Does the CB1100 motor become smoother over time?

[Houtman_imp]

Is the Buzz in your head getting less....

[VLJ_imp]

Definitely wasn't due to any change in tires or road conditions. Same tires, same stretch of I-80 that I ride every day. Yesterday, the motor was simply less buzzy than it ever had been at 3500k/75 mph. It felt the same at 75 mph or 65 mph, which had never been the case before.

What do you keep under your seat? Could that have changed or how it's packed?

What do you keep under your seat? Could that have changed or how it's packed?
Just the toolkit and owner's manual. No change.

Anyway, I'm only talking about the motor vibration. It was always reasonably smooth, even in its buzziest patch between 3,500 and 4,900. Above and below those two numbers, it's glass smooth...eerily smooth. Between those two numbers, it had the typical I-4 buzz. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough to be noticeable.

Yesterday, that buzzy patch was gone. The usual transition I feel when crossing from 3,000 rpm to 3,500-4,000 was absent.

Not complaining, mind you. I'm just wondering if others have noticed something similar with their CB1100 motors. For years and years people on the BMW forums have described their Boxer motors as taking a decent while to "break in," in terms of engine smoothness, and I always dismissed such talk as wishful thinking. When you ride the same bike every day, you aren't going to notice those sorts of gradual changes, assuming they occur at all.

Now, though, after yesterday's ride, I'm not so sure. My bike felt Goldwing smooth yesterday, even in its buzziest patch, and it never did before. So, maybe there is something to the notion of an engine breaking in and becoming smoother over time.

Is the Buzz in your head getting less....

Worse, I'd say.

[emptysea]

Maybe the buzz is still there, but you're just too old to hear it anymore.

[the Ferret]

Can't help ya as I've never felt the buzz lol

[misterprofessionality]

all the bikes i've owned before this were twins or significantly lower quality bikes than the CB, so to be quite honestly i really don't know what anybody's talking about when they mention a buzz or vibration. i quite often run at 80 on my way to and from work, and that feels like butter to me. so does 75, so does 70, so does basically every speed.

[DBM_imp]

Thinking outside the box. Were you wearing any new or different gear? Gloves or shoes?

[VLJ_imp]

Nope, same ugly Aerostich Darien Light suit, Alpinestar boots, and Dainese gloves as usual. Same Arai helmet.

[Cormanus]

It's very strange, VLJ. I'm going to be interested to hear whether it continues to be smoother or it was just an aberration. I can't say for sure, but I do think mine is buzzier some days than others and I find it buzzier on the lower gears in the buzzy range. But maybe I'm imagining it.

I hope you figure it.

[GoldOxide_imp]

VLJ: Check back with your buzz in late June / early July when the heat is on.

With most bikes, I find they tend to run their smoothest in and around 10C (50F). Don't know why, but just a stat that I seem to often observe.

[VLJ_imp]

I hope it stays just the way it is now. No more changes for me, thank you.


GoldOxide, will do.

You sound rather ominous, btw.