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Hi all,
Has anyone ridden both versions of the EX model and if so were there any significant differences? I am close to buying a late 2016 model with very low miles. I like the colour. I know there are some cosmetic differences which don't bother me and I quite like the more boxy petrol tank with seams that all the journo's jump up and down about. So thats not a problem either .
I know Honda went to great lengths with the CB so does it automatically mean the latest model is 'better' than the earlier one? I know what the 2017 model is like but i cant easily get to test ride this one you see.
Kind regards jon
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Besides the different fuel tank, which you already mentioned, there are three other main differences between the '16 and '17. The least important one would be all the extra bling on the '17, what with the additional chrome and aluminum pieces, the LED lighting, and the spoke wheels. The second difference is more noticeable from the saddle, and that is the new exhaust note. The '17 has a deeper, meaner, louder rumble, with a much more V4-style tactile feel throughout the bike, largely due to the new exhaust system. The final, most important difference, is the '17 has vastly improved suspension, compared to any previous model-year CB1100.
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I suspect the 2016 UK EX has spoked wheels. The kicker remains the upgraded suspension.
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Back about 2006 my son had a 2004 Yamaha FZ-1 and I had a 2001 FZ-1 just like it. Same color, only the motors were different colors. The hot thing on the FZ-1 forum was to have Traxxion put in AK20's in the forks and a custom heavier spring in the rear. Was supposed to "transform" the handling of the bike. All it did for mine was transform my wallet much lighter. Hopping back and forth between mine and my sons, they felt exactly the same. I don't have a discerning enough tush to tell the difference I guess. Look close and you can see the AK20 stickers on the lower fork tubes.
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You probably won't notice much difference when you're just slowly cruising around in joyride mode. Ride each model hard on a proper twisty road riddled with bumps, however, and the difference will be obvious.
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(10-20-2019, 01:00 AM)VLJ_imp Wrote: You probably won't notice much difference when you're just slowly cruising around in joyride mode. Ride each model hard on a proper twisty road riddled with bumps, however, and the difference will be obvious.
When I was 18 I had a Kawasaki KLE250 2 stroke--my very first bike--and took some twisty curves in nice hard mode, well I should say I took 4 curves just fine, but it was that 5th one where I got in some left over "sand-the-snowy-roads!" residual at the edge, bounced down left on the pavement, slid a fair number of meters, bounced up and over the still sliding motorcycle, tumbled a few times and ended up on the grass with still running bike a few inches from me. Ever since, I just get a tingly feeling down my spine when I get too spirited on the proper twistys...I always wimp out and back off. I know it's a mental thing, but at this point I'm comfortable with how I ride.
However, now that you mention "riddled with bumps" I do recall that the '14 seemed not to soak those up very well, and I haven't noticed the same on the '17. Again, I'm not doubting the suspension is better on the '17...but maybe some high percent of that is lost on me. Glad others appreciate it though!