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Having lived with a 2014 for a year and 12,600 miles:
I'll say this. This bike needs a six-speed LESS than probably any motorcycle made today. Don't get me wrong; it's good to have...but the torque curve...like a Kansas rise in the prairie...is so even and flat, from 2000rpm to the redline...it's like American V8 engines of the 1960s. American carmakers couldn't understand the desire for five-speed transmissions - because with their engines, there was just no need. Three speeds were fine - two to get rolling and then high-gear at 25 or so, all the way up to Bank-Robber speed.
My take on this: A 2014 is a nice machine, with the gear-selection indicator and the six-speed. But if you can get a 2013 with a five-speed at a good price...JUMP ON IT.
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(10-20-2015, 10:28 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: if you want to lower rpms, this is a great thread with pics showing what needs to be done
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....h+sprocket
Ok Ferret. How come your link and my link go to the same place, but have different addresses?
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popgun ' Wrote: [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?pid=109229#pid109229] Ok Ferret. How come your link and my link go to the same place, but have different addresses?
It's the highlighted search terms.
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2013 has a sixth gear, it's in your throttle hand minus the shifting, just twist it an then it goes and it's gone.....
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(10-20-2015, 10:32 PM)JustPassinThru_imp Wrote: Having lived with a 2014 for a year and 12,600 miles:
I'll say this. This bike needs a six-speed LESS than probably any motorcycle made today. Don't get me wrong; it's good to have...but the torque curve...like a Kansas rise in the prairie...is so even and flat, from 2000rpm to the redline...it's like American V8 engines of the 1960s. American carmakers couldn't understand the desire for five-speed transmissions - because with their engines, there was just no need. Three speeds were fine - two to get rolling and then high-gear at 25 or so, all the way up to Bank-Robber speed.
My take on this: A 2014 is a nice machine, with the gear-selection indicator and the six-speed. But if you can get a 2013 with a five-speed at a good price...JUMP ON IT.
Absolutely agree!
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When does one really need a 6th gear?
Long time cruising on the interstate.
Why would you ever do that? You need to make some distance fast like a vacation cut short or you are riding in an Iron Butt Competition.
Face it, interstates are dull although convenient when the weather is bad and for lodging access.
The exception would be riding through a large metropolitan city. I tend to stay in the express lane for safety. Only merging from the right and a safe escape exit if required. If the posted speed is 70 and to keep up in that lane, you've got to do 85. How long will that be?
So for most of the riding in the States, fifth does most of us just fine.
On longer hauls you will save some on gas, but that may be another gear for the shifting fork to possibly mishandle down the line.
My 2 centavos.
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(10-25-2015, 09:49 AM)Birddogvet_imp Wrote: When does one really need a 6th gear?
Long time cruising on the interstate.
Why would you ever do that? You need to make some distance fast like a vacation cut short or you are riding in an Iron Butt Competition.
Face it, interstates are dull although convenient when the weather is bad and for lodging access.
The exception would be riding through a large metropolitan city. I tend to stay in the express lane for safety. Only merging from the right and a safe escape exit if required. If the posted speed is 70 and to keep up in that lane, you've got to do 85. How long will that be?
So for most of the riding in the States, fifth does most of us just fine.
On longer hauls you will save some on gas, but that may be another gear for the shifting fork to possibly mishandle down the line.
My 2 centavos.
Not...just.
Empty country roads need it as well. Not all of them are twisties, especially not out West.
Actually, what's needed is a TALL gear. A wide-spread Five-Speed setup would work as well...there could be greater jumps from gear to gear, with that flat torque band.
Someone who could get a buy on a new 2013...might inquire about a smaller rear sprocket to make up for the less-tall top gear. Give it some legs on the open road.
