Is your CB a keeper?

[Cormanus]

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9884&pid=176523#pid176523]Nice rant Nightengale. Broadly speaking I agree with you, although I think most of the blame for the avaricious accretion of unnecessary products is down to each of us. We really do not have to give into the manufacturers and the marketers.

On the other hand, some of the developments that have come from constant change are worth it. Fuel injection is way better than carburettors. At the risk of waking the dead, I'll say ABS is great technology and I'd have bought my CB1100 with it if I could. LED lighting is an improvement.

Is it too hypocritical to be grateful for the benefits of rampant consumption? As I wrote that, I realised it is. The down sides are just too many and too great.

[ride4now_imp]

I find that motorcycles, at least in our developed country's, evoke quite the emotion. Not only from a decision to buy but from a decision to keep. I bought my orig. 2013 because it reminded me so much of the orig CB750, (that I had never owned or even rode for that matter), back in the day. Then, one year later, I traded her in on my 2014 Deluxe because it reminded me even MORE of that orig CB750. I won't sell this bike because it pushes all the buttons I wanted pushed. For me, it's a terrific, middle weight, all around UJM. It can take me almost anywhere I want to go. It's not the best handler, sport bikes are better. It's not the best tourer because its too small, it lacks storage, protection, and has that #%^+ chain which I hate. My Harley is better. It wouldn't make a good Adventure Bike although I know of at least a few people who are trying to prove that it is. My KLR is better. And frankly (I'll get hate mail for this), I don't think the fit/finish is really that good. But that 4 cylinder air cooled engine loves to rev and has a design that belongs in a museum. It has 4 chrome headers and 2 chrome mufflers that love to sparkle, and the way it sounds under way is just too good for ears. It pushes the buttons. I could say similar things about the other bikes in my stable... while they push different buttons, they push MY buttons. I don't think anyone buys a motorcycle in the US, Canada, Austrailia, France, Great Britain, or in any other developed county in the world for any reason outside of emotion. No one NEEDS a motorcycle here... we just WANT one, or two, or three...

[R748_imp]

It's a "proper bike" (bit hard to explain that one). Has the beauty, fit, finish and ride quality of an Italian bike and is made of quality, long lasting, sturdy parts (not like a plasticy british or other-made parts bin specials).

I think of it like buying quality shoes, or perhaps sunglasses. Yes, they are expensive but I like the fact that after 10 years solid wear, they still look and operate like new. Heck, the shoes maybe even more comfy than when I first bought them. I know my feet or eyes will thank me for it later too, as will my wallet in the long term.

The CB1100 has a similar feel. Or maybe I've been in the sun too long.

[the Ferret]

LOL the best argument against ride modes came from my younger brother (who recently bought a new Bonneville T-120 with modes) " I don't need a computer to tell me to slow down in the rain"

[Elipten_imp]

LOL, but sadly many do need the computer to tell them to slow down.

People are getting more stupid, while AI computers are getting smarter.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Nightengale_imp]

I find that motorcycles, at least in our developed country's, evoke quite the emotion. Not only from a decision to buy but from a decision to keep. I bought my orig. 2013 because it reminded me so much of the orig CB750, (that I had never owned or even rode for that matter), back in the day. Then, one year later, I traded her in on my 2014 Deluxe because it reminded me even MORE of that orig CB750. I won't sell this bike because it pushes all the buttons I wanted pushed. For me, it's a terrific, middle weight, all around UJM. It can take me almost anywhere I want to go. It's not the best handler, sport bikes are better. It's not the best tourer because its too small, it lacks storage, protection, and has that #%^+ chain which I hate. My Harley is better. It wouldn't make a good Adventure Bike although I know of at least a few people who are trying to prove that it is. My KLR is better. And frankly (I'll get hate mail for this), I don't think the fit/finish is really that good. But that 4 cylinder air cooled engine loves to rev and has a design that belongs in a museum. It has 4 chrome headers and 2 chrome mufflers that love to sparkle, and the way it sounds under way is just too good for ears. It pushes the buttons. I could say similar things about the other bikes in my stable... while they push different buttons, they push MY buttons. I don't think anyone buys a motorcycle in the US, Canada, Austrailia, France, Great Britain, or in any other developed county in the world for any reason outside of emotion. No one NEEDS a motorcycle here... we just WANT one, or two, or three...

Perhaps your Harley is also air-cooled (as most are)? Ha! Don't get me started on bikes that belong in a museum, you're obviously riding TWO of them. Which is really what it is all about. Ride it.

I enjoy technological developments as much as anyone, but often think, "is this really necessary?" or even "good"? I've got tons of features on my phone that I'll never, ever use. Even more on my computer (and I'm a computer professional) and so on. Given the choice - I'd buy products WITHOUT the extra features (which is one of the attractions of the CB1100). But there were / are some things I'd rather have then the 'old' (like good brakes, my old CB750 stopped like a train).

Yet they just keep adding more junk to our fun... I honestly fail to see the point (beyond their profit motives of course and safety improvements).

I fitted the so-called 'missing pieces' I think I need to my CB1100 - and my DR650, making them even better. I'm glad somebody made these parts, and the profits that went with them, but I really never "needed" any of them. I just wanted them. So as Cormanus pointed out - we're grateful (appreciative?), but there are downsides to all of this.

[Schuyler414_imp]

I pose this question because every now and then I read that someone is selling his CB and moving on... there's been more than a few of late and that's sad to me. Most seem to be just wanting to try something new... and that's fine. But this bike is so special to me (even though I currently don't ride it much) that I don't think I could bear to part with it. So that's really my question. I had this discussion, briefly, with Motogeezer a few weeks ago on FB when he announced he was selling his. He doesn't get emotionally attached to his machines and periodically moves on to something new. Is anyone else like that? Or are you like me... when you find something you like, you KEEP it. I have a 23 year old boat, of my 3 cars, one is 11 years old, of my 3 bikes, one is 12 and the other one is 7 years old. And I have only had one wife... 40 years now. Oh, maybe I shouldn't have brought that up... LOL. So, is the CB a keeper for you? Or not? And if not, what would you trade it for?

I bought this bike mostly to take my wife for an occasional ride, but that is not happening much. Also ride a BMW/RT, which is very good on longer rides with great fairing etc., thinking that because I don't ride it as much as I thought I would, selling maybe smart. Maintaining 2 bikes is also more than I want to continue too much longer. I do think this is a very nice bike and handles like a dream, with great looks too--get lots of compliments.Schuyler

[ohiorider_imp]

It may be a keeper, if I can bond with the bike after improving the front and rear suspension ..... my CB + my 160 pounds = a rough ride on our secondary roads.

If it isn't a keeper, well, that won't be the end of the world. I've had other bikes that didn't stick around too long ..... including a couple of BMWs out of several that did stick around ... an ST 1300 that just didn't personally work for me.

I don't view it as a moral failing if I cannot bond with a particular motorcycle. It has happened before.

Bob

[jitaylor_imp]

I also get sad when someone leaves a forum because they are no longer going to have the bike. Don't know why, but it causes an odd melancholy. Good news is, there are new 2014's being sold for cheap all over the place, so we will have new members pretty soon with any luck.

[use2b_imp]

I am down to just one bike and both my doctors have told me to stop riding , so this will be my last bike and i am so happy with it. I am tempted all the time to buy a stable mate for it but really there is no need.
it has all the power i need and down low with an instant torque curve.

I also never get tired of everyone telling me they use to have one just like it back when they were young