CB1100 as first bike?

[rboe]

I bought a 2000 Moto Guzzi Quota as my first bike back after a 26 year vacation. I did take a Motorcycle Safety course first so I had some seat time. Highly recommended. Nice to have professionals get you back into thinking like a motorcyclist again. Since you don't know what you don't know there is a good chance you'll learn something, you will knock the rust off of skills you may not have remembered you need too.

I could have just as easily started with the CB1100 if it had been available. Nice to have a good high torque motor to forgive mistakes with the clutch. Not too much horsepower, and while there is plenty of power to get you in trouble it comes on very smoothly with proper manners. It is also enough bike to keep you entertained as your skills come back and your confidence builds back.

For a first time rider; she is a better choice than what many first timers choose, but not the best.

[cbfan_imp]

You have not mentioned how many years experience you have and what sort of bikes you've had before. If you've only been on something less than 500cc for only a short time many years ago then maybe starting up again might be like the first time. Being of average height and in shape and not an old fart like me then I think you would have a fun start up. Maybe take the motorcycle training course again to get your confidence up. If you go for it just start off slow and easy and stay away from traffic situations for awhile and don't worry about thinking it has too much power cause you are in control of the throttle it only has as much power as you give it. I think if you get something smaller you might regret it but on the other hand with today's technology smaller cc bikes have some kick ass power. What you might want to consider is finding a cheap 750-1000cc bike on Craigslist and ride it for awhile, you can always sell it again on CL..........most of us have dropped our bikes when getting started again so get your "drops" out of the way before you buy a neat new bike.............

[blinks112_imp]

My CB1100 is my first road bike, although I had some experience with dirt bikes in the past and took an MSF basic course (which I believe helped quite a bit). Haven't felt any trouble so far. Actually feels a lot more comfortable and stable than the old 250 they had me riding =)

[Third Quarter_imp]

Thanks again for the good advice everyone, especially "cbfan". My experience was indeed a couple of years on a Honda 350, half of my life ago. I plan to take the full training course as if I were starting from ground zero, and even then only after a good deal of lonely parking lot time practicing basic skills.

I'll let you know how it goes!

[Cormanus]

For what it's worth, here are the views of another returning rider. My early riding experience was on small road bikes (<350cc), although, from time to time I managed rides on larger machines and could claim a very little experience. After a long-ish layoff, I got back to riding on a Honda VT750C Shadow. It was about the size I wanted but, locked in the past as I was, I wasn't all that keen on the look or riding position of similar-sized sport bikes (I think I secretly wanted a 1970s CB500 Four). The Shadow worked for me because I'm short (30" inseam) and could sit on it with both feet flat on the ground. Once I got used to the idea that it was a cruiser and didn't corner as well as the road bikes I'd ridden, I had a lot of fun on it and it was a good bike to return to riding on—more power that I'd been used to, but not too much.

The trouble for me was that, just after I bought it, I discovered the CB1100 and it was love at first site. It was an update of the bikes I'd wanted in my youth and couldn't afford at the time. I resisted for 2.5 years and then a rider mate persuaded em I should make the change. By then, of course, Honda had stopped importing the CB1100 into Australia. I was very lucky and picked up a second hand one, less than a year old with just over 2000Kms on the clock. I've added 4000+Kms (It's just had a 6000Km service—required for warranty) and is running like a top.

Should I have bought it when I got on again? For various reasons, not least the price of a new one, I wouldn't have bought it at the time I got back on again. But I think I would have been fine. It's a very forgiving bike—once under way, although heavy when maneuvering by hand—smooth and easy to ride. I found I've quickly got used to the extra power. I enjoy riding it more and more each time I go out.

I had one mishap while trying to wheel it out of my car port. My drive is steep and I had a technique for slowly reversing and turning it. On one occasion, the downward turn was too tight and it fell over (gently) on me.

While on a charity ride on the 750C, I won an advanced rider course. I finally got around to organising and taking it this week, and found it well worth it. I think the advice of others that it's a useful thing for returning riders to do it well worth heeding. I kinda wish I'd done it earlier.

Good luck with whatever choice you make. Ride safely.

[PowderToastMan_imp]

I think it's doable, but you have to be really sensible about it. It could be pretty hard to avoid dropping such a heavy bike if you haven't been accustomed to motorcycles in general.
My first bike was very tiny and light, but it felt slightly heavy to me at the time.

Also, you can get in over your head, make a noob mistake and take a spill on a lot less bike than this (I know that firsthand!!)

All that said, it is as I've said from the day I got this bike.. go easy on the throttle and it will go easy on you.

No matter which way you go, take an MSF course and any other training that you can get. Also I recommend that you read Proficient Motorcycling, and then keep it for reference and re-read it once in a while. Find a good riding buddy or two who can be patient with you at first and help you grow into it. May be good to stay away from larger group rides until you're really comfortable

That's just my two cents!

[kevbroce_imp]

I got my license in July with no previous riding experience other than maybe 2 hours riding friends dirt bikes 10 years ago. I had a Shadow 500 for about 3 months/2500 miles, then bought the CB, so I was pretty green when I bought it. Yes, its a 1100, but it's not a particularly powerful one. You get a lot of torque which makes it an easy ride, but its not it's not really enough power get you in more trouble than any other bike. No power wheelies here. That said, its way more powerful than you *need*, so there plenty of fun to be had. The brakes are very nice, ABS if you want it, easy seat height. Looking at pictures, I expected the bike to be bigger than it is, if you haven't seen it in person you might be thinking the same thing. Like others have said, the only thing that has stood out as more difficult than my Shadow is the weight, but that bike was 440lbs. Most bike weigh more than that thing. The CB is less than a Sportster, which many people start on.

If you are concerned, why not buy a cheap bike while its winter and the market is in you favor, ride it till your confident again?

[Aussie_imp]

No one here is going to tell you not to buy it. Fact is, the bike is big and it is heavy. As an inexperienced rider you are going to drop it at some point; you'll grab a handful at slow speed turning and over she will go. It will cost $ to fix, you will wonder why you didn't buy a cheaper second hand bike to learn on.

I've only been riding for about 6 years and I'm 37.

First bike was a 1999 Honda CBR250RR. First day dropped it doing a slow turn. Then I crashed it in the hills, broke a couple levers off and road rashed the fairing. Then I dropped it again when I didn't put the stand down properly.

Second bike was a 2009 Honda CB400 (great bike and would be a perfect medium sized bike to learn on but not available in the US). Dropped it on it's side at very slow speed practicing to get my full licence, no damage to bike but strained my hamstring 'laying it down' and limped for 4 weeks, and that bike is only 190kg or do fully fueled.

Third bike was a 2005 Honda VFR800. Hated it. Too top heavy and I'm a little to short to confidently flat foot. Dropped it after doing a night shift when I was backing it out of the car park. Yeah I was dead tired but the bike is heavy and I'm only 150 pounds or so. Nice damage to fairing, levers etc. Then I dropped it in my garage after lazily taking it off the sides stand to check the oil and it toppled over, more damage, more $.

Well, I've now got the CB1100 and after a year I haven't dropped it. It's got a low centre of gravity and low seat height and It's light once you get underway, but you need some experience because it is still heavy and if it goes you will unlikely stop it unless you can squat 250 kg on one leg, trust me you will rip a muscle unless you either stop it in time or are a big bloke. It's not overly powerful so that's not really the issue, just the weight.

That is my experience. I'm not a hoon and I'm not a risk taker but it has taken me a few years and a few drops/crashes to learn. It has cost me a more than a few $ along the way as well. Once you damage a new bike the value plummets unless you fix it, and that can cost big $. Better to drop a second hand bike a few times and learn on that, and something under 200kg would be a good place to start.

In Australia as a learner rider they wouldn't even let you on a bike with a power to weight ratio over 150 k/wt per tonne, and most states won't let you ride a bike over 660cc, and even then they have to fall under the 150 k/wt per tonne, so no sports bikes. That is until you get a full licence and pass the testing which can take a while, even for 'mature' riders. Most people start out on 250cc bikes, although there are now bigger, lower powered bikes to choose from as well.

One of the bigger issues for road safety over here is riders who return after many years off a bike, sometimes 20-30 years, who have a full bike licence from years ago, and who go and buy a full powered bike because they can, and then have accidents because they can't handle the power. Now, this would not be an issue on the CB1100 because it really isn't that powerful; it's got good torque and is very linear, so it's learner friendly and if you were going to go over 1000cc and 250kg on your first bike I guess this would be the one to buy!

My 2c only Stay safe!

Just some food for thought.

[davidsargee_imp]

Thanks for the replies folks, very helpful. I am average height, reasonably fit; I am not too concerned about handling the thing at low speeds. Slightly more concerned about too much power giving me more opportunity to get hurt than a lesser bike might. As a Honda I would guess it would be much smoother, more controllable, than the paper specs might suggest. And yet have plenty to grow in to. That's how I felt about my Honda 350 "dual sport" 25 years ago. I'm quite interested in anyone's feedback on that.

I do know that to my eye it looks fantastic, exactly what a motorcycle ought to look like, as few if any other current bikes do (including the rest of the Honda lineup). It may sound odd but I think that will help me to maintain respect and enthusiasm for it over the months it will take to master it.

I returned to riding after about 12 years without a bike, I had large bikes in the past, so I was looking for one. The CB1100 is just like everyone has said, smooth power delivery, very torquey, and easy to ride. It is not a hot rod, but it is quicker than most sports cars, and cruisers.

Actually, I found that low, low, speed maneuvering is what I had to re-adjust to, the CB is top heavy, and sometimes that can get you in trouble if you are not paying attention. Once you get any speed at all, the bike is very nimble and easy to ride. Also, the brakes are very, very, good, care must be taken until you know the bike.

I know this, I probably had some of the same concerns you do, I don't regret buying the CB1100 for a minute.

[PowderToastMan_imp]

No one here is going to tell you not to buy it. Fact is, the bike is big and it is heavy. As an inexperienced rider you are going to drop it at some point; you'll grab a handful at slow speed turning and over she will go. It will cost $ to fix, you will wonder why you didn't buy a cheaper second hand bike to learn on.

I've only been riding for about 6 years and I'm 37.

First bike was a 1999 Honda CBR250RR. First day dropped it doing a slow turn. Then I crashed it in the hills, broke a couple levers off and road rashed the fairing. Then I dropped it again when I didn't put the stand down properly.

Second bike was a 2009 Honda CB400 (great bike and would be a perfect medium sized bike to learn on but not available in the US). Dropped it on it's side at very slow speed practicing to get my full licence, no damage to bike but strained my hamstring 'laying it down' and limped for 4 weeks, and that bike is only 190kg or do fully fueled.

Third bike was a 2005 Honda VFR800. Hated it. Too top heavy and I'm a little to short to confidently flat foot. Dropped it after doing a night shift when I was backing it out of the car park. Yeah I was dead tired but the bike is heavy and I'm only 150 pounds or so. Nice damage to fairing, levers etc. Then I dropped it in my garage after lazily taking it off the sides stand to check the oil and it toppled over, more damage, more $.

Well, I've now got the CB1100 and after a year I haven't dropped it. It's got a low centre of gravity and low seat height and It's light once you get underway, but you need some experience because it is still heavy and if it goes you will unlikely stop it unless you can squat 250 kg on one leg, trust me you will rip a muscle unless you either stop it in time or are a big bloke. It's not overly powerful so that's not really the issue, just the weight.

That is my experience. I'm not a hoon and I'm not a risk taker but it has taken me a few years and a few drops/crashes to learn. It has cost me a more than a few $ along the way as well. Once you damage a new bike the value plummets unless you fix it, and that can cost big $. Better to drop a second hand bike a few times and learn on that, and something under 200kg would be a good place to start.

In Australia as a learner rider they wouldn't even let you on a bike with a power to weight ratio over 150 k/wt per tonne, and most states won't let you ride a bike over 660cc, and even then they have to fall under the 150 k/wt per tonne, so no sports bikes. That is until you get a full licence and pass the testing which can take a while, even for 'mature' riders. Most people start out on 250cc bikes, although there are now bigger, lower powered bikes to choose from as well.

One of the bigger issues for road safety over here is riders who return after many years off a bike, sometimes 20-30 years, who have a full bike licence from years ago, and who go and buy a full powered bike because they can, and then have accidents because they can't handle the power. Now, this would not be an issue on the CB1100 because it really isn't that powerful; it's got good torque and is very linear, so it's learner friendly and if you were going to go over 1000cc and 250kg on your first bike I guess this would be the one to buy!

My 2c only Stay safe!

Just some food for thought.

I find it really sad that they don't sell that bike here. I think it's really a pretty cool bike, and definitely large enough to ride anywhere in the US.

I guess the fact is that they don't think it would sell well enough here or something. I was thinking about one of the 500 twins before buying the 1100, but I would prefer the 400 Super Four over the 500 twin any day.