CB1100 - Someone with Basic Skills

[mike85_imp]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on the forum so please bear with me if this has been asked before. I did some searching around the forum and found somewhat similar threads, but nothing that truly answered my question.

That being said, I've grown up riding dirt bikes (nothing bigger than 200cc) and I am very confident in my basic riding skills, however, I am on the fence if a CB1100 would be a "good" first street bike. Just to give you some perspective, I'm 33 yo, 5' 10" about 230 pounds (all jokes and laughs aside, I am a pretty built guy). I've also sat on the CB1100 and can almost flat foot it. I'm looking for a bike to cruise around on, maybe a few commutes to work once in a while, and a short trip here or there. I wouldn't classify myself as a thrill seeker, but more so just want to get out and enjoy the road when the weather permits. I also want a bike that has enough power to cruise the highway and safely pass cars without pushing the bike to it's limits. I love the lines and look of the CB1100 and really think it checks all of the boxes I am looking for in a bike. That said, although I want a bike I can, "grow old with," safety obviously comes first, which is why I am taking the time to write this post.

From everything I've read and seen on Youtube, everyone seems to agree the CB1100 is a powerful bike, but, "it will not do anything you don't want it to do," as one person said best.

I welcome your honest feedback and look forward to hopefully joining the CB1100 family.

Thanks

[the Ferret]

Howdy Mike and welcome to the forum.

With your dirt background and general size I would think you would have no trouble handling a CB 1100. IT's really a very easy bike to ride with good torque spead and great brakes.

[mike85_imp]

Howdy Mike and welcome to the forum.

With your dirt background and general size I would think you would have no trouble handling a CB 1100. IT's really a very easy bike to ride with good torque spead and great brakes.

Thanks Ferret, I appreciate the feedback. 1100ccs sounds intimidating, but I have a lot of respect for what the bike is capable of and recognize I will have to take my time with it.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

The CB1100 is a heavy bike and I think that puts a lot of people off. But it handles it's weight very well with a low center of gravity and as ferret said, great torque. I think that quote "it will not do anything you don't want it to do" probably refers more to (and this is just my opinion) that it isn't so much of a sport bike as a sport/touring bike. So it does a lot of things well but doesn't necessarily excel at anything. It's just a good all around street bike. As for your first street bike that afore mentioned low center of gravity and great torque make it very easy to ride.

Edit: Misread that quote. It pretty much won't do anything you don't want it to. I stand by the rest though. My honest opinion of the bike.

[LongRanger_imp]

I think given your build and experience, you'll have no problems. 1100 can sound intimidating but this engine is strong on low-end torque, plus it's very smooth and tractable, which makes it easy to ride. You'll love it!

[Hondakid_imp]

Welcome! I think my experience so far could help. I bought the CB1100 as my first street bike with very little experience. I am about 6ft and 220 lbs - it is not too heavy or tall for a beginner of my size. It is pretty fast for a beginner bike, but never scared me because I simply didn't go full throttle for a month or two. Power is progressive, and there is a lot of it on tap. You can easily pass in normal highway conditions (70 to 80mph around here) without downshifting.

It also is pretty tough to stall. You really have to mess it up to stall this bike. Brakes are the same story. I have a standard 2014 (no abs) and I have had people in traffic force me to the limit of traction. At the limit I was able to modulate it to keep from locking up and was so happy with how well it behaves under hard braking. Proper form, not leaning or jerking the brake, balanced front/back brake usage etc all played a factor. But still, I am a beginner, and I was able to emergency stop in real traffic, and it was confidence inspiring.

I cruise around and commute to work a couple days a week. I have owned the CB for 6 months, and totally love it. I ride it every chance I get! Looking forward to my first long trip this summer.

TL;DR If you are a responsible adult this is a great beginner bike.

[Nortoon_imp]

Most of my riding is done on rural back roads, although I have also ridden on 2 and 4-lane highways. Some days I lay back and cruise, other days I enjoy enthusiastically sweeping through the curves. The motor in the CB1100 makes it an easy motorcycle to ride. I seldom see the tachometer at greater than 3500 RPM, unless I am making a quick pass on a 2-lane highway. It has been described as a lazy man's bike because it is so easy to ride.

The CB1100 is a heavy motorcycle at 560 pounds. It also feels top heavy because of the tall upright motor and large gas tank. However all that disappears once you shift out of first gear. On windy highways the weight actually make the CB1100 a very stable motorcycle.

There are a couple of things that can make a long ride uncomfortable. The handlegrips are small in diameter and rock hard. They will cramp your throttle hand within an hour. However a pair of Grip Puppy slip-on foam covers can eliminate that.

The second complaint of most rides is the seat. I weigh close to what you do. Numb bum sets in after 1 1/2 hours. There are a number of ways to dealing with it. The Coleman MadDog seat pad is the least expensive, but will only give you an addition 1/2 hour of comfort. Others have tried air cushions, and various after market seats. The are numerous threads on this forum to read on this subject.

Overall the CB1100 is a very pleasant motorcycle to ride, and its good looks will often receive compliments when you stop.

[tommymck_imp]

Hi Mike,

With your size and build, you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever. As to the question of power for the highway, it's fine. I'm used to cruisers with a bit more low-end torque, so I find that I need to downshift the CB1100 on passing at highway speeds more than I'm used to with my BMW, but that's just me. It isn't a problem from my perspective because I get far more of a kick out of motorcycles on side roads than I do on the highway anyway, but it definitely isn't a sport bike.

I'm 5'11, 180lbs and the thing feels like a featherweight to me. Where in Maryland do you live? The Honda dealer in Crofton goes out of their way to push you out on a test ride. There is no substitute for a test ride in my opinion. Others do test rides as well, but these guys really encourage it, leading you on a nice course that takes the bike through its paces.

[mike85_imp]

Hi Mike,

With your size and build, you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever. As to the question of power for the highway, it's fine. I'm used to cruisers with a bit more low-end torque, so I find that I need to downshift the CB1100 on passing at highway speeds more than I'm used to with my BMW, but that's just me. It isn't a problem from my perspective because I get far more of a kick out of motorcycles on side roads than I do on the highway anyway, but it definitely isn't a sport bike.

I'm 5'11, 180lbs and the thing feels like a featherweight to me. Where in Maryland do you live? The Honda dealer in Crofton goes out of their way to push you out on a test ride. There is no substitute for a test ride in my opinion. Others do test rides as well, but these guys really encourage it, leading you on a nice course that takes the bike through its paces.

Thanks, Tommy. I am in northern Baltimore county and have actually been in contact with Crofton (I can't stand Pete's cycle up by me). I would love to test ride, but have put off actually getting my license, which I am doing at the end of June. Just from sitting on it and based on everyone's feedback, I feel very confident this is now the bike for me.

[2017EX_imp]

Hello Mike, welcome to the Forum. To my mind, your question has a three part answer, and obviously just my opinion. First, I think many if not most of us started with smaller displacement bikes to learn the mechanics of actually riding and operating a motorcycle. With your previous experience in riding dirt bikes, I think you are probably competent with the mechanics.

Second, CB1100, weight, size, and power. The CB1100 is a joy to ride, and I find it a easy to ride in all situations, slow speed around town, cruising speed on the freeway, and everything in between. It is not a crotch rocket, but does have plenty of power. With your physical size, you should have no problem handling it. Ever see a 140ish lb. woman riding a Harley that weighs a lot more than the CB?...I have.

Third is where my only concern might be. Like many of us, I started riding on the street with small displacement at age 17, and I am 66 now. As the years went on, I went to bigger displacements as my "street" experience and riding knowledge increased. It was a progression, because riding schools did not exist. Riding the street, in my opinion takes a different skill and mind set to do safely than riding in the dirt, and from what you said it sounds like you have little or no street experience. So for a first street bike, my best suggestion would be to complete a good motorcycle riding & safety course first, regardless of what street bike you decide is right for you. Most good courses supply a bike, and every thing but helmet and riding gear. The cost of a course is not prohibitive, compared to the price of a bike and an investment in safety.

Combined with a safety course, I think the CB1100 would be a choice you would be very happy with.