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For the last few months I developed the following pattern. Retired, I ride almost everyday. If I'm going to ride 100 miles or less, here in my local area, on the roads I grew up on, I take the CB.
I don't even take the sport touring bikes out of the garage for anything less than 100 miles. When I do its closer to 200. That is what they are good at. The CB is just a fun bike to ride after all those years exclusively on sport tourers.
I'm leaving in 5 weeks, for a two week, 5000 mile trip out west. I'll be riding the RT. I can ride the RT for as long and as far as I want, it is that comfortable on a long ride. And it handles very well.
I was on the CB today, and went into a Mcdonald's for coke and french fries. It was cool here, and a nice late afternoon ride was calling me. A man (40s?) saw me ride and up and I could feel him watching me. A few minutes later he walked over and spoke to me. He asked "what year is your bike?" "2017, its just styled like a retro." "Great looking bike."
I get that often when I ride the CB 1100. I think alot has to do with it being different. You don't see them often. I could not be happier with this bike.
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As you point out the CB is in it's element riding around on backroads at 45-60 . It's not that it won't do freeway slogging, loaded down with gear, because it will ... but once you've ridden a dedicated tourer or sport tourer with wind protection, generous hard luggage capacity and maintenance free shaft drive on a long trip, it's hard to make the sacrifice in total comfort and amenities to put the CB in that role.
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(08-28-2017, 09:41 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: As you point out the CB is in it's element riding around on backroads at 45-60 . It's not that it won't do freeway slogging, loaded down with gear, because it will ... but once you've ridden a dedicated tourer or sport tourer with wind protection, generous hard luggage capacity and maintenance free shaft drive on a long trip, it's hard to make the sacrifice in total comfort and amenities to put the CB in that role.
Warning: I do not address the touring with a passenger, as I believe everyone should ride his or her own bike.
So: if you need to take on a trip more stuff than cb1100 will comfortably carry, you should consider the first rule of comfortable travel:
Before leaving, put together tho piles: one of all the stuff you intend to take with you, the other with all the money. Then take one half of the stuff and double the money.
Quote:...maintenance free shaft drive on a long trip... If chain maintenance is too much trouble, so will be keeping the helmet visor free of bugs. Consider a sporty four-wheeled vehicle.
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Well, we all have our own opinions rotor. Here's mine....
My wife has been traveling with me for 45 years. Every corner of the US, couple provinces in Canada and 5 countries in Europe. We ride 2 up and we enjoy that very much. It's something we share, something we look forward to and something we plan for. She enjoys being a pillion and I'd rather not worry about her being on her own bike. It allows me to concentrate on my riding, instead of spending 1/2 my time watching my rear view mirror to make sure she's ok, and it cuts traveling costs almost in half, allowing us to travel even more.
Chain maintenance is not " too much" trouble, but it is something that, for me, detracts from the touring experience. I'd rather not sit on the ground in a hotel parking lot after a long day of riding with tools and chain lube, (been there done that since 1965) when I could be relaxing in the hotels jacuzzi instead. Btw with my windshield I don't get any bugs on my face shield.
Chain drive for me is archaic, it's like having points and condenser again, or a kick starter, or tubed tires, or drum brakes, or spokes, or clutch cables with soldered ends. I toured when bikes came with those things. In a time when you had to carry a lot of tools and spares, and duct tape, and bailing wire, spare cables, vice grips, and tire spoons and spare tubes or a patch kit. It was a pia. I'm glad those days are long gone. Good riddance. There are much better ways of doing things these days. Give me electronic ign, fuel injection, disc brakes, tubeless tires, hydraulic clutches and yes shaft drive for my long distance touring, and if they offered a hydraulic valve option, I would opt for that too.
To suggest someone drive a car just because they don't care for a drive chain, is well, .........
Oh and these days I also wear high tech Cordura textile riding gear which keeps me warm when it's chilly, cool when it's hot and dry when the skies open up, plus provides a good deal of crash protection, a fancy full coverage helmet with ventilation and real motorcycle boots . Kinda like the shaft drive of riding gear vs the chain drive version ... Army peacoat, open face helmet with snap on bubble shield, work gloves, jeans and Army boots that I started off riding in in 1965. Times change.
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+1 to the comments by Ferret. As mentioned in other threads, we have both a CB and a ST. Each has it's purpose; its design envelope. Then when I want the truly vintage experience I ride my CB650C. To be brutally honest, the 650 is a horrible bike compared to the modern rides: weird steering geometry, weak brakes, abysmal suspension, flexible frame ... and it all brings back fond memories of many miles past. I have said before that the beauty of motorcycling is that the variety is nearly infinite. There is a bike for every taste.
I even dabbled in sidecars for a couple of years. Now that is weird.
Jim
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I was, of course, just trying to introduce some levity into the serious topic; not in a million years would I dream of suggesting to my fellow forum members how to fine-tune their matrimonial affairs. My comment was prompted by observation of historical instances (long time ago, in a galaxy far away) in which the dominant partner was actively discouraging the natural desires of the other one for self-propelling capability, out of fear of loosing the said dominance.
And on the topic of oiling the chain, I hope I have by now established around here the reputation of a harmless weirdo that actually enjoys the act of lubrication. Just a minor deviation from the motorcycling normal.
But on the topic of most long-distance motorcyclists traveling with Too Much Stuff, I do not yield 
Quote:...these days I also wear high tech Cordura riding gear which keeps me warm when it's chilly, cool when it's hot...
hehe, I knew there was something we have in common.
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Great discussion.
The "chain drive" of riding gear. I like that!
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Wow! I've found a whole bunch of fellow "harmless Weirdo's". Thank the god's above and below.
I had planned a ride to Oregon this week, but our host advised that the fires had closed some roads and the smoke is bad.
The good news is that I get to ride to an STOC event [WISTOC, Spring Green Wisconsin, Sept 7-11] and it is close enough to enjoy riding the CB.
Jim
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(08-29-2017, 12:41 AM)tinboatcapt_imp Wrote: Wow! I've found a whole bunch of fellow "harmless Weirdo's". Thank the god's above and below.
I had planned a ride to Oregon this week, but our host advised that the fires had closed some roads and the smoke is bad.
The good news is that I get to ride to an STOC event [WISTOC, Spring Green Wisconsin, Sept 7-11] and it is close enough to enjoy riding the CB.
Jim Love the riding around Spring Green. Enjoy.
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The CB is just a good solid bike, handles about every situation admirably. Some of us are fortunate enough to own several bikes and all of us wish we could own "just one more".
I'd love a dedicated sports tourer that would comfortably rack up a dozen or more 500+ mile days in a row but at 4 bikes my garage, driveway, and basement are full - maybe I can sell my wife's car?
For a 20 day trip not sure what bike I'd take but I know the CB would be n the hunt.
I'm at the point in my life where a 2500 mile trip requires time to enjoy the scenery and enough stops to savor the local cooking. CB is a good unpretentious bike, I know I'll make it back home with a smile on my face.
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