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No biggie, typical Internet -related misunderstandings. My point is, perhaps, invalid as it relates to Internet forum etiquette and modern communication decorum. That point being, if someone posts a picture of their bike, in a thread asking to show your bikes, the only responses I personally would give are along the lines of 'nice bike' or I would give no response at all. It wouldn't cross my mind to start pointing out how 'poorly proportioned, corny or not well balanced' I think the person's bike is or what an error the manufacturer made or how much better another bike is. Just as, if a new member joined this forum, posted a picture of his new black CB1100, and we respond with 'black is ugly, you should have bought a DLX.' Unless you use a smiley emoticon, of course! 😀
It's not about opinions, or freedom of speech, as much as it is common courtesy. Which, I think, is one of the great characteristics of this particular forum, the most civil one I've yet been part of.
Had the topic been about debating the merits of certain bikes, let it rip. I'm by no means a PC person, nor thin- skinned, and greatly enjoy some good old snark and parry. But Id never call your baby ugly.
Rant over. Thanks for the forum . I'm going to the garage to see if I can fit a CB1100 tank on my Bonnie!
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ahh I understand. Yes threads tend to drift a bit, and being a public forum of course people are free to say what they want (within certain parameters) but you are talking general common courtesy and I get that.
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(02-05-2015, 11:45 PM)redbirds_imp Wrote: Much as I like the new Bonnies, Kawasaki has done a better job in "re-creating" the svelte lines of the original. Another great bike that we are denied.
http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/sp...F8LDAoKC1k
You wrote the words I have in mind.
Therefore I own one of this beautiful bikes.
The special kind of valve treatment, "Königswelle" in German,
I can't find an appropriate translation, is something extraordinary today.
Nice to look at, and it function very solid.
The curves of the W are designed near the old motorcycles and enjoy the heart.
Without putting someone or something down, this is a real modern classic.
Not the only one, but a real one.
And a pleasure to ride, feels like being way back in the Sixties.
Wisedrum
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We have a local guy with a green and crème W650. My CB1100 is typically the best looking bike at The Grotto - until he shows up.
I'm not at all familiar with the older BSA and Kawasaki's that came first so the W650 (and 800) have to stand on their own; which they do very well. Not very many modern bikes can say that. But taste is a funny thing; tainted by what you grew up with. I did not grow up with transformers so I consider all bikes based on them, typically Bas*&(%$ cousins to bikes like the CB, Bonnie and W650.
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The issue has been raised that voicing my criticisms of the current generation Triumph Bonneville when compared to some of the older designs in a thread intended to praise current Bonnies wasn't exactly appropriate. With that in mind, I'll pull my posts into this thread The focus here is this: how do today's designs fall short in your eyes as compared to the bikes of the past? Obviously today's designers have to take into account a variety of different factors that designers from the 60s and 70s didn't face and those things are bound to have an impact on the final products. But with that aside, if there is anything that you would change with today's retro standards, what would it be.
I'll start with my very own 2013 CB1100. Honda did fine with the headers, but I'll admit that the headers displayed on the prototype machine got me really fired up (such an obvious nod to one of the most iconic exhausts ever — the one found on the CB400F from the 70's). I would have really liked to see these headers make the production cut as those that came with the bikes as they rolled out of the factory aren't nearly as stunning to my eye.
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The CB400 that I rode in 1977 had great looks and was a pleasure to ride. I never appreciated it much then but I really didn't appreciate my CB 550, CB360t, or even my '81 CB650 until much later. The '13s seat is probably the biggest disappointment, it's alright but the breadloaf on the '14 was a better upgrade. But the ABS system was a home run.
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(02-06-2015, 04:40 PM)gossman_imp Wrote: The CB400 that I rode in 1977 had great looks and was a pleasure to ride. I never appreciated it much then but I really didn't appreciate my CB 550, CB360t, or even my '81 CB650 until much later. The '13s seat is probably the biggest disappointment, it's alright but the breadloaf on the '14 was a better upgrade. But the ABS system was a home run.
Not for me.
After a while, not on the first ride, I get used to the 13s seat
and it doesn't feel as uncomfortable as it seems.
In other words, I sit in. Or the Honda does.
Despite this, I have no comparison to the 14s model.
I've not ridden one 'til today.
The 13s in Germany was offered with ABS and a CBS (Combined Break System).
A very good improvement.
Nevertheless the CBS isn't offered anymore with the 14s CB, something I couldn't
understand, but I don't have to, 'cause I bought a 13s.
Wisedrum
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(02-06-2015, 03:48 PM)Guth_imp Wrote: The issue has been raised that voicing my criticisms of the current generation Triumph Bonneville when compared to some of the older designs in a thread intended to praise current Bonnies wasn't exactly appropriate. With that in mind, I'll pull my posts into this thread The focus here is this: how do today's designs fall short in your eyes as compared to the bikes of the past? Obviously today's designers have to take into account a variety of different factors that designers from the 60s and 70s didn't face and those things are bound to have an impact on the final products. But with that aside, if there is anything that you would change with today's retro standards, what would it be.
I'll start with my very own 2013 CB1100. Honda did fine with the headers, but I'll admit that the headers displayed on the prototype machine got me really fired up (such an obvious nod to one of the most iconic exhausts ever — the one found on the CB400F from the 70's). I would have really liked to see these headers make the production cut as those that came with the bikes as they rolled out of the factory aren't nearly as stunning to my eye.
They are eye candy for sure. The downside looks to be that you'd have to remove the headers to change the oil filter. I don't see enough of a gap between the left and right pair to get the job done.
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I don't disagree at all with Guth's comments, and more or less agree with them, but I don't dwell on the negative. The bikes are what they are so I enjoy them to the fullest and am glad they are loaded with modern technology.
Many times when I'm out riding, both the CB and the Bonneville, are taken for restorations (circa 1970) at first glance until they look closer.
The fact that they aren't "exact copies" (and were never intended to be) doesn't bother me a bit and both bikes put a smile on my face that money can't buy.
As far as I'm concerned both bikes are close enough to the original designs and I'm over the moon by being able to own and ride both.
If I'm in a really serious nostalgic mood I ride my 1970 Triumph T100 or my 1967 BSA. Both bikes get ridden at least 1000 miles each summer.
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(02-06-2015, 05:07 PM)Wisedrum_imp Wrote: (02-06-2015, 04:40 PM)gossman_imp Wrote: The CB400 that I rode in 1977 had great looks and was a pleasure to ride. I never appreciated it much then but I really didn't appreciate my CB 550, CB360t, or even my '81 CB650 until much later. The '13s seat is probably the biggest disappointment, it's alright but the breadloaf on the '14 was a better upgrade. But the ABS system was a home run.
Not for me.
After a while, not on the first ride, I get used to the 13s seat
and it doesn't feel as uncomfortable as it seems.
In other words, I sit in. Or the Honda does.
Despite this, I have no comparison to the 14s model.
I've not ridden one 'til today.
The 13s in Germany was offered with ABS and a CBS (Combined Break System).
A very good improvement.
Nevertheless the CBS isn't offered anymore with the 14s CB, something I couldn't
understand, but I don't have to, 'cause I bought a 13s.
Wisedrum
Not for me.
After a while, not on the first ride, I get used to the 13s seat
and it doesn't feel as uncomfortable as it seems.
In other words, I sit in. Or the Honda does.
Despite this, I have no comparison to the 14s model.
I've not ridden one 'til today.
Wisedrum
I agree with Wisedrum. Initially I thought the seat too hard but after a thousand miles or so it broke in and now no complaints. As far as style between the DLX and the '13, I much prefer the look of the older bike and if I were looking for a CB1100 today it would be the red 2013 model, The 5 speed tranny is the only thing I would change.
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