CB1100 or Harley?

[CIP57_imp]

I rent a super glide once or twice a year when I'm in NC. It is a feel good bike, lows seat forward controls, There's nothing negative about the bike its always a great day when i rent . Its all about what makes you feel good. I wish you could rent metric's for a day and get a good comparison.

[the Ferret]

The only comment I have is that I am from Ohio, but right now I am sitting in a hotel in Harrison Arkansas. They have some serious riding roads around here. Seriously!

[ChipBeck_imp]

Gentlemen,

I love my CB1100. I also love my H-D Road King which is my 7th brand new Harley. Let me give you a few "facts" from someone who has put a lot of miles on both marks.

My Road King weighs 150+ pounds more than my CB1100 and both in town and on the highway the fuel injected HD gets better fuel mileage.

My 10 year old Road King has never required a single repair. Neither did my last two Harleys.

At freeway speeds the Road King vibrates less than the CB1100. The HD can and does cruise comfortably at 85 mph. The CB1100 is not comfortable crusing above 80 IMO.

The paint, fit, and finish on a new HD are the benchmark for every other maker. The Honda paint is great but it doesn't have the deep amazing finish of a Harley.

If the cost of a bike is the purchase price minus resale value, a $15,000 HD is less expensive to own over 5 years than a $10,000 CB1100.

I enjoy and ride bikes from many different makers and I'm not afraid to give my opinion on any of them. The Hardley-A-Davidson moniker applies to Japanese knock offs of Harley products. All motorcycles have some internationally sourced parts. But all HD bikes, engines, transmissions, frames, tanks, and all major and final assembly is in the USA.

To give my opinion on what I would buy for your stated purpose based upon my actual experience, I'd buy the Honda. It's more fun to ride on back roads and in the mountains. The Harley is far superior for long rides, touring, and high speeds. Both bikes are stone reliable. The Harley is more comfortable to spend many hours on. The Honda accelerates harder and corners better. The HD vibrates less at crusing speeds. That's my take on it.

Chip

[ARMike_imp]

Chip,
Thanks for the reply. I agree with you on the RK comments. I have often thought of buying a RK or Street Glide. I just don't do much long distance or would get one of those, probably the RK. But for my type of riding I too think the Honda would be a better choice. Just seems like it would be more fun to just hop on it and go for 30 minutes or 2 hours. That was one of the reasons I was looking at the fatboy. Have even considered a 1200 sportster just for the hit the button and go factor. Anyway, am looking forward to the 1100 ride. Am sure it won't be as good as my CL when I was a kid though! Ha!

[Buffalohead_imp]

Yeah, I agree! But:

Fact: Out of the box, Harleys are louder than any other motorcycle.

Fact: Consumer Reports lists them near the bottom of reliability data.

Fact: Harleys don't get the fuel mileage the Honda CB does.

Fact: It's not totally made in the U.S. either.

Fact: From my experience (I've been on both) The CB1100 has MUCH less vibration than a Harley.

But, the Harley does have a low seat though.

And, if you want an opinion from someone who has ridden both, feel free to ask. Oh yeah, you did!
I own a CB1100, Harley Electra Glide, and a BMW K1600. The hog has the most comfortable ride and the best seat. It shakes at idle but this isn't a factor at speed, gets 47 mpg and has been stone reliable. Had a Sportster 883 that got 62 mpg. All my bikes are fun to ride in their own way, and making direct comparisons are difficult. Buy what you like - get one of each!

~ The Bee

P.S. I use Consumer Reports for shopping for lawn mowers and such, but read the motorcycle mags & forums for advice on bikes...

I have used Consumer Reports to aid me in picking the best cars. They have never led me astray. When they start publishing real data on motorcycles, the entire industry (and the consumer) will be better off. It helps the manufacturers to build a better product. I try not to get advice from magazines and publications that accept advertising. I have seen the "Car of the Year" followed by a two-page ad. Maybe there is no bias, but how do you know? CR and other like publications can only help the industry.

[Tripod_imp]

The only two Harleys I really like are 1977-79 XLCR Café Racer, and the 2009-13 XR1200. Have you looked at either one of these? Very cool looking! Probably not practical for your requirements, not sure?

[Guth_imp]

I really appreciate the input and the spirited conversation. I have always been a Honda guy and like the old school bikes like the CB, Triumphs, BSA's, Royal Enfield, etc. Probably why I just haven't been able to pull the trigger on a Harley. Anyway, keep the comments coming as they are helpful. You all have me more excited about test riding.

Thanks again!!

You've received quite a bit of advice here, some informed, some certainly less than informed. I think the moment of clarity will come from the test ride.

[ARMike_imp]

I agree...have really enjoyed the advise and the dialog. Really glad I joined the forum and posted.

[UJM Guy_imp]

I know...crazy comparison! I just joined this thread because have been lurking and am a long time Honda rider. In my young days I rode a CL down every back road I could find. Since then I've had several Honda dirt bikes. Now am in my early 50's and looking for a bike for the street. I did have a Bonneville because I like the old school look. Have ridden about every Harley but just can't seem to pull the trigger. I also like the BMW GS as I like to ride back and mountain roads and just explore. My wife doesn't ride with me so will be 1 up. I anxiously waited for the CB and looked at it soon it came out and like it. Then I just kept looking at HD's until the past weekend and I went back to the Honda dealer again. I really like the CB so started reading all the post. I also stated checking at the windscreens as this was a concern but looks like there are options. I like naked most of the time but some wind protection would be nice at times. Am planning on taking one out this weekend for a demo ride. Not sure what I am asking for in the post unless you can give me some input on if any of you ride both and your impression of the CB versus an HD. Am looking at the softails. Like I said though only back and mountain roads and very little highway or long trips. Have lots of beautiful mountain roads here in Arkansas to ride without ever getting on the highway.

Thanks for letting me just talk on my first post. Dang I love this bike!!

Hello ARMike,

My first suggestion would be to ride both bikes back to back on the types of roads you would typically ride. You might even want to try ridding the new BMW GS because it is a great all around bike.

I have a 2005 Road King with almost 40,000 miles and consider it very reliable. I have had absolutely no problems. The Harley is very easy to work on and I do all my own maintenance. I have gone through several sets of tires and replaced the front brakes, and changed fluids as the factory recommends. The Harley is relatively low maintenance, no valve adjustments and the belt final drive requires very little maintenance compared to a chain drive. The Road King is great for a relaxing ride through back roads and a very good long distance touring bike. Cruise control, heated grips and large windshield are good for long rides and cooler weather. The Road King does shake a lot at stop lights but once moving at highway speeds it is very smooth. Average fuel consumption is about 45 MPG but it does require Premium. The fit & finish on Harley’s is very good and no other manufacturer comes close to the variety and quality of accessories.

I only have 1600 miles on my 2013 CB1100, so it’s too soon to talk about long term reliability but I expect it to be rock solid. The CB1100 is a joy to ride around town and up to a couple of hours. Afterwards the seat gets very uncomfortable for me and I plan to replace the factory seat with a Corbin next year. The transmission and clutch work flawlessly and is one the best I have experienced. At idle you almost don’t know its running but as others have mentioned has some vibration around 4K. Not objectionable if you are wearing gloves but could be an issue for some people. I have averaged about 52MPG and it only requires regular unleaded fuel.

The CB1100 is much quicker, handles way better and has superior brakes. The newer Harley Touring bikes have a stiffer frame and better tires than my 2005 but it still will not handle anything like the CB1100. While some consider the Harley slow, I find it has adequate power and more than enough for pulling away from a stoplight. In my opinion both bikes look how a motorcycle should look. The engines are works of art and pleasing to look at.

For a couple hour ride it’s hard to beat the CB1100. For an all-day or cross country ride I would take the Road King hands down.

Good Luck with your decision!

[pcb01_imp]

I've owned a Superglide and an Electraglide and have nothing bad to say about either. You would be happy with either (mid mount pegs/boards).

I usually have 3-4 bikes in the garage. Right now, only the CB1100, and that's fine with me. It will do 95% of anything I want to do, and at this point I'm not willing to pay another 10-20 K to cover the other5%. YMMV.