Still On The Fence

[Dareius_imp]

I absolutely love the CB1100 EX, but I wonder if this bike is good for a weekend escape, due to the absence of any wind deflector and legs protection.
I am also considering the BMW F800 GT and the new and upcoming BMW R1200 RS.
What can you tell me about your experience with the CB1100? What's your opinion about a weekend trip?
Thank you.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Just chase up my (and others, particularly Cormanus') posts in seat time and you will see what some think. The alternatives you mention are both brilliant bikes. Day, weekend, or the "Big One" (around Australia), road or trail, the CB will do me.

Cheers

[VOZZA_imp]

Hi Dareius, the CB cannot be compared realistically with the BMW's.
The CB is about the feel good factor that is gives being styled in the retro fashion but with modern reliable mechanics and of course the drop dead gorgeous looks.
The BMW's are a compromise of practicality for touring and style.
Of course the CB is capable of touring but I would guess that it would require period luggage and possibly wind protection accessories. I am afraid to fit anything to my CB because it could spoil the look that I bought the bike for.
So I guess it's down to what you want from the bike. If it's looks the CB wins easily and it also rides superbly. If you need touring practicality the BMW's may suit you better.
Good luck with your choice.

[Dareius_imp]

Heard that the F800GT has some heating problems. Do you know anything about that?

[the Ferret]

Probably an F800GT forum could more accurately address any heat issue on the BMW. I have heard rumors of reliability issues with the parallel twin, particularly top end issues, but can not verify those as I have never owned one, and maybe BMW has resolved that issue.

I have spent 2 multi day, multi state trips touring on CB 1100's. One trip the bike was naked, one trip it had a clear windshield, both times it wore soft luggage. It did fine both times. This year I will again be taking two multi day trip multi state trips on it as well.. And I have a dedicated touring bike, a Honda ST 1300. The 1300 is better on the freeways, the CB 1100 is more fun on the backroads.

I also suggest reading the reports in the seat time section, many good travelers and writers here.

Btw have you been reading the blog of the husband and wife team that are traveling the world on a couple CB 1100 dlx's? Good stuff, great photos.

Have fun and ride safe on whatever is your ultimate choice.

[Siggy Javotnik_imp]

Like Ferret, I have enjoyed long multi-state trips on the CB, fully loaded with tent and sleeping bags and soft saddlebags: [url=http://s232.photobucket.com/user/rickykarate/media/imagejpg2-1.jpg.html]
Back roads instead of interstate, ferries instead of freeway.

And also like Ferret, when I need to get somewhere far away fast, I take a touring bike. For me it's a Guzzi Stelvio NTX with stock aluminum hard bags that hold more than I could possibly need. Horses for courses -- if your planning on back road scenic rides, get the CB! If you have to burn up the slab, get the ADV or touring bike.

[rboe]

The CB1100 is a standard bike, back in the day folks did every thing with a standard and toured the world with them. It is not a particularly good adventure bike; but tell that to these folks: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031856

You will find machines much better at a particular task than the CB, most of us bought her because she is a pretty girl. But she has chops and can be kitted out to your hearts desire.

Now that said, I find that most bikes are ridden about town and this bike does that very well (not as good as a 250 - well, maybe better if town riding involves a lot of freeway riding) and that specialized bike it just too much machine or just not real good at town riding. For those times you want to tour, toss on extra farkles and tour!

It really kinda depends on how you ride most of the time and what you want to do with the bike. If a bike does what you want to use a bike for well then you got the right bike. Sometimes, you need two or more bikes....