2 similar bikes, Do I get a New Bike or Just new seat and Windshield.

[redbirds_imp]

I rode my CB1100 to south Florida often to visit my dad a few years back. It was a 2013, stock except for some engine guards and fork gaiters. 800 mile round trip and suffered no discomfort. I never felt the need for a 6th gear or a sprocket change. The only change I would consider would be a seat like the Corbin with passenger back rest for your lady's comfort.

[rich_imp]

your Honda will not be upset if you play with Bonni

[Rox_imp]

I've had 3 Bonnevilles. 2 Thruxtons and a T-100 in a bobber frame. I used to be a big Hinckley guy.
With that said: The CB is a much much better bike. And you can own both despite being somewhat similar. The riding experiences between the two are pretty different.

You can up the front sprocket a tooth or 2 on the CB for the highway. It helps. For the seat you can maybe buy a new seat but if you want you can simply get a sheep hyde online from Ikea for $30 and stuff the ends under the seat to keep it there. Easy fix. Pretty old skool remedy. I do it with my Valkyrie. It's amazing how comfy a seat is with a sheek hype. It'll drape the whole seat. When not in use just pull it off. Way cheaper option than $400+ for a seat.

I've had a CTX1300 too. Great bike. But it's no CB. Wound up trading it for my Valkyrie. I miss the audio. It's quick too. But if you buy one get it with the optional accessories already there. I spent a FORTUNE in accessories and still wound up trading it.

Keep the CB. Trust me.

[Houtman_imp]

Rox , I have no interest in other bikes than my CB 1100's but still nice to see your honest assessment of our bikes compared to others.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I have both. The CB is better for the slab if hwy miles are the majority of the trip. CB gets better mpg too. My Bonnie gets around 40. I haven't kept track of the CB mileage for quite some time but I'm pretty sure it was near 50.

I've done touring on both (before I set up the Bonnie as a roadster) and the CB is my mule for hauling now.

[Guth_imp]

The real question for people to focus on as you've posed it, is how does the CB1100 with a windshield and aftermarket seat compare to a a used ST1300/Concours14/CTX1300 in terms of positives/negatives? It seems to me that you could pick up a windshield and an aftermarket seat to try out and see how this setup suits you with much less hassle involved than going with a different bike. You might even be able to find those items used here on the forum. If it doesn't work out, you would be better off re-selling those items on their own as opposed to selling them along with the CB1100.

All that said, ergonomic-related matters tend to vary quite a bit from one person to the next. (Good luck coming up with a seat choice that everyone will agree on, lol.) However, if your initial thought was to get rid of the CB in this case then you must have your reasons for this. Clearly the CB is falling short of your needs in some way otherwise you'd be thinking about trading in the Bonneville. What is it in particular that has you thinking along these lines?

[jeffmazz_imp]

An alternative would be to look for new a girlfriend closer to your home....
Looking for a new girl is like shopping for a new bike , very exciting but not easy to get a test ride.

Hat's off to you Houtman....I spit my dang coffee out when I read this!!

[rboe]

Yup, ergo's trump all. Then, in your case, mpg. While they have some overlap, their focus is a wee bit different so keeping both is not out of the question.

Get some electric heated gear for the cooler days and you'll be set.

[AlexCB_imp]

I put a MRA VNB screen (Vario for Naked Bikes) on mine and it made a world of difference for higher speed / motorway miles. Good thing about the VNB screen is the top portion is adjustable so you can tailor it to your height as when I first put it on it was horrendous but after a few adjustments and test runs I had it dialed in perfect. For reference I'm 5' 10" with standard height seat and bars.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I put a MRA VNB screen (Vario for Naked Bikes) on mine and it made a world of difference for higher speed / motorway miles. Good thing about the VNB screen is the top portion is adjustable so you can tailor it to your height as when I first put it on it was horrendous but after a few adjustments and test runs I had it dialed in perfect. For reference I'm 5' 10" with standard height seat and bars.

Yeah, if you can use anything (even stiff cardboard) to deflect at least 50% of the air pressure off the chest, it will definitely be a benefit over 80 km/h.