Getting older and buying a new CB1100

[Beemer Guy_imp]

Last year I started [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=6905]this thread which stiffened my resolve to buy the CB. I made a deal for a leftover 2013 locally, and then I got cold feet. I don't remember why, exactly, but I decided not to do it. That was September, I think.

I noticed in a recent poll here that the typical forum member is, um, of a senior persuasion. I just turned 55.

I've been riding bikes since I was 19 (CB350) and then a CB400 and I sold it to buy my first house and then a break of several years followed by a Kawasaki and then I got into Beemers. I quit riding a couple of years ago, largely because of tendonitis but also because I was just nervous a lot, riding in town with the morons on their phones or out in the boonies with Bambi just waiting to rush out and kill me. I hit her once (but stayed up). After that event, I bought a Porsche 911. But that's a different story.

I'm starting to feel my age now, my knees hurt, my stamina is down, every year that goes by it seems that I have more trouble getting a good night's sleep and don't even ask about my bowels. I'm not here to complain or to get sympathy, I'm just sayin' that I'm getting older and my mortality is more evident to me. I see my father-in-law, angry at the world because his body is failing (86) as is his memory and he knows that he doesn't have much longer here, and he certainly is not enjoying himself most of the time. Debbie downer.

So I thought, why not get the motorcycle? The CB1100 appeals to me because of its retro looks, the riding position, and it's not very expensive. And it's no heavier than the BMWs that I rode, but appears to be a bit smaller and easier to tuck into the side of the garage.

I don't have to ride it every weekend, right? I don't even need to ride it once a month, if I don't feel like it. I can roll it out and ride it around the block long enough to warm up the oil and have an excuse to wash it, right? I don't have to do the Easy Rider journey across the southwest, or the Iron Butt rally to prove that I'm not a poseur. Those days are behind me, and there's nothing wrong with putt-putting down the street at 35 MPH like a geezer with my left turn signal blinking the whole time.

Thoughts?

[ss2wheels_imp]

I can relate to all of that, trailer that thing to Myrtle Beach and look me up and we can take some 30 minute rides with both our blinkers on.. Lol

[Ctatyk_imp]

Other than the "left turn signal blinking", I see no reason to avoid purchasing the CB1100.

If you like the riding position and the price and it won't put you in too much debt (doubt that, if you can afford a 911), then pull the trigger.

Personally, I'm 46 and I ride when I feel like riding and if I don't feel like riding, I don't. None of my friends pressure me about "riding enough". Many of my friends haven't even seen the bike other than pictures because either I'm traveling or the weather has been crap.

[Cormanus]

Last year I started [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=6905]this thread which stiffened my resolve to buy the CB. I made a deal for a leftover 2013 locally, and then I got cold feet. I don't remember why, exactly, but I decided not to do it. That was September, I think.

I noticed in a recent poll here that the typical forum member is, um, of a senior persuasion. I just turned 55.

I've been riding bikes since I was 19 (CB350) and then a CB400 and I sold it to buy my first house and then a break of several years followed by a Kawasaki and then I got into Beemers. I quit riding a couple of years ago, largely because of tendonitis but also because I was just nervous a lot, riding in town with the morons on their phones or out in the boonies with Bambi just waiting to rush out and kill me. I hit her once (but stayed up). After that event, I bought a Porsche 911. But that's a different story.

I'm starting to feel my age now, my knees hurt, my stamina is down, every year that goes by it seems that I have more trouble getting a good night's sleep and don't even ask about my bowels. I'm not here to complain or to get sympathy, I'm just sayin' that I'm getting older and my mortality is more evident to me. I see my father-in-law, angry at the world because his body is failing (86) as is his memory and he knows that he doesn't have much longer here, and he certainly is not enjoying himself most of the time. Debbie downer.

So I thought, why not get the motorcycle? The CB1100 appeals to me because of its retro looks, the riding position, and it's not very expensive. And it's no heavier than the BMWs that I rode, but appears to be a bit smaller and easier to tuck into the side of the garage.

I don't have to ride it every weekend, right? I don't even need to ride it once a month, if I don't feel like it. I can roll it out and ride it around the block long enough to warm up the oil and have an excuse to wash it, right? I don't have to do the Easy Rider journey across the southwest, or the Iron Butt rally to prove that I'm not a poseur. Those days are behind me, and there's nothing wrong with putt-putting down the street at 35 MPH like a geezer with my left turn signal blinking the whole time.

Thoughts?

[ChipBeck_imp]

Last year I started [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=6905]this thread which stiffened my resolve to buy the CB. I made a deal for a leftover 2013 locally, and then I got cold feet. I don't remember why, exactly, but I decided not to do it. That was September, I think.

I noticed in a recent poll here that the typical forum member is, um, of a senior persuasion. I just turned 55.

I've been riding bikes since I was 19 (CB350) and then a CB400 and I sold it to buy my first house and then a break of several years followed by a Kawasaki and then I got into Beemers. I quit riding a couple of years ago, largely because of tendonitis but also because I was just nervous a lot, riding in town with the morons on their phones or out in the boonies with Bambi just waiting to rush out and kill me. I hit her once (but stayed up). After that event, I bought a Porsche 911. But that's a different story.

I'm starting to feel my age now, my knees hurt, my stamina is down, every year that goes by it seems that I have more trouble getting a good night's sleep and don't even ask about my bowels. I'm not here to complain or to get sympathy, I'm just sayin' that I'm getting older and my mortality is more evident to me. I see my father-in-law, angry at the world because his body is failing (86) as is his memory and he knows that he doesn't have much longer here, and he certainly is not enjoying himself most of the time. Debbie downer.

So I thought, why not get the motorcycle? The CB1100 appeals to me because of its retro looks, the riding position, and it's not very expensive. And it's no heavier than the BMWs that I rode, but appears to be a bit smaller and easier to tuck into the side of the garage.

I don't have to ride it every weekend, right? I don't even need to ride it once a month, if I don't feel like it. I can roll it out and ride it around the block long enough to warm up the oil and have an excuse to wash it, right? I don't have to do the Easy Rider journey across the southwest, or the Iron Butt rally to prove that I'm not a poseur. Those days are behind me, and there's nothing wrong with putt-putting down the street at 35 MPH like a geezer with my left turn signal blinking the whole time.

Thoughts?

Beemer,

55 is nothing bro. But it will be if you quit. I've got friends who are 70+ and they climb mountain sides like a goat on our quail hunts. Go out and buy the book "Eat to Live" and read it, get your butt into the gym, walk 2 miles every day and it soon becomes fun, make love to your sweetheart every night, and ride a motorcycle. It will keep your reflexes sharp. I'm in my 60's and I fly aerobatics, race and track my Ford GT, scuba dive, dirt bike, street bike, and backpack to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out twice a year. Get going and keep going and you may have 30 great years of action and adventure ahead of you. Keep eating what is killing you and stop being active and further decline is all you have to look forward to. Today is the day to start. Buy that bike, eat an apple, get out of the house, and terrorize your lady. You can thank this old Marine later. All the best.

Chip

[dsinned_imp]

I just turned 67 and have been living off of social security benefits and my military retirement pension, so I qualify as an "old geezer". I'm in fair health, but grossly overweight. I had a cancer scare last year, but my doctor got rid of it in time. My riding days were essentially over, or so I thought. I still had a really nice sport bike, which had turned into a garage queen, so I sold it last year. But retirement life can be quite boring, so I soon got two new bikes, both Triumphs and much more comfortable to ride, if only just for recreational pursuits.

My Honda CB1100 is now my favorite bike to ride. It is certainly not punishing like a sport bikes. It is a UJM" with a very sensible riding position and the engine is VERY SMOOTH. The six speed tranny, only available since 2014, has received many kudos as well! I love just looking at this bike parked in my garage. It is a beautiful machine!

Bottom line, the CB1100 is a great choice for the "aging" among us and affordable even on a relatively modest income. I still don't ride very often these days, mostly because I prefer riding when the weather is ideally suited for old geezers like me, which all too often is either too hot, too cold and/or too windy or perhaps just too likely to rain.

My advice is to go for it, because I believe the CB1100 is the perfect choice for someone in your stage of life. It sure as hell is a great relief for any signs of a lingering mid life crisis. Good luck!

[Nemo_imp]

I can't relate to all your old people dilemmas because at 51 I'm way, way younger than you. But you should've been to our CB1100 rally... Talk about OLD PEOPLE!

There's this guy they call The Ferret and he's been riding motorbikes since the motors were steam powered. Then there's Redbirds; he had to carve the wheels of his first bike out of Georgia's Red Top Mountain boulders. The Powerdogg grew up distilling his own fuel for his Triumph Model H, but he used to drink half of it so he never went too far. Finally, although they weren't here this year and I didn't meet them, I hear the combined age of the Aussies has to be measured using Carbon-14.



I tell ya'... Get off the lazy-boy, hang up the fluffy slippers, get your gear on, get on the bike and (at your pace) RIDE THE S=1T OUT OF IT!

DO NOT GO GENTLE! See you at Eureka Springs!



P.S. Check [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ15mbuE_pw]THIS out!

[Django]

Just do it. I like the idea of putt-putting down the road with the left turn signal blinking.

Get a std with ABS, it's about 20 kg less weight than the dlx, and have fun.

[Capo]

55 is not old, but you can convince yourself that it is, I suppose. Chip's advice is good, and even if you can't run a triathlon, to allow a few aches and pains to turn your mind into thinking that 35mph is your limit is a one way ticket to decrepitude.

Last week at the AHRMA races I spent time with fellas as old as 90 still racing. Inspired me so much that I'm buying a track bike. Motorcycles keep you young. Buy the darn CB.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Great stuff. LOL
I just turned 59, and got the CB for many of the same reasons you've listed above.
It was only a couple of years ago that there were 4 bikes in my garage, including a Ducati 900SS, and a cafe-style Triumph Bonneville...those days are very over. While I still love riding, I just can't fold myself up anymore onto the sportbikes that I've known, loved, owned and ridden for the past four decades.
So the CB hits all the right buttons with me: decent size, torquey inline-4, very comfortable, upright position, and is just plain drop-dead gorgeous.
I'm presently going through some health issues, so my time in the saddle has dwindled dramatically, but who cares? I'm not on a schedule, or have a quota or mileage goal to meet! I ride when I can, and enjoy the heck out of it. When I'm not riding, I can still stare longingly at her.
Bottom line? Buying a motorcycle is a very subjective thing, but I think that you'll find that there's little not to like/love with this one. Add to that a forum like this one with a great bunch of folks to virtually hang out with, and it's a no-brainer, win-win kind of deal.