Kinda Porky

[Tortuga_imp]

This bike has always been about "the feel" or overall riding / ownership experience rather than flat out performance. To that effect, the only time I've really noticed the weight of the CB1100 is when I'm rolling it around in the garage. I'm guessing that the 14 DLX will be very similar in that regard.


Sent from my iPhone using [url=http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1]Tapatalk

Bingo. That's it, right there, in a nutshell!!

That's what brought me to this bike, and that's why I couldn't quantify why I love it so much.

It's an emotional thing, not a rational thing.

We aren't BHP junkies, or gear ratio nerds, we're people who have connected with a motorcycle on an emotional level and have found what we wanted.. A good old powerful, smooth, comfy motorbike. Sorted.

One's impression as to weight is dependent on what they are transitioning from. In my case it's a Kawasaki Concours. Therefore I expect that I'll find the 2014 CB1100 Deluxe to be light and nimble. Everything is relative.
On a related issue - has it been confirmed that the sprocket cover on the 2014 is aluminum, not just shiny, silver plastic?

Agreed. After 5 years on a VStrom 1000 going to the CB was like trading a Yukon for a Bugeye Sprite. Which might be odd because their weights aren't that different. I think its because the CB carries its weight well; the CG is low and the bike is extremely well-balanced.

Agreed. After 5 years on a VStrom 1000 going to the CB was like trading a Yukon for a Bugeye Sprite. Which might be odd because their weights aren't that different. I think its because the CB carries its weight well; the CG is low and the bike is extremely well-balanced.
Hear hear!

No, there's nothing wrong with wishing it were a bit lighter...but that said, what difference does it really make? Granted, I'm used to handling big, heavy bikes, but the CB doesn't feel at all heavy to me, either in terms of handling or just lifting it on/off the side or center stands (in fact, if I didn't know, I'd guess it was actually lighter than the ZRX1100 I own--it certainly turns in quicker). It still accelerates fast enough, even stock, to embarrass all but the quickest sports cars. I doubt the extra pounds on the '14 deluxe will change that very much.

Bottom line, the bike simply isn't meant to play on the same field as a modern sporting machine, naked or not. That extra 50 pounds matters almost entirely at the outer margin of the performance envelope, which is a place where maybe 1 or 2 percent of owners will ever take it. For those who want a more competitive sport machine w/ the retro looks, it can be made to lose some weight and gain some horsepower...but it's never gonna be a CBR1000RR.

Which is why they make CBR1000RRs.

This isn't really directed at you, thessler, but in the digital camera world, there's a certain contingent of enthusiasts who focus almost entirely on technical specs, and in the process completely lose sight of the big picture--which is that the camera is ultimately just a tool used to capture an image; and that it's the image rather than the camera that ultimately matters. In reading comments on sites like Motorcycledaily lately, it seems like we've got something similar going on in the motorcycle world. You get the sense that the "peanut gallery" wouldn't be satisfied until somebody came out with a 220hp, 325lb bike that was completely docile on the street ("great first bike!"), handled like a MotoGP bike, rode like a Cadillac, had comfortable, adjustable ergonomics, got 60mpg, had hydraulic valve lifters, came with 500-mile seat comfortable for every rear-end, could tour like a Goldwing, looked exactly like a classic 1978 whatever (but better), had a centerstand, was belt or shaft driven....etc. And even then they'd find something to complain about ("Ugh! What were they thinking with that horrible speedometer font??")

You've hit the nail on the head. Want fast naked Honda? Buy CB1000R, want something totally unique? Buy CB1100. Not a bike trying to me more than a lush experience and thus a keeper in my and many others books.