way up into the low 60s which was the original design intention, a lazier ride than say a water cooled 6 speed. - Then you take the six speed and the ratios are a bit closer and the rider is shifting more, which again gets away from the original intention which was that relaxing ride. Europe wanted the 6 for their speedy Autobahns. I drove at 85 mph in Germany, for example. To each his own. I shifted my YAM FZ1 too much I thought. I found my initial CB1100 test ride that the gearing was good. While I might argue for 6th, I have to admit, passing power in 5th at 70 is good, so there you go. The designers have ridden all the Hondas, so with that in mind, they like the 5. Ride and enjoy!