Can someone tell me

[Mikestib1_imp]

Every bike from my 1965 Honda 50, to my CBR900rr, to my 1991 Sportster, even my 1969 BSA 441 Shooting Star were cool to me. And another 30 in between. Motorcycles are just plain cool

[emptysea]

Every bike from my 1965 Honda 50, to my CBR900rr, to my 1991 Sportster, even my 1969 BSA 441 Shooting Star were cool to me. And another 30 in between. Motorcycles are just plain cool

Agreed...all bikes ARE cool....it's a bike's ranking on the "cool" scale which seems to be at issue, but really, it's not even about that. I think it's more about Triumph's decision, conscious or otherwise, to make their retro bike the flagship of their line and Honda's decision not to.

[EarsOnWheels_imp]

Triumphs are my #1 contender for new bike in Spring. I loved the CB1100 test ride but the biggest concern I have is the low exhaust/ground clearance with mild offroad. Triumph esp the Scramblers seem to avoid this issue. We'll see how my test ride fares in Spring. Might end up with a '14 CB here at work, might not!

Rode a Scrambler for 5 days this fall. Made me miss the CB. Bonnevilles were on my radar when a purchased the CB (new), but they cost just as much for about half the bike. Just didn't make sense. The CB is exquisite.

But yes, Honda just ships 'em and puts 'em on the website. Hardly enough to build brand identity / awareness!

[emptysea]

Brand awareness.... this is a screenshot of the first thing you see on Triumph's page.


Here's Honda's.


Triumph wants you to think "Triumph" in everything you do. Honda would like it if you bought a bike or ATV from them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CB1100DLX_imp]

Stating the obvious but Thai-rumph and H-D sell "lifestyle". Honda not so much.

[beardyweirdy@me.com_imp]

It's the same in the UK. Whenever there's a 'Retro' comparison in the bike press, the CB is nowhere to be seen. It's as tho it doesn't exist.
Journalists spraff on about weedy Ducati Scramblers and Triumph Street Twins but never a mention of the only, other than as mentioned Guzzi, air cooled bike around.
Do I care? Not one jot.

I popped in for my usual coffee at the Bike Shed this morning, after dropping the girlfriend off to work. The only bike that people we snapping and looking at was my CB1100.
There was a GT550 custom, Guzzi Le Mans, Triumph Something. All good bikes, but people talk to me about the CB... It's a mystery.
There are endless posts and pics on the Triumphs but the CB is something of a rarity. They look and then scratch their heads and say 'Is it air cooled?' 'What's it like?' 'They only made them for two years didn't they?'

It's the enigma! I've found people want to know about it but are afraid to ask! Even more afraid to buy one...
If you buy a Triumph Retro then it's official, you are cool. You have a membership to hipster land and yes, you have become 50% more attractive to the opposite sex. But, as in the self doubt of Prufrock, do you dare to own a Honda CB1100? And have the people look at you and question your judgment

Be careful what you wish for, one of the best things about the CB is it's lack of marketing. It's a riders bike, made for people that enjoy this type of motorcycle for what it is. It's not a fashion statement, it's a bike to ride and enjoy.
It's by far and away, for me, the best bike I've ever owned. The best kept secret in motorcycling and please lord, let's keep it that way....

[Capo]

All good points via Beardy and Empty and others. Triumph is a focused brand and manufacturer. Honda probably cares more about lawnmowers, generators and 125cc bikes in India than they do about the CB. You never see anyone with a Honda Lawnmower t- shirt.

And it is cool to have a bike that confounds people a bit. If Triumph becomes too popular, and too many Bonnies crowd bike night, those who care about cool might move on. As the great Yogi Berra said about a once 'cool' bar in NYC, 'Nobody goes there any more...it's too crowded.'


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rboe]

Well hey, we know what the CB is all about and in roughly twenty years when the world catches up to us. Well, I say too late suckers!

[pdedse]

If only this had been done on a Honda, things would be different:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96vuIXc-584

[Mikestib1_imp]

Beards weirdly nailed it.