Another Harley Thread

[Cormanus]

Why don’t you want to do it on the CB1100, RLS?

[soulmachine_imp]

Having spent many years within the HD world, also working within the industry, if I were to do a long distance trip, between the CB and a Touring HD, my choice would always be a Touring HD. The bikes are just more suited to the job.

Just my opinion....

[KiowaEagle_imp]

Mine is a VTX. Same feel, Honda reliability and way cheaper.

[Frulk_imp]

If you don’t have one, get a fairing. Maybe invest in an upgraded seat. Get multi position pegs that will give you more legroom and ride the CB on that trip. Money spent will be chump change compared to buying a bike. I think the longest trip I did was 1100 +/- miles on the CB and I had none of those features. I did just fine. That’s coming from someone that has a Road King in the garage. Not saying I would pick the CB as my FIRST option in my particular situation. Just that the CB is surprisingly comfortable on long stretches with some minor tweaks.

[TXBikerGuy]

I am looking to pickup a cruiser/touring bike to ride from Memphis to Denver than over to Scottsdale and back. I would love to do it on the CB, but I think it would wear me out. That said, I went and test rode some Harley's; a 2015 Dyna Low Rider, 2017 Heritage Soft tail and a 2018 Road King. All had about 4k to 6k miles and priced from $12k to $15k. I had a blast riding each of these bikes. Love the big 103 and 107 engines. However, when I get back on the CB to ride home, I am so glad I own this bike. It is superior in every way. I won't be getting a Harley, but I am interested in what bike would be a good stablemate for the CB, one that is better suited for touring. Any opinions would be appreciated.

You'll get as many opinions as there are models of bikes, but the sport-touring bike in my garage for the past 6 years is the BMW K1600GTL. Came to that from a Honda ST1300. To me, the GTL is the ultimate sport-tourer. I have carved the Tail of the Dragon with it (left a couple of sport bikes in the dust) but was comfortable riding the first 800 miles from DFW to Chattanooga on the first day of the trip. A buddy of mine just picked up a 2016 GTL with 3500 miles on it for around $13k. Ironically, the guy selling that one liked riding his big Harley more.

On the broader thread topic of Harleys...I had a 2004 VROD until a couple of years ago. Loved that bike. One of my SS1K rides was riding that bike from Sturgis to Dallas in 22.5 hours straight. It was the end of a 3-week, 5000 mile trip from DFW to LA to Sturgis and back. Not as powerful as the CB1100 to be sure, but it was a really comfortable ride.

Have fun with the search! That's half the fun.

[Django]

I am looking to pickup a cruiser/touring bike to ride from Memphis to Denver than over to Scottsdale and back. I would love to do it on the CB, but I think it would wear me out. That said, I went and test rode some Harley's; a 2015 Dyna Low Rider, 2017 Heritage Soft tail and a 2018 Road King. All had about 4k to 6k miles and priced from $12k to $15k. I had a blast riding each of these bikes. Love the big 103 and 107 engines. However, when I get back on the CB to ride home, I am so glad I own this bike. It is superior in every way. I won't be getting a Harley, but I am interested in what bike would be a good stablemate for the CB, one that is better suited for touring. Any opinions would be appreciated.

For touring you need some wind protection (also in the heat), comfortable riding position and luggage. May be you should have a look at the BMW F 800 GT or its predecessor F 800 ST. That's a good tourer but nevertheless allows agile handling and riding style and it is not too heavy.

The Harleys are not my cup of tea as for the feet in front position. I like the pegs below my center of gravity.

Greetings from Germany.

[RLS_imp]

Thanks for the responses and good ideas. Wind protection is the primary issue with taking the CB, but this is only really and issue when I am over 65 mph.

Like many folks on this forum, I want two bikes. I am looking at a 2015 Triumph Thunderbird Commander for around $6k with 12k miles. Anybody have any experience with this bike?

[michael1954]

Well, it will be sad to see HD go. But any motorcycle brand that only cater to higher end of the scale are having a tough time surviving. Even BMW see that, hence their launching of 310 models to cater for the lower range of the market. I don't like HD, but legends are still legends. Dipping their toes in the lower end market might not work for their brand. But i don't understand why they don't want to do it like what Toyota and Honda did, like Toyota with their Lexus, Honda with their Acura. Maybe HD with a sister brand for the lower end market for Asia.

When I list here on the forum, the three in-line fours follow my tag. I bought all three of them for less than the price of a Harley Dresser. I love riding three different bikes. I would quickly bore with one, over-priced Harley dresser. That is part of their downfall, they just cost too much money to put two wheels on the pavement for me.

[VLJ_imp]

I'll never understand why so many people insist on having wind protection...while riding a motorcycle. It's a motorcycle, not a car. The whole idea is to be out there in the elements.

Smooth windflow on a no-windshield bike is easier to get along with and more relaxing than noisy turbulence from the windshield, not to mention having to look through that bug-splattered windshield. Plus, when it's hot, you don't receive the benefit of the cooling wind.

Having owned both types of bikes, and having tried my windshield bikes with and without their windshields, the ride was better every time without the windshield. Some bikes look ridiculous without their windshields (V-Strom, ST1300), but they still work better that way. Other bikes look much better without windshields, so adding one where it doesn't belong not only butchers the aesthetic, it diminishes the ride quality.

Ride a full weekend without the windshield. Get used to it. Quit talking yourself into thinking you have to have one. You don't, not on bikes like the CB1100. If it's a feet-forward cruiser that will turn your upper body into a sail without a windshield, okay, fine, but that only goes to prove, once again, that the basic cruiser design architecture is seriously flawed. The natural riding position on a motorcycle should include having your feet beneath you, with the upper body upright or canted slightly forward. No windshield necessary, at least up to eighty mph.

Allow yourself to get used to it, and you will never go back.

[Houtman_imp]

I never had a shield on any of my bikes and never will have one , I just do not like the looks of them on MOST bikes.