Anyone feel underwhelmed?

[rboe]

Got to ride a 919 a couple years ago. Wonderful motor. It seemed like there was linear connection between the throttle and the speedo. Twist the throttle 30 degrees and the speedo needle moved 30 degrees - in about the same amount of time. Almost as torquey as the CB1100.

But the design didn't move me and I felt the bike should be a bit longer (showing my age a bit, I think larger bikes should be - larger!). From memory I prefer the 919 motor at speed, and I prefer my Griso's motor at speed over either. But the CB1100 is better looking than the 919 (apples and oranges to the Griso). I really like the way the CB motor does not bring out the hooligan in me and gives me plenty of audio feedback as it speeds up. Very civilized.

[Flynbulldog_imp]

Happy to share. I'll never forget, when I got into motorcycles in my Sr. year of High School, i really lusted for a Uranium green Honda 919. Sadly, the green went after 2004, but the red ones were just as pretty. I guess the 919 is to me what some of the old UJMs are for you guys. Hmph... Maybe in 40 years they'll have a 919 throwback and old farts like me will eat them up. Oh nostalgia; its a powerful thing.

I think your love for the 919 was somewhat rare here in the us. The bike has never sold in big numbers or driven any type of aesthetic or classification change.
The 919 is a fine motorcycle but it has never been on the world radar.

Retro bikes are built after phenoms; bikes that change the world's thinking, or at least define a brand.
I doubt a retro 919 would ever be built.

Quote:I really like the way the CB motor does not bring out the hooligan in me and gives me plenty of audio feedback as it speeds up. Very civilized.
I couldn't agree more.

[2013 CBXX_imp]

I have had two CB 919s, one silver, one candy red. I also have had 2 Honda 350's, one 70 CB model
one 72 CL350 Scrambler with TT pipes. When I first bought the 2013 11 I knew it would be down on
power from my previous 2011 Ninja 1000. I was ready for that, I actually wanted that (to slow down
and smell the roses, so to speak). What I did was immediately start doing the intake and exhaust mods
I had done with the 350's and 919's. I gutted the stock pipe (still to quite) and pulled the whole snorkle
off the intake just like I had done on my 919. Now I had some sound but it was still not quite right. I
finally ordered a BMS-R exhaust slip on from Webike in Japan. Had to wait a month but boy was it worth
it. I have intake and exhaust sound now that is not to loud but very throaty! It changed the whole gig.
No,it will never be a 919. That is one exceptional under rated super bike. But to me the CB1100 looks so
good, so authentic, it is worth the effort. I am on my fourth handlebar set up and second seat set up. I
am not done yet. I am going to do some cosmetic stuff next. I wanted an up to date retro, not another
track bike. So do not feel bad, it may not be for you. But I have been waiting since 2008 for this bike!

[mrhonda1987_imp]

Well, the Yoshi pipe has helped the experience, but the bikes still not doing it for me. Wednesday, I'm going to go look at a Victory. 2007 Hammer with factory warranty, Power Commander and performance pipes. Was an ex-demo model with all the bells and whistles done already. We'll see. As a piece of art, the CB is perfect. But what good is a motorcycle if you can't get any joy from it? Anyway, wish me luck.

[Buffalohead_imp]

Well, the Yoshi pipe has helped the experience, but the bikes still not doing it for me. Wednesday, I'm going to go look at a Victory. 2007 Hammer with factory warranty, Power Commander and performance pipes. Was an ex-demo model with all the bells and whistles done already. We'll see. As a piece of art, the CB is perfect. But what good is a motorcycle if you can't get any joy from it? Anyway, wish me luck.

I do wish you luck and I hope you find true bike happiness and fulfillment. Your situation seems a little sad to me. I am the exact opposite of you. I loved every motorcycle I have ever owned. They all brought me great happiness.

[2013 CBXX_imp]

Yes, I wish you luck also! Victory makes great bikes too.
The new Indian will be introduced in Sturgis next week!
The CB1100 is not for everyone! Having ridden the actual
bikes it simulates from the period it represents, it is amazing!
But be young, do your thing. It is what makes biking great!

[Mogsey_imp]

When I was 26 I was in to fast sport bikes, at 50, I feel lucky to still be alive and love owning and riding the CB1100 at a reasonable clip.
Hope to be alive another 20 or 30 years.

HikerToo you have echoed my thoughts exactly. I've done the sports bike thing and my last bike that got chopped in for the CB11 was a CB1000R. I now want enjoy biking rather than feel the need to go as fast as I can. I love My CB1100 but its all noon to personal taste.

[banjobart_imp]

Mine feels much zippier now that it is broken in and I run the engine closer to the redline.

[mrhonda1987_imp]

Well, guys, after a great ride tonight to decompress after a stressful night at work, I've decided that unless this Victory really knocks my socks off, the big CB is here to stay. She's too pretty and that sewing machine sound... love it. The 919 scratches the speed itch; the CB soothes the soul. The engineering is unrivaled and the modernity plus the cues to ages of CBs before her... I love history too much to get rid of it. I guess if this has taught me anything, its stick with your gut. My gut was set on the CB years ago and despite rocky beginnings, I love her. Thinking of calling her Voyager, as the 919 was branded the Defiant, because everyone urged me to buy a cruiser when I got it. Of course, my other Honda, the 2006 Element in silver, is the Enterprise.... I'm such a nerd. Now I just need to hit the Powerball and go and snag a CB1000R and a few VFRs and I'll be set. And a Porsche. I miss my Porsche... poor Rose; she burned. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me guys. I'm not going anywhere.

[Randy B]

Go get a Ridgeline and call it Yorktown.