2014 CB1100 Standard ride review/XSR900 comparo

[redbirds_imp]

On the Z 900RS thread I had written how excited my wife was about the new Kawasaki and her plans to acquire one as soon as she could sell her V-strom. She has ridden my CB a few times in the past but only very short stints. Today she wanted to take the CB for a longer ride, including riding it out our one mile of dirt road to the paved highway and into town, about a 16 mile round trip.

On the first section of the ride I thought she might have difficulty with the CB on the sandier areas of our road but she managed them without a bobble. When we made the pavement she accelerated quickly up to speed through the few curves before hitting the main highway into town. Signaling me she was stopping, I was thinking she really doesn't like the CB that much and was ready to swap back to the Suzuki but no. I pulled along side and her first words to me, "No wonder you like this bike so much, I want one too."

The Kawasaki is now out and we start looking for a CB tomorrow. I'm happy with that.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

This kind of thread reminds me how passionate we are about motorcycles. That's a good thing.

Hear, hear, sir!

I have not been trying to change anyone's opinion about their motorcycle. But there has been a great deal of feeling expressed here recently. A bit of hash has been slung, and a barb or two. That's expected.

However, it's the most animated and interesting discussion about the CB1100 I've seen since I started visiting the site.

So that's a neat thing.

The extra helping of character analysis, not so much, but I can take the pepper as long as there's a bit of salt.

After reading this threads 5 pages of fairly interesting comments and taking their multiple pro and con points into consideration nothing changed the opinion I had beforehand: I REALLY, REALLY like my almost bone stock 2013 CB1100.

That really emphasizes the true irony of the goal of increasing the activity and post count.

In the last few weeks some folks have put a sincere effort into increasing the conversation level, but at the same time, some have expressed sentiments that much ado about nothing is a bad thing.

The lesson here is that post count, word count, and character count don't define quality.

That task was better left to Robert Pirsig, lol.

By the way, I REALLY, REALLY, liked my 2013 CB1100. But I LOVE my 2015 ZX10R and Z900R.

I don't have an aircraft hangar to store bikes, nor the funds, or I'd get a place next to Jay Leno's.

There just wasn't room enough for all of 'em, so the CB1100 had to go.

I do seem to recall some threads saying that former owners were perfectly welcome here, though.

I've really enjoyed VLJ's journey thus far and, more to the point, the discussion it has provoked. However, when it comes down to it the issue at the heart of the matter is not so much the bike as VLJ's personality which leads to his riding in a particular way. He loves the CB1100 EX and wants to believe that it would be a good for him if he could buy one, slow down and enjoy it. That may well be true. I don't know. Others of us seem to think his character will lead him inevitably to disappointment as the bike fails to meet the needs of the way he will be driven to ride.

Buy the bike, VLJ, and share your journey with us. As you've said, if it doesn't work out and your inner speed demon wins the fight, at least you'll have tried and we'll get to hear about the battle.

Ulvetanna, I also hope you land on a 2017 CB1100EX and share your journey with us. Even though you may not believe it, there are those of us who would like to know whether, if tinkered with and ridden in a sporting manner, it delivers satisfaction.

Lol, thank you, sir!

I think I did that with my 2013, but can assure you that I have at least one active riding buddy who's modded his similarly to mine; he's a club racer and loves the classic I4's. Whenever I talk to him about his bike, he always talks about how he's able to surprise the daylights out guys on pure supersports.

Yep, there are a few of us out there.

We'll see what this year brings; I gotta have another look at that 2017EX.

Thanks again.

I'm gonna do you a favor here VLJ.

Ready?


Buy the dang bike.

Lol! I would like to know what the Ferret had to edit out, though...

Hear, hear, sir!

I have not been trying to change anyone's opinion about their motorcycle. But there has been a great deal of feeling expressed here recently. A bit of hash has been slung, and a barb or two. That's expected.

However, it's the most animated and interesting discussion about the CB1100 I've seen since I started visiting the site.

So that's a neat thing.

The extra helping of character analysis, not so much, but I can take the pepper as long as there's a bit of salt.
I'll be honest Ultevanna, I didn't see anything wrong/offensive in any of your comments.

I particularly liked the one about a "skills section". I have been riding continuously without break since 1986 but as almost the entirety of that riding has been in isolation I don't consider myself to be a particularly skilled rider. I don't watch racing, read many magazines or ride with many people. In fact my main riding partner (who lives 1000 miles away now) was much less skilled than I and couldn't keep up to my '03 HD Nighttrain in the twisties on his '04 Z1000.

For the most part I don't even know what you guys are talking about most of the time - what the heck is drive line lash??

Hear, hear, sir!

I have not been trying to change anyone's opinion about their motorcycle. But there has been a great deal of feeling expressed here recently. A bit of hash has been slung, and a barb or two. That's expected.

However, it's the most animated and interesting discussion about the CB1100 I've seen since I started visiting the site.

So that's a neat thing.

The extra helping of character analysis, not so much, but I can take the pepper as long as there's a bit of salt.
I'll be honest Ultevanna, I didn't see anything wrong/offensive in any of your comments.

I particularly liked the one about a "skills section". I have been riding continuously without break since 1986 but as almost the entirety of that riding has been in isolation I don't consider myself to be a particularly skilled rider. I don't watch racing, read many magazines or ride with many people. In fact my main riding partner (who lives 1000 miles away now) was much less skilled than I and couldn't keep up to my '03 HD Nighttrain in the twisties on his '04 Z1000.

For the most part I don't even know what you guys are talking about most of the time - what the heck is drive line lash?? The reason I continue to post on this site is because I know that a good number of folks respond in a constructive and positive way. I like it, they like it. The one thing that'd really keep me away is a surplus of just plain cussedness. So far it's been pretty cool.

When I look at the number of people currently viewing the site it's pretty darn meager. Myself, I don't care about that. This site'll never have big numbers.

The CB1100 was one of a number of unique and cool bikes I've owned. It's very memorable. That's why I still like to talk about it (and other bike-related stuff). As far as I can see there ain't no "Gentleman's Agreement" required to post on this site, so as long as that obtains, I guess I'm in.

That said, I just visited motorcycle daily dot com, and man oh man, what a flamefest over there! That's not for me. I can take an occasional jab, sure, but a diatribe, no, I sure don't have time for that.

I really never met a motorcycle I didn't like, and if a meet a person I just don't get along with, if I have to, I'll just shake the proverbial dust from my sandals and move on.

[the Ferret]

Lol, well there's a twist you didn't expect. GO Sparky!

[Ulvetanna_imp]

That would only mean that you spent as much on performance upgrades as you spent on the entire bike, which doesn't mean it lends itself to performance upgrades without breaking the bank. It means the CB can be purchased used without breaking the bank.

No...it wouldn't mean that at all. For instance, Ohlins sold the shocks for half-price after Honda exited in 2015. A forum member sold the exhaust at a substantial discount after just a few miles. For some reason, unknown to me, you have decided to draw some line in the sand and pick a fight. You win. I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about, and no idea how much I've spent. But you do. So I'll just go back to lurking...

No...it wouldn't mean that at all. For instance, Ohlins sold the shocks for half-price after Honda exited in 2015. A forum member sold the exhaust at a substantial discount after just a few miles. For some reason, unknown to me, you have decided to draw some line in the sand and pick a fight. You win. I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about, and no idea how much I've spent. But you do. So I'll just go back to lurking... I just don't see it. I don't see where VLJ was ever trying to "pick a fight" with anyone.

If that's what we need to do to up the post count, nah, I don't think that's what happened. Let's try to cut a break here and there.

As far as lurking, well, I am trying that, too. Hasn't been working out.

Hey there VLJ and egleaves, thanks for posting your thoughts following the bike swap. It's always nice to learn about other machines. The XSR sounds like a real hoot and the comments about the CB has sparked some lively conversation.

VLJ what's all this guff about the bike being a factor in helping you to slow down, surely that's simply something between your left-brain and your right wrist? Perhaps you could commence, or resume, some club road racing and go play where the seriously fast guys (and gals) play.

As ferret and I were just discussing, yes, an XSR can be ridden slowly, but who would want to? I know I don't.

Quoteerhaps you could commence, or resume, some club road racing and go play where the seriously fast guys (and gals) play.
My reconstructed neck won't even let me ride sportbikes or bikes with a slight forward lean, never mind doing track days anymore. I used to be a track-day junkie, but those days are long gone.

[Cormanus]

On the Z 900RS thread I had written how excited my wife was about the new Kawasaki and her plans to acquire one as soon as she could sell her V-strom. She has ridden my CB a few times in the past but only very short stints. Today she wanted to take the CB for a longer ride, including riding it out our one mile of dirt road to the paved highway and into town, about a 16 mile round trip.

On the first section of the ride I thought she might have difficulty with the CB on the sandier areas of our road but she managed them without a bobble. When we made the pavement she accelerated quickly up to speed through the few curves before hitting the main highway into town. Signaling me she was stopping, I was thinking she really doesn't like the CB that much and was ready to swap back to the Suzuki but no. I pulled along side and her first words to me, "No wonder you like this bike so much, I want one too."

The Kawasaki is now out and we start looking for a CB tomorrow. I'm happy with that.

I always said Sparky was a woman of remarkably good taste!

[emptysea]

On the Z 900RS thread I had written how excited my wife was about the new Kawasaki and her plans to acquire one as soon as she could sell her V-strom. She has ridden my CB a few times in the past but only very short stints. Today she wanted to take the CB for a longer ride, including riding it out our one mile of dirt road to the paved highway and into town, about a 16 mile round trip.

On the first section of the ride I thought she might have difficulty with the CB on the sandier areas of our road but she managed them without a bobble. When we made the pavement she accelerated quickly up to speed through the few curves before hitting the main highway into town. Signaling me she was stopping, I was thinking she really doesn't like the CB that much and was ready to swap back to the Suzuki but no. I pulled along side and her first words to me, "No wonder you like this bike so much, I want one too."

The Kawasaki is now out and we start looking for a CB tomorrow. I'm happy with that.

Pretty cool. So does that mean 2 CBs at the rally?

[redbirds_imp]

On the Z 900RS thread I had written how excited my wife was about the new Kawasaki and her plans to acquire one as soon as she could sell her V-strom. She has ridden my CB a few times in the past but only very short stints. Today she wanted to take the CB for a longer ride, including riding it out our one mile of dirt road to the paved highway and into town, about a 16 mile round trip.

On the first section of the ride I thought she might have difficulty with the CB on the sandier areas of our road but she managed them without a bobble. When we made the pavement she accelerated quickly up to speed through the few curves before hitting the main highway into town. Signaling me she was stopping, I was thinking she really doesn't like the CB that much and was ready to swap back to the Suzuki but no. I pulled along side and her first words to me, "No wonder you like this bike so much, I want one too."

The Kawasaki is now out and we start looking for a CB tomorrow. I'm happy with that.

Pretty cool. So does that mean 2 CBs at the rally?

Yes!

[Frulk_imp]

In the for what it’s worth department...The Kawi 900RS I sat on yesterday felt much lighter coming off the kickstand than the CB. However. The seat of the RS definitely felt as if it was higher. That may or may not be related to the fact I have an aftermarket cafe seat on my bike that is narrow at the mid seat area and maybe a hair lower in profile.

[VLJ_imp]

Ulvetanna, I tried to send you a PM, but the error message I received said that you're still not accepting PMs. So, I guess I'll run it by you here.

You had a '13 CB1100, and now you have a Z900, which is the only other bike I'm still considering, along with the '17 EX. How does the Z900 fare at freeway speeds, compared to the CB? Specifically, engine buzz, including the mirrors. The mirrors on Eric's 2014 CB1100 Standard are flat-out phenomenal. They don't blur up at all, at any speed or RPM. Also, his bike is plenty serene at 75 mph. There is some motor buzz that can be felt though the tank and bars, but not enough to be a bother.

Is the Z900 any better or worse?

[emptysea]

In the for what it’s worth department...The Kawi 900RS I sat on yesterday felt much lighter coming off the kickstand than the CB. However. The seat of the RS definitely felt as if it was higher. That may or may not be related to the fact I have an aftermarket cafe seat on my bike that is narrow at the mid seat area and maybe a hair lower in profile.

The seat height for the Kawi is 31.5" for the CB1100, it's 31.2"

On the Z 900RS thread I had written how excited my wife was about the new Kawasaki and her plans to acquire one as soon as she could sell her V-strom. She has ridden my CB a few times in the past but only very short stints. Today she wanted to take the CB for a longer ride, including riding it out our one mile of dirt road to the paved highway and into town, about a 16 mile round trip.

On the first section of the ride I thought she might have difficulty with the CB on the sandier areas of our road but she managed them without a bobble. When we made the pavement she accelerated quickly up to speed through the few curves before hitting the main highway into town. Signaling me she was stopping, I was thinking she really doesn't like the CB that much and was ready to swap back to the Suzuki but no. I pulled along side and her first words to me, "No wonder you like this bike so much, I want one too."

The Kawasaki is now out and we start looking for a CB tomorrow. I'm happy with that.

Pretty cool. So does that mean 2 CBs at the rally?

Yes!

Yes!

So, could this be the first "his & hers" CB1100 couple? (not counting that Dutch, "Wandering Souls" couple that I think was paid to ride them).