Can someone tell me

[ClassicVW_imp]

A couple of things... Triumph has been doing their "retro" look ever since it was their new look so it's unfair to compare with the CB1100 which only appeared in the USA in 2013. IOW- that triumph "look" has been around a looong time so it's not just the marketing that gets them noticed, being around a long time and hence, their total sales volume through the years gets them noticed.

Also, there are now something like 7 or 8 or 9 current model year variations on the Bonneville platform being sold in the U.S. vs. what? 1 or 2 of the CB?

The first "modern" Bonneville appeared in 2001. The idea that triumph is a slow, old man's bike is from the past. Their bikes of the past three or so years are very well made, reliable, and high quality for their price point.

My 900cc 2014 Bonneville has quite enough power, great torque, and handles a bit better than my '13 CB did. Now there's a 1200cc option. The bikes are much more similar than different, and you can't "hate" either one.

[pdedse]

If only this had been done on a Honda, things would be different:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96vuIXc-584

Seriously? A WWII movie featuring an escaped US prisoner on a "JAP" bike? You have to remember where we were when that movie was made. England was an Ali. Japan was the enemy. Nuff said.

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Seriously? A WWII movie featuring an escaped US prisoner on a "JAP" bike? You have to remember where we were when that movie was made. England was an Ali. Japan was the enemy. Nuff said.

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Come on folks, please tell me you understand things like "irony" and "attempts at humor"...in clear terms, the comment was not to be taken "seriously".

[Retsel_imp]

But "seriously" it may still have a bearing on the differential in nostalgic acceptance of the two companies. The original bike clubs, made up of pilots coming home from the war, were mostly riding British motorcycles. They were the most plentiful. It may still have a lot to do with the nostalgia attached to the Triumph over the Honda retros .

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[uscgmac_imp]

I think the new triumph t120, thruxton and street cup/twin all have a wow factor over the CB1100. The CB is a great bike but Triumph has the market hands down. If I had the choice when I bought mine it would have been a tough decision but the newest triumphs weren't out yet.

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I'm disappointed that the new CB1100 RS is not coming to the states. The CB will not be popular with only one model and one color.

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[Cormanus]

I think the new triumph t120, thruxton and street cup/twin all have a wow factor over the CB1100. The CB is a great bike but Triumph has the market hands down. If I had the choice when I bought mine it would have been a tough decision but the newest triumphs weren't out yet.

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I'm disappointed that the new CB1100 RS is not coming to the states. The CB will not be popular with only one model and one color.

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

I think that's right. I can't understand why Honda doesn't send more colours to the US and Canada. They sent 4 to Australia in 2010 and 2011 and we're a much smaller market.

I'm sure it would tell someone who knows about these things a lot about what Honda thinks of the US market.

[DaSwami_imp]

Not to derail, but I think you could add Moto Guzzi to the bastion of the unloved. Terrific motorcycles, strong racing pedigree (from the 50's), great styling and engineering, but zero marketing support in the US and an even weaker dealer network. Like the CB in certain respects, the brand deserves better.

+1 there, the comments apply to MG the most, the V7 / V7II are fabulous bikes
I own a 2013 Scram and the CB1100....thinking about trading in the Scram for another CB, but it is turning out tougher to do than I thought. The darn Scram is a low tech beast that darn well starts and runs everytime with zero issues. Looks like nothing else on the market. It's not rational, I know. But the Scram is a mule that I would trust to take me anywhere in the world. You look at this idle/stalling issue on the board here with the CB1100 and it gives me pause.

[the Ferret]

Don't let the idle/ stall issue scare you. There are many of us now with tens of thousands of miles, one with over 60,000 miles with no issues and it is very rare and random and under very specific circumstances. The reason it seems to be discussed a lot because it's the only issue that has arisen on these great bikes.

[ClassicVW_imp]

In recent years, in addition to this forum I've frequented BMW Moto Guzzi and Triumph forums. Owned/own all those brands. I know reported problems of any brand are discussed ad nauseum and that makes you think they are more prevalent than they really are, But believe me, the CB has almost zero owner issues, and whatever is mentioned here is miniscule in comparison to what's being reported about other brands.

[the Ferret]

Not to derail, but I think you could add Moto Guzzi to the bastion of the unloved. Terrific motorcycles, strong racing pedigree (from the 50's), great styling and engineering, but zero marketing support in the US and an even weaker dealer network. Like the CB in certain respects, the brand deserves better.

+1 there, the comments apply to MG the most, the V7 / V7II are fabulous bikes
I own a 2013 Scram and the CB1100....thinking about trading in the Scram for another CB, but it is turning out tougher to do than I thought. The darn Scram is a low tech beast that darn well starts and runs everytime with zero issues. Looks like nothing else on the market. It's not rational, I know. But the Scram is a mule that I would trust to take me anywhere in the world. You look at this idle/stalling issue on the board here with the CB1100 and it gives me pause.

Type issues with moto Guzzi V7 into google like I just did, and you will find plenty of issues. You may trust yours, others are not having as good of luck

typical from wildguzzi

problems with my new 2014 v7 stone
« on: October 10, 2014, 10:25:04 PM »

I took delivery of this bike less than one month ago.  The bike is having a serious drivability problem and I am having it towed to the dealer tomorrow.  I am summarizing the issues I have noted during the initial 66 break-in miles I have ridden thus far.

1.   Difficult starting, since delivery.  It often took several attempts to start.
2.   Difficulty staying running at idle.  Stalls frequently and easily at idle after warming up.
3.   Hesitation and surging leading to choppy acceleration up to 4000RPM in any gear.
4.   The above problems are significantly worse when the temperature is colder.  Today the temperature was about 60-62F and it was unable to idle for more than 30 seconds without stalling.  It stalled at nearly every red light at idle.  The idle surged from 1100-1500 RPM the entire ride.

From Guzziriders.org

Topic: New bike - same problems :/ (Gearbox & Stalling)
    Posted: 01 Oct 2015 at 12:46
Hello all and thanks for reading. 

My previous post was regarding my 2013 V7 Stone which was having idling and gearbox problems. Instead of putting the effort to fix it, and since the dealer was willing to take it as part exchange for a very similar price i paid a couple of months earlier, I decided to get the new version of the V7. Initially Issy (as i call my bike) seemed to be the perfect choice as her gearbox felt much smoother and the idling problems were only apparent rarely when her engine was cold. Unfortunately the longer I am riding the more regularly I find the following problems appearing:

a) The engine stalls quite frequently even when it's warm. Especially when engaging the clutch after a short burst of speed in 1st or 2nd gear, but has also happened when trying to downshift from 5th gear to 4th!!  Many times it idles just fine when stopped at the traffic lights, only to stall as soon as I engage the clutch, before I even try to put it in gear. 

b) The gearbox which initially felt smooth, at least compared to the 5Speed on the previous model, started giving problems as it sometimes refuses to downshift (gear pedal feels stuck). 

c) When trying to downshift from 2nd to 1st while stationary, or even engage 1st gear from neutral or 2nd to neutral, the gearbox is completely unresponsive, with the gear pedal moving freely but not much happening besides this. The solution i found is to slowly release the clutch a little until the gear goes 'cluuuunk' and then it becomes responsive again.   

d) The clutch cable tension is impossible to set-up. The manufacturer advices 2mm of slack on the clutch lever to avoid clutch slips and excessive clutch ware. Unfortunately the slack varies quite significantly depending of how warm it is, so if you set it up before you get going you will have more than 10mm slack when the clutch has warmed up properly. Get stack in traffic on a hot day and the slack increases further, the gears start to clunk horribly when engaged and the bike moves forward even with the clutch completely pressed.  

There were plenty more......

What I am saying is all manufacturers have issues which is why they give you a warranty. Most of the time it's nothing serious. Sometimes it's something mysterious and difficult to diagnose because there are not enough of the issues that it has to go back to manufacturer to figure it out . But in the end what I am saying is, the Honda is a great machine..you have 2200 miles on yours with no probs, Cormanus has 30,000 on his with no probs and Sanoke has 60,000 miles on his with no issues. I wouldn't let it worry me.

[DaSwami_imp]

I agree the Honda is intrinsically a better quality machine than the Moto Guzzi, but I've owned three, currently own one (soon to add a V7 II Special) and have none of those issues. Sadly, MG happiness seems to be tied tightly to the quality of the dealer and initial setup. I've been lucky I guess, and my tune would change if I experienced any of the above. But so far they have been beasts.