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I'm very close to making a purchase but can't quite decide between the CB1100 and the CB1000R and wondered if those of you with the CB1100 (or who have switched to the CB1000R) might offer some thoughts. I'm coming from a 2011 Kawasaki 650 Versys, and that's pretty much my only point of comparison. Mainly, I'm wondering how much better or worse than the Versys is the CB1100 in terms of (1) acceleration and (2) handling and cornering?
The CB1100 is beautiful and has me just on the looks, particularly the black of the 2014 standard. I'm concerned though that I might want the thrill of the CB1000R. How much can the 1100 deliver in terms of fun acceleration and quick, nimble cornering?
To put it in context, I'm in my mid-40s, with kids (who sometimes ride on the back, attached to me by harness), and I'm not looking to do anything crazy. A fair amount of my riding is pretty basic riding around town on errands etc., which sometimes includes stretches on the interstate. I want to be able to take weekend trips on the bike but have only managed one so far, so that's not a big priority. I like the versatility of the Versys but want something with more soul and character and spirit. All of this sounds like the CB1100 would be a good fit, but at the same time, when I'm out on two wheels I want to feel that the bike is ready for some spirited acceleration and fun cornering. From what I've read, the CB1000R can deliver all of that with ease and grace (while still being civilized and easy to ride), but my heart is with the looks of the CB1100. I'll go for the CB1100 if I feel I won't feel disappointed in the ride. Any thoughts?
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They are both Hondas, fit and finish, civility, reliability and no drama usually are associated with that brand name so either bike is going to be satisfying. i think the biggest difference would be riding position, with the 1000 being more sport bike like, and the 1100 being more upright. Having never ridden one I would also think the 1000 would have an upper end power hit that the 1100 doesn't have, and the 1100 would have lower end torque that the 1000 doesn't have.
I can tell you I had a Yamaha FZ-1 ( 1000 cc I4 125 HP) which is similar in kind to the CB1000 but found I never rode it in the area of the tach where it made it's headlong rush to full power (8000-13000 rpms). I only ended up using a small fraction of the bikes available 125 HP. Heck I don't use all of the CB 1100s horse power. I find riding the CB 1100 much more satisfying to ride than the FZ, and it handles superbly outside of a racetrack. Plus it has beautiful, timeless looks. A stunning motorcycle to look at, as you know.
However, the only way for you to tell which bike is right for you, is to get a test ride on both. I imagine coming to a CB 1100 forum for enthusiasts of this bike will get you one opinion, and going to a CB 1000 forum for enthusiasts of that model will net you a different opinion.
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(09-05-2014, 01:13 PM)JGran_imp Wrote: I'm very close to making a purchase but can't quite decide between the CB1100 and the CB1000R and wondered if those of you with the CB1100 (or who have switched to the CB1000R) might offer some thoughts. I'm coming from a 2011 Kawasaki 650 Versys, and that's pretty much my only point of comparison. Mainly, I'm wondering how much better or worse than the Versys is the CB1100 in terms of (1) acceleration and (2) handling and cornering?
The CB1100 is beautiful and has me just on the looks, particularly the black of the 2014 standard. I'm concerned though that I might want the thrill of the CB1000R. How much can the 1100 deliver in terms of fun acceleration and quick, nimble cornering?
To put it in context, I'm in my mid-40s, with kids (who sometimes ride on the back, attached to me by harness), and I'm not looking to do anything crazy. A fair amount of my riding is pretty basic riding around town on errands etc., which sometimes includes stretches on the interstate. I want to be able to take weekend trips on the bike but have only managed one so far, so that's not a big priority. I like the versatility of the Versys but want something with more soul and character and spirit. All of this sounds like the CB1100 would be a good fit, but at the same time, when I'm out on two wheels I want to feel that the bike is ready for some spirited acceleration and fun cornering. From what I've read, the CB1000R can deliver all of that with ease and grace (while still being civilized and easy to ride), but my heart is with the looks of the CB1100. I'll go for the CB1100 if I feel I won't feel disappointed in the ride. Any thoughts?
This scares the hell outta me. I was involved in a hit and run on the freeway (I was traveling at about 30 mph) and knocked to the ground. If I had a child strapped to me there is a very good chance that I would have killed that child as I rolled and then skidded to a stop on my back on the shoulder.
How old are the kids? Can they reach the foot pegs easily? If not, then they shouldn't be on the bike. If they can't hold on to you and keep themselves upright safely on the bike behind you, they shouldn't be on the bike.
I'm not against children being on motorcycles, quite the contrary, I had a friend that brought his son with us as soon as he could do everything I listed, but not before.
It's just the idea of strapping a child to the rider adds a whole nother level of lack of control to the situation. If you go down you risk a lot more damage to the child than if they can fly away from you landing on top of them.
I know I'm sounding like I'm preaching, but this really, REALLY, scares me and I think it's just a bad idea.
As far as the bikes go, there a a few of us here that ride in the hills around the San Francisco bay area and do not find it wanting for riding in the twisties. I'm sure that the sport bike would be better at it, but it can hold it's own for sure. Its also not "slow" per se, but again it's not a super sport so take that with a grain of salt. I think I heard that with a competent rider that does not weigh 200+ it's an 11 sec ride, but I'm not sure about that because honestly that never really concerned me.
My $.02
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85 Hp was a super bike 30 years ago. So I suspect in the early 1980's this would have been considered a monster bike. Correct ferret? Now I doubt most of the general public rides significantly better now than 30 yrs ago. I'm sure if you tried and were skilled you could lift the front wheel on the CB, and it will do more than 100mph in the blink of an eye. Can you buy faster? Sure you can. Will it be more comfortable for riding hours on end for an old man. I doubt it. You twist the throttle wide open in first or 2nd gear on the CB you better be holding on tight so it does not get away from you a bit. But you get on a 140-190Hp bike and you can wheelie in several fears, pull you lose off the bike if you open it up and are only holding on for dear life. I would lose my license probably very quickly. The CB has enough for me to be interesting, but not wild. It is smooth and pulls evenly through most of the rpm range. It is okay, and I could enjoy more Hp, but for overall balance as a package the CB suits me fine.
Take both for a test ride. No one can answer this question for yourself, only you can based on your ability, and desires.
But if having kids on board, this is more than enough. My 12 year old son likes riding behind me, but it excites him a bit much, and I never open it up with him on board.
My $0.02
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"The CB1100 is beautiful and has me just on the looks, particularly the black of the 2014 standard. I'm concerned though that I might want the thrill of the CB1000R. How much can the 1100 deliver in terms of fun acceleration and quick, nimble cornering?"
I don't understand your dilemma. It's an apples to oranges comparison. The CB1000R is just ugly. If your going for looks, then there is no dilemma. If your going for performance, The CB1100 has all the power you need to kill yourself or lose your license. However, If your still concerned about thrill, fun acceleration, and quick and nimble cornering and you don't feel the CB1100 brings enough, why play around? Just buy a plastic wrapped CBR1000RR and be done with it. The CB1000R is just too much of a compromise..like an El Camino SS.
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I would suggest to try and find a dealer that would let you ride the both like I did (Garland Power Sports, Hopkinsville, KY---I had to go 75 miles to get to them but no big deal).
In my mind and looking at the pictures and specs I even told the dealer, unless something totally is wrong, I'm taking the CB1000R home.
But after riding both, the CB1100 won....it won't pull your arms off, it won't come up by just twisting the throttle (but neither did the 1000R), but I decided it had all the power I needed.
The CB1100 is very nimble, can make a u-turn on a normal 2 lane road without any problems.
The riding position on the 1000R made me feel like I was riding on top of the gas tank....I could have gotten used to it, but just not a good feeling.
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I just googled dyno chart for CB1000R, and dyno chart for CB 1100, both were from MotoUSA.com and interestingly up to 7000 rpm the charts look very similar and horsepower is nearly identical with both producing over 80 HP at 7000 rpms. From 7000 up the CB only gains a few more horsepower in the next 300 rpms whereas the 1000R continues to gain horse power up to nearly 10,000 rpms.... And there was only 24 HP difference at peak.
CB 1100 84.02 HP @ 7300 rpm
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/117/16722/...-Ride.aspx
CB1000r. 108.58 HP @ 9900 rpm
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/117/9760/M...-Ride.aspx
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(09-05-2014, 01:13 PM)JGran_imp Wrote: I'm very close to making a purchase but can't quite decide between the CB1100 and the CB1000R and wondered if those of you with the CB1100 (or who have switched to the CB1000R) might offer some thoughts. I'm coming from a 2011 Kawasaki 650 Versys, and that's pretty much my only point of comparison. Mainly, I'm wondering how much better or worse than the Versys is the CB1100 in terms of (1) acceleration and (2) handling and cornering?
The CB1100 is beautiful and has me just on the looks, particularly the black of the 2014 standard. I'm concerned though that I might want the thrill of the CB1000R. How much can the 1100 deliver in terms of fun acceleration and quick, nimble cornering?
To put it in context, I'm in my mid-40s, with kids (who sometimes ride on the back, attached to me by harness), and I'm not looking to do anything crazy. A fair amount of my riding is pretty basic riding around town on errands etc., which sometimes includes stretches on the interstate. I want to be able to take weekend trips on the bike but have only managed one so far, so that's not a big priority. I like the versatility of the Versys but want something with more soul and character and spirit. All of this sounds like the CB1100 would be a good fit, but at the same time, when I'm out on two wheels I want to feel that the bike is ready for some spirited acceleration and fun cornering. From what I've read, the CB1000R can deliver all of that with ease and grace (while still being civilized and easy to ride), but my heart is with the looks of the CB1100. I'll go for the CB1100 if I feel I won't feel disappointed in the ride. Any thoughts?
That scares and surprises the heck outta me too. Unless the harness is just for steadying them and will break away easily in a get off, it's a very very bad idea. Nothing different than riding in a car with a child on your lap. They are always crushed between the parents body and the dashboard, or if belted, still crushed between the parents body and the seat belt. I have responded to those type of crashes, and it's not pretty and affects all involved forever, not just the parents, but the responders too.
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24 HP at only the very top rpm range where few drive! Big whoop! Not a lot of value for the rider IMHO. If looking for more excitement need to look at a different bike. If I survive my company layoffs I will adding another bike to the stable next spring, maybe the Monster 1200s or something similar. I want style, light weight and power, but it is not an all day ride with my bad knees. It is a 1 hr blast to ride not a Sunday cruise in the Hill Country machine.
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Good charts and comparison ferret!
By the way this is a little off topic (but health was mentioned as a reason for selling), but I know I've read your wife had a hip replacement, I've been having trouble with one of mine.
Question: How did she know it was serious enough to warrant surgery? Did her GP recommend an ortho guy? Was it seen on X-Ray or Cat Scan? Mine is starting to worry me and I'm wondering whether to seek out my GP opinion or go straight to an ortho dr. Naproxen is holding it in check at the moment, but that can't last forever.
I'm trying to figure out which will fail me first, my ability to walk or my ability to ride.
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