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(10-30-2015, 04:18 AM)LARIDER_imp Wrote: (10-30-2015, 12:10 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Capo, first off I agree with you, but I was comparing things that can be measured, not the immeasurable, which cannot be compared.
How do you measure soul? I've never had a bike that I consider had "soul". I've had Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Kawasakis, Triumph, BSA, Harley Davidsons and an Aermachhi. 31 street bikes all together I think. And what I didn't own I sold/ rode in my 17 years in the industry..including Moto Guzzi's, Nortons and Ducatis, and I have ridden quite a few BMWs and a KTM or two as well.
Same goes with character. i've never had a bike I considered had "character". They have either been great bikes, good bikes, not so good bikes, and crummy bikes. Generally speaking the ones I owned that most people considered having soul and character ( Harleys, BSA, Aermacchi etc) were " for me", the crummy bikes. A bike that has electrical problems or has a persistant oil leak, or vibrates parts until they break says " character" to some, but to me says " crummy". My son's Ducati for example. A lot of people would say the Ducati has soul or character compared to my Honda. Since his bike has been in the shop for all of those problems plus a locked up transmission all in under 8,000 miles, whereas in 24,000 miles my CBs have required nothing but oil changes and tires. I would consider his Ducati crummy, and my CBs great. I do not consider working on bikes between rides to keep them running character. Or one that leaves puddles of oil on my garage floor as having soul. Some guys like to fiddle, I like to ride. BTW I once had a guy tell me that a bike had character if you took it out for a ride and you weren't sure it would bring you back home.
Hard to say how someone will connect with a motorcycle on a " feelings", appearance, or comfort level so when someone asks for a comparison I can't say that this motorcycle is good looking, or comfortable, or that motorcycle has soul or character, I can only give measurable responses. HP, torque, weight, gas capacity, gears in transmission, drive system, price new or used.. The spec sheets as you would call them.
I too would absolutely recommend trying the bikes out if they can before buying.
Character: Latin for bad engineering.
Character: Latin for bad engineering.
I've been the Benelli route along with an old Bridgestone, Tohatsu, and other odd bikes along with the usual suspects. Just as Honda created the first reliable bike with the CB750, it carries through with the 1100. I'm into having a bike that starts and goes when I want, not something that improves my mechanical abilities.
Harley has improved it's bikes until reliability is very good so I don't understand how people still bash them.
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I test rode a Bonneville a couple years ago, like many here I thought it was underpowered for a 865. However it was a beautiful bike, I loved the green and white color combination. I would have bought it, if the price would have been reasonable. The dealer would not budge on the price. I passed it up while keeping a eye out for a used one. I'll say this for the Bonneville T120, they do hold their value!
However this isn't the 60's when all dealers got MSRP. I have to admit, I probably couldn't justify paying 10 grand for a CB either. However when you could get a new one in the 7 thousand range, I just couldn't pass it up. At the price dealers are selling leftover 13's and 14's the CB is probably the best value in the motorcycle industry right now. You are getting one of the best built motorcycles for a bargain price.
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My two cents. My Dad had a 2010 Triumph Thruxton. I loved the bar end mirrors. The bike is gone now and my one regret is my 18 yr old son never got to ride it. It was a very easy bike to ride. Very easy and smooth shifting. No abrupt throttle response. Not likely to get "away" from you. A very safe easy bike to ride. My son rides my 1974 CB 350 (last true Honda) but the brakes and clutch could certainly be better as the bike is 41 yrs old. Still it has been a good starter bike. I really think the Bonnie based bikes are the only competition for the CB. The CB is such a beautifully finished bike with quality oozing from everywhere. I like the RnineT but it is 15k. The RnineT is similar in being last air-cooled of its type and super build and component quality. If 8,000 meant nothing to me I'd probably buy an RnineT. The cb1100 is simply a too good of deal in the very small group of competitors. Ducati are getting way too plasticky.
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I agree with jeffskar , the quality an character of the cb 1100 is outstanding! But someone with knee issues and your size should look else where, I'am 5'10" with bad knees can not ride more than 10 minutes without pain.If you scan the threads on this forum you will see how many owners have tried many different seats, pegs windshields handlebars risers etc. in order to make this bike more user friendly with little sucess. Take one for a test ride of more than 30 minutes and see for yourself.
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(11-01-2015, 03:51 AM)obleo_imp Wrote: I agree with jeffskar , the quality an character of the cb 1100 is outstanding! But someone with knee issues and your size should look else where, I'am 5'10" with bad knees can not ride more than 10 minutes without pain.If you scan the threads on this forum you will see how many owners have tried many different seats, pegs windshields handlebars risers etc. in order to make this bike more user friendly with little sucess. Take one for a test ride of more than 30 minutes and see for yourself.
What's interesting is I'm 6'4" and with 1 bad hip and one replaced, arthritic, yet I can ride 350 miles in a day on the '13 CB which has the stock seat and pegs, 60 miles at a time.
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Don't get me wrong I love my cb , classic style ,color ,(red one) but wish it had better ergonomics. 60 miles at a time is not much seat time between breaks.My other bike I can ride a tank full without stopping to stretch my legs. About 175 miles. Harley Road King.
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(11-01-2015, 07:21 AM)gossman_imp Wrote: (11-01-2015, 03:51 AM)obleo_imp Wrote: I agree with jeffskar , the quality an character of the cb 1100 is outstanding! But someone with knee issues and your size should look else where, I'am 5'10" with bad knees can not ride more than 10 minutes without pain.If you scan the threads on this forum you will see how many owners have tried many different seats, pegs windshields handlebars risers etc. in order to make this bike more user friendly with little sucess. Take one for a test ride of more than 30 minutes and see for yourself.
What's interesting is I'm 6'4" and with 1 bad hip and one replaced, arthritic, yet I can ride 350 miles in a day on the '13 CB which has the stock seat and pegs, 60 miles at a time. I've got you beat by 2" -- 6'6" -- and don't seem to have issues with the stock ergo's either. My OEM hips allow me to ride tank-to-tank without much discomfort. I try to avoid freeways.
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Suzuki has some very good bikes out there worth looking at, many based on the same motor the 650 V-Strom has, Not so sure about the 1000.
I like the V7 and the new V7ii is very very nice - but for me she is simple too small to be a good fit. A buddy that is much taller and older rides his V7 all over the West - he's tough. Just goes to prove - your mileage may differ. Ride one.
I prefer the Griso for road trips, but just took the CB on a 1000 miler and she surprised me with how well she was to live with. Friends that have ridden my CB comment on how easy she is to ride. She is just a very pleasant bike to ride.
The Bonnie is a good bike with many happy owners, ride one, you may like it! I rode one. I bought the CB (to be fair, the CB had me hooked a while back, so there was a LOT of emotional reasons for picking her and those reasons may not fly for you).
There are a LOT of really good machines out there and I think the CB is grossly over looked so I'm glad you are looking at it. An excellent choice if you buy for the right reasons (not looking for a hot rod, she is more of a Buick, a very nice Buick).
Now if you want more of a hooligan bike; the Griso would be and excellent choice. I'd recommend the 1100 unless you find a 1200 that already has the roller tappet conversion done. The Breva is also a good choice. Be warned, a LONG test ride on a Moto Guzzi they have a habit of getting under your skin (I think it's the steam engine pulse of the big V twin) and many guys have been seduced by them. I'm on my second one.
Most of these bikes won't have ABS, I think the 2016 or 2017 will have them - but that puts it out of your price range.
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The CB over the Bonnie hands down, but I have the Scrambler....and I have not been able to part with it, even though I know the CB is a better bike, nothing like the Scram on the market, it does everything well, a great bike for rural Montana.
So I have both for now.
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Very hard to have one bike that does it all so if you can swing it, multiple bikes that focus on certain aspects of riding and do them very well is the way to go. If not, then a bike that does 90% of your type of riding very well and kinda works for the other 10%.
The new Ducati Scrambler is a very nice machine - but it's smaller so bigger guys will have a problem fitting it. Both did very well off road in a recent Motorcyclist magazine.
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