2014 CB1100 Standard ride review/XSR900 comparo

[Blockhead_imp]

Interesting thread...VLJ, just do like a lot of us do. Buy a bike, when you get sick of it, sell it, buy another one.....lather, rinse,repeat....

[VLJ_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.

The Z900RS defintely sits way higher than the CB1100. I tippy-toe the Kawi. I flat-foot the Honda. The U.S.-spec Z900RS comes standard with their much thicker, taller seat. In other markets the Kawi comes standard with the optional shorter seat, and that's the seat Kawi uses to achieve their claimed 31.5" seat height. The U.S. version is nearly 33". Compared to the Honda, the Kawi's seat is also wider at the front, which takes up even more of my leg-length.

Did you also happen to notice how crazy-wide the tank is on the Z900RS? I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd noticed something a bit unusual in the pictures taken directly from the front. It had sort of a beached whale aspect through the middle. Once I sat on the bike, yep, there it was, that Oprah-sized, oddly-shaped tank.

Not a fan.

[LongRanger_imp]

The R1200RT is the same. The tank is wider than its length, or so it seems.

[Cormanus]

MTC, while not wanting to detract from redbirds’ and Sparky’s family first, I’m pretty sure that, while the Wandering Souls were sponsored, it was jo by Honda or a Honda dealer and that they chose the CBs for their trip.

Could be wrong though.

[emptysea]

MTC, while not wanting to detract from redbirds’ and Sparky’s family first, I’m pretty sure that, while the Wandering Souls were sponsored, it was jo by Honda or a Honda dealer and that they chose the CBs for their trip.

Could be wrong though.

You are probably correct....I still don't think they should count, though, because they (I think) sold those bikes and did not replace them with CBs later. No biggie either way, though, because redbirds and Sparky must be the only couple represented here with his/her CBs

[redbirds_imp]

After sitting on a 900RS Sparky was surprised that it was just as tall as her V-strom and after 10 years and two V-stroms, a tall bike is something she wanted to avoid. The Kawasaki does feel light coming off the side stand but they should have altered the suspension to allow a lower seat height. Lack of a center stand was another minus.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

After sitting on a 900RS Sparky was surprised that it was just as tall as her V-strom and after 10 years and two V-stroms, a tall bike is something she wanted to avoid. The Kawasaki does feel light coming off the side stand but they should have altered the suspension to allow a lower seat height. Lack of a center stand was another minus.

The bike has an excellent low seat option. My buddy has one with the low seat, loves it.

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.

That 900 family have an extremely low center of gravity.

[Frulk_imp]

VLJ wrote: " Did you also happen to notice how crazy-wide the tank is on the Z900RS? I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd noticed something a bit unusual in the pictures taken directly from the front. It had sort of a beached whale aspect through the middle. Once I sat on the bike, yep, there it was, that Oprah-sized, oddly-shaped tank."

You know, the shape of the tank didn't bother me although I did notice it. I was more impressed with the fact that the tank was metal, something I'm fixated on when it comes to a bike. I really like metal tanks because I like to run magnetic tank bags. I was put off by the color scheme, which I personally found unappealing. overall the bike did look good from all angles and appeared to be on the compact, smallish side (which isn't a bad thing).

As a side note: I forgot to mention in another thread. While speaking to the younger salesman earlier in the day yesterday he stated that the floor model 900RS I was looking at was probably going to be bought by one of their mechanics. I think he mentioned the guy was working out the best case financing for his particular situation. I think we're going to see a few of these bikes on the road fairly shortly come spring. Anything remotely retro seems to be the in thing right now.

[VLJ_imp]

After sitting on a 900RS Sparky was surprised that it was just as tall as her V-strom and after 10 years and two V-stroms, a tall bike is something she wanted to avoid. The Kawasaki does feel light coming off the side stand but they should have altered the suspension to allow a lower seat height. Lack of a center stand was another minus.

Yours Truly Wrote:The U.S.-spec Z900RS comes standard with their much thicker, taller seat. In other markets the Kawi comes standard with the optional shorter seat, and that's the seat Kawi uses to achieve their claimed 31.5" seat height. The U.S. version is nearly 33".
Just order up the shorter seat from the accessories catalog. A center stand is also a factory option for the Z900RS.

[flynrider]

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 Z900RS defintely sits way higher than the CB1100. I tippy-toe the Kawi. I flat-foot the Honda. The U.S.-spec Z900RS comes standard with their much thicker, taller seat. In other markets the Kawi comes standard with the optional shorter seat, and that's the seat Kawi uses to achieve their claimed 31.5" seat height. The U.S. version is nearly 33". Compared to the Honda, the Kawi's seat is also wider at the front, which takes up even more of my leg-length.

Did you also happen to notice how crazy-wide the tank is on the Z900RS? I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd noticed something a bit unusual in the pictures taken directly from the front. It had sort of a beached whale aspect through the middle. Once I sat on the bike, yep, there it was, that Oprah-sized, oddly-shaped tank.

Not a fan.

I only noticed it last week, when someone posted the video of the dyno run. When viewed from above, it's noticeable. Funny thing was that I'd never noticed it in all of the pics of the RS that I'd seen on the 'net. I just went back over Kawasaki's Z900RS gallery and it seems that it only looks oddly shaped from above. I can live with that, especially since it delivers a comfortable 4.5 gallon capacity.