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I'm about to take the plunge on a 2014 CB.
Any cautions? I'm an experienced rider; older (50s) and learned to ride on 1970s UJBs. The Retro format appeals to me - although my current two bikes both wear fairings. But the 1999 BMW R1100RT is high-mileage and older - and vibrates to numb me shoulder to shoulder. The Suzuki Burgman...was a nice snooze of a ride; it's fine for stop-and-go traffic, especially in hot weather...but it's beginning to bore me.
Will the CB1100 work as a substitute for the BMW? It's less powerful - but there's a speed limit out there and I don't need to go three-figure speeds. The fairing is nice; but I have good riding gear and a full-face helmet. I'm hoping the four has the balance for a nice, comfy long ride...at least if I get a good aftermarket seat.
Thoughts? Cautions? I can still back out...and no, I'm not trading the BMW in.
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Fairings are available for the CB. As a far as a substitute for your BMW, I think it easily fits that description. A gentleman bike that is a beautiful machine. I don't think that you will be disappointed.
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I have a BMW K75RT, full fairing, smoothest bike BMW made. The CBis almost as smooth, but the transmission is like a Swiss watch, the BMW is like a clunking Mac truck. I love both bikes. Never was an R bike fan, rode them, owned them, but we'll never understood why they still exist. I love the CB as I wanted a naked bike again. You will enjoy it.
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(03-07-2015, 03:23 PM)Elipten_imp Wrote: I have a BMW K75RT, full fairing, smoothest bike BMW made. The CBis almost as smooth, but the transmission is like a Swiss watch, the BMW is like a clunking Mac truck. I love both bikes. Never was an R bike fan, rode them, owned them, but we'll never understood why they still exist. I love the CB as I wanted a naked bike again. You will enjoy it.
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That about sums up my mindset about Der Boxter. Before owning one, all I heard was about the smoothness and balance of those things.
Now, they're precision equipment. They're tractor-torquey. AND they're fast...and I do like the chassis balance. Took some getting used to, but on a trip two months into ownership, it and I made friends. BUT...it's almost as bad as my long-ago SR 500 thumper. After an hour on the saddle, my arms go neuralgic. And the shift linkage vibrated apart, behind the sheathing, unbeknownst to me...fortunately, I was three miles from the dealer. Thought the shift pawls were shot, that I couldn't get it into gear. Instead...vibration.
It's fifteen years old (owned it a year) and high mileage. Time to set it aside for rethinking; and maybe a divorce.
Nowthe CB1100 seems the chance to get a retro UJB that actually FITS...a grown-up TU 250. I just hope it's as good as the magazine reviews scream it is.
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(03-07-2015, 03:30 PM)JustPassinThru_imp Wrote: (03-07-2015, 03:23 PM)Elipten_imp Wrote: I have a BMW K75RT, full fairing, smoothest bike BMW made. The CBis almost as smooth, but the transmission is like a Swiss watch, the BMW is like a clunking Mac truck. I love both bikes. Never was an R bike fan, rode them, owned them, but we'll never understood why they still exist. I love the CB as I wanted a naked bike again. You will enjoy it.
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That about sums up my mindset about Der Boxter. Before owning one, all I heard was about the smoothness and balance of those things.
Now, they're precision equipment. They're tractor-torquey. AND they're fast...and I do like the chassis balance. Took some getting used to, but on a trip two months into ownership, it and I made friends. BUT...it's almost as bad as my long-ago SR 500 thumper. After an hour on the saddle, my arms go neuralgic. And the shift linkage vibrated apart, behind the sheathing, unbeknownst to me...fortunately, I was three miles from the dealer. Thought the shift pawls were shot, that I couldn't get it into gear. Instead...vibration.
It's fifteen years old (owned it a year) and high mileage. Time to set it aside for rethinking; and maybe a divorce.
Nowthe CB1100 seems the chance to get a retro UJB that actually FITS...a grown-up TU 250. I just hope it's as good as the magazine reviews scream it is.
Yes, it is. And even better. The vibrations will not harm your hands.
The fuel consumption is smaller I suppose. It will be good for
high mileage too. I do not regret buying this nice and smooth motorbike.
Wisedrum
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Watch out you find yourself in the garage staring at it too much. Smart move adding it to the collection. Welcome and enjoy.
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The boxers were best when sub 800cc, as BMW increases size to keep up in the size and HP wars, IMHO they exceeded the proper operational window. The pressure in the crank is so high sometimes from the two huge Pistons moving back and forth will blow out the oil sight window!
I have been blessed with the money to buy anything I want, and it is not the junk BMW produces now. Instead I rebuilt and upgraded my 1990 K75RT myself and bought a 2013 CB 1100 and liked it so much I went out and bought the 2014 CB 1100 DLX.
If tall you may have to lower the pegs, and install a taller seat. I'm 5'8" and I lowered the pegs due to my arthritic knees.
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Do you have links on where to get lowered pegs?
I have a link on getting a Cozy brand seat; I'll give that a try. Or maybe have a seat made special up. Again, it's probably better to live with it awhile and figure out where it needs improving.
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I sold my 08 K1200 GT and bought a 2014 DLX about a month ago. I was looking for simplicity and the GT was just too complicated. It was my first BMW and while I appreciated it's massive power and creature comforts I felt that it was an explosion waiting to happen, too many service bulletin's and warranty work. Additionally, I am 66 years old been riding for 50 + years and although I'm in excellent shape the GT was way too heavy. I love the classic look of the CB, yet it's pretty sophisticated. It's smooth and deceptively fast, gearbox is buttery and is handles well enough. All in all I don't miss the GT. JMHO
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Welcome! Good to see someone else from Montana. Are you getting a Standard or a Deluxe? Either way you'll love it. I thought about getting a different seat, but now after 4,300 miles the stock seat is great. Since I do most of my riding over 60mph a fairing was a must have for me.
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