08-15-2013, 07:34 AM
(08-15-2013, 07:19 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: I'm not sure why you think the Griso has a wide leg stance. You sit behind the motor, just like the CB. I have a very long inseam and my knees do not hit the heads. However; in the summer, in Phoenix, the heads produce a LOT of heat and that can be a problem in town. On the road, not so much. I find the CB is much more comfortable for my bumm than the Griso but above 65mph I prefer the Guzzi motor. I fear V twins have spoiled me.
I like the fact the CB does not produce a ton of power. It does produce more than my old 550 kawasaki and that sucker was a honker! It produces almost as much as the old CB900F, which I find is plenty. But the hp think is a personal preference and your mileage will certainly vary.
Back in the day folks toured on 500cc singles or smaller (I did it on a 125 and the 360) so when the 750 came out folks thought they had died and gone to heaven. Now 1100cc seems good enough for "light touring". Really? What about all the guys adventure touring on 650 Wee Stroms?
I've ridden the Bonnie and while it was a nice enough bike it didn't really move me (today a bike has to move you, back then it just had to be reliable) I'd take the CB over it any day.
The Griso has a lot more torque than the CB but it's really comparing apples and oranges. The Griso is more of a sport tourer (at least once the seat is fixed - again, some folks love the seat) than the CB; I find the CB more of a town bike or day rider but intend to explore the touring aspect a bit more in the future. I have yet to be on it long enough for the seat to bust my bum.
At first I was going to sell the Griso but now I'm trying to see if I can't keep her.
That's interesting about the Griso. I watched a video review of the Griso vs. HD XR1200 where the reviewer commented on a wide leg stance on the Griso. The Griso is a beautiful bike!
You may be right about the power of the CB1100 being enough. That's why opinions are so valuable. The Bonnie really does not have enough power for me. I love it despite its lack of power, but constantly wish it had more. The brakes on my Bonnie are terrible! Thank you very much for you input.