Will the CB1100 be the last of it's kind in America?

[the Ferret]

I have ridden Harley Dynas and multiple BMWs. Spent 2 weeks on an R1200R in Europe .

I was really impressed with the Dyna Convertible I rode in 1995 (as a matter of fact my wife and I couldn't believe it was a Harley judging by the 5 or 6 I had owned prior to that) and if I hadn't just bought another Harley not months before I would have bought the Dyna. I do remember awful shaking while sitting stopped, but at freeway speed, it was as smooth as most other touring bikes (whereas my previuos Harley just shook constantly slow or fast lol). I also really enjoyed the R1200R too and don't remember any vibrations per se to speak of. Just a side to side shudder when idling and accelerating like on a Moto Guzzi. I could own a Beemer R1200R but only if I got it firesale (like under $5K), because there are other things I don't like about Beemers. They just don't suit me. Not sure what it is because I absolutely love looking at them. I have tried buying a Beemer at least 3 times in the past (R90S, R90/7, R1150R Rockster) and each time a test ride ruined the dream for me. Just don't care to ride them. I have found they certainly don't like to be ridden in too high of a gear. Maybe because I'm a rider who stays in the bottom half of the rpms available and will run 5th gear down to 30 mph and let the torque pull it out back up to cruising speed. The Beemer was kind of like riding a two stroke in that regards. If you slowed down at all you'd better be downshifting, otherwise the riding experience wasn't going to be pleasant.

Anyhow we all have our own perceptions, preferences and experiences. I'm just ALWAYS happier when riding an inline 4 or V4 for some reason.



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[ClassicVW_imp]

Chip, I guess our experiences and preferences are different, not right or wrong, just different experiences. I owned a H-D Dyna and it was a shaker. Every BMW I've owned did not shake. I was very pleased with the boxer twins I owned, none of them even gave me so much as a seat or handlebar vibration. Only boxer that I can recall that was less than silky smooth was a police RT that had over 60K of police use on it. The BMW police bikes beat Harley in most categories tested, if not all categories. Check the Michigan State Police tests which is the industry benchmark for testing police cars and motorcycles.

Not to disagree with what you post here...but keep in mind that just as with cars, what police units look for is not what the end-use individual buyer looks for.

Police are concerned with performance and reliability. Comfort only enters into it when it means whether a patrolman can stand to use the bike for a full shift, day after day.

Power and torque count. Velvety smoothness and pleasure in use, not so important.

I know nothing of Harleys - except to watch them not idle well at stoplights. But the much-vaunted smoothness of the BMW boxer, in its current outsized form...is vastly overrated.

Disagreement is OK, we all have different likes, impressions, etc. I'm curious as to "outsized". Are you referring to the size and weight of the RT? The engine won't get any larger due to the fact that to do so will make the heads longer and also lower, then they will be in danger of scraping the ground.

[Wisedrum]

I have ridden Harley Dynas and multiple BMWs. Spent 2 weeks on an R1200R in Europe .

I was really impressed with the Dyna Convertible I rode in 1995 (as a matter of fact my wife and I couldn't believe it was a Harley judging by the 5 or 6 I had owned prior to that) and if I hadn't just bought another Harley not months before I would have bought the Dyna. I do remember awful shaking while sitting stopped, but at freeway speed, it was as smooth as most other touring bikes (whereas my previuos Harley just shook constantly slow or fast lol). I also really enjoyed the R1200R too and don't remember any vibrations per se to speak of. Just a side to side shudder when idling and accelerating like on a Moto Guzzi. I could own a Beemer R1200R but only if I got it firesale (like under $5K), because there are other things I don't like about Beemers. They just don't suit me. Not sure what it is because I absolutely love looking at them. I have tried buying a Beemer at least 3 times in the past (R90S, R90/7, R1150R Rockster) and each time a test ride ruined the dream for me. Just don't care to ride them. I have found they certainly don't like to be ridden in too high of a gear. Maybe because I'm a rider who stays in the bottom half of the rpms available and will run 5th gear down to 30 mph and let the torque pull it out back up to cruising speed. The Beemer was kind of like riding a two stroke in that regards. If you slowed down at all you'd better be downshifting, otherwise the riding experience wasn't going to be pleasant.

Anyhow we all have our own perceptions, preferences and experiences. I'm just ALWAYS happier when riding an inline 4 or V4 for some reason.



.

For the torque deal the CB and the W are really good partners.
I also stick to this kind of moving my bikes.
But I don't torture them and be aware of mechanical laws.

Wisedrum

[rboe]

They don't make Studebakers, Hudsons, Cords, Duesenbergs, Model T's or Model A's anymore. Nor do they make Hendersons, Crockers, Sunbeams etc. anymore either. I suspect the CB1100 is the swan song of the air cooled inline 4 in the US and Europe. Like all the other names I mentioned that had their time in the sun, life moved on and the world passed them by. Sometimes unfairly, sometimes sadly by usually earned. In a couple generations new riders will not give a hoot about these old bikes. Given another generation or two and some of these bikes will be worth their weight it gold.

Just not sure which bikes will be so desirable. sigh......

[JustJohn_imp]

Hmmm. Well, I'm in a college town...and mostly I'm ignored. There are a few bikers out and about...in cages or carts (pickups)...I can spot them because they give me a covert eye.

But in a town with mostly young people (who know little of old motorcycles) I don't think too many are impressed. It's not a Transformers ride...it's just one of those boring old bikes like the ones Dad rode. A boring old fart on it, like Dad.

Occasionally a Harley guy (sometimes with club colors, which may or may not be legit - seems we've become a pass-through point for some MC runs) will try stop-light dragging on the main, five-lane road. It's kinda fun...he sizing me, with my ATGATT green and grey-reflective...cruiserface scowl...light changes and he lets me hear the power of those open pipes. So I run it up, easy, to 2nd...and OPEN IT UP. I can hit 55 in seemingly the blink of an eye...5700 rpms. He's in the dust...scowl intact...you can almost hear him, "I intended that."

Other'n that...really, not much interest. In a world where college kids have BMWs, it takes a lot to wow the passers-by.

Very telling. Why would you care who gives a darn about what you are riding? Or who eyeballs the bike? Or their age bracket? Who are you trying to "Wow"? Just asking.

[Teamwalker_imp]

As said before, I love this thread! I will keep this short. Whether it is generational, age, whatever, I love the CB11! Bought a 14 deluxe in Feb. and just put a deposit on a 14 Standard 2 days ago. Nearing 60 yo this is a bike I love and I fear it will end with the 14 model. Dealers are dealing and I voted with my wallet. So far, no regrets, and I have never, never done anything like this in my life before. But, I really believe in this bike and I committed for 2 new ones before they disappear.

Very thankful that I am at a place in life where I can do this, and like my future aspects. To me, this bike is what a motorcycle is all about and I am confident I will not regret the money I have spent. I want a m/c to look like a m/c and not a "transformer".

I will not argue religion, politics, or women with anyone because it is what you believe/like. We all have personal tastes. But, this m/c does it for me and I am prepared to ride this until the end.

Long live the CB1100!

[the Ferret]

Well said

Hail hail the CB 1100.

And congrats on buying 2 of these beauties!

[ischliky_imp]

I really feel like the odd ball in this crowd all the sudden. In my early 30s and never grew up on any of the 70's or 80's hondas. I really liked the styling of this bike as well, but if I had to be honest, I wanted a modern bike that didnt look like complete crap. I have no idea why almost all bikes today look so terrible, i for the life of me can not figure out how it is attractive to people. And i swear to god if someone tells me they really love the look of something like the NM4, I will have to ignore about everything else they ever say about styling.

[flynrider]

As said before, I love this thread! I will keep this short. Whether it is generational, age, whatever, I love the CB11! Bought a 14 deluxe in Feb. and just put a deposit on a 14 Standard 2 days ago. Nearing 60 yo this is a bike I love and I fear it will end with the 14 model. Dealers are dealing and I voted with my wallet. So far, no regrets, and I have never, never done anything like this in my life before. But, I really believe in this bike and I committed for 2 new ones before they disappear.

Very thankful that I am at a place in life where I can do this, and like my future aspects. To me, this bike is what a motorcycle is all about and I am confident I will not regret the money I have spent. I want a m/c to look like a m/c and not a "transformer".

I will not argue religion, politics, or women with anyone because it is what you believe/like. We all have personal tastes. But, this m/c does it for me and I am prepared to ride this until the end.

Long live the CB1100!

Good for you, TW! I feel much the same about these bikes. I bought mine with the expectation that it would be the last bike I'd ever buy. I toyed with the idea of getting a '14 to go with my '13, but that would have meant parting with my other retro UJM, the CB750. Just couldn't do it.

[rboe]

I thought about it too. But I like a bit of diversity in my bike kit.