CB1100 or Harley?

[rboe]

It appears to me the Japanese know their home market very well, the US less so. Understandable; we tell them to import something and then we don't buy it (W650, our CB1100, GB500 etc.) but from time to time they hit a home run (Goldwing). We're a fickle bunch.

[ride4now_imp]

Wow... As a Harley, Kawasaki, AND Honda owner... I'm glad I've missed most of this conversation. I might have been banned... I tend to like to argue. I forget who asked the original question but I remember reading that you decided to buy the CB. Good choice! But of course... I would have said that if you bought the Harley. After all... It's YOUR bike. Ride safe and enjoy your CB!

[flynrider]

It appears to me the Japanese know their home market very well, the US less so. Understandable; we tell them to import something and then we don't buy it (W650, our CB1100, GB500 etc.) but from time to time they hit a home run (Goldwing). We're a fickle bunch.

I don't know that I'd call the CB1100 a dud yet. Honda imported it knowing that it was a niche bike and would not sell like their more popular models. Take the last generation CB750 as an example. It was never a big seller, but Honda sold it here for 12 years.

[enzo_imp]

I''ll take any bike even a HD if it's for free. But I am a bit choosee when I afto hand over cash.......
At the moment I just LOVE HONDA. If FIAT made a bike who knows....and the Vespa was SCOOTOOO.
Not saying HD dosen't have it's creds ether.....

[davidsargee_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!!

Mike, I had a similar concern, except it was over a different bike. I was looking at the CB1100 and the Yamaha FZ-09. However, I have some experience with Harley's, (I like them for what they are, not a Harley "basher"). In the end, of course, I bought the CB1100.

As for the Road King, they are nice, but they are much more expensive than the Honda. In my opinion, other than the sound, the Honda is superior in every way. The Road King is a good touring bike, the CB1100, (with a fairing), would also be a good touring bike. The Honda is very torquey, far more nimble, quicker, and much easier to ride "around town" than the Harley.

I don't know, if this helps, but for me it is a no brainer, the Harley is going to set you back a lot more money, but I'm not sure what you are paying for, other than the "Harley experience". Buying American is certainly a consideration, but for me, the Honda was right. I put a lot of thought into my personal decision, and I am very pleased with the Honda,
I like it more and more every day.

It appears to me the Japanese know their home market very well, the US less so. Understandable; we tell them to import something and then we don't buy it (W650, our CB1100, GB500 etc.) but from time to time they hit a home run (Goldwing). We're a fickle bunch.

I purchased my CB1100 a couple of days ago, it was the last one the dealer had, (a large dealer in DFW), and they said they do not know when they will have any more, could be next year. They sold several of them. It won't, of course, be their best seller, but it's doing ok.

Honda has done quite well in the U.S. over the years.

[rjk555_imp]

Wow... As a Harley, Kawasaki, AND Honda owner... I'm glad I've missed most of this conversation. I might have been banned... I tend to like to argue. I forget who asked the original question but I remember reading that you decided to buy the CB. Good choice! But of course... I would have said that if you bought the Harley. After all... It's YOUR bike. Ride safe and enjoy your CB!

+1.

All bikes are potentially good bikes. The question is which bike is best for you. When I sold cars, I would ask the customer which other cars she-or-he was considering. I never knocked their range of choices. There was, after all, something in those choices that resonated with the customer. Harley, Honda, Triumph or Suzuki . . . they're all good. For the members of this forum (including me), the CB1100 was the bike that met our needs.

[bubblerboy64_imp]

Yesterday for the lack of anything better to do I road my new to me Valkyrie to Twiggs in Hagerstown. Those fellows from top to bottom are the nicest most professional people I have encountered in my dealings. M&S Harley in Chambersburg is also a top notch outfit but Twiggs is outstanding. Never too busy to talk with you and always more then willing to allow a test ride or to do what ever it takes. Anyways I looked at two bikes. The F6B which is nice but probably more then I need. I test rode a CTX with the auto transmission and that's a very interesting bike. I personally like the auto shift but they make the bike with a regular shift. I thought the bike was especially nimble and easy to ride. Can be set up with a nice fairing and small hard bangs, sorta like a baby wing. Anyone looking for a bike for a new rider or a short distance run around would do well to look at the CTX 700. A little expensive however. As an aside I some how got to one of the Harley forums and they were talking about the Honda F6B as it compared to the street glide. I found it interesting that they freely admit to some significant quality issues with their bikes. Specifically the CVO which I thought was supposed to be their "best" bike. I haven't had a problem with any of my Harley's but admittedly mine don't get ridden much. I was rather surprised about the comments. They typically don't like the esthetics of the Honda's but they freely admit better performance and better quality at a reduced cost. If you are getting it straight from the Harley guys themselves must be some truth to it. I was surprised to read this from the boys themselves. And it makes me reconsider my opinions.

[cb400four_imp]

Yesterday for the lack of anything better to do I road my new to me Valkyrie to Twiggs in Hagerstown. Those fellows from top to bottom are the nicest most professional people I have encountered in my dealings. M&S Harley in Chambersburg is also a top notch outfit but Twiggs is outstanding. Never too busy to talk with you and always more then willing to allow a test ride or to do what ever it takes. Anyways I looked at two bikes. The F6B which is nice but probably more then I need. I test rode a CTX with the auto transmission and that's a very interesting bike. I personally like the auto shift but they make the bike with a regular shift. I thought the bike was especially nimble and easy to ride. Can be set up with a nice fairing and small hard bangs, sorta like a baby wing. Anyone looking for a bike for a new rider or a short distance run around would do well to look at the CTX 700. A little expensive however. As an aside I some how got to one of the Harley forums and they were talking about the Honda F6B as it compared to the street glide. I found it interesting that they freely admit to some significant quality issues with their bikes. Specifically the CVO which I thought was supposed to be their "best" bike. I haven't had a problem with any of my Harley's but admittedly mine don't get ridden much. I was rather surprised about the comments. They typically don't like the esthetics of the Honda's but they freely admit better performance and better quality at a reduced cost. If you are getting it straight from the Harley guys themselves must be some truth to it. I was surprised to read this from the boys themselves. And it makes me reconsider my opinions.

Currently, my work responsibilities enforce only day trips on my CB1100 and my other older Hondas, but in a couple years I'll have the free time for week-long trips and I'll be in the market for one of these two bikes (Harley or F6B / similar). I've sat on the F6B at the NYC motorcycle show and at the local dealership and I think it is great (plus that flat six!), but on the other hand I've always wanted a bigger HD. Bubblerboy, I'm closely following your comments!

[bubblerboy64_imp]

Yes, You know it's interesting this motorcycle passion deal. If you park a wing or a F6B next to a Harley Street Glide they are as different as a Great Dane is to a German Shepard. About all you can say is they are both big dogs. While I don't dislike the esthetics of the Honda I can't say that it really gets me going like the Street Glide but how are you going to write the check for something which doesn't really perform to the standard that is expected. Especially after reading the "facts" on the Harley forums. These fellow are saying they are having valve train problems at less then 30k miles. Possibly related to running too hot (being air cooled). That being said there are TONS of those things sold and I have a hard time thinking that it's a large percentage but maybe an extended warrantee is in order on those bikes? The fellow I bought the Valkyrie from bought a Street Glide S in Black and Sunglo. Haven't seen it but I'll bet that's a looker. He spent three times what he sold the Valkyrie to me for. The Valk is mint and with 6000 miles it's likely a better motorcycle. I buy new bikes but loose big money when I do. The used ones if you are careful you can buy and ride them a year and take maybe a $1000 hit. More sensible for sure.

I only sat on the F6B and one thing I did notice is the cock pit seems tight to me. You are right up close the handle bars (and I am SHORT mind you) and the setting position is very vertical. The seat seems very wide to me and not especially comfortable on the Honda. There are after market seat showing up now which might solve that but I wonder if a fellow over 6 ft would be comfortable on the F6B.

As the fellows says on Chasing Classic Cars "it's all about the chase"

[CIP57_imp]

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/compar...tions.html

Having rented streetglides and owning a gold wing it would be a no brainier without even demo riding each of them. Lower seat height mid controls, shorter distance to bars on the honda = better comfort for me personally, not to mention Hp and torque difference all at the same price. Shields can all be modified to your preference. Now this would be for long overnight tours. They Harley may be fun for the weekend warrior going for breakfast and bull@~*^ting at the gas station.