Bummed by a test ride

[Stealth128_imp]

I do find it interesting my Street Triple and my CB 1100 are two totally different machines with one purpose. Get you from point A to point B it depends on how you want to get there. I'm a pilot My plane is a 1949 Piper Vagabond I also fly other planes but my top choice is the Piper. Because I enjoy the ride yes it does take longer to get there from here but it is always the journey along the way. Same can be said about motorcycles.

Thanks,

[co6aka_imp]

Here's what I am talking about. Take a look then at this guy's video...

http://youtu.be/7h2WmRoo_pY

4:00-4:30 normal cruising, quite enjoyable
7:37-8:15 revving up - ???

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Yes, 'lazy revs' would be a good way to call it. It is also the subtle feedback from the engine as it revs up, and the 'strained' sound it makes... And how it completely relaxes going back to 3000 rpm. Perhaps I was expecting a little sharper throttle response, and a more happier sounding engine as it revs up. Perhaps the gearing is more relaxed too, compared to more 'sporty' bikes?

I checked the dyno charts for the Cb1100, FZ09 (too sensitive/ too strong), and Triumph 675 (perfect feel), and the torque curve is flat for all; for the CB1100 torque starts sloping down at about 6500rpm, but pretty much all three bikes have a very linear power curve, with essentially the same slope. In fact, i did not feel the lack of power at any time, just its relaxed delivery and somewhat 'strained' sounding engine.

Here's what I am talking about. Take a look then at this guy's video...

http://youtu.be/7h2WmRoo_pY

4:00-4:30 normal cruising, quite enjoyable
7:37-8:15 revving up - ???

In addition to my last post:

Mate you should tell us a little bit about yourself here:

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=6]New Members

That way we can get a clearer idea of what you need in a bike. The CB doesn't sound like it's for you. Despite being populated by CB lovers this forum has a lot of experienced bikers who have ridden a broad spectrum of bikes, past and current. They are also a helpful mob. Hence my suggestion of a Sprint GT.

Cheers

[the Ferret]

Hmmm Oregon...virtualGuth... Wonder who that might be?

[Pterodactyl_imp]

That's Guth's bike in the vid. He needs a soundman.

Hmmm Oregon...virtualGuth... Wonder who that might be?

And I think you're thinkin' what I'm thinkin'.

[Cormanus]

Hmmm Oregon...virtualGuth... Wonder who that might be?

To some of us, he's always 'virtual'. Although, to play to RandyB's prejudice, I kept worrying he'd run flat out into someone coming the other way as he kept riding on the wrong side of the road.

You're not the only one, firstfour. It is perfect for me too.

Well, I may be the only one, but I love my CB just as it is. It is, for my purposes, perfect. Honda hit the bull's eye with me.
+1
You're not the only one, firstfour. It is perfect for me too.
I think that makes it +3.

[gossman_imp]

He certainly drives a lot of places I'm familiar with. I should have known that since we both bought our bikes at the same dealership.

[Firstfour_imp]

Yes, 'lazy revs' would be a good way to call it. It is also the subtle feedback from the engine as it revs up, and the 'strained' sound it makes... And how it completely relaxes going back to 3000 rpm. Perhaps I was expecting a little sharper throttle response, and a more happier sounding engine as it revs up. Perhaps the gearing is more relaxed too, compared to more 'sporty' bikes?

I checked the dyno charts for the Cb1100, FZ09 (too sensitive/ too strong), and Triumph 675 (perfect feel), and the torque curve is flat for all; for the CB1100 torque starts sloping down at about 6500rpm, but pretty much all three bikes have a very linear power curve, with essentially the same slope. In fact, i did not feel the lack of power at any time, just its relaxed delivery and somewhat 'strained' sounding engine.

I think there is the answer for you. I suggest getting a Triumph 675.

I just remembered you didn't like the styling of the new ones, so perhaps a nice, low miles used one could do the trick?

Here's what I am talking about. Take a look then at this guy's video...

http://youtu.be/7h2WmRoo_pY

4:00-4:30 normal cruising, quite enjoyable
7:37-8:15 revving up - ???

The "straining" you describe must be a subtlety that is lost on me. Sounds fine as far as I can tell.

[dUh!_imp]

Maybe I am having an off day.
You’re not happy of other bikes needing to be revved high, yet you don’t like that the CB seems strained in higher rev’s. I interpret this as your tired of pulling higher RPM’s but then when you find a bike that doesn’t have to live on the high end, you fault it for not liking it ?? Why are you trying to ride around at max RPM’s anyways when you did say, you’re tired of bikes needing to be ran in its higher RPM range?

1)The CB changes over time as it goes through its break-in period.
2)The only time I hear a strain from my CB, (EXAMPLE imagine LOWER MPH) is when I think I’m in 2ND and rolling into the throttle and then realizing I’m still in 4th. Yeah, it doesn’t really like that so much, but it still does what I ask it to. My gut reaction to eliminating a strained CB motor sound, downshift, twist the throttle, and hang on.
3)Going from bike to bike, sometimes you have to change your riding style just a bit, to give the machine a chance to shine under its own parameters. If you’re not willing to do that, then you are going to have a hard time finding another bike that isn’t the first bike you ever liked and got used to.
4) The CB is not a Sport Bike and the comparisons to a Sporty or Sport bike – is always going to leave something to be desired. Just pick up any US Motorcycle magazine and you will get the same comments from them about the CB not being as sporty as (insert some other sporty bike). The CB is not a Sport Bike. The CB is not a drag bike. Why must everyone try to compare a CB1100 to a GSXR1000(insert any similar bike of your choice here), just because they are 4 cylinders and 1,000CC Bikes. The CB was never designed, or intended to be a Sport bike cruising around in its upper RPM band.

What I find really odd, is that you posted a link to Ashonbikes review of the CB. Even that review itself “Spin it into the red line above 9,000rpm and it feels flat, but that's not what the bike is about,” “This is very much a low and mid-range engine” confirming that the CB is not about high rev riding. If you look into more reviews, they all say the same thing. The CB was never designed, intended, or even seems to be happy about riding around at max RPM ranges …. So I find it odd that you would even question or look for yet even more confirmation that the CB doesn’t like every day riding at 9,000 RPM as you state “Thus i spent most of the ride at 3K RPM, out of the ~9K available on tach.” in your post.

The CB is a Retro Standard bike. You either accept it for what it is with all its unique characteristics(Not anything like a sport or sportier bike), and love it, or walk away from it. Those that have stuck with it, have found that the CB is a very capable bike, and unless your just doing drag race runs, is only limited by the riders capabilities.

I by no means am wanting any answers to these questions. Seriously. I rarely post replies, due to the fact I have a tendency to sound abrasive or even douchbaggish when I’m really not intending that. I just see you waffling on your posts about not liking high RPM bikes, yet don’t like the CB motor because its dislike of high RPM riding. I am just trying to point out what you yourself have said, in hopes that you sit and think - what do you really want from your motorcycle, and what can you live with? Ultimately it’s your money and your decision. I wish you luck.

I'm going back to my corner to be quiet

[furious_blue_imp]

Maybe I am having an off day.
You’re not happy of other bikes needing to be revved high, yet you don’t like that the CB seems strained in higher rev’s. I interpret this as your tired of pulling higher RPM’s but then when you find a bike that doesn’t have to live on the high end, you fault it for not liking it ?? Why are you trying to ride around at max RPM’s anyways when you did say, you’re tired of bikes needing to be ran in its higher RPM range?

1)The CB changes over time as it goes through its break-in period.
2)The only time I hear a strain from my CB, (EXAMPLE imagine LOWER MPH) is when I think I’m in 2ND and rolling into the throttle and then realizing I’m still in 4th. Yeah, it doesn’t really like that so much, but it still does what I ask it to. My gut reaction to eliminating a strained CB motor sound, downshift, twist the throttle, and hang on.
3)Going from bike to bike, sometimes you have to change your riding style just a bit, to give the machine a chance to shine under its own parameters. If you’re not willing to do that, then you are going to have a hard time finding another bike that isn’t the first bike you ever liked and got used to.
4) The CB is not a Sport Bike and the comparisons to a Sporty or Sport bike – is always going to leave something to be desired. Just pick up any US Motorcycle magazine and you will get the same comments from them about the CB not being as sporty as (insert some other sporty bike). The CB is not a Sport Bike. The CB is not a drag bike. Why must everyone try to compare a CB1100 to a GSXR1000(insert any similar bike of your choice here), just because they are 4 cylinders and 1,000CC Bikes. The CB was never designed, or intended to be a Sport bike cruising around in its upper RPM band.

What I find really odd, is that you posted a link to Ashonbikes review of the CB. Even that review itself “Spin it into the red line above 9,000rpm and it feels flat, but that's not what the bike is about,” “This is very much a low and mid-range engine” confirming that the CB is not about high rev riding. If you look into more reviews, they all say the same thing. The CB was never designed, intended, or even seems to be happy about riding around at max RPM ranges …. So I find it odd that you would even question or look for yet even more confirmation that the CB doesn’t like every day riding at 9,000 RPM as you state “Thus i spent most of the ride at 3K RPM, out of the ~9K available on tach.” in your post.

The CB is a Retro Standard bike. You either accept it for what it is with all its unique characteristics(Not anything like a sport or sportier bike), and love it, or walk away from it. Those that have stuck with it, have found that the CB is a very capable bike, and unless your just doing drag race runs, is only limited by the riders capabilities.

I by no means am wanting any answers to these questions. Seriously. I rarely post replies, due to the fact I have a tendency to sound abrasive or even douchbaggish when I’m really not intending that. I just see you waffling on your posts about not liking high RPM bikes, yet don’t like the CB motor because its dislike of high RPM riding. I am just trying to point out what you yourself have said, in hopes that you sit and think - what do you really want from your motorcycle, and what can you live with? Ultimately it’s your money and your decision. I wish you luck.

I'm going back to my corner to be quiet

IMHO, this is why matters of taste are not science or technology and there are no clear metrics or boundaries. For me the CB1100 was a set of gives and takes that just happen to have more gives (especially the '14 Deluxe). I went around and around weighing my contradictory feelings about the bike and finally landed on 'buy'.

I general, this thread has shown wisdom of a lot of accumulated experience and I think that's great !

It's so tiring when forums get into a mode of:
1. I hate your bike
2. What do you mean, my bike is badazz
3. Well I think it's for morons
4. Your mama
5. Your daddy
6. Your sister
7.
..
9999. ...