The Difference Between 5th and 6th Gear

[BugSpatteredJacket_imp]

Afternoon,

I wanted to inquire if anyone can confirm if their is a substantial difference in savings regarding gasoline mpg between the 2013 5 speed CB 1100 and the 2014 6 Speed CB1100. According to Ferret he "actually got better gas mileage with the 13 than the 14 due to gearing and weight."

I know that generally the 6th speed does save on gas and is kinder to the engine but I reckon the prices of the 2013 will be hit hard in my neck of the woods as a result of the 2014 6th gear. So if there isn't that much of a savings, if at all, regarding 6th gear I'd just as happily save some money and get the 5 speed they have going for sell.



P.S. FYI we only get the standard model, no deluxe in Canada! They did however throw us the 6th gear as compensation I guess.

[Tortuga_imp]

Sixth gear alone isn't going to make much difference unless you commute long long distances on highways at cruising speed. Who buys an unfaired retro for that job?

This bike to me is a fun toy. Five gears are perfectly fine. I ride in fourth more than fifth for the control and engine braking it offers. Fifth feels too tall for the tight twisty roads I ride on.

I feel the marketing of the extra gear as a fuel saving device are a little far fetched. Just ride that damn thing and enjoy it!

Plus our fuel is twice or more the price of yours in the USA so don't worry.

[the Ferret]

BSJ... It isn't much different, and my 14 is still breaking in. I actually got better mileage on my first 2 tanks on the 14 (about 50) than the mileage on the first 2 tanks on the 13 ( about 48) But my mileage got better and better on the 13 as it broke in, to the point where I was getting 54-55 mpg. I'm at 50 on the 14 with 641 miles on it, and suspect the mileage will also go up on it as the motor breaks in and frees up. At approx 2000 miles on the motor, I will have a good idea of what kind of mileage to expect from then on.

[Red Mist_imp]

The fuel mileage is going to be a function of a few more things than just outright gearing. If the '14 motor can push the bike along at the exact same speed under the same conditions, with the same fueling and exact same throttle opening, then you'll save gas. But as the '14 weighs more, and undoubtedly has more drag due to the larger tank, twin exhausts, and other physical differences, it probably needs just as much fuel per mile as the '13, maybe even more.

We can get more fuel efficiency from aerodynamic changes than any other single thing, and the 2014 has moved a little more in the direction of a barn door as far as air molecules are concerned.

I wondered about the fuel efficiency issue; the six-speed is really providing a closer ratio transmission, which is helpful when the motorcycle weighs more. A lighter bike can get away with having a wide-ratio tranny as the engine can pull it with the available torque and lower revolutions. A bike that's 30 pounds heftier will be more rideable with more closely-spaced gear ratios.

Also the 0-60 times, roll-on performance, and so on are going to be better for the lighter 2013 version.

For me, the 2013 is just at the weight where if it were any bigger and heavier, I'd have taken a pass. Even ten pounds more would have been too much. As it is, it strikes a very nice balance of stability, style, comfort, and performance.

[the Ferret]

The fuel mileage is going to be a function of a few more things than just outright gearing. If the '14 motor can push the bike along at the exact same speed under the same conditions, with the same fueling and exact same throttle opening, then you'll save gas. But as the '14 weighs more, and undoubtedly has more drag due to the larger tank, twin exhausts, and other physical differences, it probably needs just as much fuel per mile as the '13, maybe even more.

We can get more fuel efficiency from aerodynamic changes than any other single thing, and the 2014 has moved a little more in the direction of a barn door as far as air molecules are concerned.

I wondered about the fuel efficiency issue; the six-speed is really providing a closer ratio transmission, which is helpful when the motorcycle weighs more. A lighter bike can get away with having a wide-ratio tranny as the engine can pull it with the available torque and lower revolutions. A bike that's 30 pounds heftier will be more rideable with more closely-spaced gear ratios.

Also the 0-60 times, roll-on performance, and so on are going to be better for the lighter 2013 version.

For me, the 2013 is just at the weight where if it were any bigger and heavier, I'd have taken a pass. Even ten pounds more would have been too much. As it is, it strikes a very nice balance of stability, style, comfort, and performance.

Unless the rider of the 14 weighs 35 pounds less than the rider of the 13


You have to take bike and rider as a combo

[Tortuga_imp]

The fuel mileage is going to be a function of a few more things than just outright gearing. If the '14 motor can push the bike along at the exact same speed under the same conditions, with the same fueling and exact same throttle opening, then you'll save gas. But as the '14 weighs more, and undoubtedly has more drag due to the larger tank, twin exhausts, and other physical differences, it probably needs just as much fuel per mile as the '13, maybe even more.

We can get more fuel efficiency from aerodynamic changes than any other single thing, and the 2014 has moved a little more in the direction of a barn door as far as air molecules are concerned.

I wondered about the fuel efficiency issue; the six-speed is really providing a closer ratio transmission, which is helpful when the motorcycle weighs more. A lighter bike can get away with having a wide-ratio tranny as the engine can pull it with the available torque and lower revolutions. A bike that's 30 pounds heftier will be more rideable with more closely-spaced gear ratios.

Also the 0-60 times, roll-on performance, and so on are going to be better for the lighter 2013 version.

For me, the 2013 is just at the weight where if it were any bigger and heavier, I'd have taken a pass. Even ten pounds more would have been too much. As it is, it strikes a very nice balance of stability, style, comfort, and performance.

Which is what I was trying to say, but rushed by my other half who was serving food, I forgot to be as eloquent as Red Master!

[Red Mist_imp]

The fuel mileage is going to be a function of a few more things than just outright gearing. If the '14 motor can push the bike along at the exact same speed under the same conditions, with the same fueling and exact same throttle opening, then you'll save gas. But as the '14 weighs more, and undoubtedly has more drag due to the larger tank, twin exhausts, and other physical differences, it probably needs just as much fuel per mile as the '13, maybe even more.

We can get more fuel efficiency from aerodynamic changes than any other single thing, and the 2014 has moved a little more in the direction of a barn door as far as air molecules are concerned.

I wondered about the fuel efficiency issue; the six-speed is really providing a closer ratio transmission, which is helpful when the motorcycle weighs more. A lighter bike can get away with having a wide-ratio tranny as the engine can pull it with the available torque and lower revolutions. A bike that's 30 pounds heftier will be more rideable with more closely-spaced gear ratios.

Also the 0-60 times, roll-on performance, and so on are going to be better for the lighter 2013 version.

For me, the 2013 is just at the weight where if it were any bigger and heavier, I'd have taken a pass. Even ten pounds more would have been too much. As it is, it strikes a very nice balance of stability, style, comfort, and performance.

Which is what I was trying to say, but rushed by my other half who was serving food, I forgot to be as eloquent as Red Master!

Which is what I was trying to say, but rushed by my other half who was serving food, I forgot to be as eloquent as Red Master!

[BugSpatteredJacket_imp]

All valid points. I appreciate the input. Part of me is just hung up on the idea of 6 speeds more so than the reality of it I suppose. Kinda of annoyed with Honda for doing this...

Oh, btw, I'M the kinda guy who buys an unfaired retro for commuting... I use to ride daily to and from Carlow to Dublin in Irish rainy weather and honestly, I found the windshields to be more of a hindrance at times in lieu of visibility and cross winds, etc...

That being said, my commute in Canada has shrunk considerably and thus, this CB really will fit the bill nicely. I am loving this forum and loving all of the positive reviews for this bike. Though, I have a sneaking suspicion that this bike wont be available in Canada for very long. Just a hunch so I am hoping to pick one asap. Again...

[Tortuga_imp]

All valid points. I appreciate the input. Part of me is just hung up on the idea of 6 speeds more so than the reality of it I suppose. Kinda of annoyed with Honda for doing this...

Oh, btw, I'M the kinda guy who buys an unfaired retro for commuting... I use to ride daily to and from Carlow to Dublin in Irish rainy weather and honestly, I found the windshields to be more of a hindrance at times in lieu of visibility and cross winds, etc...

That being said, my commute in Canada has shrunk considerably and thus, this CB really will fit the bill nicely. I am loving this forum and loving all of the positive reviews for this bike. Though, I have a sneaking suspicion that this bike wont be available in Canada for very long. Just a hunch so I am hoping to pick one asap. Again...

You're welcome. Enjoy your 2013 Honda CB1100 'Fuel Saver - Ultra Lite Edition' before they're all snapped up by speculators and investors!

[Dale_imp]

Just wanted to note that the Canadian 2014 Standard (the only one available in the country) is a six speed. Interesting to see what Honda thinks are the wants and needs of buyers in different countries.