Anyone feel underwhelmed?

[CB_Rider_imp]

I got the cb11 abs after waiting 17 years to ride again. My last bike was a cb750 that I had "outgrown". My bike before that was a cb450 that I quickly outgrew. I have to say, that the cb11 definitely reminds me of my 750, but with more power.

I am also somewhat underwhelmed by the 1100. I bought it because it is the only new naked, in the u.s., that has a riding position that I prefer. I test rode the ninja 1000 and preferred it's power, but I was not completely comfortable with the design, and the fact that I could not get theft insurance at this point.

I would like at least one more gear, a little more power, the engine to not have the intentionally added noise, and a wider gear spread. I'm thinking of adding the better shocks at some point.

I wonder if I would prefer the cb1300. Too bad the u.s. can't get it. I'm hoping to upgrade before I get too old and have to get a trike.

[Deanohh_imp]

I think they forgot to put the added engine noise on mine.

[Guth_imp]

In my opinion, of all things, a motorcycle should incite passion in an individual. At least some amount of passion anyway. In other words, riding the bike, looking at the bike, or working on the bike for that matter should be something that you look forward to.

I definitely feel for you mrhonda. It really just comes down to what you're looking for out of the bike. As an example, I've read (and have been surprised by) more than a few people commenting that the 919 is a rather boring bike (I'm assuming that this as it pertains to rest of the class it represents). Honestly, I wouldn't mind owning one if I could add another bike to the two that I already own. I'm sure I'd have a blast with that bike, probably get myself into a fair bit of trouble, but the next guy might feel totally different. There are bound to be plenty of folks that the CB1100 is not going to appeal to, and you might be one of them.

As I've mentioned before, I dig this bike for reasons beyond just the ride (which I do happen to enjoy a lot). I'm passionate about the looks of the bike and therefore even enjoy washing the thing. I look forward to maintaining it on my own, and building a bond with it as I have with my Hawk GT over the past number of years. Finally, I've always been able to easily visualize myself with this machine. It just fits with my personality in so many ways.

Maybe give the CB a bit more time and try to enjoy it for what it is. I tend to romanticize just about every aspect of the bike and the ownership experience. But in the end, it is a machine and looking around the dealer websites, there are plenty of very low mile trade-ins. So obviously not every machine is a hit with every buyer. If it does grow on you, then by all means, dole out for the Moriwaki! (I'm going nuts waiting for someone else to buy one so that I can read all about it.)

Regardless of what happens, you can always keep hanging around this joint for some douchebag-free motorcycle-based discussion.

[mrhonda1987_imp]

In my opinion, of all things, a motorcycle should incite passion in an individual. At least some amount of passion anyway. In other words, riding the bike, looking at the bike, or working on the bike for that matter should be something that you look forward to.

I definitely feel for you mrhonda. It really just comes down to what you're looking for out of the bike. As an example, I've read (and have been surprised by) more than a few people commenting that the 919 is a rather boring bike (I'm assuming that this as it pertains to rest of the class it represents). Honestly, I wouldn't mind owning one if I could add another bike to the two that I already own. I'm sure I'd have a blast with that bike, probably get myself into a fair bit of trouble, but the next guy might feel totally different. There are bound to be plenty of folks that the CB1100 is not going to appeal to, and you might be one of them.

As I've mentioned before, I dig this bike for reasons beyond just the ride (which I do happen to enjoy a lot). I'm passionate about the looks of the bike and therefore even enjoy washing the thing. I look forward to maintaining it on my own, and building a bond with it as I have with my Hawk GT over the past number of years. Finally, I've always been able to easily visualize myself with this machine. It just fits with my personality in so many ways.

Maybe give the CB a bit more time and try to enjoy it for what it is. I tend to romanticize just about every aspect of the bike and the ownership experience. But in the end, it is a machine and looking around the dealer websites, there are plenty of very low mile trade-ins. So obviously not every machine is a hit with every buyer. If it does grow on you, then by all means, dole out for the Moriwaki! (I'm going nuts waiting for someone else to buy one so that I can read all about it.)

Regardless of what happens, you can always keep hanging around this joint for some douchebag-free motorcycle-based discussion.

No Doubt. This forum is great. I used to frequent wristtwisters quite a lot, since the 919 and all, and thats kinda turned into a 919 only club. There were a few Harley guys a while back that joined and they got flamed like no other. Maybe they deserved it, maybe not, but I'm all about turning the other cheek. Forgiveness man.

[Guth_imp]

As far as I'm concerned bikes are bikes. Some get me more fired up than others, and that's probably for the best — I have a hard enough time managing my money as it is. Bike riders are another story. I try to give pretty much everyone on a bike "the wave" when passing in the opposite direction. If they choose not to return in kind, well that's their deal. Some HD riders choose to, other's don't. Same goes for every other brand of bike out there along with the people who ride them. People are what they are. I try my best to give others the benefit of the doubt. With so many things in life, it's often the exceptions that prove to be not only the most surprising, but somtimes the most enjoyable.

[Bbref36_imp]

[quote='mrhonda1987' pid='4834' dateline='1371501277']
Hey Dudes. For as long as I've pined for the CB1100, since first looking at the Tokyo Motor Show's prototype, I'm finding myself underwhelmed. At only 26 years old, I can't look back fondly at the 70's and the great CB's of the era, although I've owned a few. A CB350, CB500T, CB750, etc. All great. But this new one leaves me... let down. I understand it was never going to win drag races against ZX14s or out-cruise a Harley, but compared to more modern offerings, it seems like the 11 is a bit boring.

I took my CB350 down the highway yesterday and I was grinning ear to ear the entire time. Took my 919 for a 60 mile loop around my house and back, and was completely into it. Did the same ride on my 11 a few days later and I couldn't have been more bored.

Maybe, although I've loved my old CBs that I had, it was simply because they were mine. The nostalgia hasn't fully enveloped me. Maybe that's that mystique that Harley owners insist 'I won't get.' Maybe cruising around on old tech, however modern, and harkening back to the old times, isn't my bag. If the CB750 in 1969 was the Ferrari 250GTO of the day, this CB11 isn't the F40, or the Enzo. Its a F50. It looks fantastic but isn't near as good as that which came before it.

Anyway, that's my .02 on the matter. Having lived with it, it makes me love my 919 that much more. I'm seriously considering downsizing and just enjoying not having the debt.

Anyone else want to chime in?

A a bike salesman I have to ask this question- did u get a test ride, did you get a presentation about the cb, do you have questions etc? Reason I ask is my number one goal in sales is getting the buyer on the right bike, everything else comes after. If we sell the wrong bike to a customer then they get upset at the dealership and place the blame on the store (sold me a Lemmon, hate the bike, I got screwed etc).

Just curious as hopefully I can avoid this in helping my customers. Mark

[Joola_imp]

[quote='mrhonda1987' pid='4834' dateline='1371501277']
Hey Dudes. For as long as I've pined for the CB1100, since first looking at the Tokyo Motor Show's prototype, I'm finding myself underwhelmed. At only 26 years old, I can't look back fondly at the 70's and the great CB's of the era, although I've owned a few. A CB350, CB500T, CB750, etc. All great. But this new one leaves me... let down. I understand it was never going to win drag races against ZX14s or out-cruise a Harley, but compared to more modern offerings, it seems like the 11 is a bit boring.

I took my CB350 down the highway yesterday and I was grinning ear to ear the entire time. Took my 919 for a 60 mile loop around my house and back, and was completely into it. Did the same ride on my 11 a few days later and I couldn't have been more bored.

Maybe, although I've loved my old CBs that I had, it was simply because they were mine. The nostalgia hasn't fully enveloped me. Maybe that's that mystique that Harley owners insist 'I won't get.' Maybe cruising around on old tech, however modern, and harkening back to the old times, isn't my bag. If the CB750 in 1969 was the Ferrari 250GTO of the day, this CB11 isn't the F40, or the Enzo. Its a F50. It looks fantastic but isn't near as good as that which came before it.

Anyway, that's my .02 on the matter. Having lived with it, it makes me love my 919 that much more. I'm seriously considering downsizing and just enjoying not having the debt.

Anyone else want to chime in?

A a bike salesman I have to ask this question- did u get a test ride, did you get a presentation about the cb, do you have questions etc? Reason I ask is my number one goal in sales is getting the buyer on the right bike, everything else comes after. If we sell the wrong bike to a customer then they get upset at the dealership and place the blame on the store (sold me a Lemmon, hate the bike, I got screwed etc).

Just curious as hopefully I can avoid this in helping my customers. Mark

I wish there were more salesmen like you. I've seldom (if ever) felt that from a dealer. I generally feel like they will do and say whatever they need to put me on the bike I think I want...except lower the cost.

As to MrHonda's post, I do not feel underwhelmed. I wanted a comfortable, fun bike with retro styling to cruise around on over the weekends. I wasn't looking for a "fast" bike or one that can carve canyons like the Colorado River. I feel like I got exactly what I wanted and expected. I know it's a pain but maybe you should trade in your CB11 for something that does for you what you want it to. I know you could buy a new exhaust or suspension but I don't think throwing more money at the problem is good advice at this point. You should invest in things you love to make them even better. Don't waste the money on the CB11 in the hopes it becomes what you want it to be. That almost never pans out.

[mrhonda1987_imp]

[quote='mrhonda1987' pid='4834' dateline='1371501277']
Hey Dudes. For as long as I've pined for the CB1100, since first looking at the Tokyo Motor Show's prototype, I'm finding myself underwhelmed. At only 26 years old, I can't look back fondly at the 70's and the great CB's of the era, although I've owned a few. A CB350, CB500T, CB750, etc. All great. But this new one leaves me... let down. I understand it was never going to win drag races against ZX14s or out-cruise a Harley, but compared to more modern offerings, it seems like the 11 is a bit boring.

I took my CB350 down the highway yesterday and I was grinning ear to ear the entire time. Took my 919 for a 60 mile loop around my house and back, and was completely into it. Did the same ride on my 11 a few days later and I couldn't have been more bored.

Maybe, although I've loved my old CBs that I had, it was simply because they were mine. The nostalgia hasn't fully enveloped me. Maybe that's that mystique that Harley owners insist 'I won't get.' Maybe cruising around on old tech, however modern, and harkening back to the old times, isn't my bag. If the CB750 in 1969 was the Ferrari 250GTO of the day, this CB11 isn't the F40, or the Enzo. Its a F50. It looks fantastic but isn't near as good as that which came before it.

Anyway, that's my .02 on the matter. Having lived with it, it makes me love my 919 that much more. I'm seriously considering downsizing and just enjoying not having the debt.

Anyone else want to chime in?

A a bike salesman I have to ask this question- did u get a test ride, did you get a presentation about the cb, do you have questions etc? Reason I ask is my number one goal in sales is getting the buyer on the right bike, everything else comes after. If we sell the wrong bike to a customer then they get upset at the dealership and place the blame on the store (sold me a Lemmon, hate the bike, I got screwed etc).

Just curious as hopefully I can avoid this in helping my customers. Mark

My dealer, Mason City Honda, did everything right. Curt was very upfront with any questions and as soon as they came in, I thought, because I'd built it up in my mind, that it was going to be absolutely brilliant. Its only after living with it for 500 miles that I'm starting to feel this way. It wasn't a dealership failing, or even the bike failing, it was me. I let it down.

[Bbref36_imp]

[quote='mrhonda1987' pid='4834' dateline='1371501277']
Hey Dudes. For as long as I've pined for the CB1100, since first looking at the Tokyo Motor Show's prototype, I'm finding myself underwhelmed. At only 26 years old, I can't look back fondly at the 70's and the great CB's of the era, although I've owned a few. A CB350, CB500T, CB750, etc. All great. But this new one leaves me... let down. I understand it was never going to win drag races against ZX14s or out-cruise a Harley, but compared to more modern offerings, it seems like the 11 is a bit boring.

I took my CB350 down the highway yesterday and I was grinning ear to ear the entire time. Took my 919 for a 60 mile loop around my house and back, and was completely into it. Did the same ride on my 11 a few days later and I couldn't have been more bored.

Maybe, although I've loved my old CBs that I had, it was simply because they were mine. The nostalgia hasn't fully enveloped me. Maybe that's that mystique that Harley owners insist 'I won't get.' Maybe cruising around on old tech, however modern, and harkening back to the old times, isn't my bag. If the CB750 in 1969 was the Ferrari 250GTO of the day, this CB11 isn't the F40, or the Enzo. Its a F50. It looks fantastic but isn't near as good as that which came before it.

Anyway, that's my .02 on the matter. Having lived with it, it makes me love my 919 that much more. I'm seriously considering downsizing and just enjoying not having the debt.

Anyone else want to chime in?

A a bike salesman I have to ask this question- did u get a test ride, did you get a presentation about the cb, do you have questions etc? Reason I ask is my number one goal in sales is getting the buyer on the right bike, everything else comes after. If we sell the wrong bike to a customer then they get upset at the dealership and place the blame on the store (sold me a Lemmon, hate the bike, I got screwed etc).

Just curious as hopefully I can avoid this in helping my customers. Mark

My dealer, Mason City Honda, did everything right. Curt was very upfront with any questions and as soon as they came in, I thought, because I'd built it up in my mind, that it was going to be absolutely brilliant. Its only after living with it for 500 miles that I'm starting to feel this way. It wasn't a dealership failing, or even the bike failing, it was me. I let it down.

My dealer, Mason City Honda, did everything right. Curt was very upfront with any questions and as soon as they came in, I thought, because I'd built it up in my mind, that it was going to be absolutely brilliant. Its only after living with it for 500 miles that I'm starting to feel this way. It wasn't a dealership failing, or even the bike failing, it was me. I let it down.
That a good honest answer! Good luck with what every you choose to do with the bike.

[silverbub_imp]

+1 regarding post#27...Joola writes wisdom...throwing $$ on making your exhaust go "toot" will most likely not enhance your cb11 experience...you already have expressed "DUH(LL)" about your feelings for the bike...you really should just do as a very popular poster on st-owners.com has done after his purchase of a rather long-lust for the VFR1200F with automatic shift...SELL THE BIKE!...and move on in your quest for "satisfaction" in your ride...i think you will find quite a few very interested riders who would be fair to you in a transaction & "set you free" to not have to try to rationalize your cb11 purchase...a decade ago, with only 500 miles, a Honda ST13 owner after only three months, had decided he just did not "bond" with his new purchase...placed his ad in regional paper...next day, he & I having agreed on a mutually beneficial figure...made BOTH OF US VERY HAPPY/SATISFIED in the transaction...i still continue to enjoy the ST13 & he continued his quest toward his finding HIS PREFERRED RIDE!...so, again,...perhaps you just need to move on & not settle for less than what you want to ride...just my nickel's worth, of course...most of us will wave, regardless!