thinking of a cb1100 - opinions from bonnie owners?

[kev_b81_imp]

I currently have a bonnie (mag wheels, D&D exhaust, gel seat, and a bunch of odds and ends). I am thinking of getting a CB and had a few questions.

1. For those who had both, what are your general thoughts between the two? Anything you regret, wish you knew, etc?
2. I am looking for a bit more 2 up riding for short weekend trips (couple of hundred miles). Will this bike handle it well?
3. How hard are valve checks etc? I've done my own maint. on a number of bikes - I thought my Kawi 250 was pretty easy to work on. My Guzzi California, was alot more annoying to wrench on.

Thanks!

[ClassicVW_imp]

Hi Kevin. I'm in north jersey, where are you?
I previously owned a Bonnie. I don't think I'd consider the CB if I still had the Bonnie.
I think the two bikes are very similar in reliability and what they are good at, and the CB will not be all that more suitable for two-up riding. If it's two-up for an afternoon ride, maybe. For longer rides like a tour, and you need to take along some luggage, then no.

Sorry I can't address the valve check.

BTW, if you are looking for a bike to tour on, I'll have a NT700V for sale very shortly. Only has about 1300 miles.

[fiscy_imp]

I currently have a bonnie (mag wheels, D&D exhaust, gel seat, and a bunch of odds and ends). I am thinking of getting a CB and had a few questions.

1. For those who had both, what are your general thoughts between the two? Anything you regret, wish you knew, etc?
2. I am looking for a bit more 2 up riding for short weekend trips (couple of hundred miles). Will this bike handle it well?
3. How hard are valve checks etc? I've done my own maint. on a number of bikes - I thought my Kawi 250 was pretty easy to work on. My Guzzi California, was alot more annoying to wrench on.

Thanks!

Valve adjustment on the CB requires camshaft removal and uses shims to adjust valves.

[kev_b81_imp]

Thanks. I live in Jersey City. What about you?

Why do you say that you wouldn't consider the CB if you still had the bonnie? Was it very comparable?

How much are you selling the NT700 for?

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Hi kev. My take is a little different. I used to own an '07 Bonnie and it was a fine motorcycle. But the Bonnie didn't come near to having the power/low-end torque that the CB has. I loved the look of the Bonnie and for putting around, it was fine. Truth is, I found it a bit boring. No offense to all you Bonnie owners out there! I feel that the CB does everything the Bonnie does, only better. However, I agree that in terms of long distance touring, both the Bonnie and the CB are less than ideal. On short rides under 100 miles, my wife is fine on the back. Longer than that and she's very uncomfortable - both her back and knees begin to hurt. And, as Classic mentioned, having a passenger and luggage would prove challenging. Not necessarily impossible, but challenging. Good luck to you!

[the Ferret]

Also a previous Bonnie owner here. Bonnie was a fine motorcycle and I put 20,000 mostly trouble free miles on mine. Never had a valve go out of spec. BTW the valve systems on the Bonnie and the CB are exactly the same shim over bucket. Can be easily checked but difficult to change. The Bonnie was low on power, low on brakes and had a horrible seat, had way less range, and weird size handlebars. For me the CB was a huge step up 85 HP vs 58 HP, more torque on the CB, awesome double disc front brakes and while the seat is mediocre it is miles ahead of the Bonnie seat which was truly a vinyl covered board. Speaking of seats, the CB's is so much easier to remove no tools needed. I think the Bonnie was easier to work on, I think the CB needs to be worked on less often. As far as two up touring, neither is up to snuff unless you are 20 something hard bodies that weigh less than 130 pounds each. For solo touring either will be fine, although with a larger motor and another gear in the transmission on a 14 model and more range from the larger tank, I think the CB is better equipped for solo touring. If you are out touring and do need help, Honda dealers are everywhere and Triumph dealers are pretty scarce. Both bikes draw about the same amount of attention from bystanders. The Cb comes with a centerstand from the factory, an option on the Bonnie.

Liked my Bonnie a lot, seriously, (sold it to my younger brother who I ride with every week so it's still in the family) but I love my CB.

[Capo]

Hey, Kev, I'm down in Sea Girt, come visit! I have both a Bonnie and a CB1100, and the CB is a better bike in most every measurable way than the Triumph. That being said, measurability isn't at the top of my motorbike criteria, and I don't love the CB any more than I do the Bonnie. And depending on the day, ride, or mood, I may prefer the Bonneville. Bot are great, straightforward retro moderns.

As for it being a significant upgrade from the Bonnie, knowing the NJ/NY roads you are likely to be touring, I don't think it will be the ticket for your two- up needs. Yes, it's more powerful and creamy. But If you can swing keeping the Bonnie and getting something more two- up tour oriented, that would be ideal. A Tiger 800 ( also in my fleet) is just about ideal for our area, and while it might not float your boat emotionally, it, or a bike like it, will give you a lot of happiness and utility.

As for the wrenching part, it's a Honda, so you'll not need to worry too much. But an inline 4 is a bit more complex than the simple Triumph vertical twin.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Hey kev, I sent you a private message.

[the Ferret]

Should also mention, the CB is taller (an inch or so taller seat height) wider and heavier (approx 30 pounds for the std , 60 pounds for the dlx) than the Bonnie T100.

[Topstroke_imp]

I had a Bonneville T100 a very nice bike, but, no ABS. Two times I had cars make left turns in front of me and came very close but didn't go down. That's when I decided I wanted a fourteen DLX with ABS, and I feel much more comfortable with that added safety factor. Also a big plus getting 4 cylinders instead of two. A fine bike. Topstroke