CB1100EX for a new rider? (my daughter)

[Cormanus]

what is that jtopiso? We don't have those in the US I am aware of. Nice looking bike though.

It’s described as a CBF 500. Isn’t that the CB500F?
https://www.google.com.au/search?safe=of...hvFxhoqOR8

[kennyw]

My wife started out on a 2013 CBR250R with fuel injection last year. Lowered to 30" seat height and lightweight make it a great starter bike.

Of course she quickly outgrew it riding everyday and upgraded to an CTX700N by the end of summer. I now have her old bike to sell this spring. Located near Seattle.

[the Ferret]

what is that jtopiso? We don't have those in the US I am aware of. Nice looking bike though.

It’s described as a CBF 500. Isn’t that the CB500F?
https://www.google.com.au/search?safe=of...hvFxhoqOR8

It’s described as a CBF 500. Isn’t that the CB500F?
https://www.google.com.au/search?safe=of...hvFxhoqOR8
Ours looks much different than that with a transformer style headlight, different exhaust etc

[vfrpaul98_imp]

being a rider for 55 years and owning an riding many sizes and types of motorcycles and coming from a dealership from the early 1960, I taught a lot of new owners to ride. I would not recommend the size of a cb1100 or other mfg's machines for a new owner/rider. it's just to much to handle in a learning curve. it only takes a couple of mistakes to take the joy out of motorcycling while learning and now the motorcycle is no longer wanted because the new owner/rider has been spooked.
my own #2 street bike is the Honda cb500x. this midsize machine does everything well and is often my first choice when riding in unfamiliar territory. I think if I had the need I would also own a Honda cb500f but my aged riding needs requires a bike that I am not to worried about getting dirty. so my advice for a new owner/rider would be the cb500f or the cb500x, you just can't go wrong with either.
Paul

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Regardless of how well a CB500 is as a beginners bike (I don’t disagree), tommymck has stated multiple times that his daughter is not into the praying mantis Transformer look. Which means she doesn’t want one. Just sayin.

[jtopiso_imp]

what is that jtopiso? We don't have those in the US I am aware of. Nice looking bike though.

That's a CBF500. I'm guessing now it was never sold in the US.

It's what honda did between the old CB500 and the CB500F
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CBF500

They are very similar bikes in terms of handling, but the CB500F is tuned down from 56hp from the CBF to 47hp (at least in Europe), as that is the maximum power you are allowed to ride with an A2 license (which is all you can get during your first two years as a rider). I guess less power means also less emissions, so that could be another reason.

What I don't understand is: What do regulations have to do with the new insect look?

[redbirds_imp]

Suzuki's SV650, The 2017 and later versions, are more traditional looking with a round headlight. A bit heavier than the CB500F at near 430 lbs but a smooth motor that will cruise at extra legal speeds all day without complaint. If anything like the two V-stroms (same motor) that we've had the SV650 will be reliable and easy to maintain.

[tommymck_imp]

Thanks again for all of the replies, and I really appreciate it. My original issue was that my daughter seemed he**-bent on getting some super cheap very used Rebel (mainly due to cost). The ones that I rode that she asked me to check out from her local Craig's List just seemed unsafe at any speed. When I checked them out, it seemed really scary. Not to mention the fact that these carbureted versions didn't seem to like to start and run even in the balmy SoCal weather.

When I started riding street bikes, I had already been riding dirt bikes as a kid, and I always associated size with safety and comfort on the streets (and I still do.) I get though, and thanks in part to all of the replies, that what's comfortable to a middle-aged guy who is 6' and 175 lbs is different than a young woman who is 5' 8" and 125 lbs who has never ridden on the streets.

Anywho, my idea of satisfying my urge for a CB1100EX shouldn't be a reason to inflict that on her. I could just get a CB500 for me in SoCal for when I visit, but neither of us would really bond with the bike I'm guessing. I'll let her do her own thing, which probably is an older Rebel to start. She doesn't love the look or the ride, but feels like it's the responsible choice. That's fine by me (not that I have any real say on the issue) but I just hate to see her buy into a bike that doesn't start or idle reliably and feels like a clown bike on the Freeway.

In any case, I still do have a hankering for a CB1100EX. Most of my riding is short commuting or weekend outings. So, my current thinking is to ship out the R1200C to CA, keep my R1200GS here for when I want the bigger bike, and get the CB1100EX to replace the R1200C here. And let my daughter do whatever it is she wants to do out in SoCal. I just hope she doesn't get something so old or so unreliable that it turns her off to riding....

[Cormanus]

Is it possible to persuade her to something with FI?

[the Ferret]

Your last paragraph sounds like the most logical solution tommy. Just tell her that it's her choice, however, you insist on whatever she chooses having fi and that it be safety inspected by you or at a dealership. That is only prudent.