CB1100 or Harley?

[furious_blue_imp]

I have the CB1100 and a 2007 Harley Softail Custom. I like them both. Except for them each having 2 wheels, there's really no way to compare them. If you get one, you will miss something that the other one has...

If you can only have 1, then I'd go with the one that makes *you* feel better. This is not a rational purchase. If it's a rational purchase one's after, I'd get a Hyundai car instead. Way more low maintenance transportation value for the money :-).

The only thing I don't look forward to on the Harley is the day that the drive belt or the balancer weight systems need to be replaced (that won't be for quite a while though).

[Deanohh_imp]

I have the CB1100 and a 2007 Harley Softail Custom. I like them both. Except for them each having 2 wheels, there's really no way to compare them. If you get one, you will miss something that the other one has...

If you can only have 1, then I'd go with the one that makes *you* feel better. This is not a rational purchase. If it's a rational purchase one's after, I'd get a Hyundai car instead. Way more low maintenance transportation value for the money :-).

The only thing I don't look forward to on the Harley is the day that the drive belt or the balancer weight systems need to be replaced (that won't be for quite a while though).

Not any worse than pulling the cams to replace valve shims.

[ChipBeck_imp]

Hardleys aren't 100% American anymore... parts are made in Mexico and I believe some of the electronics are not from this country but are assembled here.

Personally I would never own a hardley-a-davidson. I just can put spending that amount of money to not really enjoy the ride whereas I totally enjoy the CB experience.

In addition those that own a hardley are those that are living off of the government, okay maybe not all but there are many who get government Assistance hardley owners.

Sorry but I just can't see those bikes being worthy. I can get a cb and have enough money left over to farkle and then some taking care of my family, etc without owing a left nut for a so called status symbol.

Knock me off the soap box please...

Sent from my XT901 using Tapatalk 4.1.4

??????? I'm not quite following this???? You say "maybe not all", so I guess possibly all or at least a substantial percentage of Harley owners are living off of the government?? But people that buy less expensive Honda's shy away from government assistance? Am I not reading this right?

Chip

[Guth_imp]

Chip, dBuster did provide you with a response, but I've taken the liberty of deleting it. Some things are better left unsaid.

[bubblerboy64_imp]

Living off the government and Harley's? I don't get that one. I've heard about every negative applied to Harley owners and have found none of them to be true personally but that's a new one.

Enlighten yourself and visit a Harley dealership and maybe make an effort to be open to the possibility that you are holding an extremely prejudicial view which is clearly not supported in fact.

[Guth_imp]

Guys, let's try to stick to comments about the bikes themselves. Like many others, I don't have the patience to deal with the ignorance on display in this thread and if we can't move past that, I'll be shutting this thread down. Thanks.

(Sorry ARMIke, this is not how things typically are around here.)

[rboe]

Chip; If I may drift the topic a wee bit here. You stated you got better mileage on the HD than the CB, in town or on the road so I wonder if that may have any thing to do with the way you tend to ride each bike? I had a saleman years ago that rode a Harley and when pushed during ralley contests could do about 100mpg. Can't some close to that with the Honda as far as I know. But if you do more spirited riding on the Honda that could explain the difference. Otherwise I would thing the Honda would be more even with the HD.

As a data point, my V Twin Griso (and the Quota I used to have) are thirsty bitches with no hope of seeing decent mileage (the Griso does do better than the Quota but to hit 50 is a bloody miracle).

[The Spaceman_imp]

Guys, let's try to stick to comments about the bikes themselves. Like many others, I don't have the patience to deal with the ignorance on display in this thread and if we can't move past that, I'll be shutting this thread down. Thanks.

(Sorry ARMIke, this is not how things typically are around here.)

Bravo! Hear Hear!

[cbdtran_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!

your info is valuable, I always like HD just because it is an old schooled bike, all steel no plastic. American love hamburger right? My riding style is gentle, so when green start, HD leave me in the dust ... big torque, high gear has its appeal.

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!!

I just recently sold my Harley XR1200. I seen one and it took me back to the early 60s when a friend bought a Sportster and let me ride it. WOW, but---have had Brit bikes and a ton of Hondas since. When I seen the XR on ebay and it was close by I went over and rode it and bought it. That big thumping engine!!! 6 months later and Honda brings the CB to America. Went to Shelby NC Honda and test rode one . Went back home, put the Harley and my Vstrom on Ebay! Now I have the CB and enjoy it more every day, it is one sweet machine. One of the best bikes I've owned in 58 years of riding.

the CB1100 saves my motorcycling. I go to the dealer to sell my Suzuki where I buy it in 2009 new with 1000 miles on it. It should conclude my on/off passion for motorcycle, I walk out the dealer and see the CB in front of the store. What a beauty, after negotiating hard, I take her home a couple days later. It happens all suddenly, no planning ... Since then, my passion come back, I ride the bike every day with many long trips in the mountains and back-roads

Being Asian at 5'7, 160 lbs, I love things that fit me proportional. The CB fits me well psychologically, not too tall, not too big compared to other bikes in same displacement.

If it can cook, I will marry it

[ChipBeck_imp]

Chip; If I may drift the topic a wee bit here. You stated you got better mileage on the HD than the CB, in town or on the road so I wonder if that may have any thing to do with the way you tend to ride each bike? I had a saleman years ago that rode a Harley and when pushed during ralley contests could do about 100mpg. Can't some close to that with the Honda as far as I know. But if you do more spirited riding on the Honda that could explain the difference. Otherwise I would thing the Honda would be more even with the HD.

As a data point, my V Twin Griso (and the Quota I used to have) are thirsty bitches with no hope of seeing decent mileage (the Griso does do better than the Quota but to hit 50 is a bloody miracle).

Rboe,

My Road King is an older 1340 Evolution with fuel injection. At 65 mph it gets 50 mpg. My CB gets about 45 mpg. In town the HD also gets about 5 more mpg. The newer HD's have bigger engines and probably get poorer mileage but I'm not sure. The CB is geared fairly low and with no 6th gear it's pretty buzzy at high speeds. The rubber engine mounts on the HD make it very smooth at speed. My HD is a 5 speed too however. The newer ones are 6 speeds. Not a huge difference in mileage and I ride the bikes about the same. I'm pretty mellow.

Chip