Another “is this the bike for me?” thread

[cblais19_imp]

Hey folks, fairly new rider here shopping around for my 2nd bike, and fell deeply in lust with the CB when I was madly blowing manufacturer sites last year prior to getting my license. Apparently last year was my year to do all the things I’d missed out on in my 20s, turned 30 early last year and my now ex-wife moved out the next month (although non-acrimonious and mutual). Spent the next 9 months or so getting into auto racing, buying and restoring a BMW E30, and then finally getting on a motorcycle like I’d been wanting to since my late teens. Currently puttering around on a little BMW G310r, which while a lovely little bike is just not very suited for the amount of highway driving I’ve found myself unexpectedly doing.

So, CB. Looks like the 2017s have much more mild recommended maintenance intervals, meaning that besides regular chain cleaning, using the bike as a daily commuter shouldn’t mean too much work? Do spark plugs really need to be changed every 8k, and is it difficult to get to? Otherwise with oil changes every 8k it shouldn’t be any more then my Accord to keep running (we’ll just ignore tire costs...). I’ve seen the dirt/salt the crazy Aussie/ferret get on their bikes, is it a pain to clean after that level of dirt? They like to just dump salt everywhere the rare occasions it threatens snow around here.

I see some people say that they’ve never ridden a bike with cleaner airflow, and some still say they need a windscreen over 70. Here in the DC Metro I’m doing ~75 on the highways, and did feel a bit like a sail on the G310 until I got a MRA windscreen. I’m sure the 200lbs over the G310 would mean a much more stable highway ride, and I do see plenty of people using them for touring. Do you think this is more of a personal thing?

I see a couple of ‘14 DLXs have been put up for sale here at ~$7k. Not sure what the OTD would be on a ‘17 EX, probably ~$12k at least. If you were buying a CB today would you spend the extra?

I’m going to go sit on a leftover ‘14 base a local dealer has, ABS is an absolute must for me so this will be more of a “is this comfortable?” And “do I really like the look of this in the flesh?” Sort of thing. Everything I’ve read about this bike seems to indicate that it’s a super forgiving and easy going bike that would be a perfect all-rounder, with an exceptionally high build quality. Is there anything else you would tell somebody looking into a CB? For fitment reference I’m a nice average 5’10”, 185lbs.

Thanks!

[PowerDubs_imp]

Why is ABS a must?

Never had a bike with it in my life.

Don't lock up your brakes. Slow down in rain. Don't ride in snow.

[Lord Popgun]

The second hardest maintenance is most likely the valve check. And you’re in luck. Here is a post on it from today, with pics: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....#pid198933

Valve adjustment is another thing. You do all of the above, plus remove the cams to get to the shims (under buckets).

[cblais19_imp]

ABS is a must because I’m a new rider and I’d like my bike to try and stop in a straight line if I have to do a quick stop and grab the brakes, vice low siding. Same reason my Accord has the full Honda Sensing suite - things to give me a safety edge, especially in Northern Virginia traffic, are priorities.

Your risk assessments may be different.

Re: valve checks - I saw that thread. Looks like most people don’t have to do any adjustments either?

[Lord Popgun]

Most have reported no adjustments. A few have, but wasn’t out much.

[the Ferret]

Wow, lets see. If you are going to commute or ride year round, expect it to get dirty/salty. Wash it off in spring with s100. Wash off summer gunk in the fall with s-100. If you do commute, or ride year round, you will rack up enough miles in a short time that your bike won't be worth anything on resale anyway, so you might as well use the darn thing and get your moneys worth out of it. If you can't handle a dirty bike, or don't want to ruin it's value with high miles, only ride it short distances on bluebird days.

Maintenance: chains these days are extremely robust. Figure a chain adjustment when you get new tires ( every 8-10,000 miles) and maybe once in between. Lube when it looks dry or after you have ridden in the rain. Chain and sprockets will last in the neighborhood of 25-30,000 miles. Air cleaner and spark plugs every 25,000 miles. Brakes front and rear about every 20,000 miles. Brake and clutch fluids every 2 years. Valve adjustment or inspection... 2 theories. One..go by mfgs recommendation which is inspection every 8,000 miles. Two..go by symptoms, noisy valve train, hard starting, rough running, gas mileage goes down, have them inspected. Oil and filter changes, every 4,000 (not 8,000) and it's ridiculously easy on this bike. Oil changes are no doubt the most important maint item on the bike

If you are looking at a 14 left over, it DOES NOT have ABS, no matter what the dealer tells you.

My suggestion if you are looking for a bargain of a bike to really use, go for the 14 std at closeout prices despite the fact it doesn't have ABS or pick up a used DLX which will have ABS. It you want to have a bike to keep for a long time and take out in optimal weather as a show piece, go for the 17 EX.

[Mscb1100_imp]

Welcome to the site and the CB1100 is a great choice,
Your comments make it appear you want to be a responsible, safe rider.
Please note that in a panic stop, it will take you longer time and distance wise to stop with ABS than without as the brake pistons pulse in grasping and releasing the rotor.
I’m not trying to talk you out of getting ABS, but taking a rider course and practicing braking techniques under a trained and competent instructor can make you a proficient rider.
Hope you find a great deal and continue to participate on the forum.

[the Ferret]

I probably should have added, this is an extremely efficient motorcycle, smooth, powerful, yet easy to ride. Great transmission, great brakes and as you've noticed stunning looks. At left over prices easily the very best bargain in motorcycling, costing no more than 700 cc twins with half the cylinders, displacement or power.

[peterbaron]

Hey folks, fairly new rider here shopping around for my 2nd bike, and fell deeply in lust with the CB when I was madly blowing manufacturer sites last year prior to getting my license. Apparently last year was my year to do all the things I’d missed out on in my 20s, turned 30 early last year and my now ex-wife moved out the next month (although non-acrimonious and mutual). Spent the next 9 months or so getting into auto racing, buying and restoring a BMW E30, and then finally getting on a motorcycle like I’d been wanting to since my late teens. Currently puttering around on a little BMW G310r, which while a lovely little bike is just not very suited for the amount of highway driving I’ve found myself unexpectedly doing.

So, CB. Looks like the 2017s have much more mild recommended maintenance intervals, meaning that besides regular chain cleaning, using the bike as a daily commuter shouldn’t mean too much work? Do spark plugs really need to be changed every 8k, and is it difficult to get to? Otherwise with oil changes every 8k it shouldn’t be any more then my Accord to keep running (we’ll just ignore tire costs...). I’ve seen the dirt/salt the crazy Aussie/ferret get on their bikes, is it a pain to clean after that level of dirt? They like to just dump salt everywhere the rare occasions it threatens snow around here.

I see some people say that they’ve never ridden a bike with cleaner airflow, and some still say they need a windscreen over 70. Here in the DC Metro I’m doing ~75 on the highways, and did feel a bit like a sail on the G310 until I got a MRA windscreen. I’m sure the 200lbs over the G310 would mean a much more stable highway ride, and I do see plenty of people using them for touring. Do you think this is more of a personal thing?

I see a couple of ‘14 DLXs have been put up for sale here at ~$7k. Not sure what the OTD would be on a ‘17 EX, probably ~$12k at least. If you were buying a CB today would you spend the extra?

I’m going to go sit on a leftover ‘14 base a local dealer has, ABS is an absolute must for me so this will be more of a “is this comfortable?” And “do I really like the look of this in the flesh?” Sort of thing. Everything I’ve read about this bike seems to indicate that it’s a super forgiving and easy going bike that would be a perfect all-rounder, with an exceptionally high build quality. Is there anything else you would tell somebody looking into a CB? For fitment reference I’m a nice average 5’10”, 185lbs.

Thanks!

cblais19,
I thought you ALREADY bought it, won't regret it = satisfaction guaranteed with CB
...mine already has 53 Km = worry free...never failed...ops..once it guit on the hwy = run out of the gas at 5000 rpm

pb

[Flytech99_imp]

Welcome to the site and the CB1100 is a great choice,
Your comments make it appear you want to be a responsible, safe rider.
Please note that in a panic stop, it will take you longer time and distance wise to stop with ABS than without as the brake pistons pulse in grasping and releasing the rotor.
I’m not trying to talk you out of getting ABS, but taking a rider course and practicing braking techniques under a trained and competent instructor can make you a proficient rider.
Hope you find a great deal and continue to participate on the forum.

I would agree with this statement wholeheartedly as long as you're referring to a calculated hard stop under known conditions on a good surface. I'm not saying you can't do so in a panic, but it's much harder to account for all variables in an emergency situation. That's where ABS can save your bacon and offer peace of mind for the rider. Including my DLX, I've had three bikes with it and three bikes without and learned how to maximize braking on all of them. I only "used" the ABS once on my BMW and I'm glad I had it because it likely kept me under control while I avoided T-boning a distracted driver.

That being said, ABS is not a substitute for rider proficiency... However, it is an effective aide with justified value for some riders.