'14 CB1100A first ride and some questions

[flynrider]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

You are right, my ABS light goes out after I am underway. I was waiting for it to go out during the stationary warm up, forgot to check it during riding and when I turned the bike back on there it was still on. I think it will just take me awhile to get used to the ABS, whenever I get a new bike (as rare as that is) I always take it to an empty parking lot to do emergency braking tests (as you don't want your first time braking hard to be in emergency situation under extreme stress) and it definitely does not react like I am used to.

I think the ease I had in transitioning to the CB1100 from the cruiser world can be attributed to a few factors:
1. I ride dirt bikes (or used to) so I am not unused to an upright position

2. a lot of people bash Harleys but have they ridden the more performance oriented models? Certainly the huge land yacht touring models and anything with the current craze of huge fat tires don't handle that well but my Night Train with the 21" front tire and drag bars is quite responsive when riding "spiritedly". It has some performance upgrades over stock but the power is very similar to the CB1100

3. most importantly I think it is a testament to the neutral design of the CB1100, everything about it is neutral - power band and delivery, seating position, handling - and I don't mean that in a derogatory way. It is this neutrality that makes it a truly great motorcycle and while I personally think that it is too much bike for a beginner, its easy going nature certainly makes it an excellent bike for any experience level.

Hmmm, I don't know if I could get used to running at 5000rpm - I would always think that the bike is about to blow up.

Some people like to ride that way...I'm not one of them.

One of the best things about the CB, especially for those of us who own, have owned or love HD, is that this bike cruises as good as any hog. Personally, I like to putt around in the low to mid 2K rpm range and the CB does it well.

Some people like to ride that way...I'm not one of them.

One of the best things about the CB, especially for those of us who own, have owned or love HD, is that this bike cruises as good as any hog. Personally, I like to putt around in the low to mid 2K rpm range and the CB does it well.
That sounds like your sixth gear talking On my 5 speed '13, cruising at 75mph in top gear yields 4250 rpm, so 5K isn't all that much more. I feel the engine smooths out substantially at 5K.

Like I said, the beauty of this bike is that you can run it pretty much anywhere you like.

[R748_imp]

Loving this post.

W/R Your situation seems same-same but different to mine. I also had some recent back troubles and at a shade under 6' needs something comfortable but with character. Also I spent most of my riding time on V-twins however mine were mainly red and Italian and even a few scooters inbetween (living in the tropics does weird things with the mind). My last bike was a VT750S which was as close to a cruiser as i'm prepared to get. I actually really liked it but... back problems mean the riding position isn't ideal.

So I was considering another V7, a W800 or maybe even a Scrambler (not a fan of any of the other trumpets and the new 120 is actually surprisingly great but too expensive).

I'm hearing you about the revs. I used to enjoy screaming inline 4's back in the day but many years of twins probably removed that demon (although nothing sounds as good as a 996 under full load).

I like the character of this engine. It feels nice at low RPM and still can sing higher in the range when I feel like wasting rubber.

Still wishing to Santa that Honda bring the RS to Aus though. I'd buy it just on spec.

[Banned_imp]

I think the RS is the only bike that could convince me to let go of my '14 CB1100A, I would buy one in a heart beat if it were to be brought to Canada. Providing the seating position wasn't too aggressive.

With some more seat time now there is absolutely no way I could ever ride around at 5000rpms, 3000rpms seems really good to me. I just wanted to hear from the experts to make sure I wasn't damaging the engine by under revving.

[Rocky_imp]

Hi neighbour
I enjoyed your review.
I love the Spencer Blue too

[Banned_imp]

Hi neighbour
I enjoyed your review.
I love the Spencer Blue too

Thanks Rocky.

I honestly don't know if there is any more appropriate colour than the Spencer Blue, very reminiscent of my '82 CB900C.

I thought I would like the yellow '17 EX (although not available in Canada) as I have the yellow 2002 Pontiac Collector Edition Trans Am but after seeing an up close picture of it here on the forum I don't really care for it.